The Shark

Monday, September 15th 1884. THE SHARK Sir - Your recent article ?A Saltcoats Shark? was most interesting, admirably explained and indeed timely. I remember standing with my parents in the old Pan Brae to witness the procession from the busy harbour of Saltcoats with the monster shark and recall seeing the monster fish stretching out full length of the highly built erection on a cart sufficiently high for all to see and beyond any offensive odour, and the great concourse of joyfully excited people making a merry noise. As a child I often wondered where the odorous cargo was dumped and now learn from your article that it was in Mr Jack?s holding of 35 acres at Springvale - now Jack?s Road. Occasionally smaller species of shark, freshly caught in the fishermen?s net, were taken to the busy little smithy of Peter Bradfoot and cut up for oil. Old Peter the blacksmith with bushy beard and brawny arms and I were great friends. In kindness Peter would lift me up to cling on the long bellows shaft and my weight brought the shaft down with a roar, sending the burning sparks flying all over the smiddy. All in all, happy memories to dream over. The old smiddy building and the homely dwelling cottage adjoining, once so busy and tidy, now in ruins, still stand at a corner of the Braes, sentinel star of the popular and very busy seaport harbour - greatness and glory that was Saltcoats. T.S. - Saltcoats Scribe Tango

Anchor Line Advertisment around April 1886

Advertisment around April 1886 for The North Lancashire Steam Navigation Company

AMERICA leaves Liverpool for Queenstown (Ireland) to embark more passengers and then to New York

CITY OF ROME leaves Liverpool for Queenstown (Ireland) and then to New York

Seaman Edward Clark from "Mary Wilson" drowned in Ardrossan Harbour

From "The Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald" dated Friday 21st May 1886

SEAMAN DROWNED

Edward Clark, 57, a seaman on board the "Mary Wilson" was found drowned in the harbour on Tuesday morning by one of the pilots named James Campbell.
It appears that he had been attempting to get on board the vessel, which was lying nine feet out from the wall, and it is supposed that he had missed his hold when he made the spring to gain the deck, and fell into the water. A rope from the vessel, which was under one of his arms, kept him afloat.
No one witnessed the accident.
The crew had been paid on Monday.

Excursion cruise on Firth of Clyde and Loch Long on SCOTIA in 1886

 The summer holidays were inaugurated on Wednesday by a pleasure trip in the “SCOTIA” (Capt. Gillies), which sailed from Ardrossan for Loch Long, touching at intermediate ports.   The weather being most favourable a considerable number of passengers availed themselves of this fine trip.

   Unlike the watering places along the Firth of Clyde, the shores of Loch Long during the last forty years present no progress.   The classic village of Ardentinny appears to have no increase.   The view of Lochgoilhead and Carrick Castle in the distance, the sterile shores and the picturesque grandeur of the scenery, afforded the greatest interest to the passengers.   The “Cobbler” showed seams of snow near the summit.   This uniquely-shaped mountain, at the entrance to Glencoe, excited much interest.   The palatial residence of Mr. Coats at Blairmore attracted particular attention.  

Barclay, Curle Shipbuilders receive an order for a new steamer HARE for the Glasgow - Belfast trade

Order for a new 216-feet long steamer HARE for the Glasgow and Belfast trade

   The Glasgow shipbuilders, Barclay, Curle & Company, of Whiteinch, have received an order from the shipowner Mr. John Burns to build a new 216-feet long steamer HARE for his Glasgow and Belfast trade.

   The vessel will be a 614 gross ton steel screw steamship with inverted direct-acting compound triple expansion engines, and will carry both passengers and cargo.

( Additional note : John Burns was later to form the famous Glasgow Shipping Company Burns & Laird Lines )

AMERICA leaves Liverpool for Queenstown (Ireland) to embark more passengers and then to New York

New passenger-carrying paddle steamer VICTORIA launched by Messrs. Blackwood & Gordon, Port Glasgow

   Today Messrs. Blackwood & Gordon, Port Glasgow, launched a paddle steamer to the order of Captain Campbell, to be employed in his Wemyss Bay service of steamers on the Firth of Clyde.

   She is named VICTORIA, in honour of Her Majesty.   Her length is 222ft., breadth 23ft., depth 8ft.    She is fitted with a splendid saloon the whole breadth of the vessel fore and aft, similar to the COLUMBA, and will be propelled by a pair of diagonal surface condensing engines of 140 nominal H.P., supplied with steam from two haystack boilers carrying a working pressure of 50lb per square inch.

   Fore and aft saloons will be fitted up in a handsome manner, with all the latest improvements for the comfort and convenience of passengers.

   A telegram was received from Sir H. F. Ponsonby, on behalf of the Queen, giving her Majesty’s sanction to the steamer being named after her, and intimating that he had Her Majesty’s instructions to present Captain Campbell with a set of flags for the steamer. 

CITY OF ROME leaves Liverpool for Queenstown (Ireland) and then to New York

AMERICA leaves Liverpool for Queenstown (Ireland) to embark more passengers and then to New York

CITY OF ROME leaves Liverpool for Queenstown (Ireland) and then to New York

AMERICA leaves Liverpool for Queenstown (Ireland) to embark more passengers and then to New York

CITY OF ROME leaves Liverpool for Queenstown (Ireland) and then to New York