The Westray Skiff Project 2002 - Global Islands · snooker, pool and darts) Fast learner Good communication skills Creeling (Jock Kent, Bonni-min, Westray) (Geordie Costie, Beach

The Westray SkiffProject 2002

Compiled by Daren Drever and Sam Harcus

This team of six young people lives on theislands of Westray and Papa Westray in thenorth of the Orkney Isles. Until recently theWestray Skiff were the sea taxi used totransport people and small cargo betweenthe isles. These boats were built maintainedand used locally and exported to otherislands. As local transport systems improved,reliance on the Skiff decreased, as did theskills to build, maintain and sail them.

With funding from The Prince’s Trust andMillenium Commission, the team has built anew skiff, which will increase the awarenessof their heritage, revive an old Skiff andfacilitate interaction between the young andold. The Skiff will be raced at the localregatta, which is an important date in thelocal calendar and the Great Glen Rally. Allthe experiences have been recorded and putonline for everyone to access. The Skiff willbe donated to the local sailing club.

The team has researched into the originalWestray Skiffs, their sizes, their uses,builders, owners etc. and general historyfrom through the generations. The teammade contact with the older members of thecommunity who had expressed interest inhelping them with their project.

The next stage was for the team to undergotraining to enable them to learn the skillsneeded to build the boat. During the buildingof the boat, which was an open project sothat anyone could come and observe andhelp out. The last person to build a Skiff onthe Island (Peter Miller) lived on aneighbouring Island and agreed to work withthe team as an ‘expert’.

During the building of the boat some of theteam members attended a sailing trainingcourse. Now the boat is ready it will be sailedin the 2003 regatta. The team also hope togo to the Great Glen Rally to sail it there. One member of the team also took regularvideo recordings of the project, and has beenedited and is now available for people toborrow and watch. The team borrowed avideo recorder from the CommunityEducation Department.

This individual has also received training inorder to be able to set up a website, alongwith the introduction team profilephotographs. A conclusion has been madeinto this report.

Individual Benefit The team members have gained many skillsincluding team working skills, traditionalboat building and design, recording, websitedesigning and sailing. They have learnt abouttheir heritage and had a chance to mix withpeople from different generations and otheryoung people.

Community Benefit There is a danger that the Skiff buildingtradition and knowledge will die out. Thisproject has enabled all members of thecommunity to retain and learn about theirheritage whilst getting a chance to beinvolved in the project and mix with peopleof different generations.

With the aim of reintroducing the skiff intodaily life, the team has built and sailed a Skiff.Progress has been recorded digitally andposted onto the Internet.

Sam Harcus,Team Advisor

Peter Miller“The Expert”


The Team

Name:

Age:

Occupation:

Past experience:Personal Qualites:

Qualifications:

Westray SkiffProject 2002

Sam Harcus

40

Community Activist

Good Leadership andOrganisational Ability

Diploma in MarineEngineering

Fishing cert. ofcompetency, Deck Class 2

Scuba PADI Open Water

Engineer Cert. ofcompetency Class 1(Fishing)

Fishing SVQ Assessor

Certs. In Local Studies

Modules in SustainableDevelopment

Development OfficerFor The Isles OfWestray And PapaWestray

Labourer Fishing (12years)Creels, trawl, dredge

Chief Engineer (N sea)

Special Constable

Church of Scotland Elder(and property convenor)

Name:

Age:

Occupation:

Past experience:

Qualifications:


Peter Miller

65

Previous Experience Apart fromgeneral building work, builtthree clinker style dinghies andtwo plywood dinghies in adifferent style before moving toPapa Westray he was aided bythe Westray boat builder of thetime Alex Stout.Peter’s great grandfather, alsonamed Peter Miller, built a greatmany boats, mostly WestraySkiffs, at Bucklesberry. After moving to Papa Westray,Peter built a dinghy along thesame lines as the original builtby Jimmy o’ Cuppin who wasoriginally from Queen o’Breckan in Westray, Peter’sgrand uncle. The next to bebuilt was a Westray style Skiffwith the template from the‘Holland’ Skiff also built byJimmy o’ Cuppin. This is theboat with the traditionaldipping lug sail that Peter sailsannually at the Westray Regatta.

Joiner|Builder

Served time with localbuilder Sammy Burgherafter leaving school in1952.

Name:

Age:

Occupation:

Past experience: Personal Qualites:

Qualifications:


Ann Kent

23

Caring attitude

Practical

Hard Working

Knitting(17 Casleyards, Kirkwall)

Babysitting(Westray Parents)

Whelk Gathering(G Costie, Beach House,Westray)

Fish Processing(Westray Processors Ltd,Westray)

Self Employed ChildCarer

National Cert. in ChildCare and Education

Higher National Cert.in Child Care andEducation

Name:

Age:

Occupation:

Past experience:

Personal Qualites: Qualifications:


Christopher Bain

23

Good, Hard Worker

Very neat

Good Team andCommunication Skills

Basic Fire Fighting

Elementary First Aid

Personal SurvivalTechniques

Joinery

Creel Fisherman

Joinery

Farm Work

Name:

Age:

Occupation:


Qualifications:


Darren Harcus

20

Keen sportsman (Football,rugby, golf, badminton,snooker, pool and darts)

Fast learner

Good communicationskills

Creeling(Jock Kent, Bonni-min,Westray)(Geordie Costie, BeachHouse, Westray)(Brian Kent, Lastigar)

Crab Processing(Westray Processors Ltd)

Fishing(Thomas Harcus,Haugahovan, Westray)

