Cromarty Archive

Cromarty Lifeboat - 1955

Cromarty Lifeboat - 1955

Date Added: 01 January 2003 Contributor: Clem Watson Year: 1955 Picture No: 163

The RNLB Lilla Marras, Douglas & Will was Cromarty lifeboat, from 1955 until 1968.

This picture also shows the front factory building, since demolished and the old concrete harbour bridge, now replaced.

See also picture #324.

Albums: Landscapes and Views, The Sea

Groups: Cromarty Lifeboats

10 Comments

The picture shows the LAST Cromarty Lifeboat, the 46'9" Watson Class boat, Lilla Marras Douglas and Will. The Station was operated by the RNLI from 1911 to 1968. Comment left on 14 May 2003 by Campbell Ross
My Grandfather was engineer on this lifeboat and while on holiday in Cromarty as a boy in the early 1960's I was taken into the engine room which was a great treat for me. Everything was spotless and the brasswork all brighly polished. I remember with pleasure a trip on this boat from Cromarty to a port on the Moray Firth. I think as part of a regatta day but unfortunately now I don't remember the exact details. Comment left on 24 June 2005 at 23:58 by Ian Watson
Ian, I take it you are Minnie's son? I'm your 2nd cousin if that is the case, my Dad was Coxn. of Cromarty Lifeboat for 34 years, and his father before him. Sounds like your trip was to a Findhorn Regatta? Comment left on 26 June 2005 at 00:11 by Clem Watson
Ian, are you Gok's son? Your dad and I used to be on the Enterprise and Endeavour together when I left school, how is he?? Comment left on 26 June 2005 at 11:39 by Ian Jack
To Clem, Yes we are 2nd cousins. To Ian, yes my Dad used to be on the Enterprise and Endeavour and when we went on holiday to Cromarty his Uncle Albert used to let him skipper one of the boats on a run to Invergordon and I went along for the trip. A highlight for me was passing the Natal buoy and being told the story of the ship and it's sinking.
My Dad died aged 75 in 1999 and is buried in Anstruther.
Comment left on 27 June 2005 at 19:40 by Ian Watson
Was Clem's Dad also the local coalman? Comment left on 30 September 2009 at 12:54 by John Freestone
Memories, memories, you can't beat that guy Clement Watson! I too used to travel to Invergordon with Albert, Clement's sister Veronica was the big attraction! Comment left on 03 October 2009 at 20:40 by Ranald Nicolson Matheson
Clem, did we used live opposite you in George Street in 1949 to 1951?. We lived at No4 Comment left on 08 October 2009 at 12:49 by John Freestone
I used to go to invergordon in the afternoon on the enterprise taking the mail there with Albert in all weather we used to take people on trips around the navy ships at night when they were all ellumanated up and the Britania was there us well they were the good all days bring them back again Comment left on 14 April 2016 at 05:00 by H!
I went to Invergordon with Albert every afternoon when i came out off school taking the mail there to catch the train south he used to go in all weathers he was a brilliant sea mariner and taught me a lot about seaman ship that is why i joined merchant navy
Ill always remember when the the fleet and the Queen with Britania was in the firth illumated up Albert did trips around the fleet at night what a stunning site that was never to be seen again yes Clem your father was a great seafarer man and i am proud to say i sailed with him i lived in 6 Duke Street
Comment left on 14 April 2016 at 05:54 by Harry Kniarzyk
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