Well what has this project started, it was to build a model with my son, but Ive had such an interesting time trawling through the forums its got me thinking and I fancy having a go at a boat for my self, Id like to do the "B. L. Nairn" or the "Sir William High" which ran as  ferries on the Tay, (see picture http://www.dundeemuseumoftransport.co.uk/gallery/)

Can anybody give me any info regarding them, Ive written to the  transport museum at dundee and await their reply

Hi, that is certainly a very striking design for the B.L. Nairn, It is somewhat similar to the Sir William Wallace, which crossed the Forth, with twin side loading ramps for cars but there the similarity ends as the B.L. Nairn appears to have a large passenger saloon to the rear.
An interesting looking ship which I'd not come across before. It took quite a while to find the photo from your link  but it was worth looking for.

cheers

Jim

GSN,

I'm sure you're aware that the Nairn was Caledon built in Dundee. The Caledon records are held by Dundee City Archives - reference:

GD324 Robb Caledon Shipbuilding Ltd (Dundee)   Dundee City Archives

Two shipbuilding archives which are worth checking are:

http://www.nas.gov.uk/guides/shipbuilding.asp

and the searchable database:

http://www.scan.org.uk/catalogue/

the latter is a bit hit and miss so if it doesn't come up with something it doesn't mean that plans don't exist.

Regards,

Richard

Found these in a book called " A Decline of a Paddle Steamer". by Richard H Coton.

Hope this helps.

thanks very much RM

Stenlake did a book a year or two ago n Tay steamers
http://www.stenlake.co.uk/books/view_book.php?ref=314
which has some photos of B L NAIRN

There was a booklet on the History of the Tay Ferries published a few years ago,
http://www.amazon.co.uk/History-Ferries-David-Richardson-Sinclair/dp/0952877708/ref=sr_1_1?s=gateway&ie=UTF8&qid=1285670474&sr=8-1