Ellerman's CITY OF OTTAWA closes at Glasgow for Las Palmas, and West, South and East Africa

CITY OF OTTAWA closes at Glasgow for receiving cargo for west, south and east Africa

Plan to make Ardrossan the "Superport" of the Clyde

From "The Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald" dated Friday 20th March, 1970

PLAN TO MAKE ARDROSSAN THE SUPERPORT OF THE CLYDE

The claim that a super-port at Ardrossan could meet the needs of the Chevron and Murco oil companies, the British Steel Corporation and the Clyde Port Authority in one single multi-purpose deep-water terminal handling one million ton tankers and bulk carriers is made in a report issued this week.

The report, published by Mr J. M. Morton, a civil and structural engineer who lives in West Kilbride, further claims that the amenity of the coast could be preserved by siting the oil refineries inland and costs could be kept down by using only a single pipeline for refined products.

The report states that the long-term closure of the North Lanarkshire steel industry could be avoided by the use of modern transportation techniques and the industry kept viable by linking the proposed Ardrossan terminal by pipeline to the area, with a transportation cost of about one twentieth of that by rail.

TRESTLE BRIDGE

Mr Morton's proposals include the erection of a trestle approach bridge, 5200 feet long extending from Campbell's Rock to a jetty berthing structure approximately 2300 feet long capable of accommodating one million ton crude oil tankers on the seaward side and two 50,000 ton tankers on the landward side.
These could be used for either transhipment of crude oil or for the export of refined products.

It is claimed that one million ton tankers are projected within the next five years and that to provide for only 300,000 ton oil tankers, as recommended by Chevron, would be extremely shortsighted.
Sooner or later, states the report, someone is going to want to berth a million ton tanker on the Clyde.
Crude oil would be pumped ashore, through the old Ardrossan Dockyard and through a buried oil sealine 500 yards long to the crude oil storage area of about 150 acres of reclaimed land to the north of the existing Shell refinery.
Shell plans to deepen and extend their present berth to accommodate larger vessels would be unnecessary under the present proposals.
A geographical survey could be carried out to prove a suitable neighbouring site for an underground storage system. As well as affording an opportunity for reduced risks, and hence reduced premiums, underground storage systems leave the space at ground level for other purposes.

IRON ORE DISCHARGE

Conventional iron ore discharge would be replaced by pumping or pneumatic handling of the material with attendant savings in capital and operating costs.
For handling pellets of ore or pre-reduced material, a stockyard has been provided on reclaimed land to the south-west of the old dockyard.
The existing railway lines may be conveniently extended to form sidings as shown, and it is envisaged that the ore would be either stockpiled or loaded by gantry direct onto the railway waggons.

Upon general recognition of the advantages of iron ore sludge handling techniques the ore would be pumped direct from the bulk carrier to an inland site, and from there by pipeline to the existing steel works at Motherwell.

The cost of Stage 1 will be approximately as follows :
Access Bridge, ?2.68m ;
oil berths, ?3.50m ;
ore berth, ?4.35m ;
ore stockyard, ?0.79m ;
total ?11.32m (excluding pipelines and ore handling plant).

TWO PHASES

The plan shows in stage 2 how the site at Ardrossan could be developed in two phases to give additional general cargo facilities.
Phase 1 consisted of construction to the north-west of the deep water trestle bridge and would produce five berths for general cargo vessels of the order of 50,000 tons deadweight.
It will require to be protected by a breakwater-wharf structure, and a concrete crib type having a hollow wave chamber separated from exposure to the sea by a perforated wall is suggested.
The cost of this phase would be approximately ?15 million.
Should further growth of traffic demand the implementation of Phase 2, then a further five general cargo berths, container parking and a transatlantic passenger liner berth could be provided for a further capital expenditure of approximately ?20 million.

The report anticipates that the existing dock facilities would be retained for small coasters, passenger services, tugs, etc., thus complementing the new facilities and providing a fully integrated port serving the Lower Clyde with direct road and rail access to the Glasgow conurbation.

Furthermore, an additional deep water berth for oil tankers up to 500,000 tons with another two 50,000 ton berths could be provided in the general user port till conditions moderate.

The report concludes with a claim that the interests of Industry and Amenity may be reconcild to their mutual advantage.
The construction of a "Super-Port" at Ardrossan which might come to be called a "Southampton of the North" provided the solution to what otherwise might appear to be an insoluble problem.

