Glasgow And Ships Of The Clyde

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What/When Ship

News Event

Friday, October 4, 2024 @ 1800
GLEN SANNOX (2024- Ro-ro ferry of Caledonian MacBrayne, Gourock, Scotland) Own Page

Sea trials of Caledonian MacBrayne's new ferry GLEN SANNOX paused until next week

Port of RegistryGlasgow (Scotland, UK)

 

From BBC Scotland online news 4 October 2024


Glen Sannox sea trials paused until next week

 

Glen Sannox, a black and white ferry with red funnels heads out into the Firth of ForthImage source,Stephen Lipton
Image caption,

Glen Sannox, beginning its owner's acceptance trials on Monday

  • Published
    5 hours ago

Final acceptance sea trials for the new CalMac ferry Glen Sannox have been paused until next week, after a false fire alert led to a loss of power at sea earlier this week.

A fire detector was inadvertently triggered on Wednesday, resulting in an electrical blackout and the subsequent shutdown of the engine systems.

The engines were later restarted and the ferry returned to Greenock under its own power, escorted by two tugs as a precaution.

Shipbuilder Ferguson Marine had hoped to resume the sea trials on Friday, but these have now been put back while fire alarms and other systems are tested.

The dual-fuel ship - the second largest and most complex ever built for the CalMac fleet - is now complete, with its liquefied natural gas (LNG) systems fully commissioned.

Owner's acceptance trials involving ferries procurement body CMAL, which leases vessels to CalMac, began on Monday.

The ship was put through its paces, accelerating to top speed and operating on both conventional marine gas oil and LNG.

During a test of the two anchors a fault was identified with one of them, but it was decided to continue with the trials.

Open clamshell doors and a green painted ramp on the bow of Glen Sannox as it berths at BrodickImage source,FMPG
Image caption,

Glen Sannox successfully berthed at its main destination of Brodick on Monday

On Tuesday, the ship was greeted by enthusiastic onlookers when it successfully completed a berthing test at Brodick on Arran, which will be its main destination when it enters service.

But on Wednesday morning, while sailing in the Firth of Clyde, the ship was left temporarily without power.

A spokesperson for Ferguson Marine said: "During day three of owner’s trials, MV Glen Sannox experienced a blackout.

"This was a result of inadvertently triggering a fire detector on board; although a false alarm, it ultimately resulted in the shutdown of the ship’s main propulsion. The ship was operating on MGO [marine gas oil] at the time.

“Checks of the main engines were undertaken and a soft restart followed. All systems were safely restarted without any adverse effects. However, trials were temporarily halted."

A spokesperson for ferry operator CalMac said sea trials and rigorous testing of systems and equipment were an essential part of any build process.

"The process has worked exactly as intended and helped identify an issue that can be rectified prior to delivery," the spokesperson added.

Ferguson Marine chief executive John Petticrew has updated MSPs, external and will give another update next week on whether there will be any impact on the planned delivery date.

The ship is currently due to be handed over by 14 October, after which CalMac will carry out several weeks of crew familiarisation before the ship carries its first passengers, possibly in December.

Glen Sannox and its sister ship Glen Rosa were originally due to enter service in 2018, but the project has been hit by design challenges and an acrimonious dispute between CMAL and the former owners of the Ferguson shipyard in Port Glasgow.

The shipyard was nationalised in 2019, but delays and cost increases have continued, with recent problems linked to the LNG systems.

The ships are the first LNG ferries ever built by a UK shipyard.

Glen Sannox will be the first new large vessel delivered to CalMac in almost a decade, and its arrival should relieve pressures on the ageing west coast fleet.

The first of four other large CalMac vessels being built in Turkey should begin to arrive next year, although a new delay to these , externalwas announced last week.

A second LNG ferry being built by Ferguson's, Glen Rosa, is currently due to be delivered next September, and will also be deployed on the busy Arran route.

News Event

Tuesday, October 1, 2024 @ 1800
Own Page

Caledonian MacBrayne warns of service changes to cover ferry repairs

From BBC Scotland online news : 1 October 2024

 

CalMac warns of service changes to cover ferry repairs

CalMac ferry Caledonian IslesImage source,CalMac
Image caption,

MV Caledonian Isles was due to return to service on 23 September

  • Published
    2 hours ago

CalMac has been forced into making temporary changes to some of its services due to ongoing disruption caused by repairs to one of its ferries.

MV Caledonian Isles was due to return to its Arran route on 23 September after eight months of maintenance work.

That was delayed at the last minute when a new gearbox fault was detected and, in a new update, the ferry operator said repairs could take another 10 days.

CalMac said a service to and from South Uist, which has been cancelled for a week, would be restored - but with a knock-on effect for some sailings to Mull.

