Harrison Line's SCHOLAR closes at Liverpool for receiving cargo for Kingston, Vera Cruz and Tampico

CLAN MENZIES closes at Glasgow for receiving cargo for Red Sea and East African ports

Harrison Line's TACTICIAN closes at Glasgow for receiving cargo for Caribbean ports

CLAN MENZIES closes at Birkenhead for receiving cargo for Red Sea and East African ports

HARAMBEE (on Hall Line charter) closes at Glasgow for receiving cargo East African ports

Burns & Laird's "Lion" sailed despite Northern Ireland strike

From "The Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald" dated Friday 31st March 1972.

"Lion" sailed despite strike.

Despite the 48-hour strike in Northern Ireland, the Ardrossan-Belfast ferry service was not suspended.

A spokesman for Burns & Laird Lines Ltd. said the M.V. "Lion" carried passengers, cars and accompanied vehicles on Monday and Tuesday, the only restriction to the normal service being that they were unable to carry static loads on unaccompanied vehicles.
The service was normal by Wednesday.

There was an increase in the traffic to Belfast via Ardrossan because of the suspension of the Stranraer ferry and because of the usual increase at Easter.

"Lion" sailed despite Northern Ireland strike

From "The Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald" dated Friday 31st March 1972.

"Lion" sailed despite strike.

Despite the 48-hour strike in Northern Ireland, the Ardrossan-Belfast ferry service was not suspended.

A spokesman for Burns & Laird Lines Ltd. said the M.V. "Lion" carried passengers, cars and accompanied vehicles on Monday and Tuesday, the only restriction to the normal service being that they were unable to carry static loads on unaccompanied vehicles.
The service was normal by Wednesday.

There was an increase in the traffic to Belfast via Ardrossan because of the suspension of the Stranraer ferry and because of the usual increase at Easter.

Retiral of Captain Martin Houston of the "Moyle"

From "The Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald" dated Friday 31st March 1972.

CAPTAIN RETIRES

A regular visitor to Ardrossan Harbour during the past five years, Captain Martin Houston, skipper of the container vessel "Moyle," retired on Thursday.

Captain Houston, 65, who comes from Whitehead, County Antrim, has been a seaman all his life and was employed by the Shamrock Shipping Company, Larne.

The company charter two of their vessels, the "Moyle" and the "Curran" to the Atlantic Steam Navigation Company, Ardrossan, and Captain Houston was the first skipper of the "Moyle" which was built five years ago and has run from Larne to Ardrossan since then.

WELL-KNOWN

The captain was well-known in Ardrossan and in shipping circles.
A few months ago he was awarded the MBE for his services to merchant shipping.
The new skipper of the "Moyle" will be Captain Neil Macaskill.

HARAMBEE (on Hall Line charter) closes at Birkenhead for receiving cargo East African ports

Port Report dated Friday 31st March 1972.

From "The Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald" dated Friday 31st March 1972.

There were 52 arrivals at Ardrossan Harbour last week, four of which were tankers.
The biggest tanker was the "Border Laird" which came from Swansea with fuel oil.
On Tuesday the "Uthorn" loaded a cargo of steel for El Ferrol, Spain, and on Wednesday the "Yewglen" arrived with a cargo of sulphur from Bayonne.

Largs-Cumbrae ferry "Coruisk" is criticised

From "The Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald" dated Friday 31st March 1972.

LARGS FERRY CRITICISED

Criticism of the ferry "Coruisk" which was introduced on the Largs-Cumbrae service this month was made by a Largs Town Councillor this week.

At the Town Council meeting on Monday, Councillor David Beattie commented that in his opinion the Caledonian Steam Packet Company should purchase a proper ferry for the service and not run the former Skye ferry which he described as "an old landing barge."

The "Coruisk" operates an hourly service each way between Largs and Cumbrae, and can carry four cars and 77 passengers.

Burns & Laird's "Lion" brings 600 passengers from Ireland

From "The Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald" dated Friday 7th April 1972

EASTER WEEKEND WAS A WASHOUT

Almost continual rain showers over the weekend washed out and dampened the spirits of Easter holidaymakers.
All along the Ayrshire Coast and on Arran and Cumbrae, visitors and campers found the near torrential rain showers too much for them, and many visitors returned home before the holiday ended.

A spokesman for the AA said that traffic on Saturday and Sunday was very light compared with previous years - main access routes carrying around 500 cars at peak hours.
However, on Monday traffic was considerably heavier with 1500 cars per hour using the main roads to and from the coast.

Bute County Police report that Cumbrae and Arran were very busy with visitors. Despite the heavy rain there were as many visitors, if not more than last year, on Arran.

ARRAN

The police were paying particular attention to Arran, a favourite resort for large crowds of youngsters, but there was little trouble - apart from two youths who were arrested at Brodick pier for being in illegal possession of cannabis.

The Caledonian Steam Packet Company confirmed that there were many visitors to the Clyde Islands. A spokesman for the company said : "We feel that there has been an increase in those travelling to Arran this weekend, despite the weather."
Most guest houses and hotels in Arran were fully booked and embarkation points on the mainland were crowded with travellers. British Rail reported that the number of people going by rail was down but felt that this was due to the weather - at this time last year conditions were very good compared with this year's downpour.

On Monday a considerable number of people were still coming down to the coast for the day, with between 600 and 700 visitors from Glasgow arriving in Saltcoats.

Traffic was very light from Ardrossan to Belfast, but the ferry "Lion" brought 600 passengers from Ireland on Friday.

