 Jim Kinlochs ships on display
Merchant Aircraft Carrier (MAC boat) with Fairy Swordfish landing
Oops, bit of a crash landing for one aviator.
Passengers enjoying the cruise 'doon the water'.
Motor Launch circa 1918.
Ahoy, call the pirates
Queen Mary steamer.
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| | | Steamers sail into Penicuik - 10 August 2013 |
Report and Photos - Jim Paterson
The
Community Trust Saturday Open House drop-in community cafe on Saturday
10th August welcomed the arrival of a fleet of ships which tied
up at the specially prepared dock in the Cowan Hall.
 Consisting
of sailing, steamer, and military vessels the display even included a
pirate ship, but thankfully no pirates were seen in the town hall, and
all was safe.
The Edinburgh Model Boat Club had brought along
the wide selection of magnificent model ships to the drop-in
café, providing an interesting display for visitors to see.
Members of the club were on hand to describe the finer point of the
models, many taking thousands of hours work over several years to
complete.
I met St. Mungo's member Jimmy Kinloch who has been
building steamers from scratch (that is starting from nothing, no kits
or anything like that) for many years. His ships are not just static
either. Lift the superstructure and you can see the engines inside that
power the propellors, or 'screws' as Jim told me. Radio control servo's
are neatly installed with radio communication to the 'captain' on the
shore to allow full speed 'steaming' across open water.
 Amongst
the models on show was Jimmy Kinloch's paddle steamer the
Marchioness of Lorne. Built in 1935. The 427 ton vessel carried up
to 1253 passengers at 12 knots from Craigendoran to the Holy Loch which
she continued until 1953. She was then tranferred to the Millport run,
but being too slow for that route she was laid up and eventually
scrapped in 1955. As well as being fitted with engine and remote
controls Jim has fitted a walkman below deck that plays a selection of
'all aboard', 'cast off'', and other commands that would have been
heard from the bridge during the sailings. Reminded me of days on the
Waverley and Jeanie Deans paddle steamers on the Clyde in my much
younger days.
 Looking
very majestic was the TSS Saint Columba, a more convential 'propellor
ship.' Built in 1912 for the Campbletown run, she was the only
Clyde steamer to have three funnels. Requisitioned during the first
world war she was noted for ramming and sinking a German U-Boat.
She also served as an accommodation ship in WW2 before returning to
service sailing to Ardrishaig. Finally scrapped in 1958.
Jim's
models can be seen sailing at Inverleith Pond in Edinburgh, along
with other club members ships. For more information visit
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