Glasgow And Ships Of The Clyde

New Ship?s Name

From: Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald dated Friday 9th January 1970

There is much speculation on what name will be given by the Caledonian Steam Packet Company to the new drive on drive off car ferry which will come into service between Ardrossan and Brodick this summer.

The vessel which is presently named ?STENA BALTICA? will be brought from Sweden to the Clyde shortly - and a number of letters have been received at the CSPC offices in Gourock containing suggestions for renaming the ship.
Among the suggestions are, ?GLEN ROSA? - there was a popular steamer of this name on the run in the 1920s - the ?BRODICK?, ?LAMLASH BAY?, ?JEANIE DEANS?, ?CALEDONIAN? and ?DUCHESS OF MONTROSE?.

There seems a preference by the authorities concerned nowadays to adopt a new name rather than use one which recalls former associations and it seems likely that the vessel might be named something like ?GOATFELL?.

One suggestion made to our correspondent - obviously facetious - was ?MAID OF BLACKWATERFOOT?, but it is doubtful if the ship is large enough to accommodate such a name along her length.

Scribe Tango