Glasgow And Ships Of The Clyde

The Shark

Monday, September 15th 1884. THE SHARK Sir - Your recent article ?A Saltcoats Shark? was most interesting, admirably explained and indeed timely. I remember standing with my parents in the old Pan Brae to witness the procession from the busy harbour of Saltcoats with the monster shark and recall seeing the monster fish stretching out full length of the highly built erection on a cart sufficiently high for all to see and beyond any offensive odour, and the great concourse of joyfully excited people making a merry noise. As a child I often wondered where the odorous cargo was dumped and now learn from your article that it was in Mr Jack?s holding of 35 acres at Springvale - now Jack?s Road. Occasionally smaller species of shark, freshly caught in the fishermen?s net, were taken to the busy little smithy of Peter Bradfoot and cut up for oil. Old Peter the blacksmith with bushy beard and brawny arms and I were great friends. In kindness Peter would lift me up to cling on the long bellows shaft and my weight brought the shaft down with a roar, sending the burning sparks flying all over the smiddy. All in all, happy memories to dream over. The old smiddy building and the homely dwelling cottage adjoining, once so busy and tidy, now in ruins, still stand at a corner of the Braes, sentinel star of the popular and very busy seaport harbour - greatness and glory that was Saltcoats. T.S. - Saltcoats Scribe Tango