Small boat building

“It’s good to see the revival of small boat building in Montrose,” emails honorary port archivist John Aitken.

“Mention in The Courier on Saturday August 31 of the St Ayles skiff to be launched shortly into the Basin on September 14 from the local sailing club slip recalls the long tradition of building small craft in the port.

“The history of this industry goes back a long way. Among the names involved in this traditional skilled activity in the 1800s included the Waddells, Burns, Low, George Dickie and John Cochar etc at yards situated at various locations along the shoreline of the South Esk.

“After the Second World War, several other firms were involved on Rossie Island over the years prior to entering the market for larger ships.

“Salmon fishers Joseph Johnston & Sons Ltd were engaged in building salmon cobles, mainly for their own account but also craft for clients in other parts of the country. Two other firms were active in the late 1980s but their activities were relatively short-lived.

“The last firm to produce wooden boats in commercial numbers at their facility close to the former Wet Dock, was that of Messrs Arbuthnott who turned out pilot, survey, fishing and creel craft in addition to a series of naval gunnery targets assembled during the Second World War.

“They also built ship’s lifeboats in wood and aluminium for deep sea cargo vessels under construction in shipyards across the UK and overseas.

“They ceased trading in 1982 when a public auction took place and I can remember being intrigued by the vertical boiler which was used to produce a steam supply for the shaping of wooden hull frames and planking.

“Interestingly, a pioneering craft was described in a construction publication which reported ‘A Concrete Boat in Scotland – A concrete boat believed to be the first in Scotland, has been designed and built by Mr James Bowman, plasterer, North Street, Montrose.

“‘ It is 12 ft long, 4 ft 3 ins wide, 2 ft 8 ins deep. About 140 feet of steel wire was used in reinforcement which was placed longitudinally and diagonally. It could accommodate four men comfortably.

“‘After the launch, the boat, named Excelsior, was put on trial in the dock at Montrose. She was in the dock for 13 days and no sign of leakage was apparent.’

“Later, in an obituary on the passing of Mr Bowman in February 1926, it described one item of his craftsmanship. Having been a keen bowler, in 1925 he presented to the Hope Paton public green, a beautiful coloured cast of the burgh coat-of-arms which occupied the triangular space over the pavilion doorway.

“Further information would be appreciated as to the outcome of the Excelsior’s lifeboat trials in 1919,” concludes Mr Aitken.

“This beautiful wee long-tailed tit was at Morton lochs recently,” says Eric Niven.

See item at top of column. If you have a story for Craigie email: craigie@ thecourier.co.uk