The announcement comes as it emerged the delivery of the first of four new ferries being built in Turkey has been further delayed.

MV Isle of Islay had been expected to be delivered in mid October, but that date has been pushed back to mid February after previously being delayed until the end of this year.

Maritime infrastructure company CMAL has confirmed the new delay in a letter to Holyrood's net zero and transport committee., external

The new temporary service changes involve:

  • MV Hebridean Isles, which is due to be retired in November after almost 40 years of use, staying on the main Arran route

  • MV Lord of the Isles remaining on the Islay service

  • From Thursday MV Isle of Mull operating a combined timetable to serve Craignure, Mull, and Lochboisdale, South Uist

  • MV Clansman covering Oban-Craignure sailings on Saturday

CalMac warned of the potential for disruption and asked customers to check timetables, external.

A spokeswoman said: "We are very sorry for this further disruption, and we are extremely grateful to customers for their patience and understanding when their bookings had to be moved.

"Our teams are working closely with external contractors to ensure that MV Caledonian Isles can return to usual service as quickly as possible."

Ferry Isle of Mull sails into a harbourImage source,CalMac
Image caption,

MV Isle of Mull will operate a combined timetable to restore sailings to South Uist

CalMac has faced challenges over a number of years due to breakdowns affecting its ageing fleet.

Projects to build new ferries have also been hit by delays.

They include Glen Sannox and Glen Rosa which were originally due for delivery in 2018 but have faced repeated design and construction challenges.

Glen Sannox is currently undergoing its final owner's acceptance trials with CMAL and on Tuesday berthed at Brodick on Arran, which will be its main destination.

Following final regulator approval it is expected to handed over by the Ferguson shipyard within a fortnight but CalMac will carry out several weeks of crew familiarisation before the ship carries its first passengers.

News Event

Saturday, June 23, 1962 @ 2015
SNAEFELL (1948-1978 Passenger vessel 345 feet (105 m) 21.5 knots of Isle of Man Steam Packet Company) Own Page

SNAEFELL arrives at Ardrossan Harbour with passengers from Douglas (Isle of Man, UK)

Arrived fromDouglas (Isle of Man, UK)Port of RegistryDouglas ( Isle of Man )
Arrived in berthArdrossan Harbour (Scotland, UK)Gross Tonnage2,489
Cargo carried on arrivalPassengers
Ships agentRennie & Watson, 73 Robertson Street, Glasgow (Scotland, UK)

News Event

Friday, July 26, 1968 @ 1645
ANZAC (1939-1976 Steam general cargo Clyde puffer lighter 66 feet long of J & J Hay Ltd, Glasgow : scrapped 1976)) Own Page

Postcard of Clyde puffer ANZAC at Scaranish (Isle of Tiree, Scotland, UK)

Port of RegistryGlasgow
Reg Tonnage52
Deadweght Tonnage140

Contributed by Steven Price

News Event

Monday, September 30, 2024 @ 1025
Own Page

Hong Kong painting of junks : contributed by Steven Price

News Event

Wednesday, September 4, 1974 @ 1500
The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate
Own Page

Postcard of Ayr (Scotland) showing fishing boats, and a John Kelly coaster loading coal for Belfast

Postcard was posted (mailed) on 4 September 1977 : contributed by Andy McKellar

News Event

Tuesday, September 24, 2024 @ 1658
ISLE OF ARRAN (1984- Passenger and vehicle ferry 84.9m long of Caledonian MacBrayne, Gourock) Own Page

ISLE OF ARRAN passes Wemyss Bay on her way from Ardrossan Harbour to Garvel Drydock, Greenock

Ship's locationPassing Wemyss Bay (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)Port of RegistryGlasgow (Scotland, U.K.)
Arrived fromArdrossan Harbour (Scotland, UK)Gross Tonnage3,296
Sailing forGarvel Drydock, Greenock (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)
Outward cargoLight ship = no passengers or vehicles on board
Ships agentCaledonian MacBrayne, Gourock, Scotland

It is getting near to twilight with the sun sinking slowly in the west behind the hills of Cowal (an area in the Firth of Clyde) and Caledonian MacBrayne's ISLE OF ARRAN is passing Wemyss Bay and, chugging along at seven knots, making her way from Ardrossan Harbour and the Largs Channel for Greenock to enter the Garvel Drydock. 