Painting(Roy Paterson, Iphs,Westray)

Crew man onSharona.(creel boat)

Basic Fire Fighting



RYA (Royal YachtingAssociation) Certificate

VHF Certificate

Name:

Age:

Occupation:

Past experience:

Personal Qualites:

Qualifications:


Rodney Leslie

18

Contributing to teamwork

Good Numerical Skills

Keen Worker

Elementary Food HygieneCertificate

Welcome Host

General Operations andSVQ2 Food Service

BasicFire Fighting andPrevention Certificate



Personal Safety and SocialResponsibilities

Level 2 Catering andHospitality

Sea Food Processor

North Of Scotland WaterAuthority(Alex Costie,Hornersquoy, Westray)

FarmWork(John Harcus,Chalmersquoy, Westray)

Cooking, Kitchen Staff(Malcolm Stout, CleatonHouse Hotel,Westray)(Merkister Hotel,Dounby)

Building Labouring(William McEwan, Quoyer,Westray)(Alex Costie,Hornersquoy, Westray)

Creels(Alex Costie,Hornersquoy, Westray)North of Scotland WaterAuthority(Alex Costie,Hornersquoy, Westray)

Name:

Age:

Occupation:


Qualifications:


Gary Stove

17

Works Well

Technically Minded

Reliable

Farming(Iain Cursiter, Charlestion,Papa Westray.)

Creels(Alan Hourston, NorthHaven, Papa Westray)

TV, Video, Mobile Phonerepair.(OTE) OrkneyTelivision Enterprise,Broad St, Kirkwall)

Student at KGS (KirkwallGrammar School)

Welcome Host

Cert. of Achievementawarded by KGS.(Good Progress In AllSecondary Five Courses)

Cert Day Course withThe Construction IndustryTraining Board.

Name:

Age:

Occupation:


Qualifications:


Daren Drever

17

Keen Worker

Good CommunicationSkills

North Of Scotland WaterAuthority(Alex Costie, Hornersquoy,Westray)

Creels(Edwin Groat, Westray)

Westray Processors,(Jennifier Leslie, Westray)

Student at KGS (KirkwallGrammar School)



Basic Fire Fighting andPrevention

Welcome Host

Scotland’s Best


Progress Reports


Progress Report up to Saturday 4th May 2002

Up until now the boat shed has been preparedfor the forthcoming build.

Peter has been out and showed the team how tonail the keel, stem and stern.

Some initial woodworking skills have also beenpassed on to the team.

The team has also been working with anexperienced skiff sailer to build a mast.

This weekend Peter arrived by evening ferry on

Friday from Kirkwall and worked with the boysFriday night and Saturday morning.

The new skiff now has the garber strokes nailedin place and the second board pinned ready forriveting.

Prior to starting work on the new boat, the teamhas been practising their newly acquired skillson an old skiff. This old skiff (still nameless) hasnow had all necessary hull repairs and work hasnow begun on the new deck.

Peter clamping in the garber stroke. Rodney being a plonker Everyone hard at work.But what’s on Dino’s mind?

Fitting the first board. First board clamped. Watch this space.



This week we have put two new boards on; thisis a lengthly process but everyone is learningsomething new.

Throughout the week there has been a lot ofwork done on the team’s old Skiff. It is nowwatertight.

Everyone is working hard and seem to beenjoying the work.

Darren putting on the fourth board. Rodney making sure he did it right. A lot of progress with the Old Skiff

Darren rooving on the boards. Shaping the board. Coffee Time!!



We’ve been fitting on more boards whichmeans the team is learning new skills.

The boards have to be steamed in order to getthem to bend into shape more easily.

We are making good time, and the old skillsbeing handed down to the team by Peter arebeing received well.

The old Skiff has also had some work done toit and now has a few coats of paint on it.

Old Skiff looking good. Steam box, used to make wood moreflexible

Gary and Peter fitting boards

Fitting a board. Gary’s gone for a coffee break I want to grow up and be just likeyou.


Progress Report up to Saturday 1st June 2002

This week has been more productive than last.

The team have been fitting boards, andworking on the mast for the old Skiff.

The old Skiff is now completed, except for themast which is still having work done.

It is hoped the team will get to practice in thisold Skiff soon (we’re going to need it.)

The team is getting a chance to try out allthe different skills they have acquired sincethe start of the project at this stage, and theteam seem to be happy in their work.

Rodney gets sme sun Boards are being fitted Clamping on a board

Darren planing to make ready for thenext board (at a very awkward angle)

The board is firmly clamped The team relax after a hard night’swork


Progress Report up to Saturday 29th June 2002

This week we have put the last boards on thenew Skiff. And have strengthened it with anew supportive structure around it while workcarries on to the skiff.

The old skiff is now seaworthy and is being

tried out this afternoon. Chris, Sam, Darenand possibly Rodney will be the ones to try itout.

Timbers are thought to be put on next weekto the new Skiff.

Second last board being fitted byDaren and Peter

Where did my hammer go? Steaming the last boards

Looking more like a skiff and less likea canoe

Everyone is working hard Dino comes to check up on theprogress


Progress Report up to Saturday 6th of July.

Work has stopped this weekend as Peterwas unable to come out to Westray dueto personal resons.

The team offer Peter and his family theirgreatest condolences at this time.

Work has been done on the boat throughthe week.

The inside of the boat has been coatedwith west system.

Throughout the week we have sailed the oldSkiff which has now been named the ‘Ibis’.


Update on 13 07 02

This weekend we have got a lot of timbers onthe new skiff. This has been a new learningexpeiance for the team.

