|
Excerpt from an article in Model Magazine Feb. 2003 by Jim Pottinger
...
The humble appearance of the Cumbrae Lass loaded with garbage from the
US Submarine base in the Holy Loch belies her former ancestry as the
Pibroch (I), a carrier of the priceless 'water of life' from the
distillery at Islay.
Mackie brothers, owner of the White Horse Distillery of Lagavulin
commissioned the Pibroch from Scotts of Bowling in 1923, and served them
and their successors, Scottish Malt Distillers, for over 34 years,
carrying coal and barley to the island and whiskey out- seen here in the
Crinan Canal, her immaculate appearance with grained wheelhouse, white
line around the bulwarks and proud White Horse weathercock at the
masthead contrasting her with her more workaday sisters. She was
replaced by a motor vessel 1957, and was renamed Texa on being sold to
Duncan McCorqudale of Troon later to McNeil of Greenock in the sand
trade, taking the name Cumbrae Lass when bought by Burkes of Greenock.
The tiller can clearly he seen on the rudder head and the steering
chains going down the side of the wheelhouse. She often carried
torpedoes from the Torpedo Factory at Fort Matilda to Arrochar, and in
contrast garbage from the American base at the Holy Loch as seen in the
photo. She was broken up by Arnott Young at Dalmuir in 1965, a
respectable 42 years of age.
In complete contrast the Pibroch (II), built by Scott of Bowling, and 87
ft 4 in long, was the second diesel 'puffer' on the west coast. In big
ship style sported a raised poop and davit for lifeboat, and was also
fitted with steel hatchcovers, it being said that these reduced the
amount of 'evaporation' formerly experienced from the barrelled whiskey
under traditional board and canvas hatchcovers!
The introduction of larger coasters and ro-ro ferries put paid to her
traditional trade, and she was sold. A recent photo of her in June 2000
Sea Breezes magazine shows her in fairly dilapidated state at Derryinver
in Co. Galway.
...
|
