Glasgow And Ships Of The Clyde

When a Saltcoats shark went on parade

From "Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald" dated Friday 25th February 1972

Saturday 13th September, 1884.

WHEN A SALTCOATS SHARK WENT ON PARADE

If Archaeologists or property developers have occasion ever to do any digging under the present houses in Jack?s Road, Saltcoats, they will be no doubt surprised to find the skeleton of a large shark.

Since the road is three quarters of a mile from the sea, and there are not likely to be other marine bones in the vicinity, odd theories could be put forward to account for the skeleton?s presence. They are all likely to be wide of the true mark, which is the shark was a relic of a political demonstration.

In 1884 there was agitation to extend the right of voting in elections to every household instead of the privileged few. A Liberal government was in power with a majority of 62% the Prime Minister was W. E. Gladstone, and the Leader of the Conservative Opposition was Lord Salisbury. The government were in favour of extending the franchise but the opposition were bitterly against it.

Somewhat unusually, many demonstrations in support of the government?s proposal were held up and down the country, and Saltcoats which was apparently predominantly Liberal, sent a contingent to take part in a large demonstration in Kilmarnock on Saturday, September 13, 1884.

FISHERMEN

The Saltcoats procesionists mustered at the town hall in Countess Street, except the fishermen who, 100 strong, paraded at the quay where they were addressed by their leader. Unfortunately our report of the time does not give this man?s name since he was obviously a man of curiously cultured mind and turn of phrase - proving that old Saltcoats fishermen were not rude unlettered peasants.

What he said was; ?Brother fishermen, we are going to take part in a great Liberal demonstration at Kilmarnock to strengthen the hands of Mr Gladstone. I need not say I hope, for I am certain, you will one and all conduct yourselves in a way that the world will see when the time comes and we get the franchise (and come it will for a? that?) that we will be able to use the great privilege for our own and the country?s good. If Lord Salisbury were here I might say to him something like what Lochiel said to the Wizard; ?I have marshalled my clan; they number one hundred; their bosoms are one; they?ll be true to the last for their Manhood?s right, and go forward to win this political fight?.

The fishermen having joined the main body, the procession headed by Stevenston Flute Band, and numbering 500, passed along the principal streets, each man with a red card marked ?Saltcoats? attached to his cap or hat. Carried in the procession was a crumbling ruin of a contemporary ship labelled ?The wreck of the House of Lords,? and model yacht ?Gladstone? made by a Captain William Hamilton. The demonstrators then travelled to Kilmarnock by train.

Other Saltcoats demonstrators had left the town at 6 o?clock that morning in two wagonettes and accompanied by a cart on which was mounted the great attraction of the parade - a large shark which had been caught in the nets of a Saltcoats fisherman some days before and had been saved for the occasion.

The shark, nicknamed ?Salisbury? had lain in the Quay House for some days and Dr R.S. Kinnier attempted to preserve it. His efforts at embalming were only meant to be temporary and were successful enough but on the day of the procession the shark was getting rather ?high?.

In the shark?s mouth was a salmon, and underneath were the words ?The shark, Salisbury, caught by Neptune, King of the Ocean, for opposing the People?s Bill?.

Accompanying the shark on the cart was Mr David Miller, an Ardrossan pilot, in the character of Neptune. Some of the spectators at Kilmarnock were sure the shark was artificial and Mr Miller, incensed at this, leaned down from the cart, seized one doubter, a smallish man, hauled him up on cart, shoved the man?s nose against the carcase, and shouted: Artificial, ye shrimp, smell that!?

The shark was buried with full honours at Saltcoats on Monday, September 15, as reported in our issue of that week as follows: ?A rather comical demonstration was got up by several fishermen and townspeople. The procession was led by a number of men carrying shovels, then came the big fish mounted on a cart, followed by fishermen and by buxom fish-hawkers with ?lum? hats - the women sporting crepe veils - and the rear being brought up by a motley crowd of people.

?To ear-splitting sounds made by bells and horns, the procession moved through the town to Jacks Road where a grave having been dug and orations delivered, the fish was buried in the presence of 300 or 400 persons. A quaint ceremonial?.

And there the fish and story rest.

Scribe Tango