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This page last updated July 2009.

This list started from the McIntosh section in the booklet 'Sail & Steam' by Ron Stewart. Apart from some minor alterations & a slightly different format, Ron's list was as shown here. Extra information was obtained from old newspaper articles as well as 'Steam Drifters Recalled - Portgordon to Portsoy'. Please contact me for comment or if you can help with extra information.
The following list is categorised into

HOMEPORTS

BF Banff on this page 1
BCK Buckie, INS Inverness, SY Stornoway, A Aberdeen, WK Wick. on page 2

Boat types

Zulus & Steam Drifters as well as 1 Lugger & 1 Steam Liner

Time periods

Pre 1893 - Prior to William's (son of founder) death in December 1893
1893 - 1900 - December 1883 to August 1900 when John ran the Portessie yard & William R. ran his own yard in Ianstown.
1900 - 1912 - After August 1900 when William R. owned both yards even though John was in the employ of his younger brother until his death in February 1912 when the Portessie yard was closed.
Post 1912 - After John's death when sole credit must go to William R.

From newspaper clippings it is apparent that the two brothers worked closely together both before and after the apparent bankruptcy of John in 1900.
Page 1

BF Banff

Zulus

pre 1893

BF 893 McIntoshes 1883 for Alex McIntosh. Sold to James Hay, Seatown, Cullen 1896.
BF 98 Jenny Simpson April 1887 for William & John Simpson, Portessie. Sold in 1907, 1908 & 1911.
BF 333 Helen & Margaret April 1888 for James McKenzie. Portessie. O'all 65', keel 50', beam 19', depth 12'. Sold at Portessie 1909.
BF 339 Fame April 1888 for William & Alexander Slater, Buckpool. O'all 65', keel 50', beam 19', depth 12'.
BF 474 Ebony September 1888 for John "Charlie" Smith, Portessie.
?? ?? ?? May 1889 for James Simpson, Ianstown. O'all 65', keel 49', beam 18', depth 9'6".
BF 1071 Welcome Home December 1890 for William Riach, Buckie. O'all 63', keel 50', beam 18', depth 10'.
BF 1199 Zodiac September 1891 for George & John Farquar. O'all 65', keel 50', beam 18', depth 10'.  Wrecked September 1909 - crew rescued.
BF 1287 Dove December 1891 for W. "Bagan" Smith, W. "Gauger" Smith & John McIntosh.
BF 1385 Integrity 1892 for John Innes, Buckpool. (or W. Murray Buckie) Sold in 1906 & 1908. NEW INFO Jan 2009 from Donald Mackay - Sold 9/5/1913 to Skipper/Owner R. MacDonald of Kirtomy and became WK 668 still keeping the same name. She was wrecked on 30/11/1916.
BF 1395 Jeannie Garden 1892 for Geo Garden (Doddy Gairn) Portessie.
BF 1450 Exert 1892 for P. Farquhar, Portessie. Sold in 1906, 1907 & 1908.
BF 1516 Comfort 1892 for A.& W. Clark, Buckie. Sold in 1907.
BF 1560 Comely (see pic opp) - 1892. Sunk in great storm of November 1893 off Filey while returning to Buckie from the Yarmouth fishing. Lost with all 9 crew - skipper James Murray 'Costie Jack' of Buckie.
BF 1608 Chesalon 1892 for W. Imlach, Buckie. Sold in 1908.
BF 1615 British Ensign (see pic opp) - 1892 for A. Smith, Buckie. Sold in 1906.
BF 1617 Enterprise 1892 for G. Smith, Buckie. Sold in 1906.
BF 1640 Bo 1893 for A. Sutherland, Findochty.
BF 1641 Superb 1893 for A. Smith, Buckie.
BF 1660 Safety May 1893 for Alex Reid, William Slater & W. & Alex Clark, Buckie. O'all 68', keel 52', beam 18'6", depth 9'3".
BF 1667 Pavillion 1893 for J. Murray, Buckie. Sold in 1911.
BF 1695 Bengy 1893 for J. Wilson, Ianstown, Buckie. Keel 54' - Advertised for sale March 1901 by Andrew Wilson, Gordonsburgh


BF 1560 Comely


BF 1615 British Ensign

Lugger

pre 1893

BF 1565 Young Bird 1892 - clinker built lugger for J. Murray (Burd) Buckie.

