Model of Clyde steamer DUCHESS OF HAMILTON at Riverside Museum, Glasgow

Model of Canadian Pacific liner EMPRESS OF BRITAIN at Riverside Museum, Glasgow

Glasgow Tramcar of 1950's at Riverside Museum, Glasgow

World War 2 U-Boat Poster at Riverside Museum, Glasgow

"Tall Ship" GLENLEE at Riverside Museum, Glasgow

What was this jack-up rig doing at Govan Pontoon, Glasgow on 22 November 2018 ?

Museum tug GARNOCK at Wharf, Scottish Maritime Museum, Irvine

Questions about Alfred Holt's Blue Funnel Line in 1960's

Geoff in Australia e-mails :

Questions about Alfred Holt's Blue Funnel Line in 1960's

I was on the Ulysses which traded between the Far East,mainly Indonesia

  and the East Coast and Gulf of the US.  I understand it was a route

which belonged to the Indra Line which Holts acquired in 1915.

I believe that it may have been incorporated into a round the world

service later  .My time was during the late 50s and ended in 1960.

Crews during my time consisted of Europeans on deck and Chinese in

the engine room, and catering,on ships trading from Liverpool. The Ulysses

had Malays on deck and Chinese in the engine room, I cant remember

who were the catering staff.

Gunung Djati was the name of the leading Javanese Haji and

Islamic missionary. 

With regards to crewing, the Dutch arm of Blue Funnel had

all Chinese crews with Dutch officers, certainly in the 1950s.

Would you sell your “ShipsoftheClyde.com” website ?

Would you sell your “ShipsoftheClyde.com” website ?

December 16 2018  1704

   Douglas, would you be interested in selling your website ?   I may be interested in buying it from you.

Senders’s name and e-mail address not shown on his / her request

20 December 2018

Douglas Replies :

   Thank you so much for all your messages 2 x Paisley, 7 x Glasgow, 2 x Clydebank, 2 x Greenock, 3 x USA, 4 x Canada, 8 X Australia, 2 x New Zealand, 1 x Edinburgh, 1 x Dumbarton, Rothesay, Helensburgh, Erskine, Ardrossan, Ayr, Airdrie, Milngavie, Wemyss Bay, Brodick, Bearsden, Malaysia, India, Durban, Erskine, Bishopton and Karachi. 

FRIFJORD discharging a cargo of logs at Troon Harbour

Barge SEAROCK1 at Troon, Scotland

Island of Ailsa Craig at the entrance of Firth of Clyde, Scotland, U.K.

Contributed by Tam Morrison (Stranraer, South-West Scotland, U.K.)

What does Glasgow (Bridge Wharf) s.s. mean ?

The advert for paddle steamer EAGLE 111 in 1937

 6th  January 2019.

   James Barrowman (Brighton, England) e-mails :

I am an enthusiast for paddle steamers and read your item on EAGLE 111.

   The advertisement shows the ship departing from Glasgow (Bridge Wharf) s. s.

   Assuming that s.s. does not mean Steam Ship, can anyone help with what s.s. means ?

   Thanks, Jim Barrowman.

7^th January 2019 

   J.S. (Pollokshaws, Glasgow) replies :

The River Clyde runs generally east to west through the

centre of Glasgow and essentially divides the city into two

halves, the  “North Side” and the “South Side.”

   In the past and even today people talk of coming from

or living in the South Side.

   Up to around 1970’s passenger excursion steamers

and cross-channel to Ireland steamers left Broomielaw,

Anderston Quay and Lancefield Quay on the North Side

and in the summer months left Bridge Wharf on the South

Side (hence S.S.) on excursions “Doon the Watter” = Down

the Water = sailing down the River Clyde to Clyde piers

such as Dunoon and Rothesay and Tighnabruaich.

   The advert mentions the steamer calling at Govan Wharf

  and Renfrew to pick up passengers.

   Today Govan Wharf is only recognisable by a

derelict and ruined few baulks of timber.   It was situated

on the South Bank essentially between the Govan

Drydocks (now also derelict) and the Bae Shipyard

(formerly Fairfields yard) and beside the playing field

between Wanlock Street and Dunvegan Street, Govan.

   Up to the 1960s the small Govan Passenger Ferry

used to ply from near Govan Wharf across the river to

the east end of Meadowside Quay

   It was news to me that excursion steamers stopped

at Renfrew.   I have no idea where the stop was located.

   Perhaps someone can help.

Ref The advert for paddle steamer EAGLE 111 in 1937.

12 January 2019   Robert Orr replies :

The steamer berth at Renfrew was on the river bank at 'The Green' in

Renfrew and as far as I'm aware was destroyed during the 'Clydebank

Blitz' in 1941, (this being air attacks on the town of Clydebank on the

opposite bank of the Clyde, home amongst other things to John Browns

shipyard). If you go to Google maps and search Clyde Street Renfrew

the bollards for mooring ropes are still visible at the edge of the Green.

The Scania Yard visible in street view was the start of the land

occupied by Simons and Lobnitz shipyards in Renfrew.

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The River Steamer berth at Renfrew (River Clyde) in 1937

Ref The advert for paddle steamer EAGLE 111 in 1937.

12 January 2019   Robert Orr replies :

The steamer berth at Renfrew was on the river bank at 'The Green' in

Renfrew and as far as I'm aware was destroyed during the 'Clydebank

Blitz' in 1941, (this being air attacks on the town of Clydebank on the

opposite bank of the Clyde, home amongst other things to John Browns

shipyard). If you go to Google maps and search Clyde Street Renfrew

the bollards for mooring ropes are still visible at the edge of the Green.

The Scania Yard visible in street view was the start of the land

occupied by Simons and Lobnitz shipyards in Renfrew.

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Looking for photo / image of Head Line's BALLYGALLY HEAD, built around 1950s

Hi, I am looking for any photos of the tramp steam ship, BALLYGALLY HEAD, I think

there were two built, one in the late 1800s and the other in the mid 1950s

   I would appreciate if you could find any as it would make my father very happy as

he sailed on her

   Thank you, regards Joseph mc gurk jr