Glasgow And Ships Of The Clyde

Hoax bomb alert on Burns & Laird's "Lion"

From "The Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald" dated Friday 5th November 1971

BOMB ALERT ON "LION"

A bomb alert on the Belfast ferry m.v. "Lion" as it made a crossing to Ardrossan on Monday was the result of a phone message - apparently a hoax - to Glasgow police.

An army bomb disposal squad were rushed to Ardrossan harbour to search vehicles aboard the "Lion" when she docked.

The alert started at 6.30pm on Monday when some person made a telephone call to Glasgow police warning that a bomb had been placed in a car aboard the ship.
Portpatrick coastguard station contacted the "Lion" and safety measures were taken on the ship which was brought into Ardrossan at full speed at 8.30pm.

At the harbour, four vehicles were taken from the vessel and sealed in a compound, where the disposal squad carefully attempted to detect if there was a bomb.

The drama continued for seven hours with a thorough examination of the vehicles until the army were certain there was no bomb.

During the alert a contingent of police under Chief Inspector Arthur Myles stood guard at the harbour.

A spokesman for Burns and Laird Lines, owners of the "Lion," told the "Herald" that the incident occurred as the boat was making its second crossing from Belfast to Ardrossan on the first day of its return to service after its annual overhaul.
The spokesman said : "The precautions taken and the drill carried out on the ship were a fine example of good seamanship and organisation."

Ardrossan fire brigade sent an engine and radio van down to the harbour and stood by until it was definite that there was no bomb.