Sailing sloop Lively

The mention of the “old jetty at Old Montrose” in a recent Man With Two Dogs feature brought some recollections from a reader in that part of Angus.

“According to a magazine article written many years ago, the last vessel to trade to the west end of Montrose Basin was the wooden sailing sloop Lively, whose small boat was later purchased to undertake marine life research work in the immediate area.

“The article went on: ‘Many were the specimens of corraline (sic) and conchological (sic) interest that we brought to the surface as we dredged, and

as a result of our efforts the British Museum and Scottish Museum have various marine specimens from Montrose bay.’

“Two of the personalities interested in that research work – though their own individual areas of research lay in other spheres – were Robert Barclay of Inch Brayock and Dr Howden of Sunnyside. Mr Barclay was well-known for his geographical and geological knowledge while Dr Howden was more given to antiquarian and general research of many kinds.

“The sloop itself was thought to have been one of many similar craft of no outstanding interest which had been built around 1835 in a local boatyard.

“She was designed for inshore and near coastal work and her normal trading area would possibly have covered the small harbours along the south shore of Fife bringing coal and lime for the farms and estates at the head of the Basin. Return shipments would have included grain, potatoes and timber.

“She lay in Montrose harbour at the Lazy Hole near present day Wharf Street for many years and was thought to have finished up on a muddy bank of the Inch Burn across the River South Esk. She was still included in the Montrose Shipping Lists for 1880.

“The article went on to describe the methods and problems relating to the propulsion and navigation experienced while crossing the Basin even though the channel was marked by wooden posts driven into the muddy bottom.

“Some years ago I had a conversation with a retired builder who told me he was the last person to re-point the stonefaced quay at Old Montrose working from a tethered rowing boat while the tide was slowly ebbing!”