Glasgow And Ships Of The Clyde

Captain McCormick of Burns & Laird's "Lion" praises Ardrossan Harbour

From "The Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald" dated Friday 24th September 1971.

CAPTAIN PRAISES THE HARBOUR

Captain Douglas McCormick, former master of M.V. "Lion," said on Wednesday that Ardrossan Harbour was as good as any port that was used for crossings to Northern Ireland.

He was speaking at a presentation dinner in his honour at the Eglinton Hotel, Ardrossan.
The captain, who retired recently, explained that there was now a good tug at Ardrossan, and it would not be often that ships would not get in or out, and Ardrossan could easily hold its own with Stranraer.

PLAQUE

Provost Joseph McManus, on behalf of Ardrossan Town Council and the townspeople presented Captain McCormick with a plaque in gratitude for his service as captain of the Ardrossan - Northern Ireland ferry.
He described the captain as a great seaman who allied the people of Ardrossan and northern ireland because of his channel crossings.
"Lion" belongs to Ardrossan," he added, "and the public have sung its praises because of Captain McCormick's courtesy."

Bailie William Currie said the captain would remain "one of the happy memories of Ardrossan harbour."

Mr. William M. Cummings, Town Clerk, described Captain McCormick as "Captain Ardrossan" and one of the best captains to sail from the harbour in the past 50 years.

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(Captain McCormick died on 2nd May 1978, aged 72 years.
Please see the item dated 2nd May 1978 for the inscription on his gravestone)