The new Scillonian now being built at the yards of Appledore Shipbuilders Ltd, will carry an example of the craftmanship of one of the town’s smaller yards, Messrs H Ford and Sons.

It is the plaque to be fitted to the bow of the vessel that is the main contact between the Isles of Scilly and the mainland and the third in the islands’ history.

The existing Scillonian carried a bronze plaque which could not be adapted to fit her successor. The brothers Ford – Philip, Harold and Sid – the two last named are seen in the picture – took a mould in fibre glass and made the necessary adjustments.

Mr Sid Ford told the Gazette: ‘The colouring is incorporated and we have used nearly a dozen different shades. It seems that no-one else does multi-colours and everyone wants to know how we get them. It is a trade secret.’

The motif on the plaque illustrates the islands’ important industry, the export of flowers, the old Scillonian nearing home, the islands themselves and the initials of the owners – the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company.

The full Gazette article is dated 4 March 1977