Safe return of historic Brough fishing boat
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The historic local fishing boat which went missing just over a week ago has been returned safely to Brough under a police escort.
Sea Mew, a 15ft clinker-built vessel, was taken from Castlehill harbour, Castletown, the night before it was due to be transported to Brough where it is to be the main part of a heritage display. It was located 20 miles west of Thurso at the weekend.
Originally owned by the late Sinclair Coghill, it was one of the boats that fished out of the local harbour during the 1960s and ’70s. Mr Coghill's family gifted the boat to the Brough Bay Association (BBA).
A statement from the BBA stated: "BBA would like to thank Police Scotland for their quick response after the missing boat Sea Mew was spotted by a passer-by. It was returned to BBA late Saturday evening under police escort.
"Many thanks to all involved in the search. It will be stored over winter and the heritage display featuring the boat will commence in the springtime."
Speaking on behalf of the family who gifted the boat to the association, Clair Coghill said: "We are absolutely delighted about its safe return."
Mick O'Donnell, a member of BBA, said: "It is a very happy ending.The original two oars are missing, but that is a small loss compared with the whole boat."
He explained that work on the heritage display will proceed in the spring when the weather is better.
"We will draw up the final plans and get the local people to help," Mr O'Donnell said.
The Covid-19 restrictions have meant that the volunteers have not been able to do very much. Plans have been made for an unveiling of the boat when the project is completed, hopefully around May or June next year.
The police escorted the boat back to Mr O'Donnell's house which is located near the harbour at Brough.
A report about the missing boat was received by the police last Monday afternoon (September 21) and was safely escorted back just five days later.
Police Scotland stated: "Enquiries have been carried out and there was no criminality."
The Sea Mew was gifted to the association at the end of last year but for various reasons it could not be transported to Brough until recently. However, it disappeared the night before it was due to be delivered.
The boat was built in Wick by James McCaughey and it was bought by the late Sinclair Coghill in 1966 for the sum of £85 from T & J W Edwardson.
Mr Coghill, who lived in Brough, fished from there in the waters of the Pentland Firth for salmon, lobster, crab and cod.
The Sea Mew is an important part of the history of Brough harbour and is the last remaining boat that was used commercially from the harbour in the ’60s.
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