Orkney Image Library

I think this is more likely to be the sister ship of the St Magnus, the "Pointer" which used to ply between Ardrossan and Belfast. The " St Magnus" had a 120 ton stability tank behind the funnels, but of course this could easily have been removed.

That was stupid of me. The above photograph was obviously taken in the 70s. I think the featured ship was definately the sister of "St Magnus", as there were two built and I do not think the original name of the "Magnus" was "Neckertaal", although it was something similar.

Stephen, the first name of the "St Magnus" was "Donataul" (spelling might be somewhat different), then " Ulster Sportsman", followed by " Dorset". She was called "Dorset" when she joined the Orkney and Shetland services and was sent to Harland & Wolfe Befast to have the lift fitted and name changed. She had a 120 ton stability tank behind the funnel. This was to damp down the rolling period, when there was no heavy cargo on the upper deck. She was so stiff without weight high up, that she could roll 30% from one side to the other in 11 seconds in a beam sea. Not a desirable attribute when the cargo is heavy trucks etc. With heavy cargo on the upper deck, or with the stability tank in, she was quite a reasonable sea ship.