Glasgow And Ships Of The Clyde

Coaster "Saint Bridget" blown up after her cargo of explosives leaked

From "The Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald" dated 18th February 1972

ARDEER CARGO BLOWN UP

A coasting vessel, "Saint Bridget," carrying a cargo of high explosive which had been loaded at ICI, Ardeer, had to be blown up forty miles south of Cornwall on Monday after part of the cargo leaked.

The "Saint Bridget" had loaded nitroglycerine-based explosive at Ardeer last week and sailed to Falmouth where her cargo was being transferred to a larger ship destined for Hong Kong.
When dockers became affected by fumes it was discovered that part of the cargo had leaked on to the docks.

Government and ICI experts decided that the only solution was to blow up the now dangerous "Saint Bridget" - if she had been merely scuttled, the explosive in her hold could have caused serious pollution in the sea.

A spokesman for the company said that ICI would compensate the ship's owners for their loss.

Note : Colin Matthews e-mails that the explosives were being transhipped into the Blue Funnel vessel "Autolycus."