Pleasure Steamer QUEEN MARY 11 leaves Gourock on an excursion cruise to and round Ailsa Craig

Aberdeen (City in north-east Scotland, UK) will host the Tall Ships Races 19 - 22 July 2025

Coastguard calls off search after person goes overboard from Clyde ferry SOUND OF SHUNA

From BBC Scotland Online News 16 June 2025

Search called off after person goes overboard from Clyde ferry

Image caption,

CalMac vessel MV Ali Cat joined the search efforts

Tanker AWH ALMA at the Fuel Terminal, Rothesay Dock, Clydebank (River Clyde, Scotland, UK)

Contributed by Robert McManus

This brightly-painted tanker certainly brought colour to a dull day in Scotland and, for further interest, was berthed port-side-to the terminal (= with her head east, towards Glasgow.)   Tankers usually are berthed starboard-side-to (= with the head west, towards Greenock.)

In the next image no doubt you notice the airliner above the tanker.   Rothesay Dock in Clydebank is essentially below the flight path for aircraft landing at the nearby Glasgow Airport, hence the aeroplane in the image.

Wreck of CAPTAYANNIS "the Sugar Boat" off Greenock is set to sink from view

Postcard of Rothesay mailed in 1973 shows paddle steamer CALEDONIA and launch GAY QUEEN

At the top-left of the postcard is the paddle steamer CALEDONIA of Caledonian Steam Packet Company, which in due course became Caledonian MacBrayne. 

 CALEDONIA was a very frequent visitor to Rothesay, making visits to many piers on the Clyde and often making day excursion cruises from Ayr, Troon, Ardrossan and Largs to Rothesay and then through the Kyles of Bute to Tighnabruaich.

And at the bottom-left is the pleasure motor cruiser GAY QUEEN which operated short excursion cruises from a small pier to Rothesay Bay and surrounding area.   It is thought that in 2025 she was still in existence, heavily modernised and under a new name, working in the River Fal in the south of England

Search after person goes overboard from Clyde ferry

From BBC Scotland online news 15 June 2025

Search after person goes overboard from Clyde ferry

Image caption,

CalMac vessel MV Ali Cat was sent to join the search efforts

Postcard of Western Isles of Scotland and David MacBrayne's KING GEORGE V at Isle of Staffa

Postcard written aboard S.A. ORANJE on 7 July 1966 on passage from South Africa to UK

Postcard of Clyde Steamer QUEEN MARY 11 at Dunoon (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)

Look closely at the postcard.   On the other side of the water (the Firth of Clyde), just above the ship's funnel (stack) and slightly to the right are some white-painted buildings.   Those buildings are the famous Cloch Lighthouse.

   During World War 2 (1939-1945) an anti-submarine boom (essentially like a huge net) was stretched across the 2 miles (3.2km) from Dunoon where this photograph was taken to the Cloch Lighthouse.   The purpose was to prevent German submarines from getting to the Allied Ships at the anchorage off Gourock and Greenock. 

CALEDONIAN ISLES is delayed from returning to the Ardrossan to Brodick service

RAHMi YAGCi passes Custom House Quay, Greenock (Firth of Clyde, Scotland) on her way to Glasgow

11:41   Pilot cutter MOUNT STUART comes alongside RAHMi YAGCi off Kempock Point, Gourock and boards the Pilot onto the ship.   MOUNT STUART then returns to the small boat harbour at Estuary Control, Greenock.

11:44    RAHMi YAGCi passes Number 1 Buoy off Greenock Ocean Terminal and enters the shipping channel of the River Clyde for the 17 miles (27 km) passage upriver to Shieldhall, Glasgow.   

11:46   RAHMi YAGCi passes Custom House Quay, Greenock (Firth of Clyde, Scotland) on her way to Glasgow

Tug CMS BOXER had met RAHMi YAGCi off Greenock Ocean Terminal and took station astern to escort her up the River Clyde to Glasgow and would assist in berthing her at Riverside Quay, Shieldhall.

Commissioners of Irish Lights Tender GRANUAILE / IERNE / ISOLDA at Dun Laoghaire (Eire / Ireland)

The three tenders, GRANUAILE, ISOLDA and IERNE were frequent visitors in 1950s and 1960s at Ardrossan Dockyard (Firth of Clyde, Scotland) for repair and annual maintenance.   Can anyone identify the Tender in this postcard ?

Caledonian MacBrayne's ARGYLE and BUTE off Wemyss Bay (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)

Contributed by Drew and Suzanne Lenzie

   This fine postcard was bought at the lovely wee bookshop on Wemyss Bay Pier.   It's unusual to see both ferries off the pier and BUTE turning so close.   Wonder what the occasion was.

