The Pioneer was the world's first fishing vessel designed and built as such with a steam engine and screw drive. The ship had a wooden hull and two masts with gaff sails. The front mast could also carry a foresail. The ship was used in trawling and longline fishing. In addition, it was equipped with seven herring drifting nets, which were probably used to catch bait for longline fishing.
The ship was built in 1877 by the David Allan & Company shipyard in Leith and registered in Leith in May of that year under the fishing license number LH 854. On May 6, it began its maiden voyage for the James Goudie shipping company based in Sandwick on the Shetland Islands to Lerwick . On March 5, 1878 at Bressay aground, but could later be recovered and brought to Leith for repair. On January 30, 1880, the Shetland Islands shipping company TM Adie & Sons from Voe took over the ship for £ 150. On March 2, 1880, the ship ran aground between Minn and Duncansclett near West Burra in the Shetland Islands and was lost.
literature
Nicholas Crane: Coast: Our Island Story: A Journey of Discovery Around Britain's Coastline Random House, 2010, p. 47.