1893 - 1900 Portessie

BF 1714 Gladstone April 1894 for R. Herd & Sons, Findochty. O'all 68', keel 52', beam 18'8", depth 10'5".
BF 1721 Star of the Sea (see pic below) - April 1894 for A. Cowie, Buckie. O'all 68', keel 52', beam 18'6", depth 10'5". Sold 1908.


BF 1736 Olive 1894 for W. Smith, Buckie.
BF 1748 Pansie 1894 for Wm Simpson, Portessie.
BF 1758 Violet 1894 for Geo Murray, Buckie.
BF 1809 Hosanna May 1895 for John "Fling" Smith. Sold 1917. Sold again 1918 to a Findochty crew. Destroyed by fire at Buckie harbour August 1921.
THE CLIPPING BELOW IS FROM AN OLD NEWSPAPER - THE PHOTO WAS TAKEN AT GREAT YARMOUTH,1898 (Courtesy Donald Mackay). The crew are identified as - (l to r) John Smith (Fling), John Smith (Miss), Wm McIntosh (Mack), Wm Smith, George Flett (Dod), John Smith (Fling jnr), James Cowie & James Duthie.

BF 1816 Mary Cowie 1895 for G. Cowie, Buckie.
BF 1818 Effort May 1895 for John Smith, Portessie.
BF 1823 Magnet May 1895 for George Farquhar, Portessie.
BF 1845 Mermaid 1895 for W. Thomson, Buckie.
BF 1849 Economy 1895 for G. Slater, Buckie.
BF 1851 Look Alive 1895 for W. Slater, Buckie.
BF 1858 Bonnie Haven 1895 for Jas Cowie, Buckie.
BF 1861 Trust On 1895 for Portessie.
BF 1862 Rescue 1895 for J. Murray, Buckie.
BF 1917 Iona April 1896 for George Farquhar, fisherman, Ianstown.
BF 1926 Peaceful 1896 for W. Flett, Findochty.
BF 1936 Palm May 1896 for George Addison, John Thomson & George Slater, Cullen. O'all 75'9", keel 56'6", beam 19', depth 11'4". Wrecked near Trumpan Head, Lewis.
BF 1948 Star of Bethlehem 1896 for B. & J. Smith, Cullen. Wrecked at Cross Sands off Yarmouth Oct 1895.
BF 1950 Windward (see pic below) - September 1896 for Alexander "Jean" Smith, Portessie.

BF 1972 Succeed April 1897 for James "Geekie" Smith & Sons, 192 Craigenroan (now 3 Stuart St), Portessie. O'all 72', keel 54', beam 19', depth 11'.
BF 1984 Lily 1897 for A. Wiseman, Portessie.
BF 1993 Fertile May 1897 for George & Charles Mackay & A. Smith, Portessie. O'all 69', keel 53', beam 19', depth 11'.
BF 2002 Hephzibar (see pic below) - June 1897 for Alexander Jappy, Buckie. O'all 69', keel 53', beam 19', depth 11'.

BF 2022 Livelihood (see pic opp) - April 1898 for Joseph Murray, Alexander Murray & John Grant, Buckie.
BF 2038 Good Design April 1898 for James Hendry & G.W. & John Farquhar. O'all 70', keel 53', beam 19', depth 11'3". Sold at Portgordon 1910.
BF 2030 Lily May 1898 for James Flett & Sons, 188 Findochty. O'all 74', keel 53'.
BF 2046 Lady Primrose 1898. Relaunched in 1904. Sold at Portessie 1906.
BF 2048 Cornal 1899 for John Clark, Buckie.
BF 12 Stripling May 1899 for William Flett & Co.,  Findochty. Sold in 1918.
BF 23 Proceed (see pic opp) - May 1899 for George "Carrots" Cowie. O'all 73', keel 55', beam 19', depth 10'6". Sold in 1914.
BF 51 Subdue May 1899 for William Smith, Portessie. (Originally launched in 1898 by Gardiner of Cullen). Keel 55' - advertised for sale December 1901 by Wm. Smith, Portessie. Sold in 1901.
BF 84 Glenafton May 1899 for A. "Currie" Smith, fisherman, Portessie. Sunk by a large cargo steamer while proceeding from Fraserburgh to the fishing grounds August 1917 - all crew saved.

