Name Christina

CHRISTINA, motor fishing vessel, built by James Weatherhead at Eyemouth for John and James Aitchson as WHITE HEATHER. Official number A123382. Port of Registry LH256 (LH35 in 1952). 

Hull is carvel built of oak frames, larch planking and pitch pine deck, fastened with iron nails. Vessel has pointed bow, cruiser stern and raked reflex stem. has one deck, 2 timber masts used with a gaff steadying sail as traditional Scottish MFV. Engine originally a Kelvin K3, now a Perkins 6354 diesel, 6cy, bore 98.4mm x stroke 127mm, 95bhp. 

Sold to persons unknown and renamed SILVER CREST. Sold again to James Harkness and Hugh Ritchie, Port Seton and renamed CHRISTINA II after Mr Ritchie's wife. Operated for many years out of Port Seton and Greenock and was familiar sight on Clyde & Forth Canal. Was operated between 1959 and 1980 unaltered. Advertised for sale in Fishing News in 1980. LOA 39ft 7in, reg length 39ft 2in, beam 13ft 7in, dr 5ft. Sold to David Reid of Port Seton (local coastguard) who won Port Seton Best Dressed Boat in 1982. Sold to Derek Bailey of Edinburgh and then rescued by a new private owner in 1986. Not listed as fishing by DEFRA 1 July 2008 GH

CHRISTINA II was owned by Alan Colquhoun for at least ten years prior to 2018, then by Angus MacDonald of Portree from March 2018-March 2019. From March 2019 - May 2024, the vessel was owned by James Phimister of Broadford, Isle of Skye. This owner replaced some deck planks, refastened and strengthened the butt joints at the bow and stern and completely reconditioned and rebuilt the Perkins engine. As some point her name was changed to CHRISTINA. 

Update, May 2024: Under new ownership and moored on Loch Leven, central Scotland. She is used purely for leisure and is in good condition for her age.  There are some soft decking planks which need replaced and a new wheelhouse would be advantageous. There is some rain water leakage from the deck, under investigation.  The hull is in good condition and lets little water in. The new owner was told that she was a day boat at the fishing, so only carried salt for the fish, not ice, accounting for the good condition of her hull. Below deck, the original coffin bunks are still there, although they would benefit from upgrade / replacement as the inner shell is very soft. Midships, the 'saloon' area (originally the fish hold') is partly refashioned, but really needs a full refit once the deck is re-sealed. 

Source: Current owner (2024)