|
From The Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald dated Friday 31st July 1964
CLYDE STEAMERS
History of the Ardrossan and Arran service
By W. L. Callan.
In 1948 came the nationalisation of the railways, and the steamer fleets were included.
The name was changed, but soon reverted to Caledonian Steam Packet Company as a subsidiary.
The move brought the former London and North Eastern Railway steamers into the fold, and two of these have, in recent years, visited Ardrossan on relief Arran sailings.
"Jeanie Deans" is now the oldest paddle vessel in service, being built in 1931.
She was fast and her appearance has been changed on several occasions, including alterations to her funnels and the provision of a main mast.
The "Waverley" is almost certainly the last of the old-style of Clyde paddle steamer to be built.
She is post-war, coming out in 1947, and closely resembles the "Jeanie Deans."
With the new regime, new ideas were forthcoming and many will recall the discussions, around 1950, on the future of the Clyde services.
Eventually, amid much publicity, seven vessels were ordered at a cost of ?1,125,000, four small ones of an entirely new design to run the local services and three general purpose vessels to carry cars, passengers and freight from Gourock to Dunoon, Wemyss Bay to Rothesay, and Fairlie to Brodick.
The last idea was dropped after much controversy.
The two designs created a great deal of talk ; they cannot be said to be beautiful but, after ten years, it must be said that they have done great work.
THE "MAIDS" ARRIVE
The four Maids, "Argyll," "Ashton," "Skelmorlie" and "Cumbrae," came out in 1953, and the only time Ardrossan sees one is when the last named "Maid of Cumbrae," returns to her birthplace for overhaul.
They are not permitted to carry passengers south of Garroch Head.
The general purpose vessels came out in late 1953 and early 1954.
They are "Arran," "Bute" and "Cowal," and they do their job efficiently.
One is regarded as spare, helping out as required and doing a cargo run to Millport twice a week.
They have all been in Ardrossan, on relief Arran sailings, and each year one deputises for "Glen Sannox" while she has her annual overhaul.
Originally the main mast was a goal-post, but it was replaced some years ago by a more orthodox one.
Their success naturally led to thinking on bigger lines for the Arran run, and the result was "Glen Sannox" (111) of 1957, since when she has, for eleven months of the year, provided the island with an improved service.
For four of these months Ardrossan is used, and many who watch the vessel depart, loaded with cars and lorries, as well as a full complement of passengers, no doubt think of the changes which time and circumstances have brought about on the Clyde.
CHANGE IN LIVERIES
One of the immediate effects of the amalgamation of 1923 was a change in the liveries of the steamers.
To begin with the G & S W vessels retained their grey hulls, but the funnels became yellow with a black top and broad red band, this change in funnel colours being made also to the C.S.P. steamers.
In 1924, all the hulls became black, with white upperworks, while the red band on the funnels was made smaller.
By 1925, however, the band disappeared, and the recognised livery became standardised throughout the fleet.
This was continued after nationalisation in 1948, the former L and N.E. steamers conforming to this style.
Recently, the "Glen Sannox" has had a red lion attached to her funnel, but whether this is to be general is not yet known.
Within the past few months, the need for further economy in the use of the Clyde steamers has been raised officially and it has been suggested that some services be curtailed or withdrawn.
Among the latter is the Ayr and Ardrossan excursion vessel, and the matter now hangs in the balance.
The Arran service will not be affected.
The steamers which will become redundant and withdrawn from service are the two oldest, "Jeanie Deans" and "Duchess of Montrose," and one of the Maids.
The outcome is awaited with interest - and regret - by all those who retain an attachment for the steamers of the Clyde. |
Own Page