Leith Ferry in warmer waters

The ex ST CATHERINE now named as GB CONTE and owned by Delcomar seen in warmer waters.

GB CONTE ex ST CATHERINE

GB CONTI seen here in Sardinia on the right of this photograph from Anni (Wightlink) taken on a visit to see the ex ST CATHERINE now working away in the sunshine for Delcomar.

She is looking as good as new some 30 years after being launched as Ship No 534 from the Leith Shipyards of Henry Robb Ltd.

Here is a nice video taken by Anni as she joined the old ferry for a few trips in the warm waters of the Island of Sardinia.

https://youtu.be/5rDkQVm1hcQ

She is soon to be joined by her sister ship the ST HELEN now called ANNA MUR

ST HELEN Re-Named

We are happy to let you know that the last ship launched at the Leith Shipyards of Henry Robb Ltd bringing to an end some 660 years of recorded shipbuilding history in the Port of Leith, is now been looked after by her new owners.

ST HELEN Ship No 535 has been re-named to ANNA MUR BY HER NEW OWNERS Delcomar of Italy with a new registration port of Cagliari.

She is still at her berth at Hythe being looked after by her new crew from Delcomar and with a new lick of paint and other necessary maintenance work she will soon be ready to take up her new role in Sardinia.

Working along side her sister ship ST CATHERINE which has been out there for a couple of years now and also re-named to GB CONTE

ST HELEN Re-named as ANNA MUR

Photograph of the re-named ANNA MUR sent in to the website by Anni
 Good to know that her shipbuilders name plate remains to show her build yard at Leith You will see more photographs on the ANNA MUR on the website.

More on ST HELEN

The WightLink Ferry ST HELEN seen here about a week ago in Portsmouth
photograph is copyright by Anni Ruecroft and shown here by permission



We now have a whole lot more information on the two St Class ships built at the Leith Shipyards of Henry Robb Ltd and these two fine ships where the last of a very long line of ships built at Leith in Scotland.
Thanks to Anni Ruecroft (Senior Steward) who began her working life with WightLink and started out working on the  ST HELEN is a mind full of information on the two ships and we will be featuring her story of working on the ships along with many great never see before photographs so please keep checking back on the website for further information and videos of the last ships built at Leith.

ST CATHERINE

ST CATHERINE(Photo from simplonpc.co.uk)

Ship No 534

ST CATHERINE was the first of a two ship order that the yard had won, and for a short time things were beginning to look a little bit brighter.

She was a passenger/vehicle ferry for use on the south coast of England between the mainland and the Isle of Wight, the ships where for Sealink and she is still in service today under the banner of Wrightlink ferries.

She was a twin screw vessel of 2036 grt, with a length between perpendiculars of 77.6 metres, and a beam of 16.8 metres, with design draught at 4.5 metres.

Offshore Ferry Services of England and Scotland The United Kingdom comprises thousands of islands and for many centuries transport between the main islands and the outlying communities has required reliable shipping routes, both long and short-haul, for commerce, trade and travel. Ferries have become an essential means of transport for many outlying populations and down the years routes have continually changed and been adapted to meet the requirements of the period. This remains so today, with established ferry routes in a constant state of flux, with the dire economic circumstances of the present imposing their own financial restraints upon routes and timetables. This volume presents a snapshot of the major Offshore Ferry routes as they currently stand, with details of the routes, the ships and the amenities; added to which are the outline histories of companies and links. This volume encapsulates all these strands and should prove a useful aide to all travellers.

ST CATHERINE was launched from the Leith Shipyards of Robb Caledon on 30th of March 1983.

 

You will be able to read a lot more about her on the new website at http://www.leithshipyards.com/

ST CATHERINE in her "Sealink" Livery
(Photo is courtesy of Ian Boyle at http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/)

Offshore Ferry Services of England and Scotland
The United Kingdom comprises thousands of islands and for many centuries transport between the main islands and the outlying communities has required reliable shipping routes, both long and short-haul, for commerce, trade and travel. Ferries have become an essential means of transport for many outlying populations and down the years routes have continually changed and been adapted to meet the requirements of the period. This remains so today, with established ferry routes in a constant state of flux, with the dire economic circumstances of the present imposing their own financial restraints upon routes and timetables. This volume presents a snapshot of the major Offshore Ferry routes as they currently stand, with details of the routes, the ships and the amenities; added to which are the outline histories of companies and links. This volume encapsulates all these strands and should prove a useful aide to all travellers.

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