Hope of getting the new skiff ready by the

regatta has been lost, but it is still hoped thatit will be put down to Gill pier on the day,where the regatta is held and have it on show.

The Ibis, the old skiff that the team have doneup, will be sailed in the Regatta. Who will sailher will be decided closer to the time.

Everyone putting in timbers Gary and Rodney hammering andriveting the timbers

Christopher riveting stuff

Most of the timbers are clamped onon Friday night

Timbers have just been steamed andare going straight on as fast as

possible

Putting the timbers in to be steamed


Progress Report up to Saturday 20th of July.

The timbers have all been nailed and rivetedon through the week.

Fairing has been nailed and riveted on alsothis weekend. The fairing was steamed andthen bent into shape along the edge of the

Skiff, held in place with clamps and thenThe Regatta is next weekend, and the ‘Ibis’which is the Skiff the team have done up willbe sailed.

There won’t be another updateuntil the weekend after the Regatta, so youwill have to wait and see how we do.

Fairing clamped on Daren riveting on fairing Christopher riveting stuff

Peter and Biffo fitting the fairing Waiting for steaming to finish Gary and Daren carry on nailing andriveting the fairing


Progress Report up to Saturday 17th of August

Updates have been put on hold these past fewweek due to a number of differant events andcomplacations and for this we apologise.

Regatta-Daren D and Darren H were chosen tosail the Ibis, it was discribed as a good learning

experiance and all are looking forward to therenext chance to race her.

This weekend the group have been fixing inknees and giving the skiff little tweeks. It ishoped that the decking will have been started bythe end of today.

Christopher drilling. Gary nailing in spacers. Christopher still drilling

What now? Knees have been put on. The Ibis has a rest, she worn outafter the Regatta.


Progress Report up to Saturday 24th of Aug.

There has been no Peter this weekend but theteam has been fitting decking and shapingoars in his absence.

Christopher as team leader has been incharge, it was decided, as he is already a joiner.

Before we began First fit of decking still needs to beshaped

Cutting our second bit of decking

Shaping oars Rodney taking the relaxed approachto helping Biffo

After the night’s efforts


Progress Report up to Saturday 28th September.

This week the team has been fitting tulfers intothe boat; this involves shaping the wood until itfits in the bottom of the boat.

It is hoped to have all tulfers laid by the end oftoday. The mast used on the “Ibis” has been putinto storage until it is needed again and thenwill be given a coat of varnish.

Putting tulfers in. Peter taking measurements Making sure everything is in line.

Peter and Sam discuss what’s next. Help I’m stuck in a boat. Before the tulfers go in.


Progress Report up to Saturday 26th October2002.

Decking has ben fitted to the side and stern ofthe new Skiff. Work on the oars has been donealso in the form of shaping.

Sizes for fitting some of the decking has beentaken off of the ‘Ibis’.

Measurements are taken for the fittingof the decking.

Everyone’s busy Difficulty in putting decking on thestern, but soon solved after Gary adds

some weight on top of it.

Peter starts off the first oar to Gary. Peter shows Gary how to shape theoar using a plane.

Gary’s very happy with his night’swork.


Progress Report up to Saturday 9th November2002.

This week was Peter’s last offical week workingon the skiff, so the group thank him for the longamount of time and effort he has put towardsthe project and wish him well with anything heshould move on to. It is hoped he will come tosee us again when we get the skiff in the water.

This weekend the boat has been sanded readyto put “west system” on through the comingweek, and it has been turned upside down andhas been taken away from all supports from theroof.

Also the oars are very near completion and areto also be varnished with “west system”.

Peter sawing off the first support Supports off Turning the boat over

Biffo gets emotional as the skiff leavesits supports.

Biffo working on oars Peter planing the Skiff for the lasttime.


March 2003

The Ibis has been repainted and is ready for thenew sailing season.

The new skiff has been fully coated with epoxyresin.

Deck fittings are in the process of being made

The rudder and tiller are also being completed

The second mast (for the new one) is glued andready for rigging

By the end of next week the wheels will becompleted and sent off for galvanizing

Making a second mast with thefinished skiff in the background

Ibis awaiting relaunch Heads down doing various finishingtouches

Daren captured without camera inhand

Cutting iron for the wheels Biffo measuring for fitting the wheels


Thursday 6th May 2003

The Ibis is in the water and tested so now theskiff is loaded on the newly-galvanized trolleywith all the gear and we head for the launch slip.

The weather is very suitable for launching as theskiff is rolled down the slipway ready for thewater (looks good!). No-one gets their feet wetand in she goes!

Sam rows her over to the pier and the mast islowered into place.

Back over at the pontoon the sails are attachedready for hoisting. (Slight faux-pas when it isrealised there is no hole in the boom to take thegoose neck but soon put right). Sails are hostedand the boys are connected to a highway toeverywhere

Ready for the water Going for the mast Mast ready for in

Mast going in Rigging the sails “We are sailing…”


Tuesday 15th July 2003

Tuesday evening after the points racing the skiffis taken ashore for the official naming ceremony.

The skiff is introduced to an invited crowd ofover 80 people by the pipes of Kenny McGregor.

After a brief introduction to the Team by SamHarcus, Christopher Bain (Biffo) took over andexpressed his thanks on the behalf of the Teamto everyone who had helped to make the

project complete. Especial thanks were given toThe Princes Trust Millennium Awards, SocialInclusion Partnership and Peter Miller, all whowere represented there.