Canadian Pacific's EMPRESS OF ENGLAND Dinner Menu 10 August 1966

Caledonian MacBrayne's LOCH PORTAIN leaves Garvel Drydock for Gourock Pier then Largs Pier

With the Garvel Dry-dock gates now open LOCH PORTAIN leaves the dry-dock for the adjacent Dales Marine Services Yard at James Watt Dock, Greenock.

LOCH PORTAIN enters James Watt Dock and then berths at the Dales Marine Services wall

After only a few minutes LOCH PORTAIN leaves the wall at Dales and moves through the entrance to James Watt Dock to enter the Firth of Clyde

Now clear of the James Watt Dock Basin LOCH PORTAIN can now taste the ecstasy of clear water and heads for Gourock Pier where she will spend a short time and then head southward down the coast to the town of Largs

CHRISTINA passing Dunoon (Firth of Clyde) inbound for the Container Terminal at Greenock

NIEUW STATENDAM passing Dunoon (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK) inbound for Greenock

New Caledonian MacBrayne ferry iSLE OF ISLAY completes her first builders trials in Turkey

DEBRA ROSE is an award-winning floating fish and chip restaurant, McMonagles, at Clydebank

Contributed by Robert McManus

Two pictures taken this morning and here is a link to DEBRA ROSE

https://www.campbeltown-shipyard.uk/debra-rose-fish-and-chips-on-the-canal/

A crew card in 1960 from a steward on Cunard's QUEEN ELIZABETH : he / she has to clean 23 cabins

From the serrated edges on the card it looks as though it has been torn from a roll or page of the cards which were printed for use by the liner's crew

On the back of the card is

Cunard Line   R.M.S. "Queen Elizabeth"

4th May 1960

I have put in an allotment of £3-10 a month.

Dear Betty,

We sail at 3.30pm.

I am a bit worried though. you have a lot to do and

the Chief Stewardess said it would be heavy going.

I should have asked how many cabins I had at

the time of interview.

I have 23 cabins

SUBMARINE (and Naval / MOD Police escort) passing Cloch Point (Firth of Clyde, Scotland) outbound

Sadly it's heavy rain and you cannot clearly see the large and strong escort of Defence Police Boats, Royal Navy patrol vessels and heavily armed Royal Marines in RIB's.    Any vessel or pleasure craft which approaches the convoy is very quickly intercepted and strongly warned to keep well clear.   No nonsense about it. 

U.S.S. MIDWAY at Tail-of-the-Bank anchorage off Greenock (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)

Image contributed by Charlie McAusland (Glasgow)

   The Clyde excursion paddle steamer CALEDONIA is apparently taking passengers to view the fleet of warships, including MIDWAY, at the Tail-of-the-Bank

Ellerman & Papayanni's ANDALUSIAN closes at Glasgow for receiving cargo for Mediterranean Ports

A fine and smart-looking general cargo ship, Official Number 183768 ANDALUSIAN was built in 1950 by Wm.Gray. Hartlepool, England for Ellerman Papayanni Line, Liverpool for their U.K.- Mediterranean trade,

She carried the name ANDALUSIAN until 1962 when she was renamed CITY OF ELY, and in 1964 returned to her original name ANDALUSIAN, which she carried until she was sold to Greek owners in 1966 and renamed CAPETAN ANDREAS P

In January 1973 she went on fire in Constantza (now known as Constanta, Romania - on the Western coast of the Black Sea) and was declared a constructive total loss and was broken up there.
Vessel: S.S. Andalusian - Ellerman Papayanni Lines.
LIVERPOOL.
O.N.183768.
N.R.T. 1963-77.
G.R.T. 3912-69.
N.H.P. 619

CORRIENTES closes at Prince's Dock, Glasgow for receiving general cargo for North America

The ship was built in 1943 by Short Brothers Ltd, Sunderland,^[1] Yard number 480,^[2] she was launched on 21 December 1943 and completed in April 1944.^[1]

The ship was 431 feet 0 inches (131.37 m) long, with a beam of 56 feet 3 inches (17.15 m). She had a depth of 35 feet 2 inches (10.72 m), and a draught of 26 feet 9 inches (8.15 m). She was assessed at 7,058 GRT, 4,756 NRT.^[3]

The ship was propelled by a 537 nhp triple expansion steam engine, which had cylinders of 24+1⁄2 inches (62 cm), 39 inches (99 cm) and 70 inches (180 cm) diameter by 48 inches (120 cm) stroke. The engine was built by the North East Marine Engine Co (1938) Ltd, Newcastle upon Tyne.^[3] It could propel the ship at 10 knots (19 km/h).^[2]

Empire Cromer was built for the MoWT.^[1] The United Kingdom Official Number 180133 and Code Letters GFPT were allocated. Her port of registry was Sunderland.^[4] She was operated under the management of the Blue Star Line.^[2]

