Glasgow And Ships Of The Clyde

Moss Hutchison's MEMPHIS delayed at anchorage by LIVANITA going aground

Submitted by Bill McKellar

From “Glasgow Herald”

Ore carrier LIVANITA goes aground and halts Clyde traffic

Newspaper Edition Wednesday 30^th September 1964

Holed in forward tanks 

   The movement of ocean-going ships in and out of the port of Glasgow was stopped yesterday after the Norwegian ore carrier LIVANITA went aground near the Elderslie repair yard of Barclay, Curle & Co., Scotstoun, partially blocking the channel.

   The LIVANITA was on her way to the General Terminus Quay, Glasgow, to discharge a cargo of 25,000 tons of ore when she swung out of the channel.   The ship, of 26,700 tons deadweight is lying with her bow about 50 feet (15 metres) from the north bank of the river and her stern projecting diagonally into the main channel.

Tugs stand by

   It was hoped to make an attempt with six tugs to pull her off on the afternoon tide.   This, however, had to be cancelled when it was discovered that the ship had been holed in her forward tanks.

   Two tugs stood by her last night and it is expected that a diver will go down to inspect the damage.   No further attempt is to be made to refloat her until this afternoon.   If the damage is extensive then there is the danger that if she were pulled off she might block the channel completely.

   There are already two ships waiting at the Tail of the Bank to make the passage up-river.   These are the 7568-ton CITY OF COVENTRY, which is to load a cargo, and MEMPHIS, of 3575-tons with 700 tons of dry fruit for discharging.   A Blue Funnel Line ship was also expected to arrive this morning.

   The other hold-up of ships at Glasgow, caused by the shortage of dockers, continued yesterday with 22 ships affected, the biggest total so far.   It is understood that this is the result of ships queuing at the week-end  -  when the dockers  continued their ban on overtime and there was the seasonal Autumn holiday on Monday for Glasgow dockers.

   The manpower shortage, however, was not so acute with a further 1352 men needed to fully man the ships.   Of the 22 ships held up 17 were not working to full capacity and the other five were idle.   Greenock sent 98 dockers to help at Glasgow yesterday and the position was improved by more local dockers returning from their annual holidays.

probably take the ore to Rothesay Dock.   Unloading is expected to take several days.

COLVILLES’  STOCKS

   Because the Colville’s steelworks are running at record-breaking levels, the consumption of ore is massive, and this delay is not for the moment causing concern.   They have stocks sufficient for several weeks.

   If, once the LIVANITA is cleared, there is any congestion at the docks, caused by the arrival of other ore-carriers, Colvilles may use the reserve facilities at the unloading plant at General Terminus Quay to cope with delays.