Glasgow And Ships Of The Clyde

Watt Memorial College, Dalrymple Street, Greenock pre-sea Cadet course and sailing in a lifeboat

   In the 1960’s the pre-sea Navigating Cadet course at the Watt Memorial College, Dalrymple Street, Greenock used a ship’s lifeboat for practical experience in boat-handling, rowing, sailing and berthing.

   The boat was kept at what was referred to as “Gourock Yacht Club” but now known as “Royal West of Scotland Amateur Boat Club” at their Clubhouse at the Gourock end of Greenock Esplanade.   The boat was rowed and sailed around the lower Firth and Tail-of-the-Bank and Gare Loch and the Cadets were given experience in commanding the others in rowing and also in bringing the boat alongside the stone slipway.

   Captain John Pearson, who taught the Cadets, was in charge of the boat and it is interesting to note that he was President of the Club from 1967 to 1970 as is shown on the Wall-Plaque in the Clubhouse.

The Clubhouse and shore

The slipway where the Cadets practiced bringing the lifeboat alongside.  The approach was made under oars and the Cadet at the tiller gave appropriate orders to the rowers and steered the boat to bring the boat gently to rest at the slip.