News Event

Friday, September 27, 2024 @ 1516
Own Page

Harland & Wolff, Belfast shipbuilder, formally enters administration

From BBC Northern Ireland online news 27 September 2024

Titanic shipbuilder formally enters administration

One of the Harland and Wolff cranes. It's yellow, with black lettering saying H & W. The sky is blue behind the crane. There are various buildings in the background.Image source,GETTY IMAGES
Image caption,

The company’s executive chairman is optimistic that a new owner or owners will be found for the yards

Updated 3 hours ago

Harland and Wolff, the Belfast-based shipbuilder which built the Titanic, has formally entered administration for the second time in five years.

Last week the company’s board had warned that the move was inevitable.

The administration process is confined to the holding company, Harland & Wolff Group Holdings plc, with the operational companies which run the yards continuing to trade.

Its main yard is in Belfast with other operation at Appledore in England and Methil and Arnish in Scotland.

'Reduce the headcount'

The company’s executive chairman, Russell Downs, is optimistic that a new owner or owners will be found for the yards.

Gavin Park and Matt Cowlishaw of Teneo Financial Advisory have been appointed as joint administrators.

The holding company currently has 59 employees.

In a statement Harland and Wolff said: "The Administrators will unfortunately be required to reduce the headcount upon appointment.

"A number of employees will be retained to provide certain required services to the operational companies under a transitional services agreement with the Administrators."

The company has also restated that the administration process means that shareholders in Harland and Wolff will see the value of their investment wiped out.

Titanic builders

Digitally restored vintage maritime history photo of the RMS Titantic departing Southampton on April 10, 1912Image source,Vernon Lewis Gallery/Stocktrek Images/Getty
Image caption,

RMS Titanic departing Southampton on 10 April 1912

Famous for building the Titanic, the Belfast shipyard was founded in 1861 by Yorkshireman Edward Harland and his German business partner, Gustav Wolff.

By the early 20th Century, Harland and Wolff dominated global shipbuilding and had become the most prolific builder of ocean liners in the world.

What happened to Harland and Wolff?

Harland and Wolff was bought out of administration in 2019.

Its then Norwegian owners had withdrawn support and the business fell into insolvency, having not built a ship in a generation.

The new owner, Infrastrata, was a small London-based energy firm which did not have significant experience in marine engineering.

Infrastrata later changed its name to Harland and Wolff and in 2022 won a major Royal Navy contract as part of a consortium led by Navantia, Spain’s state-owned shipbuilder.

However financial losses mounted as it scaled up its operations.

A worker measures pieces of steel for the construction of a barge at the production facility in Harland & Wolff Group Holdings Plc shipyard in Belfast. He's wearing a black hardhat and an orange high-viz clothes. There are pieces of tubes and wood lying about the floor.Image source,GETTY IMAGES

The 2021 accounts, which covered a 17-month period, showed a loss of more than £25m.

The audited annual accounts for 2022 showed turnover of £28m and a loss of about £70m with the auditor’s opinion of "material uncertainty" about the firm’s ability to continue as a going concern.

Unaudited accounts for 2023 saw a loss of £43m.

The company was increasingly reliant on high-interest borrowings from a specialist US lender, Riverstone.

It was also pinning its hopes on getting government loan guarantee that would allow refinancing with more conventional lenders.

In July the new government confirmed there would be no support as there was "a very substantial risk that taxpayer money would be lost".

Russell Downs, a restructuring expert, was parachuted in to act as executive chairman and began a strategic review of the business along with advisors from Rothschild bank.

News Event

Tuesday, September 24, 2024 @ 1604
BUTE (2005- IMO 9319741 Passenger / Ro-ro ferry 72m long of Caledonian MacBrayne, Gourock) Own Page

With heavy overcast sky and light rain BUTE leaves Wemyss Bay Pier for Rothesay (Isle of Bute)

Sailing forRothesay (Isle of Bute, Firth of Clyde, Scotland)Port of RegistryGlasgow (Scotland, U.K.)
Sailed from berthWemyss Bay (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)
Outward cargoPassengers and vehicles

News Event

Tuesday, September 24, 2024 @ 1303
CMS WRESTLER (2019- Tug 21.2m long of Clyde Marine Services, Victoria Harbour, Greenock) Own Page

CMS WRESTLER passes West Quay, Greenock to wait off Ocean Terminal to meet incoming NACC INDIAN

Ship's locationPassing West Quay, Greenock (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)Port of RegistryGreenock (Scotland, U.K.)
Arrived fromVictoria Harbour, Greenock (= the base of the owners Clyde Marine Services Ltd.)
Sailing forTo wait off Greenock Ocean Terminal to meet incoming NACC INDIAN on passage to Glasgow

Harbour Event

Tuesday, September 24, 2024 @ 1257
Own Page

Greenock Ocean Terminal Cruise Pontoon, Greenock (Scotland, UK)

Ship's locationGreenock Ocean Terminal Cruise Pontoon, Greenock (Scotland, UK)