Iain MacDonald gave a short blessing and CherylHanlon from The Princes Trust broke a bottle ofHighland Park whisky over the bow to completethe ceremony.

Everyone retired to the barbecue and a showingof the video of the build in the adjoining shed.

Kenny McGregor piping in the boat Biffo saying introduction and thanks Rev. Iain administering the blessing

Miss Cheryl Hanlon officially naming the skiff “Aanno” (local pet name for a person called Anne)


Regattas

Since the launch of the skiff it has sailedregularly every Tuesday and Thursday in thepoints racing in Westray.

There was a special invitation for The Aanno tobe displayed on the park at the Deerness BoatShow on Mainland Orkney.

The big event for Westray is the Regatta on thelast Saturday of July. Here The Aanno performedwell although missing out on prizes.

She also travelled in to the Kirkwall Regatta andthe Holm Regatta during the month of August.


History of the Westray Skiff

Compiled by Daren Drever and Sam Harcus

Name:

Previous names:

Length:

Breadth:

Builder:

Rig (present and original):

History:


Karen

None

W. Rendall(Willo the mill)

Bermudian Rig

Lug SailAlso a guter sail

Built by Willo o’ theMill for Nether House. (James Rendall ofSaverton is thought tohave actually finishedthe building)Jeemsie Rendall,

Saverton bought itfrom there. Jeemsieand Eric Brown putdecks and a sail onher. Jeemie Dreverbought it from there.

14'7"

5'9"

Jimmy Drever regardedher as very “tickley” to sail,she was either first or last.

John Rendall of Balaclavaredecked her in around1989. The mast is nowstepped on the deck andSam Harcus is acting ascustodian now she is backin the water.

Name:

Previous names:

Length:

Breadth:

Builder:


History:


Alice

William James Stout

Bermudian

Lug Sail

Was first owned byGeorge H Sandisonfrom Rose Cottage inWestray.Was then acquired bya number of peoplethrough the years,including AlbertBrown fromBreckowall in Westray.Then by A. Seatterfrom Sulland inWestray, from there inmoved on toStromness and intothe hands of ThomasRendall.

14' 9"

5' 9'

Came back to Westray andthen owned by J J Rendallfrom Balaclava; she thenwent to Little House and wasused by George Sandison. She was then moved toSanday and acquired byGeorge Brown fromColligarth.

The Alice moved fromSanday in 1993 and is now inWestray again owned byGordon Rendall from NorthHaven who gave it a newlease of life and she is at thefront in the Skiff racing.

Name:

Previous names:

Length:

Breadth:

Builder:


History:


Emu

Thomas Miller

Bermudian

Lug Sail

Jib and mainsail

Built at Bucklesberry bythe Miller men.Thought to be their lastboat and wascompleted by JamesRendall,Quoynabreckan,later of Cuppin Papay.Henry Leslie, Benzicott,used her for creelingand going to Rusk Holmto make Kelp.Thomas Drever boughther around 1930 andchanged her fromLugsail to Gunter-fitteddecks and laid keel.

14' 5"

5' 7"

The cotton sails weremade by John Carter,captain and partowner of the“Regina”.

The Emu was sailedby late Jack Scott untilrecently with greatsuccess.

Name:

Previous names:

Length:

Breadth:

Builder:


History:


Maggie

None

Reid, Westbreck

Unrigged

Built for Rendall atPeatwall. Went toWillie Rendall,Roadside Stronsay.Used for creeling.An engine was fittedin it for a while.

19' 8"

6' 10"

It travelled to PeterRendall in St Mary’s,Holm during the1980s.

Michael Harcusacquired the boat in1996, with the idea ofrestoring it and it isstill in his shed.

Name:

Previous names:

Length:

Breadth:

Builder:


History:


Onward

Old Robbie Boat

Rubina

William James Stout

Jib And Mainsail

Lug Sail

She was first ownedby Robert Pottinger ofNorth Ouseness

This boat in its earlydays was in Faray,owned by RobbieLeslie (hence thename Robbie boatseen above).

She then came toRapness and the men

15'11"

6'7"from Perth creeled andfished with her until shewas considerd done.

During a small revival inthe Skiff sailing MichaelHarcus acquired theremains of her, tied ittogether with ropes andhad it lifted onto a trailerand taken to DuncanDrever’s shed to berebuilt.

Was rebuilt by DuncanDrever and MichaelHarcus in 1994. Althoughshe is a bigger skiff and istherefore handicappped,she sails verycompetitively.

Name:

Previous names:

Length:

Breadth:

Builder:


History:


Puffin

None

James Rendall

Bermudian Rig

Dipping Lug Sail

Belonged to John andWilliam Harcus(Brothers fromDamsey). Damagedin the noust by badweather.Bought and repairedby James Rendall,from Saverton, andwas then sold to alocal tailor atRosevale. It was thensold to RitchieRendall, a buildingcontractor from RoseCottage.It was next sold to

14'11.5"

5'9"

Tommy Cooper fromEasthill, who thensold it to John P Drever for fivepounds. He did it up andchanged it into aBermudian Rig.Two years later it wasconverted to step themast on the foredeckand the year after shehad a big rudderfitted.It then changed handsagain when J P Drever, baker,bought it in 1967 for40 pounds. During the time shebelonged to JP sheproved to be a verycompetitive Skiff andstill is today

Name:

Previous names:

Length:

Breadth:

Builder:

Rig [present and original]:

History:


Ibis

unknown

Unknown

Bermudian Rig

Possibly built in Edayaround 1920 by DavidRendall whose Father wasa Westray man, a sailor.David Rendall also builtthe “Ocean Billo” whichwas much larger with aninboard engine andwheelhouse whichAndrew Seatter of Sullandin Westray creeled with forsometime.It was brought from Edayto Westray in early 1970sby John Foulis of Jerichofor £15 or £25. He pickedit up from the Bay ofLondon with JimPottinger’s boat and

14'2"

6'3"

towed it home; it was maroon at thistime.John Foulis creeled with it for a timebefore selling it to Gavin Seatter. Bythis time it was painted blue with ared top stroke and John Rendall ofBalaclava renewed the top strokeswith ply.Gavin sold her on to Billy Drever(Billy o’ Biggin) who took it toKirkwall.It was then sold to Michael Dickinsonwho put his foot through a board andtherefore never paid for it.It came back to Westray around themid-1980s when Sam Harcus boughtit for £50 although it was in poorshape and holed at the stern. She stood in a shed till 2002 whenshe was quickly repaired, restoredand decked by the ‘Skiff Build Group’so they could sail with it to gainexperience, before their new Skiff wasready for the water.

Name:

Previous names:

Length:

Breadth:

Builder:


History:


Annabella Rose

Passby 2

Sincair Harcus

Bermudian Rig

Built as a ‘Passby 2’around 1961 bySinclair Harcus ofSwartmill with helpfrom his brotherWillie and nephewDavid Harcus. Shewas a racing versionof a skiff, very flatbottomed and built oflight ply with the maststepped on the keel.She was sailedregularly by Sincairand his neighbourJock Paterson fromAiry but after the firstseason Sinclair builtanother skin on herfrom the fourth board

14' 3"

upwards and from the stem,and scarfed away on the afterquarter. This effectivelywidened the boat by a coupleof inches each side. She was eventually abandonedin a shed at Swartmill untilSam Harcus bought her for£300 in early 1980s when shewas cleaned and renamed the‘Annabella Rose’ after hisgrandmother.She was then sold to JohnHarper in Papay in early 2001.

Name:

Previous names:

Length:

Breadth:

Builder:


History:


Westray

unknown

unknown

Lug Sail

At one time belonged toJohn David Hume, inWestray. She then went toSlaters in Sanday, and thenJackie Wallace in Sanday.James Laughton thenbought her and describedher as very stiff to row.During this time JohnScott did some work onthe gunnels etc andpainted her up. Later when James’s daughtermarried in Westray theboat was in Westray for atime at Gorn, but wasnever in the water.

14' 10"

5' 10"Around 1987 Alex Davidsonbought her and took her toPapay with restoration inmind but she remained inthe shed until the farm saleat North Rendall in 2001.

At the sale Sam Harcusbought the boat and trailerfor £5 and John Harper ofNouster in Papay suggestedputting the old boat to restin a noust at the old pierwhere she could end herdays gracefuly.

After this offer was declinedthe deal was done whichmeant that the ‘AnabellaRose’ went to Papay andthe ‘Westray’ came back toWestray.

Name:

Previous names:

Length:

Breadth:

Builder:


History:


Earnest

None

James Rendall

Jib and Standing Lug

Built circa 1937 inPapay by James Rendallof Cuppin for CaptRobbie Gray of GillFarm Westray, capt ofold Earl Thorfinn.The Earnest wasnamed after a three-masted schoonerwhich was skipperedby Capt. Gray’s fatherGeorge Gray.Following Capt Gray’sdeath was it was soldto Albert (Abbie)Brown in 1944, whoalong with his son Eric,capt on old ‘EarlSigurd’, Orcadia and

21' 11"

7' 9"

Islander, owned andmaintained her in goodorder for many years.Eventually sold in the 1960sto owners in Sanday andwas bought by James Mowatof Cleat, Westray, whobrought her back to Westrayin 1972. She was sold toSammy Burger ofMousebrae, Westray 1985who sold her to her presentowner Robbie Thomson in1988. She was re-decked andrestored by the late LeslieWylie and Leslie Johnston,both of Kirkwall, in 1989.


Plans of the Earnest

Name:

Previous names:

Length:

Breadth:

Builder:


History:


Merlin

Stop Gap

Millers in Westray

Bermudian

Lug

Built by the Millers,sold to Papay - MrMacKay North Via.She was restored byDavid Rendall,Rosevale in the sixtiesand later owned byTommy McKay,Mayback, Papay.The Drevers boughther in 1993 and JohnRendall, Balaclava,restored and deckedher “(at that time thebusiest boat yardnorth of Macduff)”

14’9’’

5’7’’

…a quote by a Skiffskipper. During her stay inPapay she enterd therowing races atWestray regatta andwon, powered byStewart Groat andTom Rendall.

Name:

Previous names:

Length:

Breadth:

Builder:


History:


Tystie

unknown

unknown

Bermudianoriginally gunther

David Cursiter hadher in the 1970s andsailed in theStromness Regatta.

Duncan Berstan tookthis boat from theStromness area toWestray.

It was in Rousay for atime but it has beensuggested that it mayhave been built inSanday.

Although the samesize as a common

14' 6"

6' 5"

Westray Skiff, its shape isslightly different.

Brian Kent got it fromDuncan and his fatherrepaired the hull anddecked it.

Brian sails very well andvery competitively. He hasfine tuned the boat welloverr the years with a fewof his own touches forexample the mast is leanedfurther to one side thanthe other, the rigging isslack and it wouldn’t sailwithout a horse (slide) forthe main sheet.