Advertisment in 1972 for Deck Officer for Cable Ship ALERT sailing for Newfoundland

DECK  OFFICERS

Holding Master’s or 1^st Mate’s (F.G.) Certificate, up to 35 years of age required for CS ALERT based at Glasgow but sailing 27 April for Newfoundland and returning U.K. approx mid-July 1972.   Successful candidate may be required to join ship early April.

Salary : Master’s Certificate   £ 2335

1^st Mate’s Certificate   £ 2027

Write, stating age, qualifications and brief details of experience to

Submarine Superintendent,  P.O. Telecoms H.Q.,

NPD/NP6,  Room 567,  207 Old Street,  London EC1V  9PS

or ring 01-253-4239 reversing charges, to arrange interview

Easter week-end was a wash-out

From "The Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald" dated Friday 7th April 1972

EASTER WEEKEND WAS A WASHOUT

Almost continual rain showers over the weekend washed out and dampened the spirits of Easter holidaymakers.
All along the Ayrshire Coast and on Arran and Cumbrae, visitors and campers found the near torrential rain showers too much for them, and many visitors returned home before the holiday ended.

A spokesman for the AA said that traffic on Saturday and Sunday was very light compared with previous years - main access routes carrying around 500 cars at peak hours.
However, on Monday traffic was considerably heavier with 1500 cars per hour using the main roads to and from the coast.

Bute County Police report that Cumbrae and Arran were very busy with visitors. Despite the heavy rain there were as many visitors, if not more than last year, on Arran.

ARRAN

The police were paying particular attention to Arran, a favourite resort for large crowds of youngsters, but there was little trouble - apart from two youths who were arrested at Brodick pier for being in illegal possession of cannabis.

The Caledonian Steam Packet Company confirmed that there were many visitors to the Clyde Islands. A spokesman for the company said : "We feel that there has been an increase in those travelling to Arran this weekend, despite the weather."
Most guest houses and hotels in Arran were fully booked and embarkation points on the mainland were crowded with travellers. British Rail reported that the number of people going by rail was down but felt that this was due to the weather - at this time last year conditions were very good compared with this year's downpour.

On Monday a considerable number of people were still coming down to the coast for the day, with between 600 and 700 visitors from Glasgow arriving in Saltcoats.

Traffic was very light from Ardrossan to Belfast, but the ferry "Lion" brought 600 passengers from Ireland on Friday.

Death of Capt. Alexander Francis, former tug-master at Ardrossan Harbour.

From "The Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald" dated Friday 7th April 1972

OBITUARY

CAPT. A. FRANCIS

Captain Alexander McAllister Francis, former tugmaster at Ardrossan Harbour, died on Monday at Ravenspark Hospital at the age of 83.

Captain Francis, who lived at 5 Bath Square, Ardrossan, was master of the tugs "Cockspur" and "Seaway" during 32 years and was well known for his part in salvaging distressed vessels and bringing in the largest ships which ever entered the Eglinton Dock.

He joined Ardrossan Harbour Company in December 1922 to become captain of the "Cockspur," which was replaced in 1946 by the "Seaway."
He retired from service on September 30, 1954.

Captain Francis, who was well known and popular in the town, was a member of Ardrossan Barony Church.

In 1935 a poem was written, and had a reference to Captain Francis
Ardrossan Lion

THE LION SPEAKS
Tak? notice, a? ye daecent men
Frae Saltcoats tae Montfode road en?,
An a? ye folk that bide roon here
Frae Whitlees tae the Lichthoose Pier,
That I o? noble beasts a scion,
Tae wit, Ardrossan?s Smilin? Lion,
Hae flittit frae my auld location
Tae up forenent the Cale Station.
There?s some folk here hae advocated
That I should be exterminated,
An? ane I ken expressed the view,
No? lang syne up at Kilmahew,
That Skipper Francis o? the tug
Should tak? me like a messan dug
Tae six miles oot frae West Kilbride
An? drap me quately ower the side
Anither man o? high degree
(Convener o? a committee)
Hae said the cooncil wad dae right
Tae dight me quickly oot o? sight.
"Because," said he, "for years its been
On watch, and Guid kens whit it?s seen,
An? tho? it?s just an auld antique
Ae day, it micht think fit tae speak"
They baith maintained my smilin? face
Was ludricrous and oot o? place,
But gin they look aroon? they?ll see
Some lion, faur mair strange, than me.
Just let them haud afore their e?en
A nerarby factory magazine;
The cratur for the cover view
Resembles maist a pooter doo
I will admit that I can smile,
Tho?, faith, its haurdly worth my while
When a? the sensitive elite
Wad raither a lion greet,
I hear them railin? at my smirk
An? sayin?, when they gang tae kirk
"Gin that stane whuppit?s like the lave,
Then Daniel wisnae just sae brave."
But frien?s, I?m safe frae a? that crew;
The precedent?s created noo,
An? tho? they wished me muckle wrang,
They hesitated ower lang.
I?m noo an heirloom constitutit,
A fact nae mair tae be disputit.
Guid luck tae man and wife and wean,
I?ll maybe never speak? again.
Ian Campbell..Ardrossan 1935
Messan = Term of contempt, a lapdog
Flittit = Moved house
Guid kens = God knows
Gin = If
Railin = Jesting, funny remarks.
Maist = Most
Greet = Cry
Pooter = A pigeon

25th May 2010 Hugh Cameron White, a nephew of Capt. Francis, e-mails
"Nicol Francis, the youngest son of Capt. Francis, has a copy of the book of poems.
When the book of poems was first published there was a public reading in the hall of the Barony Church which Nicol and his mother (Captain Francis's wife Minnie) attended and there and then they bought a copy of the book."