News Event

Tuesday, September 24, 2024 @ 1255
CALEDONIAN ISLES (1993- Passenger and vehicle ferry 308 feet 94m long of Caledonian MacBrayne, Gourock) Own Page

CALEDONIAN ISLES with gearbox trouble at East Berth, Greenock Ocean Terminal (Scotland, UK)

Ship's locationGreenock Ocean Terminal, East Berth, Greenock (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)Port of RegistryGlasgow (UK)
Gross Tonnage5,221

News Event

Wednesday, September 25, 2024 @ 1000
X-Craft Submarines (in World War 2 of Royal Navy, London, UK) Own Page

Remembering World War 2's lost X-Craft submarines

Port of RegistryAdmiralty (London, UK)

From BBC Scotland online news 25 September 2024


Remembering WW2's lost X-Craft submariners

Two submariners on a partly submerged mini submarine X-CraftImage source,Getty Images
Image caption,

Small submarines called X-Craft were used by the Royal Navy during World War Two

  • Published
    25 September 2024

A memorial at a top secret World War Two training area in the Highlands has been given a revamp.

The cairn at Kylesku on Loch Cairnbawn, north of Ullapool, remembers 40 men of XII Submarine Flotilla who lost their lives either in training or while on frontline operations.

The submariners and divers were specialists in the use of mini, also known as midget, submarines called X-Craft and Chariots.

The memorial also recalls one of the flotilla's most dangerous operations, an attack on the German warship Tirpitz in a Norwegian fjord in September 1943.

Submariners and relatives of World War Two submariners standing near the memorialImage source,Peter Jolly/Northpix
Image caption,

A ceremony was held on Sunday to mark the completed revamp

Kylesku and the surrounding area was used for training between 1942 and 1945.

It was a restricted area and many of the operations the training was used for remained a secret until after the end of the war.

Loch Striven in Argyll and Bute was also used for X-Craft training.

The memorial cairn close to Kylesku Bridge, itself a landmark on the North Coast 500 tourist route, was installed in 1993.

But many of the names on its bronze plaque had become illegible due to exposure to bad weather over the last 30 years.

Over the last year, a small project team led by retired Royal Navy commander Tim Honnor raised £15,000 in donations to restore the memorial.

The cairn's mortar has been repointed and the worn bronze has been replaced by new cast made by the Nairn-based fine art foundry Black Isle Bronze.

New information boards made in Dumfries have been installed nearby, and the area tidied up by Reay Estate.

A ceremony to mark the completed refurbishment was held on Sunday.

Cdr Honnor said the site could become a focal point for people with links to XII Submarine Flotilla.

He said: "I hope that it will become a pilgrimage for relatives of those who are named on the roll of honour, and that it will bring their stories to a wider public."

A campervan crossing Kylesku Bridge in the HighlandsImage source,Getty Images
Image caption,

The memorial is near Kylesku Bridge

In 1943, the Tirpitz was the most heavily-armed warship in the world, said Cdr Honnor.

From Norway it attacked convoys of Allied shipping carrying weapons and supplies to Russia to help it fight Nazi forces on the war's eastern front.

Several attempts were made to sink Tirpitz.

From Kylesku six X-Craft were towed by larger submarines 1,000 miles to northern Norway.

Crew were onboard the X-Craft for the hazardous days-long passage.

Cdr Honnor said: "That must have been sheer hell.

"They were pitching all over the place, the air inside was disgusting and they could not have slept.

"They were being towed like a kite underwater."

Victoria Cross awarded

The crews were changed over for the attack, with three crewmen and a diver in each craft.

After losses along the way, only two X-Craft made it underneath Tirpitz to lay explosive charges.

The Royal Navy crews were forced to abandon their submarines and were captured by the Germans.

They were brought on board Tirpitz.

Cdr Honnor said: "There is a story about one of them who was asked why he kept looking at his watch.

"He knew when the charges would go."

Tirpitz was badly damaged by the explosives.

Cdr Honnor said an admiral, grudgingly impressed by their bravery, prevented the captured crew from being shot and ordered that they be held as prisoners of war.

Donald Cameron, from Carluke, South Lanarkshire, was among those later recognised for their bravery. He was awarded the Victoria Cross.

News Event

Tuesday, September 24, 2024 @ 1415
NACC INDIAN (2024 - Bulk cement carrier 138.79m overall of Kgj Cement Singapore, Singapore) Own Page

NACC INDIAN passes West Quay, Greenock on her way upriver to King George V Dock, Glasgow

Ship's locationPassing West Quay, Greenock (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK) heading upriver to GlasgowPort of RegistryPanama
Arrived fromOstermoor (Kiel Canal, Germany)Gross Tonnage10,337
Sailing forBerth 4, King George V Dock, Shieldhall, Glasgow (Scotland, UK)Deadweght Tonnage16,060
Cargo carried on arrivalCement

 

 

The sky was overcast with thick, grey menacing clouds and Greenock was suffering heavy rain showers as NACC INDIAN passed on her way up the River Clyde to Glasgow.

