Cromarty Archive

The Endeavour leaving for Invergordon

The Endeavour leaving for Invergordon

Date Added: 28 November 2003 Contributor: Clem Watson Year: 1967 Picture No: 584

Skippered by Albert Watson, she made the journey 3 times a day carrying the mails under Post Office contract to catch the TPO (Travelling Post Office) which sorted the mail on the train.

The first trip of the day was at 7:30am, then 11:30 and finally 4:00pm.

Albums: The Sea

7 Comments

Yes I rember this boat [the Endeavour] I am sure I went across to Invergordon on it once when Ted who ran the ferry boat from the Craggan was unable to sail due to illness. I was about 15 and had to go to the Labour Exchange in Invergordon. I had to cycle to Cromarty from Jemimaville leave my bike at the Police Station to collect on my return. Oh happy days I left Black Isle in 1960 to join the Air force. Comment left on 23 October 2004 at 00:43 by Mary Mackay now Harrison
Every time I look at this pic I See Clem taking her across to Nigg one day wearing the kilt. Funny how a picture sticks in your memory!
I used to bale out both the Enterprise and the Endeavour near enough daily when on my school holidays and staying with my uncle and aunt, Evan the Post and Ena. I used to get up early and off down to the boat for the 7 o' clock sailing to "assist" Albert. I did the three crossings daily with him. That gave me the taste for the sea. The more I think back on it I can smell the engine and bilge on that two old boats. What a shame that the Enterptise had to be chopped up through kids when she ended her days on the shore!
Comment left on 07 November 2004 at 08:25 by Pat Swanson
Pat, Thank you for those comments. I often wore the kilt while on board, not quite the proper mariner's garb, but I figured that if I had to run along the gunwale from the engine to throw the bow rope, an fell in, it would be easy to jettison the kilt, and swim for it!

Going back to memory, mine is that of your Uncle Evan & 'Hughie the Post' arriving daily to meet our Ferryboat with collar & tie, hat, smart uniform, and polished boots! Those days of smart appearance have sadly gone. Belated thanks for bailing out!
Comment left on 08 November 2004 at 11:16 by Clem Watson
I remember this too, I travelled on it once a week to visit my mother in Nigg. It was a bumpy crossing but it gave anyone on it a taste o' the sea! The salt spraying in your face, the gulls flying over. The atmosphere of it brings tears to my eyes- Cromarty is such a special place that should never be forgotten. Comment left on 14 November 2005 at 16:36 by - an old folk of *Cromarty*
What a special memory, Pat! Now that you are a "heid bummer" on grand big boats yourself! Cromarty will not be forgotten this week, in Northern California, when my friend of 50+ years, Mary (nee Munro), the grandaughter of Chapman's paper shop, will be visiting me. There is enough whisky laid in to sink the QM2 and if we don't don't feel like drinking that, there is enough sparkling mineral water!
I'm off now to make a pot of broth for the occasion!
Comment left on 15 November 2005 at 05:50 by Anon
Spent many happy hours on the Endeavour and on Enterprise with Albert in the early 1950s. Comment left on 04 November 2006 at 22:13 by John Stewart.
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