This was the second ship to bear the name "Earl of Zetland" for the North of Scotland, Orkney and Shetland Steam Navigation Co. Ltd., built in 1938 to replace the steamship of the same name.  I seem to recall that she was a horrible "roller" in rough sea conditions!  The route for the "Earls" was between Lerwick and the north isles of Shetland, and she called along Baltasound, Uyeasound, Mid Yell, Symbister and Skerries, delivering people, mail, livestock, vehicles and general cargo to all of these destinations, with the aid of "flitboats" where necessary.  With the advent of the new ro-ro ferry system between the islands, which came into being in the mid-1970s, the "Earl" became redundant.  She was sold to a geological survey company and renamed "Celtic Surveyor", and visited Lerwick on several occasions with her new blue hull and funnel.  This employment finished too, and she can now be seen on the Tyne at South Shields, where she still serves the public, but now as a floating bar/restaurant.

The painting is 24 x 18 inches in size, is in oils on hardboard, and was sold to a studio visitor.