Glasgow And Ships Of The Clyde

"Salmoor," a new salvage and mooring buoys Company starts at Ayr

From "Ayrshire Post" dated Friday 22nd February 1946

SALVAGE COMPANY TO WORK AT AYR

A new industrial enterprise will shortly start in Ayr when work begins at the salvage and mooring buoys depot of Salmoor Ltd.

Three ships will be stationed at Ayr, two of which have already arrived, the "Garthclyde" and the "Sweet Promise," both Ministry of War transports, and the third is expected shortly.

In an interview with the chairman of the company, Mr. A. J. Minoprio, who is also technical supervisor, the "Ayrshire Post" learns that working under the Air Ministry, two stations have already been established at Maryport, Cumberland, and Pinllehi, North Wales.

The firm are directly concerned with the Department of Chains and Moorings, and will maintain air/sea rescue moorings, lifebuoys and rafts for bombing practice that are brought in for repair and repainting.
There will be two 30ft and two 16ft rafts put out for bombing practice.
The distance from shore depends on the situation, explained Mr. Minoprio, and these rafts are not placed so as to interfere with fishing but are in stretches of water that are no use for anything else.

Divers are maintained at all the stations, and the Ayr depot will not be used for experimental purposes such as testing of breaking strain,etc.,which is carried on in Wales.

LOCAL LABOUR

Mr. R. May will be in charge of the Ayr offices and sheds, which have been taken on the north quay at the harbour.
All labour is local except for the ship's crews, and twenty men will be trained to act as teams.

The company is also an agent for the Danford anchor, an American patent that is attracting a great deal of interest on account of its extraordinary holding power in relation to its weight.

Mr. Minoprio paid a warm tribute to the people in Ayr with whom the company has come in contact, particularly the harbour master and his colleagues for the assistance they have rendered.