Letters LETTER OF THE MONTH SUPPORTED BY OLD PULTENEY WHISKY


Flagship Swan


I was delighted to find in the news section of last month’s Classic Boat an item about the 67ft (20.4m) Scottish Fifie Swan having been chosen as National Historic Ships ‘Flagship of the Year’ for 2011/12.


I was however dismayed when I looked at the accompanying photograph and realised that the vessel in the photograph was not the Swan nor was it a Fifie. Those who are familiar with


the Swan know that since her restoration in the 1990s she has never carried a topsail, nor does she have a gaff mizzen sail. Indeed, the vessel in the photograph does not have the characteristic vertical stern of a Fifie and appears to be a sailing trawler, possibly the Provident. Peter Campbell, Secretary, The Swan Trust, Shetland


You’re quite right of course, and our apologies. All we can say is


that the pic was supplied by NHS (and is indeed the Provident) for some reason, but we should have spotted it. So here is the fine picture of the Swan


The Swan, this year’s National Historic Ships’ flagship


1951 Festival of Britain Starcraft I enclose a photograph of a Bates


Starcraft on the South Bank, 1951


96 CLASSIC BOAT JULY 2011


25ft (7.6m) Starcraft exhibited at the 1951 Festival of Britain, taken by me. My interest was that my father owned two Starcraft in succession – 25ft (7.6m) and 31ft ( 9.5m). He then imported in 1957 an Akerboom 41ft (12.5m) steel hull to a design by Ken Wilson of Sunbury. The photograph might be of interest to your readers and/or the Starcraft owners’ club. It seems strange to me that Starcraft should be classic boats. I personally owned a series of Folkboats and an X one-design. John Morgan, Petworth, W Sussex


Can you help ?


I attach a photo of a skiff which has appeared on the Cam but with no owner that I can trace. Can you suggest who might have made this? It is, I think, marine ply, but does not appear to have a maker’s label. Any suggestions? William Heffer, by email


that you sent, and to make amends, we’re sending you this month’s bottle of Old Pulteney, to share and enjoy! – Ed


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