Name:

Previous names:

Length:

Breadth:

Builder:


History:


Tern

James Rendall,Queenabreckan

Bermudian

Lug

She was built in 1925for Alex Bain (Bain’sshop) at a cost of £1per keel foot (she cost£11). She appears tohave had a variety ofowners and at onetime had the bottomtwo strokes replaced.

She was owned by DrEmslie in Kirkwall fora while during the1950s and was laterbought by a Westrayman, Jackie Mowat.

She returned to

15' 2"

5' 10"

Westray in the early 1960s toTammy Harcus ofChalmersquoy who re-rigged her as Bermudian.Tammy and his brother-in-law Gavin Seatter sailed herin regattas for several years.

Duncan Berstan bought herafter she had been laid upfor a few years beforeswapping her for the Vikingfrom his brother George.She was redecked by JJ Rendall of Balaclava andhas been sailed for pleasureby the Berstan family since.In 2003 the same JJ Rendallreplaced the keel andbottom strokes.

Name:

Previous names:

Length:

Breadth:

Builder:


History:


Viking

Probably built inSanday and theoriginal boat isreckoned to be 100years old. Some of thelatter work on her wasdone by RobinDuncan of Burray.

George Berstanbought her fromDavid Hewison inAugust 1971 for £15.

George and hisbrother Duncan

13' 8"

5' 7"

swapped boats in1980, the Viking forthe Tern and Duncanused her for creelingfor a time.

She was relaunched in1990 after her returnfrom Burray and in2000 took the LugCup at the WestrayRegatta (only becausePeter Miller was notthere).

Name:

Previous names:

Length:

Breadth:

Builder:


History:


Maggie-Jane

none

Reid Bros atWestbreck, Westray

None

Stay sail

Standing Lug and Jib

Built in 1900 for aNorth Ronaldsay man.He ended up nottaking her. JamesBain from Bain’s Shop(Later Sandquoy,Broughton, Westray ornow Grotz) eventuallybought her. Heswapped her foranother boat fromJeemie Stout of Taing,Westray after the war.James Bain bought

19' 8.5"

7' 4.5"

her back again a fewyears later. She was thenhanded down throughthe generations. Shehad an engine installedas well at some point,but was converted backto sailing with aBermudian Rig whenthey started to haveRegattas again. In 1988she was repaired byJohn Rendall, Balaclava,Westray and John Bain,Beachway, Westray(James Bain’s son) whenshe had a wheelhouseand engine fitted. Shenow works a few creelsin the summer.

Name:

Previous names:

Length:

Breadth:

Builder:


History:


Curlew

none

Unknowen

GunterGaff

This boat was built byJames Reid ofWestbreck for himselfin 1913. The first timeit was seen publiclywas in Papay whenthere was a sale ofwood from a shipwhich went ashore inthe wartime. Thestory is that it waslaunched on the rocksbelow Westbreck. Theoriginal fishing rigwould have been gaffand the mast wouldhave sat inside theboat. When the boat

19' 0" (14' 0" keel)

7" 0"

was 3 or 4 years old it wasbought by Gavin Mowat for 16 guineas. While fishing inthe North Sound onesummer a gale of windsprang up and it took him 5hours to make the fewmiles home. At one timethere was a small enginefitted but it was not asuccess and it was removed.The present mast wasoriginally on the Earnest.

Name:

Previous names:

Length:

Breadth:

Builder:


History:


Ivy

Willie Rich fromDearness

BermudianGaff

Built by Willie Richwho also built thesmall motor boats,Spray and Anitra forWestray.The Ivy was built as aracing skiff for John(Bowler) Foulis, aKirkwall butcher withWestray roots.First owned inWestray by old BillyBrown (WFM Brown,baker).It then belonged for atime to his daughter

18' 0"

6' 6"

Mary and son in lawWilliam L Seatter, coalmerchant.Latterly it belonged toJim Brown fromNoltland who sailed itvery competitively fora time. Because of pressureof work this boat isnow little seen but istucked away in a shedat Noltland.

Name:

Previous names:

Length:

Breadth:

Builder:


History:


Kia-ora

Bermudian rig

First known is that itcame from Rousay toBenny Norquoy inBirsay. The boat wasfished by theNorquoys for a timeand patched invarious places withfibreglass.It was thought to bepast its working lifeand Benny whoworked on the northisles boats thought itcould be restored andsailed in Westray.

15' 0"

5' 9"

The deal was done (abottle of rum) but hisson thought it stillhad some life so itstayed in a noust inBirsay.A few years later itwas spotted by MarkRendall whoeventually negotiateda deal and took ithome for hisgrandfather to restoreat Balaclava.

Name:

Previous names:

Length:

Breadth:

Builder:


History:


Ann

None

James Rendall,Cupppin, Papay

Dipping Lug

Built by James Rendallfor himself.Ownership thenpassed to his nephewJohn. It has alwaysbeen in this family.Latterly sailed byJohn’s son Neil.The boat is atraditional small skiffand was used forinshore fishing as wellas taking people andsheep to and from thePapay Holm on “HolmDay”.James Rendall built

14' 7"

5' 10"

two larger skiffs for theIsland of Faray; one got verybadly damaged in a geo andthe remains were takenback to Papay.The keel, stem and sternwere reused when Jamesmade this boat.This is the boat that PeterMiller “took the lines off ”when he made his own andin turn used lines from hisown boat to make the newbuild with the Team.