1893 - 1900 Ianstown

BF 1703 Faithful March 1894 for George "Barron" Murray, Buckie. O'all 68'6", keel 52'6", beam 18'6", depth 10'6". 
BF 1713 Annie Schlater April 1894 for George Garden, Ianstown. O'all 67', keel 51', beam 18', depth 10'3". Sold in 1906 & 1917.
BF 1740 Scotia 1894 for J. Simpson, Portessie. Sold in March 1904 to Messr's John Thain & Wm. Slater, fishermen, Buckpool
BF 1744 Thankful 1894 for G. Smith, Buckie. Sold in 1906.
BF 1728 Comport May 1894 for Alexander Garden, Ianstown. O'all 68'8", keel 53', beam 18'3", depth 10'6". Advertised for sale January 1904
BF 1821 Bloom May 1895 for George Hay Buckpool.
BF 1806 Fruitful 1895 for A. Hay, Buckie. New info May 2008 courtesy Donald Mackay (from the Wick Heritage Museum Archives). LOA 68.9ft Keel 53ft Beam 20ft Draft 6.7ft Tonnage 49.35 Gross and Nett - Later WK 683. Owners Donald Downie and Alex Bain of Grant St Wick. (Donald Downie was originally from Sarclet and moved to Wick prior to buying this boat). Lost at Gt Yarmouth 19/12/1905.
BF 1953 Annie Wilson September 1896 for James Wilson, Ianstown.
BF 1983 Brilliant April 1897 for Alexander "Doins" Smith, Portessie. Wrecked at Wick January 1901. Skipper Murdo Mackay drowned.
BF 1985 Press Home 1897 for J. Coull, Buckie.
BF 2004 Swallow July 1897 for William "Miss" Smith, Ianstown. Keel 55'- Beccles winch. Advertised for sale January 1904 by William Smith, Ianstown
BF 2040 Rosebud April 1898 for George Cowie. O'all 69', keel 52', beam 18'6".
BF 2039 Orion (see pic below) - May 1898 for James "Laird" Smith, Ianstown. O'all 75', keel 54', beam 18', depth 9'.


BF 2042 Bonnie Lass May 1898 for James Campbell & Sons, Findochty. Fitted 1917 with twin 26inch stroke, 30hp Kelvin engines. Advertised for sale March 1919 by George Smith, Gordonsburgh.
BF 2061 Serene September 1898 for W. J. & A. Smith. O'all 75', keel 55', beam 19', depth 10'.
BF 3 Burds March 1899 for James "Burd" Murray, fisherman Buckie. O'all 74', keel 54', beam 19', depth 10'6".
BF 16 Concord April 1899 for James Imlach, fisherman, Ianstown.
BF 178 Linnet (see pic below) - July 1899 for George Smith, Ianstown.

BF 351 Ladysmith May 1900 for John "Fling" Smith, Portessie.
BF 436 Rescue July 1900 for W. Garden & Sons, Portessie. O'all 77', keel 57', beam 19'3", depth11'6". 
BF 455 Maggie Murray July 1900 for George Murray & Sons, Buckie. O'all 72', keel 56', beam 19', depth 11'.


