ST THOMAS expected to arrive in Madras (India) to load general cargo for Europe

Royal Navy Destroyers H.M.S. CHEVRON and COMET collide during night exercises off Malta

Contributed by John Fleming,  Norfolk, England

Royal Navy Destroyers H.M.S. CHEVRON and COMET collide during night exercises off Malta

Contributed by John Fleming,  Norfolk, England

1949 Advert by Ross & Marshall, Ltd., Managers of "Light" Shipping Co. Ltd., Greenock

East Asiatic's St THOMAS due to arrive at Madras, India and load for Europe

East Asiatic's FIONIA due to arrive at Madras, India from Europe and load for Eastern Ports

From: Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald Dated 5th July 1949

LAUNCH OF T.S.M.V ?LURIO?

Following the launching of the T.S.M.V. ?LURIO? by Ardrossan Dockyard., Ltd., on Thursday of last week a large and representative company were entertained to lunch in the Eglinton Hotel, where an excellent meal was served under the personal supervision of Mr Lee. The chair was occupied by Mr J.C. Coleman, Managing Director of the Ardrossan Dockyard, Ltd., and the chief guests of honour were Commander Andrada and Mrs Maria Luiza Furtado, the latter of whom earlier in the day had so gracefully performed the ceremony of naming the new vessel.

The Chairman said that was another red letter day for Ardrossan Dockyard Ltd., and they thanked Commander Andrada and Mrs Furtado for having come to Ardrossan in order to take part in the launching ceremony. That day?s proceedings, and the launching of the sister ship of the ?ZAMBEZIA?, which was launched a year ago, would go down in the annals of local shipbuilding and Mrs Furtado had assured him that it was an occasion she would never forget. They appreciated very much their friends in Portugal and they never forgot that Portugal was one of Britain?s oldest and staunchest allies (app.). So long as that feeling existed between the two countries, they had nothing to worry about.

Proceeding, Mr Coleman said that that day they had with them representatives of all the various phases of the ship building industry, and he was glad that the educational authorities were also present in the persons of Mr Pennel and Mr Robertson of Largs, for they had to remember that the fine apprentices they received in the shipyard had been given a sound training in the schools in the area.

It was on 6th July last year that the ?ZAMBEZIA? was launched. She was now on the local service on the African coast and he had been informed that the vessel was regarded as No 1 ship on that route (app). They had many good friends in Portugal and when visiting that country, they were made to feel just as though they were at home.

He acknowledged the valuable assistance received from Lloyd?s surveyors and the representatives of the Ministry of Transport and the sub contractors. He knew the difficulties the subcontractors had to contend with, for the greatest drawback today was the delivery of materials. Referring to the future of the shipbuilding industry, Mr Coleman said that at the present time enquiries were not coming in as they were a year ago. The enquiries they were
receiving were for specialised jobs but there was a lack of enquiries for the general cargo vessel. He could well understand that because the costs of construction were rising rapidly and the freights were going back.

The position at the moment was that the price of a ship was just about three times what it was in 1936-37. That was a problem which he was afraid would have to find it?s own level, before they could get back to prosperity.

Mr Coleman then paid a warm tribute to the workmen of the Ardrossan Dockyard. ?I have a fine body of men?, added Mr Coleman ?who are always ready to put their backs into a job?. He hoped to be able to give the men a continuity of work, for they deserved it. Mr Coleman concluded by proposing the toast ?Success to the ?LURIO?.

Commander Norouha de Andrada, in reply, congratulated and thanked the Ardrossan Dockyard and their workmen for the very fine ship they had launched that day. The owners were well satisfied with the ?ZAMBEZIA? and no doubt her sister ship would prove as fine a vessel. He wished Ardrossan Dockyard every success in the future (app).

Presenting a handsome silver bowl to Mrs Furtado as a memento of her visit to Ardrossan, Mr W.M. Barr (director and secretary) delivered a cleverly worded and humorous little speech in the course of which he said there was a little wonder if the officials of the Ardrossan Dockyard were going about that day humming words of the song ?O what a beautiful morning? (lghtr). He was sure they all desired to send, through Commander Andrada to his wife their good wishes, for on her visit last year Mrs Andrada had made a specially fine impression on them all (app.). That day they welcomed Mr and Mrs Furtado who had travelled from Lisbon in order to attend the launching and they also thanked Mrs Furtado for the graceful manner in which she had carried out her duties.

Mrs Furtado and her husband both briefly expressed their thanks.

Acknowledging the toast of ?Our Guests?. Mr W. Davidson said that the ship they had seen launched that day and her sister ship would long continue to have a link with this country and their names would be in the minds of many of those present for years to come. He had been assured that the ?ZAMBEZIA? was doing a very excellent job of work and he was quite sure that her sister ship would do likewise.

The toast of ?The Sub Contractors? was acknowledged by Mr W. Gillespie who said that sub contractors were working under very great difficulties owing to the fact that they were forced to export so many things required at home.

Mr Robert Greer (Messrs John G Kincaid & Co., Ltd.) said that Mr Coleman and his co-directors deserved credit for the excellent arrangements they had made for the launch. He had no doubt that the ship would prove a sound investment and he hoped that Ardrossan Dockyard would be favoured with more orders from the same owners in the future.

At the close of the proceedings, Mr Coleman handed to Mrs Furtado a shipwright?s mallet amid applause.

Scribe Tango

Smuggled Gold worth 50,000 rupees found on British India's DUMRA when she arrived in Bombay (India)

East Asiatic's FIONIA due to arrive at Madras, India to load for Europe

East Asiatic's St CROIX due to arrive at Madras, India from Europe and load for Eastern Ports

ENNERDALE left Glasgow for Abadan (Iran)

Blue Funnel's HECTOR is launched at Belfast.

Launched by Harland and Wolff Shipbuilders, Belfast, for the Ocean Group of Alfred Holt's Blue Funnel Line.

A sailing boat missing from Brodick is found drifting at Saltcoats

From "Irvine & Fullarton Times" dated 5th August 1949

On Thursday of last week a 12-feet centre-board sailing boat was reported missing from Brodick, Arran.
That same day a small boat with a mast and no sail was observed drifting past Ardrossan towards Saltcoats.
An Ardrossan man, using his field glasses, was convinced there was no-one aboard.
The boat drifted fast, making for Saltcoats Bay, and, as she approached, two boys went out and took charge.
She was found to be the boat reported missing at Brodick.
A young Ardrossan woman, who had observed the boat drifting, made for Saltcoats, and had a hand in bringing it ashore.
But who got the salvage money?

Puffer "Ardfern" assisted by Barra Life-boat

From "Irvine & Fullarton Times" dated 5th August 1949

The 50-ton steamer "Ardfern" which was on its way from Portree, Skye, to Irvine, was found drifting helplessly in rough seas off the south-east coast of Mull on Saturday.

She was assisted in her plight by the Barra life-boat, which had been returning to its base from overhaul at Sandbank.

The cause of the trouble was an explosion in the engine-room, but fortunately no-one was injured.

Puffer "Ardfern" assisted by Barra Life-boat

From "Irvine & Fullarton Times" dated 5th August 1949

The 50-ton steamer "Ardfern" which was on its way from Portree, Skye, to Irvine, was found drifting helplessly in rough seas off the south-east coast of Mull on Saturday.

She was assisted in her plight by the Barra life-boat, which had been returning to its base from overhaul at Sandbank.

The cause of the trouble was an explosion in the engine-room, but fortunately no-one was injured.