The Orkney Image Library
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Jim writes:
'Taken September 1957. At the quay Earl Sigurd, and behind the shed the funnel and masts of St Magnus. The larger vessel departing is St Rognvald. The green vessel is unknown.'
Picture added on 27 February 2006
Vessel passing the "Sigurd" is a Norwegian Line fishing boat. The "St Rognvald" was possibly lying at anchor awaiting "St Magnus" to depart at 1700 (Mondays for Aberdeen) because being September it would be the height of the "cattle" season. The Magnus would be loaded with cattle and other regular cargo while the "Rognvald" would then come alongside to load livestock only and depart around 2100. At that time of year she might make 3 or 4 round trips per week so her livestock pens (consisting of very heavy wooden battens that slotted into steel stanchions - none o yer manual handling courses in those days) would be permanently rigged and she would have a quick discharge in Aberdeen - crew clean the holds on the way North- and be up in Kirkwall ready to load the next evening. This is why her derricks are all down as only the forward derrick was needed to lift on the cattle gangway for the animals to walk on board.
Added by W Mackay on 27 January 2008
Kirkwall
