The Orkney Image Library
No: 28860 Contributor: Ian Finlayson Year: 1965 Areas: Kirkwall, Orphir, Shapinsay, St Ola, Stromness
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Another picture of Stromness i think. Again the picture taken probably early to mid 1960s. Any information on date or boats would be great
View Large VersionPicture added on 10 November 2022 at 17:12
I would suspect this was early 70s. K 885 Evelyn was built for the late Alfie Sinclair at Gerrard's yard in Arboroath in I think 1965. Mayflower K 852 was built by "Pia" Anderson at the Boatyard where the Nautical school is now for the late Alan Pirie of Stromness before Anderson's moved to the New boatyard at Ness which is in the picture. Sadly she was lost just North of the Bay of Skaill with the loss of 2 local crewmen. The Fishery Cruiser "Switha" was built as the MAFF research vessel "Ernest Holt" in 1964 - she was one of the last triple expansion steamers but was oil fired rather than coal and passed to the Scottish Fishery Protection service in the early 70s when Replaced by the "Cirolana", she ended up running ashore on 1 of the small islands in the Firth of Forth going into Leith in fog.
Added by Willie Mackay on 10 November 2022
My uncle Gordon was an engineer on board the Switha and I remember him showing me the Triple expansion engine.
Added by William Watters on 20 December 2022
Thanks for the information
Added by Ian Finlayson on 04 January 2023
Switha went ashore on the Herwit rocks east of Inchkeith.
Added by Anthony Adamson on 20 February 2023
Stromness