NACC INDIAN was attended by two tugs : one was CMS BOXER which had gone ahead and would meet the incoming NACC INDIAN near to King George V Dock, Glasgow, and the other tug, seen in the next image, was CMS WRESTLER, and she would follow the ship to Glasgow.  

News Event

Tuesday, September 24, 2024 @ 1155
SOUND OF SHUNA (2003- Roro ferry 49.95m of Western Ferries, Hunters Quay, Scotland) Own Page

SOUND OF SHUNA approaching McInroy's Point (Firth of Clyde) from Hunter's Quay (Firth of Clyde)

Ship's locationApproaching McInroy's Point (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)Port of RegistryGlasgow (Scotland, UK)
Arrived fromHunter's Quay (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)Gross Tonnage489
Cargo carried on arrivalPassengers and vehiclesDeadweght Tonnage229

In the background are the small towns of Strone and Blairmore, in the region of Argyll & Bute, and the mountain towering behind them is Blairmore Hill (470m : 1542 feet)

 

The crossing between Hunter's Quay and McInroy's Point takes 20 minutes

 

News Event

Wednesday, September 25, 2024 @ 1500
HEBRIDEAN ISLES (1985- Ro-ro ferry 85m long of Caledonian MacBrayne, Gourock) Own Page

Caledonian MacBrayne's HEBRIDEAN ISLES to cover the Arran service until the usual vessel returns

Port of RegistryGlasgow
Gross Tonnage3,040

 

From BBC Scotland online news 25 September 2024


Veteran CalMac ferry to cover Arran service after breakdown

 

MV Hebridean Isles ferry sailing with cliffs and hills in the backgroundImage source,CalMac
Image caption,

Hebridean Isles is due to be retired from service in November, 39 years after its launch

  • Published
    7 hours ago

A soon-to-be-retired CalMac ferry has been redeployed to CalMac's busy Arran route after the long-awaited return of the main vessel was hit by a new problem.

MV Hebridean Isles will start sailing to Brodick on the island from Thursday.

The main Arran ferry MV Caledonian Isles had been due to return this week after eight months of repairs, but a new gearbox fault was detected on Sunday.

Ferry users can currently only travel from Arran to the mainland via Troon on a chartered catamaran, or on a small ferry to Claonaig on the Kintyre peninsula.

MV Hebridean Isles, launched 39 years ago, is due to be retired in November because of the amount of work required to extend its service life any further.

It will sail from Troon on Thursday and Friday because high winds are forecast, but will operate out of Ardrossan once the weather conditions ease.

The ship had been recently serving the Islay route, but MV Lord of the Isles will provide backfill. Sailings to Lochboisdale on South Uist will be cancelled as a result.

A CalMac spokeswoman said: "Cancelling any sailing is always a last resort and we apologise to the South Uist community for the disruption that this will cause."

The ferry operator said it would try to restore the Lochboisdale service as soon as possible.

MV Caledonian Isles has been out of action since February when annual maintenance inspections revealed serious corrosion.

All of its engines had to be removed while the damaged steelwork was replaced at the Cammell Laird shipyard in Merseyside.

It had just returned to Scotland and had completed berthing trials on Sunday when metal fragments were discovered in a filter in the port gearbox.

The ferry is now expected to be out of action for at least a week while investigation and repair work takes place.

Another ferry, MV Isle of Arran, had been operating from Ardrossan while Caledonian Isles was away, but it was booked in for annual maintenance from Wednesday which could not be delayed.

'National emergency'

CalMac has been plagued by soaring maintenance bills and breakdowns in recent years with many of its ships well beyond their expected service life.

On Tuesday in the Scottish Parliament, Labour's Katy Clark said she had been contacted by people worried about hospital appointments and a farmer unable to get stock to market.

She asked the transport secretary if she agreed "the ferry crisis is becoming a national emergency".

Fiona Hyslop said she was concerned about the latest breakdown, and had impressed on CalMac the need for "resilience cover" for Arran.

The situation should begin to ease later this year when the long-delayed Glen Sannox enters service on the Arran route.

The first of four new large ferries being built in Turkey will also enter service next year, along with Glen Rosa, the sister ship of Glen Sannox, which is also earmarked for the Arran crossing.

