Model, of fifie Morning Star KY 190

The fifie was the most common type of Scottish deep-sea fishing boat used from the late 19th century to mid 20th century. It originated in the harbours of the south coast of Fife. This wooden model, built to a scale of 1:24 by Mr D C Peebles of Cellardyke, represents the fifie 'Morning Star' KY 190 built in 1904 at Gordon's Yard at Rosehearty in Aberdeenshire.

Boats of this class carried a crew of seven and their storage capacity was 600 baskets of herring. Each boat carried 72 nets and had a steam capstan for hauling in the nets. Although designed for herring fishing, they were also suitable for great-line fishing.

Although steam drifters were beginning to replace sailing boats at the beginning of the 20th century, they cost about three times as much as a sailing boat. It was not until a few years later and after a series of good herring seasons that fishermen had enough money and incentive to invest in the new technology.

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