MOUNT ROYAL

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

Date1962

Object NameFISHING VESSEL

MediumSTEEL

ClassificationsShip

Dimensionslength 77 1/6' x breadth 20 7/12' x depth 10 9/12'
gross tonnage 59 ton

Object numberABDSHIP000273

Keywords

Aberdeen Built Ships

About MeYard: John Lewis & Sons.
Yard Number: 337
Subsequent Names: MARGARITA STRACHAN FR112 (1993); UNITY PD14 (1994).

Fate: The ship was decommissioned in 1996 and sank while in tow off Lossiemouth, 1996.

Propulsion: Motor
Description: Trawler, construction riveted/welded.

Owners:
1962: Malcolm Smith Ltd, fishing number A669
1981: Albert & David Reid of Orkney, fishing number K458.
1985: Kenny Bain.
1993: Unknown Fraserburgh owners.
1994: Unity Fishing Co., Peterhead.

General History:
1962: Average speed on trial 10.6 knots.

MOUNT ROYAL was designed as a smaller version of the previously built 100ft trawlers, but retaining the same catching capabilities with lower running costs. This boat was the basic design of what was to be known as the Spinningdale class, produced from 1968 onwards.

MOUNT ROYAL was one of the Mark One pocket class trawlers; the visual difference was that Mark One had single mast and straight wheelhouse, Mark Two had bipod mast and a flared wheelhouse. MOUNT ROYAL was the first of the pocket class trawlers developed by John Lewis, which became popular with many companies and skipper owners, as they could be used for different methods of fishing e.g. seine net and trawling. The pocket class was developed as the distant fishing grounds of Iceland and Faroes imposed a 12 mile limit to foreign boats which made long distance trips hard to make a living over the coming years. The class was upgraded to Mark 1 - Mark 2 - Mark 3.

MOUNT ROYAL made headline news during the fishermens strike around Britain with many ports closed with fishing boats blocking the harbour entrances to all shipping except ferries to the islands. One day during the strike (Aberdeen) MOUNT ROYAL breached the lines and was blacklisted after the strike was over.

Some time between 1985-1993 the ship ran aground, date and location unknown; the ship was salvaged and rebuilt.

Note: Engine number 407, Oil 4SA 6cy 8 3/4 x 11 1/2 with reverse gear, Lister Blackstone ERS6MG/R3, 395kw 500bhp
Df, Esd. Pfd.