A Merchant Navy veteran from Fife has told how he advised a yachtmaster to fix his boat with a pair of Princess Anne’s tights.
At the age of 88, Tayport-born Captain Bill Sturrock has published his first book, True from Seaward, about his adventures sailing round the world.
Cpt Sturrock said: “It’s the first time I’ve written a book and I’m happy with the result.
“I have written for yachting magazines previously.
“A memorable voyage for me was sailing a 22-foot yacht from the east coast to America, just after World War Two. That was a challenge.”
Cpt Sturrock left home at 16 to join the Blue Funnel Line. He soon found himself at Matadi, ninety miles up the river Congo, with voyages round the world following as the young apprentice climbed the ranks.
Upon his return to land, he opened a newsagent’s shop in Tayport, where he was a well-known member of the community before moving to the Highlands.
His son, David Sturrock, said: “He is always ready to assist a fellow mariner. On one memorable occasion, while moored at Eigg, a well-spoken yachtmaster asked for some engineering help. His generator fan belt had snapped.
“Dad said: ‘pinch a pair of your wife’s tights and tie them round the pulley wheels’. His weather-beaten face developed a pinker tinge when an acquaintance later told him that the yachtmaster was Commander Tim Laurence, Princess Anne’s husband.
“In his late eighties, this old seadog is still active, growing vegetables, flowers and fruit.”
Upon reaching the rank of second mate, Cpt Sturrock joined the Royal Mail Line and sailed to the West Indies while training many cadets.
Keen to get his First Mate’s (top officer) ticket, he attended Dundee Technical College.
After the war, danger-loving American pilot John Noble announced his plans to sail Oregon, a 33-foot yacht, from Tayport to America and Cpt Sturrock signed on as navigator.
After this, he joined the Blue Star Line and ran refrigerated cargoes from the river Plate in South America on the Argentina Star.
Family commitments led him back to land in 1955 and he worked at Valentines printworks in Dundee before buying a hardware business in Tayport.
However, he continued to sail during family holidays and opened a sailing school, as well as qualifying as yachtmaster examiner.