Glasgow And Ships Of The Clyde

Retiral of Captain Douglas McCormick of the Burns & Laird's vessel "Lion."

From "The Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald" dated 25th June 1971

Ardrossan town band and a sea cadet guard of honour will turn out on Tuesday when Captain Douglas A. McCormick signs off from the Burns & Laird car ferry "Lion" after half a century at sea.

Friends and colleagues from all parts of the British Isles will travel to Ardrossan to pay tribute to Captain McCormick and wish him well in his retirement.

A special barbecue and reception is being staged in his honour at the terminal buildings, Winton Pier, Ardrossan.

Captain McCormick, aged 65, was born in Ayr and now lives in Dalrymple.
Of his 50 years at sea, Captain McCormick has spent 48 of them with Burns & Laird Line of Glasgow. During that time he has carried more than two million passengers between Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Son of a former Burns & Laird master, Captain McCormick first went to sea with William Robertson in May 1921. Eighteen months later he joined Burns & Laird on the S.S. "Turnberry."
He was aboard the passenger ship "Lairdscastle" in September 1940 when it collided with another vessel in thick fog in the Clyde estuary and overturned. About 60 passengers and 40 crew took to the boats and were later picked up by a destroyer and landed at Greenock.

He has been master since 1947 and for the past 14 years has captained passenger ships sailing between Ardrossan and Belfast.
Captain McCormick has many friends in Ireland, made during his calls to Belfast. It was there that he first met his wife, who comes from Downpatrick. They have three daughters and a son, all married.

Friends of Captain McCormick wishing further information about the barbecue should contact Captain Leask, Marine Superintendent, at Burns & Laird Lines' office at Ardrossan.

(See the associated article dated 29th June 1971)