MV Lochearn

History
Name	MV Lochearn 1964: Naias
Namesake	Loch Earn
Owner	David MacBrayne Ltd
Port of registry	Glasgow
Route	Inner Isles mail steamer from Oban
Builder	Ardrossan Dockyard Engines: Norris Henty & Gardner, Manchester
Yard number	348
Launched	29 April 1930
Out of service	1964
Fate	scrapped
General characteristics
Type	Passenger Cargo Vessel
Tonnage	542 GT
Length	162 ft (49 m)
Beam	29 ft (8.8 m)
Draught	9 ft (2.7 m)
Installed power	2 oil 4SA each 12cy 660bhp
Speed	12 knots

MV Lochearn was the David MacBrayne Ltd mail steamer serving Barra and South Uist from Oban between 1930 and 1955. She became the Sound of Mull mail steamer until 1964, when she was superseded by a new generation of car ferry.

History

MV Lochearn and her sister MV Lochmor were built by Ardrossan Dockyard. She was launched on 29 April 1930.

On 14 May 1932, Lochearn struck rocks off Tiree in the Inner Hebrides and was beached. She was later refloated, repaired, and returned to service.

With the introduction of the 1964 hoist-loading car ferries, Hebrides, Clansman and Columba, Lochearn became redundant. She and her sister Lochmor were sold to Greek owners on 26 August 1964 and left Scotland for service in the Greek Islands. In Greece, she was converted to a private motor yacht. It is believed she was broken up in January 1975.

Layout

Lochearn was a cargo and passenger boat, with cabins for 22 passengers. Vehicles were loaded, along with other cargo, using crane and sling.

Service

Lochearn was a mail steamer, serving Tobermory, Coll, Tiree, Barra and South Uist until 1955 when she was replaced by MV Claymore. From 1955 to 1964, she sailed from Tobermory to Oban with calls at Salen, Lochaline and Craignure.