Photocopied article about the vulnerability of the Merchant Navy during wartime.
Article and map showing the vulnerability of the Merchant Navy during wartime.
1999.244.15
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Tag Archives: boats and water travel
1999.95.1
Black and white postcard titled `Near Scarinish, Tiree`.
Postcard of Scarinish with the harbour in the background.
2003.105.14
Black and white photograph of Archie MacDonald at the pier in the mid-1930s.
Archie MacDonald (Morag Slowther`s brother) on Gott Bay pier in the mid-1950s with the ferry `Loch Carron` approaching.
2003.105.16
Black and white photograph of the coal boat `Glenshira` at Gott Bay pier in the 1970s or 1980s.
Kennedy`s lorry driven by Donald MacKinnon, Hough, at Gott Bay pier in the 1970s or 1980s with the coal boat `Glenshira` tied up alongside.
1999.161.1
Copy of a newspaper photograph titled `The First Since May: An MP at the coal boat`.
Photograph of Mr Macquisten, MP for Argyll, on the quay at Tiree when the first cargo of coal was brought to the island after a stoppage in 1924 or 1925. L-R: (standing) Mr Macquisten, Conservative MP for Argyll; (to the right of the cart) Hugh MacIntyre, Gott (Eoghann a` Ghobhain); Malcolm MacLean, Kirkapol (Calum Mor); unknown; Ground Officer Alick MacLean.
1999.134.6
Specification of the fishing boat ‘Duchess of Argyll’
Transcription of a letter of 1860 from Malcolm Liston of Granton regarding the specifications of the fishing boat ‘Duchess of Argyll’.
Courtesy of His Grace the Duke of Argyll
In 1860 the 8th Duke of Argyll commissioned Malcolm Liston, a boat builder in Granton, to build a ‘first class fishing boat’ costing £130. Named the ‘Duchess of Argyll’, the boat was delivered to Tiree and let out to local fisherman.
Much larger than the average Tiree boat of 22 feet, the ‘Duchess’ was the latest in a series of attempts to encourage local fishermen who, since the rich fishing banks offshore were discovered in the 18th century, had been unable to compete with the bigger boats and superior equipment of crews from the north-east and other islands.
The ‘Duchess’ lasted only ten years. Because of her size, she was difficult to pull up on the beach and had to be moored offshore. In 1871, during a gale, the anchor chain tore out the stern, broke the mooring and she drifted ashore among the rocks at Hynish and was smashed.
1999.134.7
Photocopied letter dated 12/5/1862 to the Duke of Argyll from John Campbell.
Letter dated 12/5/1862 to the Duke of Argyll from chamberlain John Campbell about the fishing boat `Duchess`. (Bundle 1540)
1999.134.8
Photocopied bill of account dated 1861 for canvas for the fishing boat `Duchess`.
Bill of account dated 1861 from William Calder, Sail Maker, for canvas for the fishing boat `Duchess`. (Bundle 1537)
1999.134.9
Photocopied bill of account dated 1861 for fitting out the fishing boat `Duchess`.
Bill of account dated 1861 from Malcolm R Lister, Boat Builder, to the Duke of Argyll for fitting out the fishing boat `Duchess`. (Bundle 1537)
1999.134.12
Rescue involving the crew of the ‘Duchess’
Transcription of a letter of 1868 from the Tiree factor John Geekie about a rescue involving the crew of the ‘Duchess’.
Courtesy of His Grace the Duke of Argyll
In a letter of 1868 to the 8th Duke of Argyll, his factor John Geekie commended eight Tiree men who had rescued three fishermen from drowning in Balephuil Bay during a gale. Two of the men were crew of the ‘Duchess’, built by the Duke in 1860 and let out to local men.
In May 1861 the factor had reported that ‘the crew of the Duchess fishing boat had a very good fishing…once they took courage and went out where the Tyree boats were fishing outside the light house’, the implication being that the crew were unnecessarily timid.
Their reluctance is easily explained by their lack of familiarity handling a vessel nearly twice the length of the average Tiree fishing boat and also by the dangers of fishing five or more miles from shore in a small sailing boat in the days before reliable weather forecasting and global positioning.