Eriskay
Gaelic Name:
N/A
Current Status:
Type:
Callsign:
Wood MV
IMO:
MMSI:
Launched:
Acquired:
0
-
Entered Service:
Disposed:
Details
Ordered By:
Cost:
Registered:
Launched by:
Named after:
David MacBrayne Ltd.
Glasgow
The Isle of Eriskay which lies to the Southern tip of South Uist
Dimensions
Length:
0
Draught:
Breadth:
0
0
Gross Tonnage:
0
Technical
Builders:
John Barr & Sons (Craigendoran) Ltd
Yard No:
0
Engine Builders:
Bergius Kelvin Co. Ltd?
Machinery:
Kelvin J2?
Speed:
6
Hoist & Lifts:
Remarks:
Capacities
Passengers:
Cars:
Crew:
Lifeboats:
55
0
0
0
Facilities
Route Timeline
1951 - 1965: Colonsay Tender
1965 - 1968: Eriskay Tender
Current, Last or Usual Route
History
Originally launched as COLONSAY, this little craft barely qualifies as a member of the STG / CalMac fleet – she was sold off while 1969 was only a few days old – and even G E Langmuir records virtually nothing about her.
She was one of two flitboats built for David MacBrayne Ltd in 1951 by John Barr & Sons (Craigendoran) Ltd., at their Dumbarton yard; the previous year they had supplied flitboats for Iona and Staffa. It is reasonable to assume that like IONA (V) and STAFFA (VI), COLONSAY had a Kelvin J-2 engine. Her name revived that of a very early (1834) paddle steamer in the West Highlands and COLONSAY was of course stationed at the eponymous island.
When a pier was built at Scalasaig, Colonsay, the launch was in 1965 transferred to Eriskay and was appropriately renamed; there she tendered to CLAYMORE and the Outer Isles cargo boat. She was sold at the end of 1968 and on 7th January the LOCH CARRON collected her at the Tail of the Bank and dropped her off at Lochmaddy the following day, to be collected by her new owner, Angus MacAskill of Berneray.
Text thanks to John MacLeod
Gallery