BF 2022 Livelihood


BF 23 Proceed

1900 -1912 Portessie &/or Ianstown

BF 544 Robin April 1901 for George & John Smith, Ianstown. O'all 79', keel 59'6", beam 20'6", depth 12'.
BF 503 Brothers April 1901 for James, William & Alexander Smith. O'all 78', keel 57', beam 19'6", depth 11'6". Wrecked at Lossiemouth Harbour January 1920.
BF 525 Lady Seafield April 1901 for Alexander Farquhar & George Wood, Portessie & William Milne, Ianstown.
BF 558 Kelvin May 1901 for John Farquhar, fisherman, Findochty. O'all 76', keel 57', beam 20'3", depth 12'.
BF 499 Shemariah May 1901 for William Anderson. O'all 78', keel 58'.
BF 656 Victory June 1901 for James Sutherland, Findochty. Wrecked between Scrabster & Thurso during a gale Jan 1905. All crew members survived.
BF 596 Benison 1901 for J. Sutherland, Findochty. Sold at Findochty 1905 & 1910.
New March 2009
From James Flett (Cornal)
My late father (William Flett) at age 14, joined the "BENISON" BF596, as "Cook" in 1938. He stayed in the first bungalow built in Findochty, which was called "DRUMOYNE" after the area in "SYDNEY" Australia where my grandfather "Wildy Cornal" stayed briefly in 1923 to 1924.
BF 675 Planet September 1901 for George Flett, Findochty. O'all 77', keel 58', beam 20', depth 11'.
BF 736 Craigview January 1902 for Andrew Charles & William Clark. O'all 81', keel 61', beam 20'8", depth 12'6". December 1917 fitted with twin 26/30 Kelvin motors. Advertised for sale in 1919 by George Flett, Findochty.
BF 777 Neva April 1902 for William Sutherland & Co., fishermen, Findochty. O'all 79', keel 58', beam 20'6", depth12'6".
BF 780 Willing Boys April 1902 for William Smith & brothers, Portessie.
BF 862 Honour Bright May 1902 for John Cowie, William Clark & William "Jim" Smith.
BF 954 Strathlene July 1902 for Alexander & James Smith. O'all 80', keel 58', beam 20'6", depth 12'. March 1918 fitted with a 75hp Gardner engine for owner Mr. William Geddes.
BF 978 Hopewell 1902 for W. Andersen, Findochty. Sold in 1910.
BF 1091 Pass Away 1903 for W. Sutherland, Findochty. Apparently renamed 'Laurel' and fitted with motor. No details. Two excellent photos by ally from Findochty HERE & HERE
BF 1096 Dove (see pic opp) April 1903 for James Anderson, fisherman, Portknockie. O'all 82', keel 61', beam 20', depth 11'. Advertised for sale March 1912 by William Anderson, Portknockie.
BF 1303 Excellent June 1903 for A. Gardiner, Cullen. O'all 82', keel 61', beam 20'6", depth 11'6".
BF 1359 Mary's September 1903 for John & William "Carrots" Cowie, fishermen Buckie. O'all 76', keel 56', beam 19'3", depth 11'.
BF 1471 Mayflower 1904 - Keel 60'. Two 45 50 Gleniffer engines installed August 1918. Advertised for sale August 1919 by James Smith, Portessie
BF 1478 Dove April 1904 for William & James Smith, fishermen, Ianstown. O'all 83', keel 57', beam 20', depth 10'6".
BF 1479 Fidelity (see plans opp) - April 1904 for Joseph & David Smith, Portessie. O'all 78'10", beam 20'4", depth 12'. Owned in 1936 by Mr. James Smith.
BF 1488 Loyal (see pic below) - April 1904 for Alexander Smith, Ianstown & Alexander Smith, Portessie. O'all 79', keel 58', beam 20'6", depth 11'.


BF 1488 Loyal

BF 1096 Dove




Plans of BF 1479 Fidelity

ANATOMY OF A ZULU



Gordon Williams of Monmouth, Gwent, built a model of the McIntosh built Zulu - SY 486 Muirneag - after doing VERY extensive research. This is reflected in the excellent quality of his model. This is a MUST SEE SITE for an intimate look at a Scottish Zulu.

