LK243 Swan

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Her story

1. 1900

   museum history note

   The LK243 SWAN is a sail training vessel based in Scalloway and Lerwick. Each year, dozens of trainees and members of the public are taken aboard to learn various seamanship skills and enjoy sailing trips around the isles and further afield. The Swan was built during this boom period, and in 1900, at a length of 67 feet, was at that time the largest ever built in Lerwick. According to a report from The Shetland News from 5th May 1900, she was “built to the order of Messrs Hay & Co., and Mr Thos. Isbister, and is acknowledged by competent judges, both local and Scotch, to be one of the finest fishing boats afloat in the North of Scotland, as regards to model, strength or workmanship.” For the next 50 years the Swan had a busy career, working first out of Whalsay with a crew from that isle, before having an engine fitted in 1935 to extend her working life. With the decline of the herring fishing, she was retired in 1950, and towed to Grimsby to be converted to a houseboat. By 1982 she lay neglected in Hartlepool, sinking more than once due to lack of care. Thankfully, her fate was spared after she was spotted by fishing enthusiast Keith Parkes, who recognised her importance as the only remaining Fifie. Mr Parkes bought the boat in 1989 with the intention of restoring her, however this proved too time consuming, and the Swan was put up for sale. Soon after, the Swan Steering Group

2. 1950

   retired

   Retired noted: The LK243 SWAN is a sail training vessel based in Scalloway and Lerwick. Each year, dozens of trainees and members of the public are taken aboard to learn various seamanship skills and enjoy sailing trips around the isles and further afield. The Swan was built

3. 1950

   modified

   Converted noted in source.

4. —

   Registration

   Registration: LK243

5. —

   Registration

   Registration: LK243

6. —

   Name

   Name: Swan

7. —

   Name

   Name: Swan

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