Name:

Previous names:

Length:

Breadth:

Builder:


History:


Zulu

Peter Miller ofBucklesberry

BermudianLug

Built for David Groatof Quoys in Papay inaround 1896 andfished there for awhile both creel andline.The boat eventuallycame to Westray to ason, Edwin now ofSand o’ Gill.The name possiblycomes from the fact itis a skiff with a “zulu”style influence. Thezulus were larger sailpowered fishing

About 13' 0"

About 5' 6"

vessels well-known fortheir speed. It wasalso used by the menof Midhouse andQuoys as a small boatto go to the Dewdropwhich anchored offthe east side of Papayregularly whenpursuing the summerfishing furtheroffshore.The boat was regularlysailed at regattas bothby the Groats andJohn Rendall ofSunnybank but is nowin a poor state ofrepair at Richardson’sBoatyard inStromness, awaiting arebuild.

Name:

Previous names:

Length:

Breadth:

Builder:


History:


Manto

Rebuilt by SammyBurgher

Bermudian

The original Mantowas a boat of 14' ofkeel and built byRobbie Drever of Moaand owned jointly bySangar and Goltiquoy.See poem on separate page.

When they were outfishing, it was blownin a storm down theWestray Firth andeventually landedsafely in Shapinsay. Afew days later, whenthe families were nowin mourning, shesailed back into the

16' 3"

6' 5"

beach at Rapness.The present boat was takenfrom the Papay andeventually was bought bySammy Burgher, the localbuilder, and son of one ofthe men who was in theboat when she waas blownto Shapinsay.Sammy rebuilt the boat andrigged her for racing.During this time she alsosank of the Point ofBerriedale. She belonged toDavid Hume for a long timeand is now owned by hisfamily.


No greater saga of the sea,Three fishermen from isle Westray,In fiercest snowstorm Orkney knew,She sailed the Westray Firth right through-

From the Bay of Woo to Nor-west shoal,At dawn, they headed with full sail,The hungry cod had gulped the hook,And none to windward cast a look.

But fish were lazier near to noon,Jim said, "A storm will hit us soon/7Oh storms! Catch fish, nane pays fir bruck:You're missin' oot on your guid luck.

But, one oar hooked beneath his knee,He screwed his face Nor-Westerly.The inky storm was sweeping in;He dipped his oar to think again.

Most fearful visions filled his mind-One narrow passage hard to findLong miles of snags of beam and leeIn foaming, roaring, mount'nous sea.

All Westray Firth in raging foam,When ebb in wind's teeth hissed head on,And, hopeless making Tuquoy Bay,If blinding snow, who'd show the way?

'Mong tides and snags one mem'rable trailMarks out the narrow sea-lane stillIn ocean turmoil rarely seenAnd visibility most mean.

'Twas near the raging Skerries of Skea,The sailors let their sheets fly free,Tied third reef doubting strongly theyCould windward sail in Tuquoy Bay.

While Drever shot out o'er their leeThree gallons a time, in came more sea;It flew right o'er their gaff and mast,And vaporised with every blast.

They found the narrow lane alongThe raging Clumps: but wind blew strong'round Huro 'gainst them veering North;They all but sank in seething froth.

So near they'd drowned so near to home,The skipper yelled 'bove wind and foam,"We'll try Rusk Holm for what ifs worthAnd, failing that, we'll run the Firth.

They curved a course around the Bow,And quickly found Rusk Holm somehow;While great waves o'er its rampart flew,Around South Point was boiling stew.

It seemed they'd sink in this Maelstrom,Already far from home.Through deathly dangers they had come;But death was counting up their sum.

'Gainst teeth of wind the snakey tideGave hard-pressed MANTO hell's own ricDenuded of her meagre sail,She ran bare-poled the firth to flail.

"Cast oot some ballast quickly, men,Her stern is sinking deeply in."She never ran so fiercly fast,Empowered by wind on naked mast.

"Lord hear us when we cry to Thee,"Cried Westray for those on sea;"If Thou hast willed to save those men,Let not our prayers be counted vain."

Near Green Holms MANTO all but filled;But they survived as God had willed.A weary voice had said, "We're done;"But Bill said, "Goth! not yet. Hold on."

He took the helm, cheered Scatter well,Held at his trembling hands th pailAnd said, "Come, bail her oot, min-bail!Gi'e MANO brave a chance t' sail."

While Scatter fed the hungry wind.Bill Drever doffed a boot, and grinned,Bailed out, and Manto rose again,One minute roughly took to drain.

Bill beckoned Scatter to his post,Still gave to Neptune brine for toast:Most prone to excitement of the three,Bill's words will aye immortal be.

As blasts passed by, the jib was hoi'dTo beat the dread Nor'Westem Tide;For Westray Firths a roaring bore,When wild winds "gainst its currents roan

Loud, "Land ahoy!" young Burgher yelled,"Abaft our beam. Sir," Scatter paled,"Heaven help! We're swallowed by the North Sea-""Try mains'l: voice called hopefully-"

"Aye, hoist it!, hoist it!" Scatter cried,Nor did the hopeful voice deride-"Grand sailors," thought the weary man,and MANTO sailed near North again.

"We'll ride on crest o' third big swell,God bless you men, you've done right well-Now, this is two, hold back for three-Row, men row! I sailors see-!"

They crashed on beach of ShapinsayWhose sailors snatched them from the sprayEre MANTO's crew could disembarkAnd Thundered up the beach berserk.