Steam Drifters

It is unclear whether many of the Steam Drifters were built at Portessie or Ianstown, as (excepting the BF 398 Frigate Bird) the official builder would have been W.R. McIntosh. It is probable that the majority of these BF registered SD's were built at Ianstown. 

BF 398 Frigate Bird (see pic opp) - April 1900 for George "Burd" Murray & George "Bodge" Murray. 80 GRT, length 86', beam 19', depth 8'6", 16 inch triple expansion engine by Clyne & Mitchell of Aberdeen - 37hp. Wrecked on Cross Sand off Yarmouth October 1903.
BF 1553 Stately (see pic opposite)1904 for A. Smith, Gordonsburgh, Buckie & others. 72 GRT, length 80'5", breadth 18'5", depth 8'10", 16 inch compound engine by Clyne & Mitchell of Aberdeen - 28hp. Requisitioned for war service 1915 - 1919 (Pennant No. 2183) as an anti-submarine net vessel fitted with a 6 pdr. anti-aircraft gun. Sank December 1927 on NE end of Sheep Island, Luing Island, Argyll - stranded then slipped off & sank.
BF 162 Concord February 1906 for J. Imlach & Co. Ianstown, Buckie. 81 GRT, length 83'2", breadth 18'8", depth 9'. 16 inch triple expansion engine by Clyne & Mitchell of Aberdeen - 33hp. Requisitioned for war service 1915- 1919, temporarily named Concord II (Pennant no. 2020) as an anti-submarine net vessel fitted with a 3 pdr. gun. Wrecked November 1932 on Kincardineshire coast on way home from East Anglia.
BF 188 Mistletoe (see pic opp) - April 1906 for G. "Yankee" Flett, Findochty & others. 80 GRT, length 83'2", breadth 18'8", depth 8'8", 18 inch compound engine by Clyne & Mitchell of Aberdeen - 33hp. October 1910 wrecked during gale entering River Yare (Yarmouth) during gale with loss of engineer John Duke. Wreck was blown up to clear fairway & the incident was the subject of a prolonged court case.
BF 304 Guiding Star July 1906 for J. Addison Snr. & others, Cullen. 81 GRT, length 83'7", breadth 18'8", depth 8'4", 16 inch compound engine by Lewis of Aberdeen - 26hp. Wrecked on Sheshader Point near Tiumpan Head, Lewis, January 1914.
See this excellent photo by ally taken at Cullen, showing BF 304 GUIDING STAR - HERE
BF 274 Boy George August 1906 for J. Archibald Buckie & D.G. & J. Farquhar Ianstown, Buckie. 84 GRT, length 84'7", breadth 18'5", depth 8'10", 16 inch compound engine by Clyne & Mitchell of Aberdeen - 34hp. 1911 owner given as George Farquhar jnr. Ianstown. 1914 re-registered BCK 55. Requisitioned for war service 1915 - 1919, (Pennant No. 2290) as an anti-submarine vessel net vessel fitted with a 3 pdr. gun. 1925 Managing owner James Archibald, Buckie. 1928 sold to Spain.
BF 573 Hope (see pic opp) February 1907 for Alexander "Jeam"  Smith & Sons, Portessie.  79 GRT, length 82'4", breadth 18'7", depth 8'8", 16 inch compound engine by William Burrell of Yarmouth - 25hp. Requisitioned for war service 1915 - 1919 temporarily named Hope III (Pennant No. 2860) as an anti-submarine net vessel fitted with a 3 pdr. gun.  Re-registered Buckie 1920 BCK 363, same owner. 1930 sold to James "Jeam" Smith & others Ianstown. Sold for scrap August 1935.
BF 574 Vintage April 1907 for J. & J. Slater & A. & P. Bruce, Buckpool, Buckie. 80 GRT, length 83'7", breadth 18'7", depth 8'10", 16 inch compound engine by Lewis of Aberdeen - 25hp. Requisitioned for war service 1915 - 1919, (Pennant No. 1803) as an anti-submarine vessel net vessel fitted with a 6 pdr. gun. 1920 sold to J. Sutherland & G. Campbell, Findochty & reregistered in Buckie BCK 380. Foundered near Hammond's Knoll off East Anglia October 1922.
BF 722 Union May 1907 for William Garden & Sons, Portessie. 84 GRT, length 84'7", breadth 18'5", depth 9', 16 inch compound engine by Lewis of Aberdeen - 25hp. 1920 sold to Admiralty.
BF 846 Zodiac July 1907 for George Farquhar & John Farquhar & Co., Buckie. 80 GRT, length 83'8", breadth 18'7", depth 8'10", 16 inch compound engine by McKie & Baxter of Govan, Glasgow - 31hp. Requisitioned for war service 1915 - 1919 & temporarily renamed Zoroaster(July 1917), (Pennant No. 2305) as an anti submarine net vessel fitted with a 6 pdr. anti-aircraft gun. 1926 sold to John Anderson Co., Portknockie. 1937 sold for scrap.
BF 933 Bloom (see pic opposite) September 1907 for George "Boggan" Smith, James Smith & James Imlach, Portessie. 87 GRT, length 85'2", breadth 18'11", depth 8'8", 16 inch compound engine by Clyne & Mitchell of Aberdeen - 27hp. Requisitioned for war service 1915 - 1919 (Pennant No. 2167) as an anti submarine net vessel fitted with a 6 pdr. anti-aircraft gun. 1920 sold to F. Harrison Scarborough & re-registered in Scarborough (SH 217). 1924 sold to W. Garrett & F. Jeffs, Grimsby & re-registered in Grimsby (GY 349). 1935 sold for scrap.

