In May of 1801 the King’s Boat was vandalised as she lay for repair at Kincardine.
One of the men suspected of this ‘wicked’ crime was a former co-owner of Robert Stein’s ‘Rachael of Kincardine’.
The King’s boat sounds a grand affair but would be better known to us today as a Custom’s Cutter probably nothing more than a large open rowing boat.
Please see correspondence relating to this incident and the pleas from Robert Meiklejohn, carpenter, begging for payment stating he is unable to feed his family or got to church for want of decent clothing for for a man of his station.
It is also interesting to note that no-one is willing to give information relating to this incident.