Lifeboats for cattle criticised

The surprise purchase by Argyll County Council of four lifeboats for ferrying cattle between the islands and mainland of Argyll was criticised at a meeting of the county council last Thursday at Campbeltown.

Mr JJ Currie, Campbeltown, a former president of the Highland Cattle Society and a well-known county farmer, told the council that it was not a good proposition.

‘The craft might be alright as lifeboats but as cattle boats, no, they could not ask the cattle to sit still in a boat,’ he commented.

He did not think the boats would have sufficient buoyancy.

Dr John AC Guy, the county Medical Officer of Health, who was asked for his observations, agreed with Mr Curry. ‘They are not ideal for taking cattle,’ he pointed out.

Mrs MB MacNaughton, Glendaruel, also a farmer, supported Mr Currie’s point of view and said she would not feel very comfortable about these boats being used for cattle or sheep.