The arrival of the trawler Coot in 1905 turned a page in Iceland’s fishing history. Built in 1892 in Port Glasgow by William Hamilton & Co, this steel steam-powered vessel would become the first Icelandic-owned steam trawler, paving the way for future developments in the nation’s fishing industry.
A Scottish-built pioneer
Coot’s origins trace back to the banks of the River Clyde in Scotland. Measuring just over 100 feet (30–31 metres) in length and driven by a triple-expansion steam engine producing 225 indicated horsepower, the vessel was built for endurance and efficiency. Its hull was constructed of steel, a notable feature in an era of transition from wooden boats. Initially part of the Port Glasgow fishing fleet, Coot regularly put out to sea for Scottish owners before making its way to Iceland more than a decade after its launch.
Unlike earlier attempts by foreign firms to operate trawlers in Icelandic waters, Coot’s purchase in 1905 by an Icelandic partnership marked a homegrown enterprise. Fiskveiðihlutafélag Faxaflóa (the Faxaflói Fishing Share Company), formed by entrepreneurs largely based in Hafnarfjörður and Reykjavík, brought the vessel to Iceland. Six Icelanders, including Björn Kristjánsson and Einar Þorgilsson, secured Coot from an Aberdeen company. Its registered number in Iceland was GK 310.
Iceland’s early trawling venture
Coot began regular fishing operations using a bottom trawl, a technique still in its early stages for Iceland. The kit brought from Scotland included the equipment needed for this method, then novel in the North Atlantic island. Coot’s first captain, Indriði Gottsveinsson, who was also among the owners, led a multi-national crew: two engineers (one English and one Danish), a Danish cook, and the remainder Icelandic fishermen. Ownership and company board meetings alternated between the towns of Hafnarfjörður and Reykjavík, reflecting the vessel’s joint urban background.
The trawler’s service was short but encouragingly successful, inspiring others in Iceland to consider expanding the trawler fleet. It became a symbol not only of ambition but of the rapid changes taking place in Icelandic fishing at the start of the 20th century.
Its story, however, ended abruptly. On 14 December 1908, while towing the fishing vessel Kópanes, Coot’s propeller was fouled, and both vessels drifted ashore near Keilisnes, southwest of Hafnarfjörður. Though the ships were lost, the crews survived.
Legacy and commemoration
Coot occupies a place in the memory of Iceland’s industrial growth. Its steam boiler stands on display in Hafnarfjörður, near a central road junction, serving as a local landmark. In 2004, the vessel was further commemorated on an Icelandic postage stamp, depicting its name and legacy as the first Icelandic steam trawler.
Sources
- Wikipedia
- Wikipedia (Icelandic) in Icelandic
