Glasgow And Ships Of The Clyde

Shipbuilding In Saltcoats

From Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald, dated Friday 28th November 1874:

A few months ago we mentioned that Messrs P. Barclay & Son, shipbuilders, Ardrossan, had leased that piece of ground known as ?The Braes?, in Saltcoats, with the view of carrying on part of their business there: their increasing trade, and the limited area of their yard in Ardrossan, had necessitated the step.

The ground leased extends to two and a quarter acres, and so energetically has the work been pushed forward, that on Tuesday last a vessel was drawn up on the patent slip for the purpose of repair.

A patent slip has been laid down, capable of taking on five ordinary sized vessels. It extends 400 feet, the depth of water at the sea end being no less than 12 feet. On each side there has been run out wooden piers 260 feet in length. A stone breast has been built, and the ground is almost filled in where the new work will be executed. Several shops have been erected; the ground partially enclosed; and all this in a few months. But it will take to the spring of next year before the requisite number of sheds, and the necessary machinery can be erected, and made available.

The drawing up of the vessel, on Tuesday, however, is a noteworthy event in the history of the trade of the place. It is the revival of a trade for many years lost to the place, but which at one time was carried on with much vigour and enterprise. At one time ?The Braes? were busy with carpenters building and repairing vessels; but with the decadence of the harbour, ship building ceased, and the ?oldest inhabitant? mourned the change as a glory departed.

It is said that the trade originated about the middle of the last century in this wise:- A Mr Roxburgh, baker, was in the habit of purchasing wrecks, to be broken up and used for firewood. One of his purchases proved to be too good for such a purpose, and Mr Steel, Irvine, who had been brought over to examine it, was entrusted with the repairs. The first firm on the Braes was Steel & Carswell. Mr Steel sometime after left for Greenock, where he became more widely known as a most extensive shipbuilder. Shanks? yard was owned principally by the Browns; and there was a third owned by a Mr Porter. It was said that no fewer than twenty six vessels were built at Saltcoats

The highest tonnage being 400 tons; and that at one time no fewer than 200 hands were employed. The last ship launched was ?THE WARNER?, and it may be interesting to notice in connection with that fact, that a ship with emigrants sailed from Saltcoats for foreign parts on the same day.

As we mentioned lately, the revival is due to the enterprise of the son of a native of the place. The late Mr Peter Barclay commenced business in Ardrossan - his trade developing with the growth of the harbour. He laid the beginnings of a business which, in the hands of his son, is already a large and prosperous concern, and by this extension, is bidding fair to become still greater.

Scribe Tango