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A Master's Tale - by Graham Calderbank |
Picture of puffer by Graham Calderbank at Muck, discharging coal
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I first saw Eilean Eisdeal in March 1991...joined as master at Lochmaddy, N Uist.
I have to say that as I watched her approach the pier, I thought "what the heck have you got into now, Graham!!!" or something like that.. She was on charter to a fish farming operation then.
I was with the ship until October that year, transferring to Eilean Mo Graidh for a while , then back to "the Puffer". I finally left her in August 94, having spent a lot of time being an English Para Handy, enjoying most of the experiences....in all my years of seafaring, Puffer really does stand out.
I now work in the port of Liverpool, fuelling ships by barge.
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Transferring cargo from Eilean Mo Graidh, I think at Uig, Skye but not certain. |
At sea, on passage from Portrush to Eriskay, with housebuilding materials |
Getting a mooring wire out of the prop, at Eriskay. I knew I'd caught something when the engine stopped dead!! No damage done, and a chance to try out a survival suit in safety. |
Graham Ash (Gash) on washday at sea. |
Gash hard at work, relaxing |
At Sanda Island. Took several cargoes there, of lime for reseeding and a full cargo of building and general material.
at Scarinish harbour, Tiree. Took coal in and was there over a week because of bad weather. Put out every rope and wire I could find to avoid breaking adrift |
Towing Eilean Mo Graidh. I was rounding Mull of Kintyre when I got a call to go and assist. The bigger ship's engine had broken down,in the North Channel, so puffer towed her into Ayr, before she drifted out into the Atlantic Ocean.......another few lines in the saga of Easdale Island Shipping!! |
At Easdale. I went to the island to patch a hole in the ship. Every tide she was flooding.......it was really sad to see her just lying there. |
At Rathlin Island, with coal. Got paid for the cargo in the pub...I had never seen so many different £50 and £20 notes. Dashed off to Portrush to bank it, and load another cargo in quick time, before the the big Holiday on the 12th. |
Couldn't leave on a sad note, so here we are at Kerrera, discharging lime, loaded at Corpach, from Torlundy quarry.
Happy days. |
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