News Event

Tuesday, September 24, 2024 @ 1359
MARK D (2024- General cargo ship 88.00m overall of MS "Mark D" Schiffahrts GmbH & Co. KG, Cuxhaven, Germany) Own Page

MARK D passing Custom House Quay, Greenock (Scotland, UK) on passage to Bremen (Germany)

Ship's locationPassing Custom House Quay, Greenock, Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UKPort of RegistrySt Johns (Antigua and Barbuda)
Arrived fromRiverside Quay, Shieldhall, Glasgow (Scotland, UK)Net Tonnage1,212
Sailing forBremen (Germany)Gross Tonnage2,593
Deadweght Tonnage3,718

News Event

Tuesday, September 24, 2024 @ 1405
SD ANGELINE (2016- Utility vessel 25m overall of Serco Marine Services, London) Own Page

SD ANGELINE passing West Quay, Greenock, heading upriver to Great Harbour, Greenock

Ship's locationPassing West Quay, Greenock, heading upriver to Great Harbour, GreenockPort of RegistryLondon (England, UK)
Arrived fromHMNB (= His Majesty's Naval Base) Faslane (Gare Loch, Scotland, UK)Gross Tonnage200
Sailing forGreat Harbour, Greenock (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)Deadweght Tonnage620

News Event

Tuesday, September 24, 2024 @ 1350
CMS BOXER (2019- Towing, pushing and fire-fighting tug / workboat 21.2m overall of Clyde Marine Services Ltd., Victoria Harbour, Greenock) Own Page

CMS BOXER passing West Quay, Greenock, heading upriver to King George V Dock, Glasgow

Ship's locationPassing West Quay, Greenock, heading upriver to King George V Dock, GlasgowPort of RegistryGreenock (Scotland, UK)
Gross Tonnage149

CMS BOXER passing West Quay, Greenock and heading upriver to King George V Dock, Glasgow.   

CMS BOXER and CMS WRESTLER had been waiting off Greenock Ocean Terminal to meet the incoming cement carrier NACC INDIAN (CMS WRESTLER can be seen in the background) and, with NACC INDIAN approaching the Terminal, CMS BOXER left to make her way to Glasgow where she would assist the cement carrier to berth.   CMS WRESTLER would fall in astern of NACC INDIAN and escort her to Glasgow.

 

 

CMS BOXER passing Victoria Harbour, Greenock and heading upriver to meet the inbound cement carrier NACC INDIAN at King George V Dock, Glasgow.   On the left hand side of the image, in the distance, can be seen MARK D, passing James Watt Dock and outbound from Riverside Quay, Shieldhall, Glasgow for Bremen, Germany.

News Event

Monday, September 23, 2024 @ 2100
CALEDONIAN ISLES (1993- Passenger and vehicle ferry 308 feet 94m long of Caledonian MacBrayne, Gourock) Own Page

Return of Caledonian MacBrayne's ferry CALEDONIAN ISLES is delayed due to unexpected problems

Port of RegistryGlasgow (UK)
Gross Tonnage5,221

From BBC Scotland online news 23 September 2024

 

Return of main Arran ferry delayed due to 'unexpected problem'

The MV Caledonian Isles at seaImage source,PA Media
Image caption,

The MV Caledonian Isles has been out of service since February

  • Published
    45 minutes ago

A CalMac ferry due to return to active service in the west of Scotland has been hit by a further delay.

The ferry operator said routine checks on the MV Caledonian Isles following berthing trials on 22 September had discovered an "unexpected problem" with the vessel's port gearbox.

The vessel sails between Ardrossan and Arran but has been out of service since February, when an annual service at a shipyard on the Mersey revealed a number of repairs were needed.

Sailings for part of Tuesday and Wednesday cancelled as a result.

Calmac said investigations had begun "immediately after the problem was identified" and were continuing.

A statement said: "We know this unexpected further problem will be concerning and frustrating - our teams continue to work hard to return MV Caledonian Isles to service as soon as possible."

Initially the ferry had expected to be out of service from February until June.

'Bitter blow'

According to the latest update, external, MV Isle of Arran will continue operating the timetabled Ardrossan - Brodick service up to and including the 13.55 Brodick to Ardrossan, North Ayrshire, sailing on Tuesday, but sailings for the remainder of Tuesday and Wednesday will be cancelled.

Calmac conceded some bookings up to this point would be affected, however, and said teams would be contacting passengers whose trips have been affected.

Jamie Greene, the Scottish Conservative MSP for West Scotland, called the news a "bitter blow" for people living on Arran,

He said: "Just days after they hoped this service might finally be back up and running again, it has been hit with more technical problems.

"Sadly, they will not be surprised given that Arran has long had to try and rely on some of the oldest ferries in CalMac's fleet."

