Content on the MV EDINA will be added as and when available. 

Once a ship had been built and launched she then had to be out-fitted, and then complete sea trials
before being handed over to her new owners, who would look to have that ship at sea, as long as possible to
pay for her build costs and of course to make the company good profits.

To this end one company may have had no requirement for a particular ship after a time and would then sell her on just like any other disposable commodity.

Hence a ship may have had a few owners and would go through many changes and names during what was
hoped for a long and successful working life.

The motor vessel EDINA was launched one month after war had been declared and as such as soon as she had been fitted out she was requisitioned by the Government for war service.She was identicle to her sister ship the MV ORIOLE Ship No 292 which had been launched two months previous, she was a modern coaster with her accomodation aft. Thanks to A.Blackwood we now have a clarification regarding this vessel and sorry for any confusion caused but the name Gowrie has been used on so many of the shipping company's ships it is sometimes difficult to keep track off.

The yard also built a further two ships during World War II using the same lines plan and design with but a couple of changes to some equipment.

EDINA

Wartime Service

The modern coaster EDINA was to play her role in the liberation of Europe and for her it was as a H.Q.ship.

 It was a great thrill for the Captain and his men off the Mumbles, a Naval vessel made fast alongside and Naval officers and captains of other shps came on board for an important conference. Captain Ingles of the "EDINA" was appointed Commodore of the Swansea portion of the fleet and then as Vice-Commodore after linking up with the main fleet.

All were given large envelopes with six impressive seals which were not to be opened until ordered to do so. "EDINA" was carrying aviation petrol, but as the great convoy closed upon the Normandy beaches, all risks were forgotten in the task of unloading cargo and getting away again for the Bristol Channel to load again as quickly as possible.

Several such journeys were made in those first hectic weeks without much incident, and then cane the moment when the "EDINA" was directed to discharge at Barfleur. She nosed her way in and the master was informed by war correspondents that his was the first Allied ship to enter the port.

Two interesting coincidences marked the journeys across the Channel with petrol. Once the "Edina" developed engine trouble, and although able to get home under her own power, she had as an escort in case of further difficulty another ship from the Victoria Yards, the "Oriole"

On another occasion she assisted in discharging a Polish ship which was ashore and damaged, and found that the salvage operations were in charge of the Leith vessel "Foremost"

Just as the war was ending she was sold to the Dundee, Perth & London Shipping Co and she was re-named Gowrie. 

We try here to give as full an account of her history as time and research permits, if you know of missing info
or you have any photographs of her, then please get in touch and we shall update her story as we go along.

The M.V.EDINA after she was re-named GOWRIE