Built by James Weir, Arbroath, the Isabella was launched on the 15th September 1890 and for 86 years was operated out of Arbroath by the same family. In 1997 the Wick Society aquired the vessel and since then enthusiastic volunteers have been engaged on a continuous programme of restoration and maintenance.
The Isabella Fortuna is normally berthed in Wick Harbour but during the winter she is housed in the old Lifeboat Shed on the South shore of Wick Bay. With a voluntary crew the vessel visits ports for festivals and other sea-based events.
The lifeboat station was established in 1884 by the British Fishery Society and three lifeboats were kept afloat near Salmon rock. The present lifeboat house was built at Salmon rock in 1913-16 but the first motor lifeboat did not arrive until 1921. The house was successively adapted for different boats in 1938, 1965 and 1969 and improved crew and toilet facilities were built in 1989. The lifeboat house remained in use until 1994, since when the boat has been kept afloat in the Outer Harbour at Wick.
Categories
Fishing
Opening Times
10.00 17.00 Mon - Sat
Location Information
Area: Caithness East
OS Grid Reference: ND 37150 50301