Empire Cromer was complete in April 1944. She made her maiden voyage on 28 April,^[5] when she joined Convoy FN 1340, which had departed Southend, Essex on 27 April and arrived at Methil, Fife on 29 April.^[6] She then joined Convoy EN 377, which departed Methil that day and arrived at Loch Ewe on 1 May.^[7] Empire Cromer then sailed on to Belfast, County Antrim and made a voyage to Cardiff, Glamorgan and back before joining Convoy ON 238,^[5] which departed from Liverpool, Lancashire on 26 May and arrived at New York United States on 9 June.^[8] She detached from the convoy en route and sailed to Montreal, Quebec, Canada, arriving on 8 June.^[5]

Empire Cromer was a member of Convoy QS 88, which departed from the Red Islet on 30 August and arrived at Sydney, Cape Breton on 3 September.^[9] She then joined Convoy HX 306, which had departed from New York on 31 August and arrived at Liverpool on 17 September. She was carrying general cargo and meat.^[10] After discharging her cargo, Empire Cromer sailed to Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire, from where she sailed on 4 October,^[5] joining Convoy OS91KM, which departed from Liverpool that day and split at sea on 10 October. She was carrying a cargo of soda and livestock.^[11] Her destination was Buenos Aires, Argentina, where she arrived on 30 October. From Buenos Aires, Empire Cromer sailed to Montevideo, Uruguay, Freetown, Sierra Leone and Gibraltar, where she arrived on 15 December.^[5] She then joined Convoy MKS 71G, which departed from Gibraltar on 16 December and arrived at Liverpool on 24 December. She was carrying a cargo of meat.^[12] Her destination was the Clyde.^[5]

Empire Cromer departed the Clyde on 23 January 1945,^[5] joining Convoy ON 280, which had departed from Southend on 22 January and arrived at New York on 9 February.^[13] From New York, she sailed to Boston, Massachusetts,^[5] joining convoy BX 150, which departed on 13 March and arrived at Halifax, Nova Scotia on 15 March.^[14] She then joined Convoy SC 170, which departed from Halifax on 17 March and arrived at Liverpool on 31 March. She was carrying refrigerated and general cargo.^[15] From Liverpool, Empire Cromer sailed to the Belfast Lough, from where she joined Convoy ONS 48,^[5] which departed from Liverpool on 21 April and arrived at Halifax on 4 May.^[16] She then joined Convoy XB 162, which departed from Halifax the next day and arrived at Boston on 7 May.^[17] She arrived at the Cape Cod Canal on 7 May and then sailed to New York.^[5]

Empire Cromer departed from New York on 21 May 1945 for Boston, arriving the next day. She then joined Convoy BX 164,^[5] which departed that day and arrived at Halifax on 24 May.^[18] She then joined Convoy SC 177, which departed Halifax on 26 May and arrived at Liverpool on 8 June. She was carrying refrigerated and general cargo,^[19] and was bound for Cardiff. She then sailed to Halifax and back to Liverpool, arriving there on 1 August.^[5]

On 27 August, Empire Cromer sailed from Liverpool for Buenos Aires. She then sailed to Zarate and back. From Buenos Aires, she sailed to Montevideo.^[5] She then sailed to Port Stanley, Falkland Islands, where she embarked fourteen members of the Falkland Islands Defence Force who were to represent the Islands at the 1946 Victory Parade in London.^[20] Empire Cromer sailed to Antwerp, Belgium and then to Liverpool, where she arrived on 29 November.^[5]

In 1946, Empire Cromer was sold to the Donaldson Line, Glasgow and renamed Corrientes,^[1] the second ship of that name to serve with Donaldson Line.^[21] In 1954, Corrientes was sold to the Blue Star Line.^[21] It was intended that she would be renamed Oakland Star, but instead she was declared surplus to requirements.^[22] In January 1955,^[2] Corrientes was sold to Williamson & Co Ltd, Hong Kong and renamed Inchmay.^[1] She was operated under the management of the Inch Line.^[23] On 3 April 1962, Inchmay ran aground at Wakayama, Japan. There were no injuries amongst her 45 crew.^[24] In 1966, Inchmay was sold to the National Shipping Corporation of Pakistan, Karachi and was renamed Kaukhali. She served until 1968, arriving on 2 April at Karachi for scrapping.^[1]

LISMORIA closes at Prince's Dock, Glasgow for receiving passengers and general cargo for Montreal

LISMORIA was built in 1945 by California Shipbuilding Corporation, Los Angeles, California as the "TAOS VICTORY" for the United States War Shipping Administration.
In 1946 she was chartered by the British Ministry of Transport for service as a troopship to return British servicemen home from overseas, and transferred to British registry,managed by Furness, Withy and Co Ltd
In 1947 the Americans sold "TAOS VICTORY" to the Ministry of Transport, with Furness Withy remaining as managers
In 1948 she was bought by Donaldson Line, Glasgow, and converted to a passenger/cargo ship with accommodation for 55 first-class passengers, and renamed" LISMORIA" and employed on the company's UK service to Canada's East coast and St. Lawrence.

