the Puffer

 

VIC 27 - AULD REEKIE - is a steam engined Clyde Puffer


The Puffer is undergoing an extensive restoration programme at Crinan Yard.

  • 'Vic 27' was built 1943 by J. Pimblott & Sons Northwich, on the river Weaver in Cheshire, official number 168863. She was used as a water carrier at Rosyth and she was retained by the Admiralty until being laid up in 1962. In 1968 she was lying at Ardrossan, still simply called VIC27, when Sir James Miller purchased her from the Glenburn Shipping of Glasgow. In 1969, she was renamed AULD REEKIE after conversion, and used as a youth training vessel out of Oban.
    VIC stands for Victualing Inshore Craft (Victual meaning Supplies)
    She was used by the BBC for the filming of the TV series of the Vital Spark and this name was painted on her although she never was the Vital Spark.
    She was to be renamed 'MAGGIE' after the fictional puffer used in the film 'The Maggie' but was subsequently sold on before this happened.
  • She is 66.8 feet in length, 18.5 feet in beam and has a draught of 8 feet unladen. With a full cargo this increased to 19 feet since the heavy weight of the steam plant resulted in the boat always lying deep in the water at the stern. Her registered tonnage was 41 and her gross tonnage 96.83 and certified for 5 seamen.
  • The engine, which is the original, is a direct acting vertical compound 120psi engine, 10.5 horse power, length of stroke 14" with a speed of 7.5 knots. Engine builder Crabtree(1931) Ltd., South Town Iron Works, Great Yarmouth. The boiler builder was Cochran & Co. (Annan) Ltd., Annan boiler also built in 1943.
Auld Reekie
As she once was
Auld Reekie
An earlier time
Auld Reekie
October 2006
Auld Reekie
October 2006
Auld Reekie
October 2006
Auld Reekie
October 2006
Auld Reekie
October 2006
Auld Reekie
October 2006
Auld Reekie
October 2006