Glasgow And Ships Of The Clyde

Tugs "Campaigner" and "Warrior" stand by refloating at Ardrossan

From "The Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald" dated Friday 17th February 1961.

AMERICAN CARGO SHIP

Refloated at Ardrossan

After being aground at the Inches, Ardrossan, since the first week of the year, the American cargo ship "Harry R Jones" (5265 tons) was refloated at noon on Wednesday, and towed to the breakers yard at Troon.

The 58 year-old former Great Lakes cargo carrier was pulled gently off the shore by the Greenock tug "Forager" while two other Greenock tugs "Campaigner" and "Warrior" stood by.
A number of onlookers lined Inches Road when the vessel was being freed.
Earlier they saw the "Forager" grapple for the end of a tow-rope which had become detached from a buoy about 500 yards offshore.
The other end of the line was aboard the "Harry R Jones" and, when the tow-rope was finally secured on the tug - after four hours grappling - the tide was at its highest.

Conditions were ideal for the refloating operation and, when the "Forager" took the strain on the line, the ship slipped quietly into deep water, to again start her last "voyage."