At Crinan

[alasdairmac]

Took a wee dauner up to Crinan and Inveraray yesterday puffer hunting and came across this vintage vessel in the basin at the Western end of the Crinan Canal. It maybe should be in the "tugs" section but I doubt if it has towed anything for many a long year so here it is.

I understand that she was built in 1934 by Einswarden, Oldenburg, Germany. She is 54grt and measures up at 70.9 x 14.4 x 5.8 ft. Appears she first came into Scottish hands in 1972 and has had a number of owners since, and has been at Crinan for some time now. Needs a wee bit of TLC in places but she doesnt look too neglected though.

[alasdairmac]

Also in the basin this nice wee 1938 vintage Silverette, the 36 foot "Silver Gare"

[Patrick Hill]

"Duke of Normandy II" is owned by Nick Walker, owner of the "VIC 322". The puffer may be just finishing her season on the Caledonian Canal?

[alasdairmac]

Thanks for that on the D of N II Patrick. Yes, the chap at Crinan Boatyard mentioned V!C32 perhaps coming down there soon for her annual overhaul. Dont know if he's got the work, or just hoping for it though !

One of the possibles for VIC27 is to build an accommodation module and slip it down into the hold, rather than try to build in the hold itself. Interesting concept and sounds if it's been borrowed from modern cruise-liner build techniques ! I think that Archie MacAlister at Inveraray has similar thoughts for '72

[yorkieman]

From my last caption for the tug ...
1934, 54grt
Built by Fredrichswerf at Oldenburg as EMS
1940 to Kriegsmarine as F.K.O.1
1949 DUKE OF NORMANDY, States of Jersey
1972 DUKE OF NORMANDY II, R.S.Taylor
1974 to J.Robinson
1975 to A.D.Moffat, Glasgow
1975 to British Waterways Board
1992 to Highland Steamboat Holidays, still in service

[Patrick Hill]

When we sailed on "VIC 32" in 2008 Nick told us she was going to stay at Corpach to be slipped for repairs that year as he usually did. I noted that last year they went on the slip at Crinan astern of the 27.