|
From "The Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald" dated Friday 7th April 1972
OBITUARY
CAPT. A. FRANCIS
Captain Alexander McAllister Francis, former tugmaster at Ardrossan Harbour, died on Monday at Ravenspark Hospital at the age of 83.
Captain Francis, who lived at 5 Bath Square, Ardrossan, was master of the tugs "Cockspur" and "Seaway" during 32 years and was well known for his part in salvaging distressed vessels and bringing in the largest ships which ever entered the Eglinton Dock.
He joined Ardrossan Harbour Company in December 1922 to become captain of the "Cockspur," which was replaced in 1946 by the "Seaway."
He retired from service on September 30, 1954.
Captain Francis, who was well known and popular in the town, was a member of Ardrossan Barony Church.
In 1935 a poem was written, and had a reference to Captain Francis
Ardrossan Lion
THE LION SPEAKS
Tak? notice, a? ye daecent men
Frae Saltcoats tae Montfode road en?,
An a? ye folk that bide roon here
Frae Whitlees tae the Lichthoose Pier,
That I o? noble beasts a scion,
Tae wit, Ardrossan?s Smilin? Lion,
Hae flittit frae my auld location
Tae up forenent the Cale Station.
There?s some folk here hae advocated
That I should be exterminated,
An? ane I ken expressed the view,
No? lang syne up at Kilmahew,
That Skipper Francis o? the tug
Should tak? me like a messan dug
Tae six miles oot frae West Kilbride
An? drap me quately ower the side
Anither man o? high degree
(Convener o? a committee)
Hae said the cooncil wad dae right
Tae dight me quickly oot o? sight.
"Because," said he, "for years its been
On watch, and Guid kens whit it?s seen,
An? tho? it?s just an auld antique
Ae day, it micht think fit tae speak"
They baith maintained my smilin? face
Was ludricrous and oot o? place,
But gin they look aroon? they?ll see
Some lion, faur mair strange, than me.
Just let them haud afore their e?en
A nerarby factory magazine;
The cratur for the cover view
Resembles maist a pooter doo
I will admit that I can smile,
Tho?, faith, its haurdly worth my while
When a? the sensitive elite
Wad raither a lion greet,
I hear them railin? at my smirk
An? sayin?, when they gang tae kirk
"Gin that stane whuppit?s like the lave,
Then Daniel wisnae just sae brave."
But frien?s, I?m safe frae a? that crew;
The precedent?s created noo,
An? tho? they wished me muckle wrang,
They hesitated ower lang.
I?m noo an heirloom constitutit,
A fact nae mair tae be disputit.
Guid luck tae man and wife and wean,
I?ll maybe never speak? again.
Ian Campbell..Ardrossan 1935
Messan = Term of contempt, a lapdog
Flittit = Moved house
Guid kens = God knows
Gin = If
Railin = Jesting, funny remarks.
Maist = Most
Greet = Cry
Pooter = A pigeon
25th May 2010 Hugh Cameron White, a nephew of Capt. Francis, e-mails
"Nicol Francis, the youngest son of Capt. Francis, has a copy of the book of poems.
When the book of poems was first published there was a public reading in the hall of the Barony Church which Nicol and his mother (Captain Francis's wife Minnie) attended and there and then they bought a copy of the book." |
Own Page