We are very grateful to Bobby Wylie, formerly of Campbeltown Shipyard, for this collection of photographs of the Solea (Yard No. 85), a 110 foot well boat/live fish carrier built in 1989 for Golden Sea Produce. As far as we are aware the Solea is still in service. We haven’t been able to put names to all the faces so if you can help us with that please contact us.
The Solea and the Crear were, as far as I’m aware, the only well boats built in a U.K. Shipyard. The Solea was ordered by Golden Sea Produce, a salmon farm company in Mull, and was built to the very high standards of the Lloyds Register of shipping. Instead of a conventional fish hold this vessel had wells for transporting salmon smolts from hatcheries to various coastal fish farms. These wells could be flooded with sea water by opening sea inlet valves around 150mm diameter. The smolts could then be pumped into the wells from the hatcheries ready for transportation. Large pumps were utilised to empty the wells. I remember Douglas McNaught working on the vessels’ stability calculations which would have to include all foreseeable conditions, e.g. wells full, wells empty, fuel tanks full and empty and many other permutations. I think he had many sleepless nights however as far as I’m aware she was a very good sea boat. I understand she is now a general cargo vessel sailing off the coast of Africa.
Jim Smith, formerly of Campbeltown Shipyard
The building of the Solea. Shipyard workers, L-R: John L. Brown, Robin McGowan, George McLaughlan, Danny McGeachy, Davy Wyke, Donald Fairgrey and Billy Morran. Photo courtesy of Bobby Wylie.
Solea (Yard No. 85) built at Campbeltown Shipyard for Golden Sea Produce in 1989 – Solea was built as a well boat/live fish carrier. Photo courtesy of Bobby Wylie.
Solea (Yard No. 85) built at Campbeltown Shipyard for Golden Sea Produce in 1989 – Solea was built as a well boat/live fish carrier. Photo courtesy of Bobby Wylie.
Solea (Yard No. 85) built at Campbeltown Shipyard for Golden Sea Produce in 1989 – Solea was built as a well boat/live fish carrier. Photo courtesy of Bobby Wylie.
Solea (Yard No. 85) built at Campbeltown Shipyard for Golden Sea Produce in 1989 – Solea was built as a well boat/live fish carrier. Photo courtesy of Bobby Wylie.
Solea (Yard No. 85) built at Campbeltown Shipyard for Golden Sea Produce in 1989 – Solea was built as a well boat/live fish carrier. Photo courtesy of Bobby Wylie.
Solea (Yard No. 85) built at Campbeltown Shipyard for Golden Sea Produce in 1989 – Solea was built as a well boat/live fish carrier. Photo courtesy of Bobby Wylie.
Solea (Yard No. 85) built at Campbeltown Shipyard for Golden Sea Produce in 1989 – Solea was built as a well boat/live fish carrier. Photo courtesy of Bobby Wylie.
Solea (Yard No. 85) built at Campbeltown Shipyard for Golden Sea Produce in 1989 – Solea was built as a well boat/live fish carrier. Photo courtesy of Bobby Wylie.
Solea (Yard No. 85) built at Campbeltown Shipyard for Golden Sea Produce in 1989 – Solea was built as a well boat/live fish carrier. Photo courtesy of Bobby Wylie.
Solea (Yard No. 85) built at Campbeltown Shipyard for Golden Sea Produce in 1989 – Solea was built as a well boat/live fish carrier. Photo courtesy of Bobby Wylie.
Solea (Yard No. 85) built at Campbeltown Shipyard for Golden Sea Produce in 1989 – Solea was built as a well boat/live fish carrier. Photo courtesy of Bobby Wylie.
Solea (Yard No. 85) built at Campbeltown Shipyard for Golden Sea Produce in 1989 – Solea was built as a well boat/live fish carrier. Photo courtesy of Bobby Wylie.
Solea (Yard No. 85) built at Campbeltown Shipyard for Golden Sea Produce in 1989 – Solea was built as a well boat/live fish carrier. Photo courtesy of Bobby Wylie.
Solea (Yard No. 85) built at Campbeltown Shipyard for Golden Sea Produce in 1989 – Solea was built as a well boat/live fish carrier. Photo courtesy of Bobby Wylie.
Solea (Yard No. 85) built at Campbeltown Shipyard for Golden Sea Produce in 1989 – Solea was built as a well boat/live fish carrier. Photo courtesy of Bobby Wylie.
Solea (Yard No. 85) built at Campbeltown Shipyard for Golden Sea Produce in 1989 – Solea was built as a well boat/live fish carrier. Photo courtesy of Bobby Wylie.
Solea (Yard No. 85) built at Campbeltown Shipyard for Golden Sea Produce in 1989 – Solea was built as a well boat/live fish carrier. Photo courtesy of Bobby Wylie.
Solea (Yard No. 85) built at Campbeltown Shipyard for Golden Sea Produce in 1989 – Solea was built as a well boat/live fish carrier. Photo courtesy of Bobby Wylie.
Solea (Yard No. 85) built at Campbeltown Shipyard for Golden Sea Produce in 1989 – Solea was built as a well boat/live fish carrier. Photo courtesy of Bobby Wylie.
Solea (Yard No. 85) built at Campbeltown Shipyard for Golden Sea Produce in 1989 – Solea was built as a well boat/live fish carrier. Photo courtesy of Bobby Wylie.