In 1967 "LISMORIA" was sold to Astroguarda Cia Nav. S.A., Greece, and renamed " NEON" and, later that year she was sold for demolition at shipbreakers at Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

Board of Enquiry at Hong Kong into shelling of Royal Navy Launch 1323 near Pearl River (South China)

Commanding Officer guilty of allowing submarine HMS TIPTOE to go aground at Greenock Esplanade

Holt's AJAX arrives at Merklands Quay, Glasgow with 2,497 tons of general cargo from Australia

CILICIA at Gibraltar for Liverpool (England, UK) and Glasgow (Scotland)

LACTA outbound and landing a Pilot off Custom House Quay, Greenock

Tug ANGLEGARTH was at the bow and tug SVITZER WARDEN was attached and tucked at the stern

Pilot Cutter SKUA approaches to land one of the two Pilots at Estuary Control

Pilot Cutter SKUA comes alongside to take off a Pilot

The Pilot comes down the lowered gangway then transfers onto the Pilot ladder then climbs down to the waiting SKUA

Historic Clyde RENFREW - YOKER FERRY service closes after new bridge opens

Notice that the RENFREW - YOKER FERRY service on the River Clyde is terminated immediately

Contributed by Robert McManus

RAMANDA discharging oil grades at Fuel Terminal, Rothesay Dock, Clydebank (River Clyde, Scotland)

Contributed by Robert McManus

ARGYLE approaching Wemyss Bay Pier from Rothesay (Isle of Bute, Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)

JURA passing Ocean Terminal and Custom House Quay, Greenock (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)

JURA arriving from Stornoway and passing Greenock Ocean Terminal on her way upriver to Rothesay Dock, Clydebank.   At the Ocean Terminal Spliethoff's Amsterdam registered cargo ship SINGELGRACHT is preparing to leave for Baltimore, USA.

Clyde Marine Services tug CMS WRESTLER was off Greenock Ocean Terminal and strikingly and flamboyantly testing her fire-fighting water cannon monitor

Well done to JURA's Master for flying the white and red signal flag "H" which means "I have a Pilot on board."   It is not often seen nowadays when ships take the trouble - and make the effort - and show the courtesy to hoist the flag.

LACTA at the confluence of River Clyde and River Cart on passage from Glasgow for Liverpool

May 1966 advert for Hydrographic Surveyor / Mooring Master at Aden Harbour (Yemen)

AUSTRALIA STAR from Glasgow (Scotland, UK) at Timaru (South Island of New Zealand)

Timaru is a port city in the southern Canterbury Region of New Zealand's South Island, located 157 km (98 mi) southwest of Christchurch and about 196 km (122 mi) northeast of Dunedin

BRAEMAR CASTLE left East London (South Africa) for Beira (Mozambique)

CAPTAIN COOK left Colombo (British Crown Colony of Ceylon until independent in 1948) for Southampton

CHESHIRE left Colombo (the British Crown Colony of Ceylon until independence in 1948) for Liverpool

EDINBURGH CASTLE left Durban (South Africa) for East London (South Africa)

EMPIRE FOWEY left Aden (Yemen) for Southampton (England, UK)

HERDSMAN left Beira (Sofala Province, Mozambique) for Lourenco Marques (Mozambique)

HINAKURA left Lyttelton (close to Christchurch, on South Island, New Zealand) for London (England)

IBERIA left Melbourne (Australia) for Sydney (Australia)

KANBE at Hull (England, UK) from Sapele (Nigeria)

QUEEN ELIZABETH left Southampton (England) for New York (USA)

REINA DEL MAR left Liverpool (England, UK) for Valparaiso (Chile)

RHODESIA CASTLE left Beira (Sofala Province, Mozambique) for London (England, UK)

SAXONIA left Halifax (Nova Scotia, Canada) for New York (USA) ... Americans pronounce it as NOO YORK

SCHOLAR left Barbados (island country in Lesser Antilles of West Indies) for Maracaibo (Venezuela)

STRATHAIRD left Bombay (since 1995 known as Mumbai, India) for London (England, UK)

STRATHNAVER left Melbourne (Australia) for Sydney (Australia)

CONTAINERSHIPS VI passes Dunoon when inbound with containers for Greenock Ocean Terminal

Contributed by Sandra B. (Site Administrator, Gourock)

For viewers who do not know the Firth of Clyde please let me explain about the following photograph.

   The small country of Scotland which of course is part of the United Kingdom is essentially divided into two geographical regions.   The northern region is the Highlands.  Highlands (as the name implies is the area of "high lands") = mountains.

   Firth of Clyde is in the Lowlands of Scotland.   "Lowlands" is the very much flatter area in South Scotland == "Low Lands"

   The next image shows CONTAINERSHIP VI off Gourock and in the far background are the mountains at the start of the Scottish Highlands.   So you have now visited the Lowlands and Highlands of Scotland.

