Glasgow And Ships Of The Clyde

Ore carrier FOGLARO arrives in Glasgow carrying 10,939 tons of Iron Ore from Lulea, Sweden

   In the wee small hours of 4^th July 1962 the Ore Carrier FOGLARO, piloted by Clyde Pilot Smith, made her way up the River Clyde towards Glasgow.

   Two Steel & Bennie tugs met her about 0200 near King George V Dock and began towing her, and at 0230 she arrived at West Terminus, General Terminus Quay, Glasgow, with her bow heading East (towards Glasgow) and her stern 224 feet from the cross-river Finnieston Ferry landing steps.

   FOGLARO was carrying 10,939 tons of Iron Ore from Luleå, Sweden, and was drawing 28’ 01” forward and 28’ 04” aft.

   Colvilles giant cranes with their enormous two-piece hinged grab buckets – known as shell grabs or shell buckets – began unloading the ore at 0600, and, working continuously throughout the day, completed discharging at 1715 that afternoon.

   A check on the ship’s draught at 0915 showed that she was afloat and drawing 24’ 08” forward and 21’ 00” aft, and on completing discharge was drawing 10’ 00” forward and 22’ 03” aft.

   Clyde Pilot Blackwood boarded the vessel late on 4^th July, and, with two Steel & Bennie tugs in attendance, FOGLARO cast off from General Terminus Quay at 0030 on 5^th July and was towed astern a short distance to the entrance to Prince’s Dock where she was canted (turned) and then made her way downriver, light-ship (that is with no cargo on board) on passage to Rotterdam (Netherlands).