A Transport Scotland spokesperson said: "We recognise the impact that delays and disruption have regrettably had on our island communities - including Arran - and are committed to investing in our ferry services.

"Delivering six new major vessels to serve Scotland's ferry network by 2026 is a priority for this government."

 

News Event

Friday, September 20, 2024 @ 1600
GLEN SANNOX (2024- Ro-ro ferry of Caledonian MacBrayne, Gourock, Scotland) Own Page

Caledonian MacBrayne's new ferry GLEN SANNOX starts sea trials

Port of RegistryGlasgow (Scotland, UK)

From BBC Scotland online news 20 September 2024

 

Delayed Glen Sannox ferry sets sail for crucial sea trials

Glen Sannox sailing downriver to begin sea trials using its LNG fuelImage source,Christopher Brindle
Image caption,

Glen Sannox heads downriver for sea trials which will test its gas-powered propulsion systems before handover

  • Published
    20 September 2024

New CalMac ferry Glen Sannox has begun some of its final sea trials before being handed over by the Ferguson shipyard.

The long-delayed ship is being put through its paces using liquefied natural gas (LNG) to power its engines for the first time.

Despite a last-minute hitch that forced a further two-week delay, the ship was last week loaded with the fuel, which needs to be kept at minus 162C.

The ship, currently scheduled for delivery by mid-October, sounded its horn as it passed the CalMac headquarters in Gourock.

The ship underwent its first successful sea trials earlier this year - but only running on conventional fuel because the LNG systems had yet to be commissioned.

Ferguson Marine said the latest tests had got off to a good start, with the ship accelerating to 12 knots as it passed the Isle of Cumbrae.

Over the coming days the trials will evaluate manoeuvrability, acceleration and whether it can reach its contracted speed of 16.5 knots.

These will be followed by "owner's acceptance trials" with ferry procurement body CMAL, beginning on 30 September, and several weeks of crew familiarisation trials by operator CalMac before it carries its first passengers.

The ship was originally due for delivery in 2018, but has been beset by a series of problems including design difficulties and an acrimonious contractual dispute between CMAL and the shipyard's former owners.

An LNG road tanker is loaded onto Glen Sannox, with a vapour cloud visibleImage source,FMPG
Image caption,

Super-cooled LNG fuel was loaded onto Glen Sannox at Inchgreen Marine Park last week

Glen Sannox and its sister ship Glen Rosa are the first ferries ever built in the UK capable of running on LNG as well as conventional marine gas oil.

But the technology has added a lot of extra complexity for the Port Glasgow shipyard, and many of the delays have been linked to the LNG systems.

One former Ferguson Marine boss described the challenges of packing the equipment into the tight spaces as more complex than designing a Navy warship.

The most recent delay was caused by difficulties achieving low enough temperatures for the fuel to be loaded at Greenock's Inchgreen Marine Park, where Glen Sannox has been moored.

Earlier this week, the shipyard announced that after four-and-a-half days of cooling it had successfully completed the refuelling operation.

Andrew Milligan, head of engineering at Ferguson Marine, said: "The successful LNG bunkering is a highly significant milestone as it’s the first time it has ever been done in the UK.

"It was a complicated process which required significant safety protocols to be put in place.

"We experienced some unexpected challenges around this process and, unfortunately it has had a knock-on effect to the handover schedule."

Methane slip

The main benefit of LNG fuel is that it is seen as cleaner burning, releasing fewer pollutants such as nitrous and sulphur oxides.

The engines also emit up to 25% less carbon dioxide when running on LNG although some have questioned the green credentials of the technology.

There is a risk of "methane slip" - the release of unburnt gas during certain operations - and methane is itself a particularly harmful greenhouse gas.

The LNG fuel will also have to be imported from Qatar and driven to Scotland from Kent in south east England using diesel road tankers once or twice a week.

The plan is eventually to have dedicated fast LNG refuelling facilities built at the ship's main harbour at Ardrossan, but plans to redevelop the port have stalled.

Glen Sannox will initially sail to Arran from Troon instead, and be refuelled directly from road tankers.

Sister ship Glen Rosa is due for delivery next year - and four slightly smaller ferries using more conventional propulsion systems are being built in Turkey.

