Image Not Available

ISCO IV

Shipbuildervessel built by John Lewis & Sons (Aberdeen, Scotland, 1907 - 1976)

Owner Isaac Spencer & Co. (Aberdeen) Ltd (Aberdeen, Scotland)

Date1958

Object NameBARGE

MediumSTEEL

ClassificationsShip

Dimensionslength 45 1/12' x breadth 14' x depth 4 3/12'
gross tonnage: 18 ton

Object numberABDSHIP000204

Keywords

Aberdeen Built Ships

About MeYard: John Lewis & Sons.
Yard Number: 262

Fate: Unknown

Propulsion: Motor
Description: Liver oil barge

Owners:
1958: Isaac Spenser & Co., Aberdeen.

General History:
ISCO IV was a 45' motor barge used to collect cod liver oil from the fleet of fishing vessels that had landed their catch at the fish market. ISCO IV was a small vessel with a crew of two men that went round the harbour each day to collect the cod oil. The crew would hoist empty 40-gallon oil drums up to the aft end of the trawler deck about 20' above their deck by a derrick. Once they got the drums on board they would pump the oil out of the trawlers oil tank by hand pump. When they had filled the barrel they would start the hazardous job of lowering the heavy drum down to the ISCO's deck and proceed to the next vessel. In the days of the busy fishing industry collecting the oil could be very dangerous with trawlers going to the fishing grounds and trawlers tying up at Albert Quay as radio contact was very limited between vessels. It was also dangerous with overspill from the drums as it made the decks very slippery and the oil had a nasty pungent smell that penetrated your clothes. Once the drums had been filled they were discharged at the company's Albert Quay facilities.

Engine number -- Russell Newbury type FM4.