Historic Vessel Gets £1 Million Refurbishment

A historic vessel that had once secured the Shetland record for herring fishing has started welcoming visitors from 4 August after a refurbishment of £1 million.

The Reaper, a Viking-inspired ‘Fifie’ ship, had been constructed using larch and oak in 1903 in Sandhaven. It is one of the rare ones still in the seagoing condition in the UK’s National Historic Fleet.

With double masts, weighing 50 tonnes and 70 feet tall, it is the ultimate of the first-class herring luggers of Scotland. The 118-year-old ship has a history of featuring on-screen, including in the TV drama ‘Outlander’ and the film ‘Tommy’s Honour’ (2016).

The Scottish Fisheries Museum in Anstruther has started hosting visitors onboard the Reaper. The iconic vessel has been a ‘rare survivor’ from the golden age of sail. It is a ‘Fifie’ that has been inspired by Viking longships.

Image Credits: Scottish Traditional Boat Festival, Portsoy

The Reaper’s conservation project began in 2018 per the direction of Leonardo Bortolami. He is the Historic Boat Expert at the Scottish Fisheries Museum. Mike Barton, the Reaper’s Skipper also was part of the assignment.

The refurbishment includes but is not limited to a 67-foot foremast and extensive strengthening work that has provided the Reaper with the strongest hull any ‘Fifie’ ever had.

Installation of a new air compressor for powering the steam capstan was added. Volunteers who are part of the Scottish Fisheries Museum’s Boat Club contributed about 700 hours of dedicated work for the project.

All credits for this go to its huge lugsails that stretch for more than 3,355sq feet. During the 1930s, the Reaper had held the Shetland record for 223 crans i.e. equivalent to nearly 250,000 herring.

The ship is a piece of living history. It serves as a brilliant example to explore the heritage of the Scottish maritime industry. Tickets for a tour of the Reaper have been made available at the entrance to the pontoon at the Anstruther Harbour. The cost per ticket is five pounds for adult guests, and free for child visitors.



Reference: scotsman.com | Video Credits: Scottish Traditional Boat Festival, Portsoy

Marine Insight does not own the rights of the video.

Historic Vessel Gets £1 Million Refurbishment appeared first on Marine Insight – The Maritime Industry Guide

Source: Maritime Shipping News