Leith Trawler

'Gratitude (LH28)'

1.  Where is this trawler now?

2.  Where was this photo taken?

Recollections

1.

Forbes Wilson

Guildford, Surrey

Forbes Wilson, now living near Guildford, Surrey, o wrote about photos of the trawler 'Gratitude (LH28)'.

Newhaven Pageant

Forbes referred to a photo at the lower-left corner of this page on the Scran web site.   The photo was taken at Newhaven Harbour at the 'Coronation Pageant of the Five Queens', held on May 30, 1953.

Forbes believes that the photo shows his father's two uncles, John and Hughie Wilson, helping one of the young queens to disembark from John's trawler, 'Gratitude (LH28)'.

Peter Stubbs:  November 27, 2009

Forbes wrote:

Gratitude (LH28)

"John Wilson, owned and sailed 'Gratitude (LH28)' out of Newhaven.  John was usually joined by his brother, Hughie, when they fished for sprats and herring.

Here is a fine photo of Gratitude', taken at Newhaven in 1953."

©

Forbes added:

Hearts Supporter

"My father has told me that his uncle was a keen Heart of Midlothian supporter, hence the distinctive maroon band painted around the Gratitude, as can be seen in this photograph.

©

Forbes Wilson, Guildford, Surrey:  November 24 + 26, 2009

Question 1

What has become of the Gratitude?

Forbes asked:

"I’m trying to determine what has become of the Gratitude,  and was wondering if any of your readers can help. I believe she lay as a wreck on Kerrara near Oban but I am now informed that she has been salvaged and converted to a pleasure craft."

Forbes Wilson, Guildford, Surrey:  November 24 + 26, 2009

Question 2

Where was this Photo Taken

Do you recognise where this photo was taken?

©

There are some features of the harbour in the background which I expect might be easily recognised by anybody familiar with Scottish harbours.

Peter Stubbs:  November 27, 2009

Answers?

If you can help to answer either of the questions above, please email me, than I'll pass your message on to him.  Thank you.

Peter Stubbs:  November 27, 2009

Acknowledgement:  Forbes Wilson, Guildford, Surrey:  November 24 + 26, 2009

Question 1

Answer

1.

John Stevenson

Trinity, Edinburgh

Thank you to John Stevenson who replied to the 1st question in 'Recollections 1' above.

John wrote:

What became of Gratitude (LH28)?

"The only new information that I can add to that given above is that the 'Register of Fishing Vessels, 1952/53' shows the ownership of the vessel as 'George Wilson & others'."

David Stevenson, Trinity, Edinburgh:  November 29, 2009

Question 1

Answer

2.

Jack Wilson

Grangemouth, Falkirk, Scotland

Before asking his two questions above about the fishing boat Gratitude (LH28), Forbes Wilson mentioned that John Wilson and his brother, Hughie, used to fish for sprats and herring from Newhaven in the boat.

I've now received an email from Jack Wilson who tells me that Hugh was his grandfather.

Jack wrote:

What became of Gratitude (LH28)?

"Regarding the question where is she now, I was recently led to believe the Gratitude was decommissioned and that the mast was that outside the Peacock Restaurant at Newhaven."

Jack Wilson, Grangemouth, Falkirk, Scotland:  December 12, 2013

Question 2

Answer

1.

Walter Lyle Hume

Cowes, Isle of Wight, England

Thank you to Walter Lyle Hume who replied to the 2nd question in 'Recollections 1' above.

Walter wrote:

Where was this photo taken?

©

"Let's start the ball rolling:  Whitby."

Walter Lyle Hume, Cowes, Isle of Wight, England:  November 28, 2009

Question 2

Answer

2.

Walter Anderson

Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland:

Thank you to Walter Anderson who wrote:

Whitby

©

"This photo was definitely taken at Whitby Harbour."

Walter Anderson, Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland:  August 18, 2010

Question 2

Answer

3.

Peter Nisbet

Thank you to Peter Nisbet who agreed and wrote:

Whitby

©

The picture was taken at Whitby.

Peter Nisbet:  January 9, 2010

Question 2

Answer

4.

Paul Martin

Dorset, England

Thank you to Paul Martin who wrote:

Whitby

©

"The harbour is Whitby, North Yorkshire  -  110%"

Paul Martin, Dorset, England:  December 15, 2011

Paul added:

Whitby

"There could be no mistaking the picture of Whitby as I first went to sea from there at the age of 8  (1961) on an Inverness Seine netter called ‘Summer Rose’ .

My father was a friend of the Skipper and I pestered them incessantly to allow me to join them for a night at sea with the fleet.

Paul Martin, Dorset, England:  January 3, 2012

Question 2

Answer

5.

John Dickson

Royston, Edinburgh

Thank you to John Dickson, Royston, Edinburgh for sending me a photo that he took at Whitby on holiday in 2011.

The photo shows the same lighthouse and piers as appear in the background of the photo of the fishing boats at the top of this page.

I have reproduced both photos below.

Question 2

Answer

6.

John Garland

New Zealand

Thank you to John Garland for also replying to question 2.  John gave the same answer as others have given:

©

"This photo was taken in Whitby Harbour"

Acknowledgement John Garland, New Zealand:  October 16, 2013

Further Comment

1.

Mike Craine

Royston, Edinburgh

Thank you to Michel Craine who wrote:

Fishing Boat

Gratitude

©

"That's a great photo of Whitby with all the herring ring-netters. It is very sad that all these have almost vanished.

'Gratitude' was built W Reekie, Anstruther in 1934.  She was the last of the Newhaven ring-netters.  Her owner, J (Biggy) Wilson was a keen Heart of Midlothian supporter.  Hence the distinctive maroon painted band around top-rail. When ring-netting she partnered the Mace, KY39."

The Other Boats

"If you can identify any of the other names on the blue boats I should be able to identify them for you. Also the vessels behind have a few names visible. I have tried zooming in but can't read them.

If there are any other UK fishing boats needing identified please send details."

Mike Craine:  September 17, 2014

Where is it?

Leith

Leith  Docks