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Marion writes:
'[This picture] shows the boat the Shapinsay and a lorry full of tangles. That's my sister standing in front of the lorry being laden with tangles - or maybe the boat, the Shapinsay, was being laden from the lorry? Year estimated around 1954/5/6.'
Picture added on 12 September 2005
Shapinsay was used to collect seaweed (bladder wrack type rather than tangles) for drying at the factory at Hatston. Though these high ex army 4WD lorries were also used to go down "into the ebb" to collect cut seaweed.
Added by Willie Mackay on 29 December 2005
Lorry is a Bedford QL
Added by John Webster on 12 October 2008
We got 10 shillings a load from the company every time they used our road to get from the shore to the Burness Road,(Firth). Pity the company didn't last longer. I might be a millionaire by now.
Added by Ian Cameron on 17 July 2010
Is that the same "SHAPINSAY" that was owned later, in Mull, by Hugh Carmichael? Jimmy Hamilton worked with him. Any information about her would be appreciated. I.E. where built,was she a converted drifter, anything like that please.
Added by John MacDonald on 09 June 2013
Yes John, same Shapinsay, I was skipper for a couple of years before he sold her again, she was bought by a couple o blokes from the Caribbean, and got tanks fitted in the hold for enough fuel to cross the Atlantic, they stopped to check low oil pressure, of Waterford in Ireland, and while at anchor, the wind came away to gale force from the south east and drove her ashore on Hook point, they all got ashore safely, but she was a total loss.. John are you from Tobermory? she was a converted drifter.. ex North Esk, converted from steam to diesel.. 120 hp 4 cyl blackstone, carried 100 ton..
Added by Jimmy Hamilton on 18 June 2013
Hi John, if you give me a ring I should be able to help you with pics and information. Regards Allan
Added by Allan Besant on 20 June 2013
I was in Aberdeen at the time she was wrecked. The Scottish Daily Express (or Mail) had a page 3 photo of her- on her side but she had all her top hamper intact
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Added by Kenny Meason on 19 May 2020
Kirkwall