CITY OF OTTAWA closes at Birkenhead for receiving cargo for West, South and East Africa

Ellerman's CITY OF OTTAWA closes at Birkenhead for Las Palmas, and West, South and East Africa

CITY OF OTTAWA closes at Birkenhead for receiving cargo for west, south and east Africa

Ellerman's CITY OF BIRMINGHAM, CITY OF KARACHI and CITY OF GUILDFORD at Birkenhead

From Ellerman's Company magazine "On Shore and Afloat" of March 1970 showing three Ellerman cargo liners loading outwards at East Float, Birkenhead (England, UK)

Ellerman's CITY OF BIRMINGHAM, CITY OF KARACHI and CITY OF GUILDFORD at Birkenhead

From Ellerman's Company magazine "On Shore and Afloat" of March 1970 showing three Ellerman cargo liners loading outwards at East Float, Birkenhead (England, UK)

Ellerman's CITY OF BIRMINGHAM, CITY OF KARACHI and CITY OF GUILDFORD at Birkenhead

From Ellerman's Company magazine "On Shore and Afloat" of March 1970 showing three Ellerman cargo liners loading outwards at East Float, Birkenhead (England, UK)

Stolen car found in Ardrossan Dock

From "The Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald" dated Friday 10th April 1970

STOLEN CAR FOUND IN DOCK

A 21-year old Saltcoats man who stole a motor car which was later recovered from Ardrossan Harbour by a Police Sub-Aqua team, was sent to prison for two months at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court on Thursday.

The accused admitted stealing the car from Dock Road, Ardrossan, on April 1 or 2 : he also admitted driving the car without licence or insurance.

The Fiscal, Mr. J. Bown, said that the owner of the car had left it in Dock Road, Ardrossan, on the evening of April 1 while he went on a trip to Arran.
The accused had been drinking with a sailor and later called at the sailor's ship about midnight and said he had a car.
They drove to West Kilbride.
The accused later returned to the ship in a state of excitement and said that the car had fallen into the dock.

A Police Sub-Aqua team searched for the car but could not find it.
Later, accused was interviewed and took them to the quay, where the car was found. The vehicle, valued at ?130, was damaged beyond repair, said the Fiscal.

When cautioned and charged, accused had said: "I was lucky to get out before it went over."
An agent for the accused said he had been working in Birmingham but had come back to Saltcoats to help his mother. He had been unemployed but was due to start work at Linwood on monday.

Accused was sent to prison for two months and disqualified from driving for three years on the theft charge. He was admonished on the driving charges.

Arran Sailings Confusion

From: Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald dated Friday 3rd April 1970

ARRAN SAILINGS CONFUSION

DAY TRIPS STILL POSSIBLE SAY COMPANY

Assurances have been given by the Caledonian Steam Packet Company that the necessity for embarkation tickets on the Ardrossan to Arran steamers on more occasions than previously will not eliminate casual travellers. But it still looks as if local day-trippers may suffer sometimes because of the need to make bookings for certain sailings.

The introduction of more embarkation tickets on the route is not the only innovation. The ?GLEN SANNOX?, which has operated between Ardrossan and Arran for over 10 years will be replaced this season by the new drive on drive off ferry ?STENA BALTICA?, which cost ?600,000 and which is to be renamed.

A spokesman for the company said that no date had been set for the ?STENA BALTICA?s? introduction to the Arran run because she is still in dry dock at Troon and has not yet received a Board of Trade certificate.

Only 90

The ?BALTICA? is scheduled to make 1,500 crossings between Ardrossan and Brodick this year. But only 90 of these crossings will be controlled. Embarkation tickets will be essential for any controlled crossings.

The company say that the reason for the issue of embarkation tickets is because of the great demand for bookings during summer peak periods. The demand will be greatest during the Glasgow Fair period, the company feel, when these tickets will be used to ease holiday congestion on the steamer.

They add that if there are any cancellations during the peak holiday periods holidaymakers without an embarkation ticket will be allowed to travel on the ferry. But they stress that passengers holding embarkation tickets would receive priority.

The company also stated that even when the Ardrossan ferry is fully booked trippers will be able to travel to Arran from Fairlie, where there will still be a regular service to the island.

The number of passengers which the ?BALTICA? will carry on each trip has yet to be decided by the Board of Trade. The ?GLEN SANNOX? is equipped to carry over 1,000

Busy Weekend

Despite the poor weather over the Easter Weekend holidaymakers flocked to the island and on Friday and Saturday the ?GLEN SANNOX? carried a full complement of passengers to the island. Although the steamer, which is to go into service on the upper reaches of the Clyde after the introduction of the ?BALTICA?, has been fitted with a new stern loading system, this is not yet in use. On Friday cars and other vehicles were taken on board by the side loading arrangement.

Scribe Tango

From "The Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald" dated 3rd April 1970

A bucket-type modern dredger, the "Cessnock," arrived at Ardrossan Harbour this week to help with the construction of a concrete ramp at the berth for the new car ferry "Stena Baltica," which is to replace the "Glen Sannox."

From "The Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald" dated 3rd April 1970

A bucket-type modern dredger, the "Cessnock," arrived at Ardrossan Harbour this week to help with the construction of a concrete ramp at the berth for the new car ferry "Stena Baltica," which is to replace the "Glen Sannox."

From "The Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald" dated 3rd April 1970

A bucket-type modern dredger, the "Cessnock," arrived at Ardrossan Harbour this week to help with the construction of a concrete ramp at the berth for the new car ferry "Stena Baltica," which is to replace the "Glen Sannox."

1970 Advertisment for Ships Officers for an Australian Company