Fast and Bonnie: A History of William Fife and Son, Yachtbuilders - Softcover

McCallum, May Fife

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0859765660 ISBN 13: 9780859765664

Publisher: John Donald, 2002

Synopsis

This piece of yachting history chronicles the development and progress of Fife, once the premier yacht builder in Britain. It follows its beginning in the nineteenth century until its closure in 1939, during which period almost 1,000 boats were designed and built. Three members of the Fife family, in succession, were integral to its progress. William Fife I, originally a builder of fishing smacks created the paddlesteamer industry and aimed to build yachts that were "fast and bonnie". William Fife II developed designs that were modern and forward thinking, while William Fife III took the yard to the apogee of its success, with clientele that numbered some of the crowned heads of Europe. This tale of enterprise and craftsmanship is interspersed with anecdotes about the family behind the yard, their clients and their craftsmen.

About this title

About the Author

May Fife McCallum, a descendant of the founder of William Fife and Son Yachtbuilders, had privileged access to private papers, business records and photographs in order to write her book, Fast and Bonnie. Over many years she researched this archival material and also recorded the reminiscences of family friends and of local people personally associated with the yard and its workforce. She was thus uniquely suited to write the definitive work on one of the businesses of which Scotland can be most proud.

Edition details

• Publisher: John Donald
• Publication date: 2002
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0859765660
• ISBN 13: 9780859765664
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 200