   Incidentally the two other vessels are :

the red one is Western Ferries SOUND OF SCARBA on passage from McInroy's Point, Gourock with passengers and vehicles for Hunter's Quay, and

the other is Caledonian MacBrayne's foot-passenger catamaran ferry ALICAT on passage from Dunoon to Gourock Pier.

What horrendously / ugly looking bows

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

E-mail from J.F. (Ayr, Scotland)

   Shipsoftheclyde.com is a truly wonderful website, full of fabulous photographs and information.

   Looking through the latest entries, at the ships FWN SPIRIT, GREG MORTIMER and ARKLOW RACER, I was disgusted at the shaping of their bows.    I know nothing about aerodynamics etc. but feel that these kind of bows are looking, quite frankly, ugly and disgusting.

   I like a ship to look attractive, not a bulky bowed monstrosity.    Can you imagine WAVERLEY or CalMac ferries with these bows.

   Does anyone else agree with me ?

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Cunard passenger liner IVERNIA leaves Greenock on her maiden voyage to Quebec and Montreal (Canada)

CATALINA STAR left Los Angeles (California, USA) for Vancouver (British Columbia, Canada)

CITY OF LUCKNOW at Brisbane (Australia) for London (England, UK)

City of Lucknow

Owner : Ellerman Lines Ltd., London
Manager : Hall Line, Liverpool
Builder : Wm. Denny & Bros., Ltd., Dumbarton
Built : May, 1946
Registered : London
Length : 500’ 00”
Beam : 64’ 04”
Draught : 29’ 98”
Tonnage : 9,972.38 gross, 5,485.58 net
Official No. : 181017
Radio Call : GDSP
Engines : 3 x steam turbines, single screw
H.P. : 8,880
Speed : 16 knots
Fuel : Oil
Passengers : Nil (accommodation for 12 passengers converted for 25 apprentices in 1959)
Sister Ships : City of Khartoum, City of Swansea, City of Poona, City of Carlisle
Fate : 1963. Sold to W.H. Eddie Hsu, Taiwan & Renamed “Lisboa”, Panama reg.
March 1971. Sold and delivered to Taiwan shipbreakers at Kaohsiung.

CITY OF NEWPORT left London (England, UK) for Basrah (Iraq, in the Persian Gulf)

CITY OF PRETORIA left Durban (South Africa) for London (England, UK)

CLAN MACFARLANE left Madras (Madras State, Tamil Nadu, India) for Glasgow (Scotland, UK)

CLAN MACILWRAITH from Glasgow (Scotland, UK) at Calcutta (India)

Former RENFREW FERRY is now a night-club / music venue at Anderston Quay, Glasgow (Scotland)

Tanker AWH ALMA at the Fuel Terminal, Rothesay Dock, Clydebank (River Clyde, Scotland)

Contributed by Robert McManus

FWN SPIRIT at Riverside Quay, Shieldhall, Glasgow (Scotland, UK)

Contributed by Robert McManus

Netherlands Naval Frigate TROMP : F803, passing Clydebank (River Clyde) on passage to Glasgow

Contributed by Robert McManus

A group of NATO warships has arrived in Glasgow following the conclusion of Exercise Formidable Shield 2025, NATO’s largest live-fire integrated air and missile defence exercise.

The NATO ships arrived at KGV dock in Glasgow include the french naval warship D651, the Netherlands naval warship F803 and F804. Assisted by CMS BOXER and CMS Wrestler.

HNLMS Tromp at sea
History
Netherlands
Name	Tromp
Namesake	Maarten Tromp and Cornelis Tromp
Laid down	3 September 1999
Launched	7 April 2001
Commissioned	14 March 2003
Identification	MMSI number: 244899000 Callsign: PAET
Honours and awards	KNMI Medal
Badge
General characteristics
Class and type	De Zeven Provinciën-class frigate
Displacement	6,050 tonnes (full load)
Length	144.24 metres (473.2 ft)
Beam	18.80 metres (61.7 ft)
Draft	5.18 metres (17.0 ft)
Propulsion	Combined diesel or gas 2 × Wärtsilä 16 V26 marine diesel engines, 5.1 MW (6,800 hp) each 2 × Rolls-Royce Marine Spey SM 1C gas turbines, 19.5 MW (26,100 hp) each 2 × propeller shafts, 5-bladed controllable pitch propellers
Speed	30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph)
Complement	174 (202 incl. command staff)
Sensors and processing systems	Thales Nederland SMART-L long-range air and surface surveillance radar Thales Nederland APAR air and surface search, tracking and guidance radar (I band) DECCA NAV navigation radar Thales Nederland Scout (Low-probability-of-intercept) surface search/navigation radar Thales Nederland Sirius IRST long-range infrared surveillance and tracking system Thales Nederland Mirador optical surveillance and tracking system Atlas Elektronik DSQS-24C hull-mounted sonar MK XII IFF system
Armament	Guns: 1 × Oto Melara 127 mm/54 dual-purpose gun 2–4 × Browning M2 12.7 mm machine guns 4–6 × FN MAG 7.62 mm machine guns 1–2 × Goalkeeper CIWS Missiles: 40-cell Mk 41 vertical launching system 32 × SM-2 IIIA surface-to-air missiles 32 × Evolved SeaSparrow missiles (quad-packed) 8 × Harpoon anti-ship missiles 2 × twin Mk 32 Mod 9 torpedo launchers with Mk 46 Mod 5 torpedoes
Aircraft carried	1 x NH90 NFH helicopter

