Orkney Image Library

Could that be the Ferndene lying at the Crossberth, she was one of a group of ships that come to mind, namely the Oakdene and the Ashdene, there could have been more?. The boat berthed at the pier with the lorry opposite could the"Cormorant" R.Garden's Cargo Boat. She had a local crew and was constantly on the run south and back. I think there are other Photos' of her on The Image Library. Added by Phil Brough.

The Ferndene that came to Kirkwall in 1960s -70s was a motor ship with mast amidships The last steam coal boat in Kirkwall was SS BRIARDENE in the early 60s. MV OAKDEDENE and MV EDENSIDE were sister ships with different wheelhouses

The ship to the west of the crossberth could be SS AMELIA

This is the Fernside, as far as I can tell with my magnifying glass.

Hi,Grant,I should have thought about the magnifying glass too. In the Forties and Fifties there was the S.S.Edenside, S.S.Ashdene, S.S.Oakdene, the Colliers S.S.Cushag and the S.S.Wisbech, the Cement Boats S.S.St Abbs Head, S.S.Rora Head, S.S.Duncansby Head,as well as slag. All dirty cargoes which had to be handled by shovel.The dockers' certainly earned their money in those days. Added by Phil Brough.

I can mind the "Ashdeen" cuman inta Longhope and she had no reverse gear, to go astern the engine was stoped and restarted on the opposite rotation and one time I think she failed tae restart they gead skreachan" along the pier untill she took the bottom.Thir wiz a lot o shouting and bad words that I had never heard afore!!.

SS RORA HEAD belonged to North of Scotland Orkney and Shetland Steam Navigation Co Ltd

The Ferndene had a red star on its bow, I was on it 70s

MV FERNDENE of the 70s had mast and derricks amidships.

Looks a lot like the old Edenside that was broken up in 1958.

And later in life, the Ferndene had no mast or derricks, just a wee pole forrid for her steaming light.