Post 1912

BF 343 Silverscale April 1911 for Wm. Wilson & John Mackay, Macduff (John Mackay subsequently sole owner). Length 85', breadth 18'6", depth 9'6". 16 inch compound engine fitted by Messr's John Lewis & Sons, Aberdeen. 1914 sold to Thomas Horne & J. Bellamy, Cockenzie, East Lothian - re-registered LH 12. Requisitioned for war service 1915-1919 (Pennant No. 69) as an anti-submarine net vessel, fitted with a 6pdr gun. 1918 sold to Mrs Jessie Watson, Pittenweem - renamed 'Jessie Watson' re-registered KY 26. 1925(MML) same owner shown. 1933 foundered off East Anglia.
BF 453 Plantin April 1912 for John "Widdie" Wood & A. Mair, Portknockie. 84GRT, length 85'3", breadth 19', depth 9'3", 16 inch triple expansion engine by Plenty of Newbury - 27hp. Requisitioned for war service 1915 - 1919 (Pennant No. 1400) as an anti submarine net vessel fitted with a 3 pdr. gun. April 1917 mined off Standfast Point whilst on war service. The boat was skippered by John Wood, who was lost with two of his sons, John and William. However, His eldest son, James, survived, having been in the wheelhouse, was thrown clear of the explosion. Another survivor (Alex Mair (Shy) - known as Alinger - of Portknockie) was later to be the only survivor when M.B. Sickle capsized at the entrance to Porknockie harbour.


BF 398 Frigate Bird


BF 1553 Stately


BF 188 Mistletoe


BF 573 Hope - rereg'd 1920 BCK 363


GY 349 Bloom - Built as BF 933 - later SH 217
Sources & acknowledgements
Mr. Ron Stewart "Sail & Steam"
Moray District Library
Buckie District Fishing Heritage Museum
Banffshire Advertiser
"Steam Drifters Recalled - Portgordon to Portsoy"
David Mair
David Williamson
Mr. Gordon Williams, Monmouth, Gwent
Mr.Robert Dennis, Taunton, Somerset
Mr David Cowie, Tsawwassen, British Columbia
Mr. Graeme Robinson
Malcolm Campbell - North Yorkshire
McIntosh family history sources
Wick Heritage Museum archives
Donald Mackay
James Flett (Cornal)
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