The Orkney Image Library
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A Tom Kent picture, date unknown. Here we note that the billiard hall does not have a sign, and can see all of the Thornley Binders factory, which worked from 1923-1927. The big sheds stood for many decades after that, latterly as stores for Wilson's wholesalers, and for P&0 after the first ro-ro St Ola. I seem to recall that they only disappeared completely with the building of the new ferry office and marshalling area.
Picture added on 14 September 2005
Does anybody know the name of the vessel in the picture, and what was she used for.
Added by Allan Besant on 17 February 2006
As a lad growing up in Stromness in the Fifties, the big sheds were known as Mackay's boatbuilders and Mowat's lemonade factory.
Added by Brian Drever on 17 February 2006
I thought that the steamer in the photo was the Countess Cadogan which was built in Paisley, McLachlan, for the River Shannon.
There are photographs elsewhere which show her to have only 2 masts and a derrick only on the forward mast. The Countess Cadogan was bought by somebody Cook and was rebuilt (which could explain the strange stern section and three masts in this photo). She ran services to the South Isles in the early 20s.
...just a notion.
There are photographs elsewhere which show her to have only 2 masts and a derrick only on the forward mast. The Countess Cadogan was bought by somebody Cook and was rebuilt (which could explain the strange stern section and three masts in this photo). She ran services to the South Isles in the early 20s.
...just a notion.
Added by Steven Flett on 30 September 2012
Thought the Countess Cadogan's wheelhouse was aft and a tall funnel, thats a bigger vessel than her I wid say..
Added by Jimmy Hamilton on 03 October 2012
Information on the Countess Cadogan can be found in "Days of Orkney Steam",pages 129-131,133.
Added by Herbert Mackenzie on 04 October 2012
I am pretty sure that this is not the " Countess Cadogan ". In my opinion the vessel is the S.S. "Whinstone", which belonged to Thornley Binders. The pier and shed were built by this company and the briquettes can be seen stowed on the pier ready for shipment South.
The " Whinstone " was lost off the Humber in 1925 and the crew ( all Orcadians ) were rescued by the Humber lifeboat.
Should anyone be interested, the crew were, John Groat & John Marwick, Stromness. Peter Smith &Edward Scollay, Kirkwall. Hubert Sinclair, St M. Hope & Tom Kirkpatrick, Longhope.
The " Whinstone " was lost off the Humber in 1925 and the crew ( all Orcadians ) were rescued by the Humber lifeboat.
Should anyone be interested, the crew were, John Groat & John Marwick, Stromness. Peter Smith &Edward Scollay, Kirkwall. Hubert Sinclair, St M. Hope & Tom Kirkpatrick, Longhope.
Added by Fred Johnston on 04 October 2012
I think that Fred Johnston's informaton is "spot on" as I have the same photo with a caption below it that says " Thornley Binders Factory on right also store on left. Probable S.S.Whinstone in Basin.Photo taken 1925 ". As Fred says, Hubert Sinclair, who originated at Sorquoy, Eastside,So. Ron. was a member of the crew and he later gave the middle name "Bradford" to one of his sons, the lifeboat in their rescue being the "City of Bradford". The "Whinstone" was bound from Hull to Berwick with a cargo of oil-cake when she ran aground on the 25th. November 1925.
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Added by Herbert Mackenzie on 08 October 2012
Stromness