Netherlands Naval Frigate DE RUYTER : F804, passing Clydebank (River Clyde) on passage to Glasgow

Contributed by Robert McManus

A group of NATO warships has arrived in Glasgow following the conclusion of Exercise Formidable Shield 2025, NATO’s largest live-fire integrated air and missile defence exercise.

The NATO ships arrived at KGV dock in Glasgow include the french naval warship D651, the Netherlands naval warship F803 and F804. Assisted by CMS BOXER and CMS Wrestler.

History
Netherlands
Name	De Ruyter
Namesake	Michiel de Ruyter
Builder	Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding
Laid down	1 September 2000
Launched	13 April 2002
Commissioned	March 2004
Identification	MMSI number: 244896000 Callsign: PAER Pennant number: F804
Status	In active service
Badge
General characteristics
Class and type	De Zeven Provinciën-class frigate
Displacement	6,050 t (5,950 long tons) (full load)
Length	144.24 m (473 ft 3 in)
Beam	18.80 m (61 ft 8 in)
Draft	5.18 m (17 ft 0 in)
Propulsion	Combined diesel or gas 2 × Wärtsilä 16 V26 marine diesel engines, 5.1 MW (6,800 hp) each 2 × Rolls-Royce Marine Spey SM 1C gas turbines, 19.5 MW (26,100 hp) each 2 × propeller shafts, 5-bladed controllable pitch propellers
Speed	30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph)
Complement	174 (227 incl. command staff)
Sensors and processing systems	Thales Nederland SMART-L[1] long-range air and surface surveillance radar Thales Nederland APAR air and surface search, tracking and guidance radar (I band) DECCA NAV navigation radar Thales Nederland Scout (Low-probability-of-intercept) surface search/navigation radar Thales Nederland Sirius IRST long-range infrared surveillance and tracking system Thales Nederland Mirador optical surveillance and tracking system Atlas Elektronik DSQS-24C hull-mounted sonar MK XII IFF system
Armament	Guns: 1 × Oto Melara 127 mm/54 dual-purpose gun[2] 2–4 × Browning M2 12.7 mm machine guns 4–6 × FN MAG 7.62 mm machine guns 1–2 × Goalkeeper CIWS Missiles: 40-cell Mk 41 vertical launching system 32 × SM-2 IIIA surface-to-air missiles 32 × Evolved SeaSparrow missiles (quad-packed) 8 × Harpoon anti-ship missiles 2 × twin Mk 32 Mod 9 torpedo launchers with Mk 46 Mod 5 torpedoes
Aircraft carried	1 x NH90 NFH[3] helicopter

French Naval Frigate NORMANDIE, D651, passing Clydebank (River Clyde) on passage to Glasgow

Contributed by Robert McManus

A group of NATO warships has arrived in Glasgow following the conclusion of Exercise Formidable Shield 2025, NATO’s largest live-fire integrated air and missile defence exercise.

The NATO ships arrived at KGV dock in Glasgow include the french naval warship D651, the Netherlands naval warship F803 and F804. Assisted by CMS BOXER and CMS Wrestler.

History
France
Name	Normandie
Namesake	Normandie
Builder	DCNS, Lorient
Laid down	2014
Launched	1 February 2018
Completed	16 July 2019
Commissioned	3 June 2020
Homeport	Brest
Identification	MMSI number: 227999200 Pennant number: D651
Status	Active
General characteristics
Class and type	Aquitaine-class frigate
Displacement	6,000 tons
Length	466 ft (142.0 m)
Beam	65 ft (19.8 m)
Draught	16 ft (4.9 m)
Propulsion	MTU Series 4000 (2.2 MW) CODLOG
Speed	27 knots (50 km/h; 31 mph); max cruise speed 15.6 knots (28.9 km/h; 18.0 mph)
Range	6,000 nmi (11,000 km; 6,900 mi) at 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph)
Complement	145
Sensors and processing systems	Héraklès multi-purpose passive electronically scanned array radar CAPTAS-4 towed-array sonar UMS 4110 CL hull-mounted sonar
Armament	1 x 76 mm Super Rapid gun 3 x 20 mm Narwhal remote weapon systems 16-cell SYLVER A50 VLS for Aster 15 or Aster 30 air defense missiles 16-cell SYLVER A70 VLS for MdCN cruise missiles 8 x Exocet MM40 Block 3 anti-ship missiles (Block 3c variant entering service with the French Navy from December 2022)[1] 2 x B-515 twin launchers for MU90 torpedoes
Aircraft carried	1 × NH90 helicopter
Aviation facilities	Single hangar

