Boat heads back home after 60 years away

Published on Monday 19 May 2003 01:00

A 60-YEAR-OLD boat built in Leith returns home for the first time this weekend.

The Makalu fishing vessel, which was built by Leith shipbuilders J&J Lawrence in 1943, will be at Leith for the International Festival of the Sea from Friday.

The boat served under the Royal Navy’s Mediterranean operations in 1944 before being lent to the French Navy three years later.

After being used as a tender at a naval base in Malta, the boat returned to Plymouth as a support vessel. It was sold off in 1968 and went to Malahide shipyard in Ireland where she was converted from naval use, with her holds being made into cabins.

The boat’s present owner, Ivan Shaw from Yorkshire, bought it three years ago and has cruised the north-east coast of England and through the Caledonian Canal and Western Isles.

A spokeswoman for the International Festival of the Sea said: "This is the first time she has returned to Leith and Mr Shaw is extremely interested to hear from anyone who may have been involved in building her in 1943 at J&J Lawrence.

"He would welcome any information on her build and any photos taken at that time.

"The boat is now based in Hartlepool and will be in Leith over the four days of the festival."

Hundreds of vessels ranging from tall ships to Viking ships will descend on Leith for the four-day festival, which organisers expect to attract thousands of visitors to the area.