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The Clans, BF191

HISTORY & HERITAGE

G. Melvyn Wood

The Clans was owned by Henry McDonald,

and fished from Portsoy between WW1 and WW2.

BF191 Clans 2.jpg

The Clans, BF191, owned by Henry McDonald

The Clans, like the first Portsoy drifter the Daisy, was built by the Montrose Shipbuilding Company.  Launched in 1915 for Portsoy owners, Henry and Joel McDonald and others.  One of the shareholders was George McRobie.  McRobie had a shop and stores on Bridge Street and Low Street, Portsoy, and handled grocery supplies for many Portsoy boats.  McRobie had shares in quite a few local boats. 

 

The Clans was immediately requisitioned for war service as a patrol vessel fitted with a 6 pdr. gun.  After WW1 she took up fishing, under Skipper Henry McDonald, whose home was at Gowan Bank, Seatown, Portsoy.  This is the house that stands above the Salmon Bothy, overlooking the Links.  Olsen's Almanack of 1937 names the owners as “H. McDonald and others, Portsoy.” 

 

The Clans was requisitioned again in WW2 and employed on harbour duties.  In 1945 she was sold on to Walkers Steam Trawler company in Aberdeen, and in 1951 sold for scrap.  Henry McDonald also had a small boat called the Clansman (BF1280).

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H McDonald.jpg
Henry McDonald
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