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This old boat was, until recently, in the boatyard at Burray. Can anyone supply details of it's name and history. I believe it is called the 'Noup Head' but I'm not sure. Any help greatly appreciated.
[Over to you Rob... - Steven]
View Large VersionPicture added on 15 May 2008
This vessel is indeed the m.v. 'Noup Head' an ex naval pinnace which was brought to Orkney in the 1950s by George Kent, a retired captain, who operated a charter service to the north isles. George lived on board the vessel in Kirkwall basin for a number of years. - see also picture #4081 and picture #4068. I have very fond memories of travelling to Westray on board the 'Noup Head' on the eve of many a 'Toon Holiday'.
Added by Rob Thomson on 15 May 2008
She is now back in the water with a new keel and repaired copper sheathing.
She is a Harbour Service Launch, 52 feet long, 12feet 6 ins wide, double diagonal teak hull, probably built during or just before the 1914-18 war. Originally coal fired steam driven she came to Orkney with a Weddup (spelling?) diesel engine. Currently has a Leyland 500 160 Hp engine. Her original function was to serve the battleships and other big ships anchored off any harbour. She may have been in service anywhere in the world that the British navy operated, as they took these launches with them to India etc. We want to find out her original navy number as the transom, where it was carved in, was lost some years ago. If anyone has a photo showing the aft deck, it may have parts or all of that number visible on the transom. The navy can supply her full service history if we can give them that number. In George Kent's time she also did many emergency hospital dashes to and from the North Isles. This was before the Loganair air ambulance service.
She is a Harbour Service Launch, 52 feet long, 12feet 6 ins wide, double diagonal teak hull, probably built during or just before the 1914-18 war. Originally coal fired steam driven she came to Orkney with a Weddup (spelling?) diesel engine. Currently has a Leyland 500 160 Hp engine. Her original function was to serve the battleships and other big ships anchored off any harbour. She may have been in service anywhere in the world that the British navy operated, as they took these launches with them to India etc. We want to find out her original navy number as the transom, where it was carved in, was lost some years ago. If anyone has a photo showing the aft deck, it may have parts or all of that number visible on the transom. The navy can supply her full service history if we can give them that number. In George Kent's time she also did many emergency hospital dashes to and from the North Isles. This was before the Loganair air ambulance service.
Added by William McEwen (Westray) on 26 June 2008
I can remember her being afloat a couple of years ago, where did she go?
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Added by G. Spence on 21 January 2012
Burray
