page_title: Alexander Robertson & Sons
section_title: The wars
hierarchical_section_title: Alexander Robertson & Sons / History of Robertson's Yard / The wars
caption_attribution_description: Photo of the Southern Cross Trophy which was commissioned by D Guthrie Dunn in 1930. Presented to the Ayr Yacht Club in 1965 for the winner of the Ailsa Craig offshore yacht race.
context_page_description: Alexander Robertson & Sons was a boatyard in Sandbank, Argyll and Bute, Scotland, from 1876 to 1980. The yard was located on the shore of the Holy Loch, near the world famous Royal Clyde Yacht Club at Hunter's Quay, in the building that is now the Royal Marine Hotel which was the epicentre of early Clyde yachting. Alexander Robertson started repairing boats in a small workshop at Sandbank, Argyll in 1876, and went on to become one of the foremost wooden boat-builders on Scotland's River Clyde. The 'golden years' of Robertson's yard were in the early 1900s when they started building some of the first IYRU 12mR & 15mR racing yachts. Robertson's was well known for the quality of its workmanship and was chosen to build the first 15-metre yacht designed by William Fife III. More than 55 boats were built by Robertson's in preparation for the First World War and the yard remained busy even during the Great Depression in the 1930s, as many wealthy businessmen developed a passion for yacht racing on the Clyde. During World War II the yard was devoted to Admiralty work, producing a wide range of large high speed Fairmile Marine Motor Boats.
context_section_description: Over 55 boats were built by Robertson's in preparation for the First World War, and after the war the yard started to diversify and fit-out larger yachts. The company had been run by Robertson for many years, but now three of his sons were helping to run the family business. In 1922 Robertson decided to re-structure the organisation so it could be operated without him in the future. Alexander Robertson & Sons (Yachtbuilders) Limited was formally established on 5 August 1922 to "carry out all aspects of designing, building and repair of yachts, sale of yachts and sail making". Four of Robertson's sons helped to run the business in later years: Archibald; Alexander (Alec); Donald; and George. The fifth son James trained as a Naval Architect and worked for Lloyd's Register of Shipping, making a significant contribution to the restoration of the famous tea clipper Cutty Sark, which is proudly on display in London.
  Robertson's Yard was now looking for a new designer and by the end of 1929 David Boyd had replied to an advertisement in the Glasgow Herald.  In 1937 he designed the sleek 6-metre racing yacht Circe, which was described by many as the most successful racing yacht ever produced by the yard.  J. Herbert Thom, one of the Clyde's best helmsmen sailed the yacht with tremendous success in America in 1938 and brought back the 'Seawanhaka Cup', which was successfully defended in home waters the following year.
  Archibald Robertson was the senior director in the company and destined to take over operation of the yard before he died in November 1929. Alexander remained chairman of the company until June 1935, when he was 84. Even after that he maintained a keen interest in the operation and was often first at the yard in the morning to see the men get started. He died on 15 February 1937 at the family home, 'Tarskavaig', named after the small crofting village on the Isle of Skye.
  The first order for a lifeboat from the Royal National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI) was secured by the yard in 1935. The Charlotte Elizabeth was the first motor-powered lifeboat launched in Scotland, and was later stationed in Port Askaig, Islay: she now lies abandoned by Thurso Harbour in Caithness (correct as of 13 Jun 2009). 
  The Sir Arthur Rose was proudly displayed in the RNLI pavilion at the 1938 Empire Exhibition in Bellahouston Park, Glasgow between May and October. The lifeboat was officially named by Mrs F.O. Laing, daughter of Sir Arthur, on 11 August 1939 and sailed to the Isle of Iona for blessing on the same day.  Orders for a total of 11 lifeboats were received, several of which came back for regular servicing.
  During the 1930s many gigs (or tenders) were built for larger boats launched further up the Clyde, among them the MY Virginia and SY Nahlin.  A luxury 30 ft (9.1 m) motor launch was built for the owner of the SY Nahlin, along with a motor tender for the crew, two lifeboats and two dinghies.
  Several larger boats were also built during this impressive pre-war period: Caretta, 67 ft (20 m) twin screw motor launch designed by Messrs G L Watson in 1927;  Ron, 50 ft (15 m) ketch designed by J A McCallum in 1928;  Southern Cross, 51 ft (16 m) ketch designed by G L Watson in 1930;  Zigeuner, 60 ft (18 m) yawl designed by David Boyd in 1935.
  The specially fitted-out 'oceangoing' cruiser  Southern Cross left Robertson's Yard on 26 October 1930 and set sail on a 3-year round-the-world trip, arriving at Brisbane in October 1931.  On the return leg her owner, the tobacco heir D Guthrie Dunn who was a member of the RCYC, was lost overboard near St Helena.  The yacht was brought back to Robertson's Yard by a new crew on 8 July 1933, where she was refitted and sold on. D Guthrie Dunn's cousin Miss E Mathieson donated a magnificent silver model of Southern Cross to the Ayr Yacht Club around 1965 which was used as a trophy for the famous Ailsa Craig offshore yacht race.  This sturdy cruiser is still sailing in the Mediterranean and based near Barcelona. 
  During the Second World War the yard was devoted to Admiralty work.  A total of 23 fast Fairmile
caption: Southern Cross Trophy, presented to Ayr Yacht Club 1965
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