ALBATROSS “Found then Lost”

Mast and Lantern from the LightShip ALBATROSS (Photo by Peter Goulding)
Seen here being used as Monument outside some housing development in Dublin.

With the news that the oldest existing ship built in the Leith Shipyards of Henry Robb was tied up in a basin in Dublin, our local contact (Thanks Peter) went down to where she was to try and get some photographs of ALBATROSS but she had mysteriously flown! After some questioning of locals it was discovered that she had been towed away the previous weekend, it would appear she had been bought and was being taken to London to be berthed some where on the river Thames to undergo a re-furb and the intention is to use her as a floating pub/restaurant, so with time we shall see how this new use for her pans out.

Found- Henry Robb “Oldest” Ship

It looks like we have managed to track down what may well now be the oldest surviving ship built in the Leith Shipyards of Henry Robb.


She is the Lightship ALBATROSS Ship No 30 and built for the Irish Lighthouse commission in 1924, with the help of a German lightship enthusiast we know now that she is still afloat and although without her light lantern she is at a berth in Dublin, Ireland. We hope to have some photographs to show soon.

We will bring more info soon, and you will be able to find out more about this 87 years old ship on the website at www.leithshipyards.com where a lot more info and photographs have now been put onto the site.

Photo Updates

Lots of new photographs now on the main website of the http://www.leithshipyards.com/ pages
For the latest pictures in the shipbuildng category click through to see.
For the latest update to the famous ships category click through to see. You will also find a bit of video and a famous song as well.

Shipbuilders Plate from the SCOT II (Ship No 184)

Wheelhouse Rescued

SCOT II Wheelhouse being loaded for transportation.

The wheelhouse for the SCOT II is now back with the owners of the ship, it was rescued from the Muir of Ord in the Scottish Highlands just last week, and after a bit of a struggle it is now safe back in Fort Augustus close to the hull of the SCOT II.

The wheelhouse is still in pretty good condition considering it had been used as a hen house and for keeping sheep in. This is yet another testament to the workmanship of the men at the Leith Shipyards of Henry Robb.

The wooden wheelhouse it is hoped can be restored and will sit proudly back on top of the superstructure of the old tug once restored.

You can see more photographs of the wheelhouse rescue here.

More press for SCOT II

The project to help restore the old ice breaking Tug SCOT II continues with this fine story in the Press & Journal, and you can read the latest story of the SCOT II project, by clicking on the highlighted words.

Flyer from SCOT II from 1984



Moving into position

She begins to turn around.





A couple of photographs showing the U.K.’s largest crane being moved in the Firth of Forth, for delivery into the Rosyth Dockyard, the ship is being towed into position to enter the channel into Rosyth by four tugs.

Slow ahead does it.

On her way.

Biggest in U.K.

(This photograph was taken by Craig Leitch on the way to check the crane, one of the first scots to work on it in British waters)

Last week there arrived in the Firth of Forth a crane carried by ship. No ordinary crane this, in fact the largest in Britain, and she hove to just opposite the site of the old Leith Shipyards in the river Forth, awaiting clearance and inspection to ensure that she could safely pass under the famous old Forth Rail Bridge and the Forth Road Bridge.


She managed to navigate her way through the channel at max ballast and at low tide. The crane will be used to assemble the two new aircraft carriers being built at Rosyth.

It's a tight squeeze but with 2m to spare she made it under the Forth Rail Bridge.
It is good to see that the river is once more seeing more marine traffic. Remember to keep checking the Leith Shipyards site for all maritime enthusiasts.