Shell UK Tanker AMORIA arrives in Ardrossan Harbour with oil products from Stanlow via Belfast

ALSATIA due at Southampton (England, UK) from Saint John (New Brunswick, Canada)

ARCADIA left Aden (Yemen) for London (England, UK)

ARGENTINA STAR left Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) for London (England, UK)

ASSYRIA from London (England, UK) at Le Havre (France)

BENARTY at Hong Kong for Kobe (Japan)

BENLOMOND at Rotterdam (Netherlands) for Hamburg (Germany)

BENMHOR at Singapore for Liverpool (England, UK)

BENREOCH at Keelung (North-eastern Taiwan) for Kaohsiung (= pronounced Coo - shung, Taiwan)

AMERICAN CHIEF left Philadelphia (often referred to as Philly : Pennsylvania, USA) for Liverpool

ARKLOW VANGUARD about to leave Port of Ayr (Firth of Clyde, Scotland) for Belfast (Northern Ireland)

Contributed by Veronika

GREG MORTIMER about to leave Port of Troon for Isle of Staffa (Inner Hebrides of Scotland)

Contributed by Veronika

Greg Mortimer off Antarctica in 2020
History
Bahamas
Name	Greg Mortimer
Namesake	Greg Mortimer
Owner	SunStone Ships
Operator	Aurora Expeditions
Builder	China Merchants Heavy Industry, Jiangsu, China
Yard number	Hull No. CMHI-196-1
Laid down	12 June 2018
Launched	12 March 2019
Christened	6 September 2019
Identification	IMO number: 9834648 MMSI number: 311000866 Call sign: C6ED7
Status	In service
General characteristics
Class and type	Infinity-class cruise ship
Tonnage	7,892 GT
Length	104.4 m (343 ft)
Beam	18.4 m (60 ft)
Draft	5.3 m (17 ft)
Decks	8
Ice class	PC6, Polar Category: B
Propulsion	2 x Ingeteam
Speed	12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Capacity	126
Notes	TECHNICAL MANAGER: Cruise Management International, Inc.

Postcard of unknown cruise liner entering the Town Cut, Harbour of St. George's, Bermuda

Contributed image

REGAL PRINCESS at the Cruise Pontoon, Greenock Ocean Terminal (Scotland, UK)

USNS WILLIAM McLEAN arrives in Firth of Clyde for Glenmallan Royal Naval Base, Loch Long

The vessel is USNS WILLIAM McLEAN.  As you may have guessed the USNS means United States Navy Ship, just similar to the British Royal Navy ships being HMS.

From Wikipedia her description is

WILLIAM McLEAN is now shaping for the entrance to Loch Long.    Waiting ahead are the Admiralty Pilot boat DMS POPPY and the Clydeport Pilot cutter GANTOCK.   

GANTOCK will take off the Clydeport Pilot who has brought McLEAN from the Cumbraes to the change-over point and DMS POPPY will board an Admiralty Pilot onto McLEAN and he will take her through Loch Long and berth her at Glenmallan.

   Also ahead, waiting patiently near Baron's Point are the Serco tugs SD IMPETUS, SD RESOURCEFUL and SD RELIABLE who will take McLEAN through the narrow Loch and berth her at Glenmallan Jetty.

CONFORMITY passing Custom House Quay, Greenock on passage upriver to Glasgow

CONFORMITY passing liner REGAL PRINCESS at Greenock Ocean Terminal

Glasgow's Govan - Partick swing bridge closes after WAVERLEY passes through

Contributed by Veronika (Site Administrator and Correspondent)

Survey catamaran YANTLET at the river wall of Riverside Museum, Partick, Glasgow (Scotland)

Contributed by Veronika (Site Administrator and Correspondent) 

Static Museum ship GLENLEE at Riverside Museum, Partick, Glasgow (Scotland, UK)

Contributed by Veronika (Site Administrator and Correspondent)

Excursion paddle steamer WAVERLEY passes GLENLEE

CONFORMITY discharging cargo at Riverside Quay, Shieldhall, Glasgow (Scotland, UK)

Contributed by Robert McManus

WAVERLEY passing Riverside Quay, Glasgow outbound on her first excursion sailing of 2025

Contributed by Robert McManus

Waverley just left her home berth at Glasgow Science Centre, heading out on her first cruise of the season.