Solea (Yard No. 85) built at Campbeltown Shipyard for Golden Sea Produce in 1989 – Solea was built as a well boat/live fish carrier. Photo courtesy of Bobby Wylie.
Solea (Yard No. 85) built at Campbeltown Shipyard for Golden Sea Produce in 1989 – Solea was built as a well boat/live fish carrier. Photo courtesy of Bobby Wylie.
Solea (Yard No. 85) built at Campbeltown Shipyard for Golden Sea Produce in 1989 – Solea was built as a well boat/live fish carrier. Photo courtesy of Bobby Wylie.
Solea (Yard No. 85) built at Campbeltown Shipyard for Golden Sea Produce in 1989 – Solea was built as a well boat/live fish carrier. Photo courtesy of Bobby Wylie.
Solea (Yard No. 85) built at Campbeltown Shipyard for Golden Sea Produce in 1989 – Solea was built as a well boat/live fish carrier. Photo courtesy of Bobby Wylie.
The launch of the Solea (Yard No. 85) built at Campbeltown Shipyard for Golden Sea Produce in 1989 – Solea was built as a well boat/live fish carrier. Photo courtesy of Bobby Wylie.
The launch of the Solea (Yard No. 85) built at Campbeltown Shipyard for Golden Sea Produce in 1989 – Solea was built as a well boat/live fish carrier. L-R: Karen MacArthur and Lesley Mace. Photo courtesy of Bobby Wylie.
The launch of the Solea (Yard No. 85) built at Campbeltown Shipyard for Golden Sea Produce in 1989 – Solea was built as a well boat/live fish carrier. L-R: Karen MacArthur and Lesley Mace. Photo courtesy of Bobby Wylie.
The launch of the Solea (Yard No. 85) built at Campbeltown Shipyard for Golden Sea Produce in 1989 – Solea was built as a well boat/live fish carrier. L-R: Karen MacArthur and Lesley Mace Photo courtesy of Bobby Wylie.
The launch of the Solea (Yard No. 85) built at Campbeltown Shipyard for Golden Sea Produce in 1989 – Solea was built as a well boat/live fish carrier. Photo courtesy of Bobby Wylie.
The launch of the Solea (Yard No. 85) built at Campbeltown Shipyard for Golden Sea Produce in 1989 – Solea was built as a well boat/live fish carrier. L-R: Guy Mace, Lesley Mace and Leslie Howarth. Photo courtesy of Bobby Wylie.
The launch of the Solea (Yard No. 85) built at Campbeltown Shipyard for Golden Sea Produce in 1989 – Solea was built as a well boat/live fish carrier. Photo courtesy of Bobby Wylie.
The launch of the Solea (Yard No. 85) built at Campbeltown Shipyard for Golden Sea Produce in 1989 – Solea was built as a well boat/live fish carrier. Guy Mace with Chris Aldridge behind on the right. Photo courtesy of Bobby Wylie.
The launch of the Solea (Yard No. 85) built at Campbeltown Shipyard for Golden Sea Produce in 1989 – Solea was built as a well boat/live fish carrier. Mrs. Alan Brown. Photo courtesy of Bobby Wylie.
The launch of the Solea (Yard No. 85) built at Campbeltown Shipyard for Golden Sea Produce in 1989 – Solea was built as a well boat/live fish carrier. Roger Thwaites and Chris Aldridge. Photo courtesy of Bobby Wylie.
The launch of the Solea (Yard No. 85) built at Campbeltown Shipyard for Golden Sea Produce in 1989 – Solea was built as a well boat/live fish carrier. Archie Sharp, draughtsman. Photo courtesy of Bobby Wylie.
The launch of the Solea (Yard No. 85) built at Campbeltown Shipyard for Golden Sea Produce in 1989 – Solea was built as a well boat/live fish carrier. Tom Morris, draughtsman. Photo courtesy of Bobby Wylie.
The launch of the Solea (Yard No. 85) built at Campbeltown Shipyard for Golden Sea Produce in 1989 – Solea was built as a well boat/live fish carrier. Alan Brown. Photo courtesy of Bobby Wylie.
The launch of the Solea (Yard No. 85) built at Campbeltown Shipyard for Golden Sea Produce in 1989 – Solea was built as a well boat/live fish carrier. Guy Mace, Lesley Mace and Leslie Howarth. Photo courtesy of Bobby Wylie.
Sea trials – Solea (Yard No. 85) built at Campbeltown Shipyard for Golden Sea Produce in 1989 – Solea was built as a well boat/live fish carrier. Photo courtesy of Bobby Wylie.
Sea trials – Solea (Yard No. 85) built at Campbeltown Shipyard for Golden Sea Produce in 1989 – Solea was built as a well boat/live fish carrier. Photo courtesy of Bobby Wylie.
Sea trials – Solea (Yard No. 85) built at Campbeltown Shipyard for Golden Sea Produce in 1989 – Solea was built as a well boat/live fish carrier. Photo courtesy of Bobby Wylie.
Sea trials – Solea (Yard No. 85) built at Campbeltown Shipyard for Golden Sea Produce in 1989 – Solea was built as a well boat/live fish carrier. Photo courtesy of Bobby Wylie.
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