The Islander had seen them rideThe mighty waves, and ran with prideTo save the heroes from the seaWith ropes and dashing chivalry-

High up the beach the MANTO crashed,Nor boat nor crew, though bruised were smashedAll safe above the beachy banks,They disembarked to render thanks-

At Haquoy, Biggen and the Ness,Each man was piled with kindnessesMy DAD, till over ninety years,Would still relate to open ears-

"The MANTO is returnin1," John,My Grandad would not have it on;Moist-eyed, he trudged up past the NoweAnd gazed on Manto's splashing bow-

With double reefs still smashing through,She headed for the Bay of Woo,A Grander sight was never seen:The Isle that Mourned gave thanks serene.

1 heard him sing the fortieth psalm,O'er eighty, wind short, voice clear, calm;At times emotion filled his throat;But thanks was mellowing every note;

His last words, while I helpless lay,"Lord, let this be my dying day;"He'd coughed two weeks with Spanish flu:Past eighty five, he bade adieu.

My DAD, most helpful poor-man's friend,A record fun'ral marked his end.I taped this saga by his grave:There MOTHER lies, the equal brave.

This poem, and picture of the Manto, were presented by Harry Burgher. He based them on the true story of James Burgher,then of Cotterochan, aged 17 years, when he was fishing- That would make it occurring in about 1883. The Captain of theManto was David Scatter of Galtiquoy, and William Drever of Sanquhar was the other crew. James' warning of the stormsapproach earned him the nickname "Stormy " from then on.

The Saga of The MantoWritten by Henry Burgher

(1903-1992)

Name:

Previous names:

Length:

Breadth:

Builder:


History:


Ruby

James Reid ofWestbreck

Bermudian

Standing lug

Richard Rendall ofBalaclava owned thisfor a time before itwent to Sanday. It wassailed by the Lesliemen of Lopness inSanday, who originallycame from Benziecottin Westray. She wasfairly successful in theracing and regularlytravelled to Westrayfor the Regatta. Latershe was sold to somepeople who hadmoved to Sanday and

16' 0"

5' 9"

they fished with herfor a time. During thistime she wasdamaged on thebeach and wasextensively patchedwith roofing felt.In the 1990s RobbieHutchison took herback to Westray and itnow sits in his shed atOcean View.

Name:

Previous names:

Length:

Breadth:

Builder:


History:


Bella

J Omand, Tower Hill, Sanday

Standing lug and jib,big bowsprit

Built by Omand for aRousay man whowanted a boat thatcould carry well andwas fast so it wasdescribed by some ashalf yole and half skiff.She ended up back inSanday and owned byDavid Sinclair fromHowe but usuallyskippered relativelysuccessfully by PeterHarcus.She lay at Howe inSanday until BrianBain took it home to

15' 4"

6' 1"

Westray in 2002.It is pictured above at theback of Brian’s house.Thought to be the boat inthe distance, picturedbelow.

Name:

Previous names:

Length:

Breadth:

Builder:


History:


The Marys

none

James RendallQueenabreckan

Dipping Lug

She was built in the1920s by JamesRendall,Queenabreckan.

She was eventuallyfound by the marineartist T William Wardsof Ealing andpresented to thecollection at theExeter Museum byMrs Lesley Brown.

14' 0"

5' 1"

Now in the collectionof the MaritimeMuseum at Eyemouthwhere she lookssplendid but is classedas a “Polyfilla” boatand is used foronshore display only.

Name:

Previous names:

Length:

Breadth:

Builder:


History:


The Fly

None

James William StoutGrinaby

Standing lug

Built for GeordoMiller of SteenyHa’ byJames William beforehe emigrated toAmerica.

It was related that allJames William’s boatswere named withthree letters?

At one time it had aconverted car enginefitted which provedlarge and unreliableso a small marine

' 0"

' "

engine was fitted.

She fished both sidesof Westray, mostly theeast side. If there wasa fishing reputed onthe west side shewould be loaded onto the “Skello Shop”van and taken fromone side of the islandto the other.

Name:

Previous names:

Length:

Breadth:

Builder:


History:


The Curlew (small)

James Rendall ofCuppin

Gaff Rig

Standing lug

This skiff was built forthe family at Huntonin Stronsay.

She came back toWestray for RobbiePeace, a grandson andwas eventually to JohnTalbott of Whitelett ofWestray who put aprotective coating offiberglas on her and alarge foredeck.

15' 7"

6' 0"

Although she has asmall Stewart Turnerpetrol engine fittedshe is gaff riggedusing traditionalcolours etc.

Name:

Previous names:

Length:

Breadth:

Builder:


History:


The Daisy

None

James Rendall ofCuppin

Dipping Lug

Nothing is known ofher early history butshe arrived in Westrayon The Orcadia onWednesday 11th July1962 for DuncanBerstan.

She was bought fromsomeone in Sanday byEric Brown.

She was hastily takento the big store at thepier where she wascleaned, tarred and

15' 9"

5' 10"painted before beinglaunched two dayslater.

Duncan used her forcreeling using anoutboard motor and alug sail. She was laidby after a while andher conditiondeteriorated to a stagewhere repair was nolonger an option. Sheis now in the care ofthe Orkney MuseumService.


Our Grateful Thanks

– Lesley Mitchell and Kenny MacGregor representing the Princes Trust

Millennium Awards.

– Bob MacKinnon, Malcolm Graves and David Steele from SIP

– Support from the Westray Development Trust and Community Council

– couldn't have done it without the commitment and patience of Peter Miller

– also great to have the support and encouragement of interested people

locally and abroad.

The Westray Skiff Project 2002

www.westrayskiffs.co.uk

Documents

The Westray Skiff Project 2002 - Global Islands · snooker, pool and darts) Fast learner Good communication skills Creeling (Jock Kent, Bonni-min, Westray) (Geordie Costie, Beach