Tug GARRION OWL on her home berth in Rothesay Dock, Clydebank (River Clyde, Scotland, UK)

Contributed by Robert McManus

Garrion Owl on her home berth at Rothesay Dock Clydebank.

WAVERLEY passing through Govan - Partick Swing Bridge, Glasgow on her first sailing of 2025

Contributed by Veronika (Site Administrator and Correspondent)

This was WAVERLEY's first sailing of the 2025 season and in recognition of the occasion the ship was dressed overall with flags at both masts.

Just minutes before WAVERLEY neared the Riverside Museum two coach-buses arrived at the Museum and a large group of schoolchildren got off.   Obviously on a school outing.

   When the children saw WAVERLEY approaching they lined the pier railings and spontaneously cheered loudly and waved their arms to the passengers.   On the other side of the River, even above the chugging and paddles splashing, you could hear the noise of the cheering.       "Tse krasyvo" ..... It was really lovely, as said in Ukranian, that WAVERLEY sounded her wheezy steam whistle, and her passengers happily waved back, to acknowledge the cheering and waving children. 

   If you look closely at the next image you can see a small burst of white smoke from the steam whistle on the front funnel of the steamer.   That was her blowing her happy "thank you" to the kids.   Oh, and even the visitors on the sailing ship GLENLEE were waving to the passing WAVERLEY.

FRASERBORG heading downriver passes Braehead Shopping Mall, River Clyde, Glasgow

Contributed by Veronika (Site Administrator and Correspondent)

   Regrets for the poor quality of earlier images as the sun was shining directly into the camera lens and greatly reduced the clarity.

Tug SVITZER MILFORD had assisted FRASERBORG from the Riverside berth and was stationed astern and accompanying the cargo ship downriver.

Coastguard search for missing man off Solway Coast (South of Scotland)

From BBC Scotland online news 14 May 2025

Coastguard search for missing man off Solway Coast

Image source,Billy McCrorie

Image caption,

The coastguard was called to reports of an overdue vessel in the Wigtown Bay area

CMS WRESTLER passing Renfrew - Yoker Swing Bridge, River Clyde after berthing Frigate BAYERN

Contributed by Robert McManus

 I have attached some photos from this morning on the River. Images aren't great due to the sun hitting me on the face. 

Tugs CMS WRESTLER and CMS BOXER passing the new Renfrew/ Clydebank swing road bridge heading back to Victoria Harbour Greenock. After assisting the German warship F217 a Bayern Brandenburg class frigate to dock at KGV Glasgow.

Tug CMS BOXER passing Renfrew - Yoker Swing Bridge, River Clyde after berthing Frigate BAYERN

Contributed by Robert McManus

Tugs CMS WRESTLER and CMS BOXER passing the new Renfrew/ Clydebank swing road bridge heading back to Victoria Harbour Greenock. After assisting the German warship F217 a Bayern Brandenburg class frigate to dock at KGV Glasgow.

Tanker ATLANTIC TWIN discharging at Fuel Terminal, Rothesay Dock, Clydebank (Scotland, UK)

Contributed by Robert McManus

 I have attached some photos from this morning on the River. Images aren't great due to the sun hitting me on the face. 

Pollution vessel ST MUNGO clearing detritus from River Clyde off Braehead Shopping Mall, Glasgow

Contributed by Veronika (Site Administrator and Correspondent)

   ST MUNGO ( = SAINT MUNGO) is a pollution prevention vessel operated by Glasgow City Council and  works on the upper reaches of the River Clyde to scoop / lift floating debris, rubbish and detritus from the river.

   Interestingly the name ST MUNGO is that of the Patron Saint of Glasgow and was the name carried by the fire-boats previously used in the City in 1950/60s.

ST MUNGO scooping up a floating item off Braehead and will dump it in the dumb barge at Braehead pontoon jetty. 

Shipyard confirms new delay and cost rise for CalMac ferry GLEN ROSA

Where did the Royal Navy families from H.M.S.MAIDSTONE stay in Rothesay ?

Where did the Royal Navy families stay in Rothesay ?

E-mail 03 June 2020 from Helen G (Glasgow)

   As a young girl in 1960s my parents and I often visited my

aunt in Rothesay …(Isle of Bute, Firth of Clyde,)

   It was exciting to see a big Royal Navy ship, I remember

her name was MAIDSTONE, and she was anchored in the bay. 

  There was always submarines about her and sailors in

uniform in the town.

   My aunt used to tell that some sailors and their families

stayed in “Navy Houses” in Rothesay.   Does anyone know

where the houses were ?

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Glasgow shipping line Maclay and Mcintyre and ship pictures of DOMIRA 2 and LYNFIELD.

   A reader asks for any information on Glasgow shipping line Maclay and Mcintyre and ship pictures of DOMIRA 2 and LYNFIELD.

   Can anyone help ?

14 September 2019

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