Orkney Image Library

She was at Hartlepool last month as far as I know.

Steven I think its the Jenny Lee that is in Thurso. Sadly it is in gey poor shape, maybe a restoration project for someone. I have fond memories of the Jenny Lee. My dad and Billy Sinclair used to run it as a charter boat and it was the Jenny Lee that used to run the tourists to Shapinsay Castle on Sundays. We also had the Guide which did charters and in the summer months a scheduled service to Eday, Sanday, Stronsay and Westray. It complimented the Orkney Island Shipping Company timetable giving the tourists more choice. It was good in them days when family run boat charters were viable, like the Flaws family from Wyre, Stevie Mowatt from Stromness and Alfie Nicolson and sons from Shapinsay.

[Thanks David, you're spot on, it was the Jenny Lee that I saw - Steven]

This was a super boat. I saw her in the basin many times. I think that at that time she belonged to a Newlands man????

Jessie Ellen owned by Jimmy Newlanda was named after his mother.

That's the man Bob. I am talking abour the 60s/ early 70's. Somebody told me years ago that he had seen the boat on Loch Ness.

Jimmy was named after his mother?
Was she Jimimima? Jimette? Jiminina? :P

Sandy, The Jessie Ellen was indeed based at the Upper Muirton basin on the Caledonian Canal at Inverness from where she made passenger excursions through the canal to Loch Ness. She had a fine varnished hull at that time. I had a few yarns with Jim Newlands there in the 1960s. The canal company upgraded their tug Scot II, and this larger vessel appealed more to passengers. The Jessie Ellen had left the canal before 1970 if I remember correctly.

After a little research in the loft I have come across a brochure for 'Loch Ness Cruises on MV Jessie Ellen'. The morning and evening cruises were of two and a half hour duration and the fare was 6/-. The afternoon cruise was for three and a half hours and the fare 10/-. Daily except Saturday evening, Sunday and Monday.

Like Ron I did some research and found a Boat Angler magazine dated July/August 1998 which showed her as the charter/angling boat Enterprise based in Whitby and skippered by Tony Stevens. From information on line it would appear that she has had a very successful time in that role.

I think Jimmy Newlands took her to the Clyde (based at Helensburgh in the Summer) after the Scott II pinched their trade on Loch Ness. She was then sold on to somebody else before returning to Stromness about 1976 when she spent a few years running from Houton to Flotta before taking up the Stromness - Graemsay - Moaness summer trade.

Unfortunately she broke her mooring line in a Winter storm and landed up below Argo's Bakery in the early 80s. She was salvaged and repaired and fitted with a new engine following that. She remained on the Hoy summer service till a year or so before the present vessel "Graemsay" was built if my memory is correct.

The boat out of water next to mouth of river Thurso may well be the Jenny Lee; served as a passenger boat and liner tender for several years out of Kirkwall. Owned by Messrs Pottinger and Sinclair of Kirkwall.

Hid a good few trips on her in the late 70s between Houton and Flotta, it was great sittan oot on top at haff six on a bonny spring/summer morning

Note behind the Jessie Ellen's wheelhouse the start of the late Robbie Sutherland's Coal store turning into a fine house - a notable relatively recent change to Stromness waterfront which along with Mrs Mathieson's refurbished house preserved a "lived on" pier.

Jessie Ellen is now undergoing refit in Hartlepool Marina, her owner is Fred Robinson. Fred is very interested in the history of the boat and the woman she is named after. Does anybody have a picture of the lady Jessie Ellen or any other information, please email me and I will pass everything on.

Jim Newlands' sister lives near Croy. She may well still have photos of their Mum. I shall try to contact her.

Phyllis, You have mentioned Jimmy Newlands sister. Can you confirm her First name? Is it Muriel? As I think this is my Grandmother.
I don't know an awful lot about my grandmothers family and I am very interested to learn more. I remember my mum mentioning the Jessie Ellen so I had to look it up.
Any help is much appreciated.