The 62ft staysail schooner 'Catriona', was built in 1929 for Captain R. G. Sillars, the year following the launch of his first Silver yacht, 'Brown Owl'.
'Catriona' was 62ft length overall, 52ft on the waterline, with a beam of 151/2ft, and a draft of 7ft 9ins. At the after end of her sunken deck house was the helmsman's wheel, and an additional tiller was fitted at the stern. Her 1,971sq.ft of sail was carried on two hollow Silver Spruce masts made by the neighbouring boat builders McGruer and Co. Although ostensibly a sailing yacht, 'Catriona' boasted two 30hp Kelvin-Ricardo 4 cylinder petrol/paraffin engines, and two 110 gallon main fuel tanks shaped to fit the hull on either side. She had flush decks a substantial heavy iron keel and was heavily constructed throughout. She was a magnificent yacht.
The Silver Motor Yacht Association recognizes that this 'one off' design marks a significant landmark in the history of James A Silver Ltd. She was one of only a few yachts that were designed by her owner - although John Bain would claim that he gave some help in her design. However, contemporary magazines claimed John Bain as the designer. She is also one of only a few Silver yachts that were designed to handle under sail alone.
In the mid 1960s Lord and Lady Robson bought 'Catriona' at Bucklers hard on the Beaulieu river in the South of England. They then moved her to a mooring at Lymington Marina. Lord Robson - seen here at the helm - financed the construction of the marina so it seemed only fitting that he keep his own boat there! They sailed 'Catriona' to Brittany in France, Stockholm in Sweden
and to the North West coast of Scotland. They kept 'Catriona' until the late 1970s and sold her in Lymington to a new owner who sailed her to the Caribbean to use her for charter work.
Many years ago I spoke to Baroness Robson on the phone and I told her that if ever I found 'Catriona' I would let her know. Sadly, I learnt that she died last February when I called intending to give her the good news that 'Catriona' was in New Orleans. Many thanks to her daughter for loaning me these photographs.
Chris Jardine
Many years ago I spoke to Baroness Robson on the phone and I told her that if ever I found 'Catriona' I would let her know. Sadly, I learnt that she died last February when I called intending to give her the good news that 'Catriona' was in New Orleans. Many thanks to her daughter for loaning me these photographs.
Chris Jardine