News Event

Wednesday, May 22, 1963 @ 1650
TURQUOISE (1955-1966 General cargo coaster 171 feet long speed 10 knots of William Robertson's Gem Line, Glasgow) Own Page

TURQUOISE arrives in Ardrossan Harbour with a cargo of limestone from Llanddulas (Wales, UK)

Arrived fromLlanddulas (Wales, UK)Port of RegistryGlasgow
Arrived in berthEglinton Dock, Ardrossan Harbour, Scotland, UKNet Tonnage279
Master of vessel on arrivalR BlackGross Tonnage547
Draught aft on arrival13 feet 6 inches
Cargo carried on arrivalLimestone
Ships agentR. L, Alpine & Co. Ltd., Winton Buildings, Ardrossan (Scotland, UK) Telephone Ardrossan 65 / 66

News Event

Thursday, September 12, 2024 @ 1100
The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate
MAAS (2021- Hybrid Water Injection Dredger 35.79m overall of Van Oord, Rotterdam, The Netherlands) Own Page

Netherlands dredger MAAS in Rothesay Dock, Clydebank (River Clyde, Scotland, UK)

Ship's locationRothesay Dock, Clydebank (River Clyde, Scotland, UK)Port of RegistryRotterdam (The Netherlands)

Contributed by Robert McManus

News Event

Thursday, May 23, 1963 @ 0530
WARLIGHT (1919-1964 Steam engined general cargo Crinan Canal size Clyde puffer 86 feet long of Light Shipping / Ross & Marshall, Greenock) Own Page

Clyde Puffer WARLIGHT arrives in Ardrossan with a cargo of scrap metal from Belfast

Arrived fromBelfast (Northern Ireland, UK)Port of RegistryGreenock (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, U.K.)
Arrived in berthEglinton Dock, Ardrossan Harbour, Scotland, UKNet Tonnage60
Master of vessel on arrivalJames (Jimmy) PhimisterGross Tonnage135
Draught aft on arrival10 feet
Cargo carried on arrivalScrap metal
Ships agentR L Alpine, Winton Buildings, Ardrossan (Scotland, UK) Telephone Ardrossan 65 / 66

News Event

Thursday, May 23, 1963 @ 0600
The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate
LASCAR (1939-1972 Steam general cargo Clyde puffer lighter 66 feet long of J & J Hay, Glasgow : 1972 scrapped at Troon) Own Page

LASCAR (on charter from J & J Hay) in Crinan Canal on passage with coal from Troon to Eriskay

Ship's locationIn the Crinan Canal, on passage from Troon for EriskayPort of RegistryGlasgow
Arrived fromTroon (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)Reg Tonnage50
Sailing forEriskay (an island in Outer Hebrides, Scotland) ... see note belowGross Tonnage96
Outward cargoCoal 139 tons 10 hundredweightsDeadweght Tonnage140
Ships agentRoss & Marshall Ltd., 98 West George Street, Glasgow, C.2. Tel DOUglas 4294

Eriskay is a small island measuring about 12 by 12 miles or 4 by 2.5 kilometres with a population of 143, as of the 2011 census and lies in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland, between South Uist and Barra and is connected to South Uist by a causeway which was opened in 2001. 

News Event

Thursday, May 23, 1963 @ 1500
STORMLIGHT (1957-1973 General cargo steam / then diesel coaster 88 feet long of Light Shipping Company Ltd. / Ross & Marshall Ltd, Greenock : 15 December 1973 wrecked at Craighouse, Jura)) Own Page

STORMLIGHT at Troon loading singles (= ???) for Port Ellen (Isle of Islay)

Ship's locationTroon Harbour (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)Port of RegistryGreenock (Scotland, UK)
Arrived fromGreenock (Scotland, UK)Net Tonnage71
Sailing forPort Ellen (Isle of Islay, Scotland, UK)Gross Tonnage166
Cargo carried on arrivalLight ship = no cargo on boardDeadweght Tonnage183
Outward cargoSingles (= ???) for Port Ellen (Isle of Islay) for account of Sherriff's Bruichladdich Distillery
Ships agentRoss & Marshall Ltd., 98 West George Street, Glasgow, C.2. Tel DOUglas 4294

STORMLIGHT loaded a cargo of "Singles" .... what on earth are "Singles" ???

News Event

Thursday, September 12, 2024 @ 2200
GLEN SANNOX (2024- Ro-ro ferry of Caledonian MacBrayne, Gourock, Scotland) Own Page

Delivery of new Caledonian MacBrayne ferry GLEN SANNOX delayed by fuel testing problem

Port of RegistryGlasgow (Scotland, UK)

From BBB Scotland online news 12 September 2024

 

CalMac ferry Glen Sannox delayed again over fuel testing problem

Glen SannoxImage source,Getty Images
Image caption,

The latest delay has been sparked by problems testing the ferry's fuel system

  • Published
    5 hours ago

Delivery of the long-delayed Glen Sannox ferry has been pushed back once again, MSPs have been told.

The Ferguson Marine shipyard said it had been forced to postpone a key test of its liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuel system.

The state-owned shipyard found the process of cooling the pipes to the sub-zero temperatures necessary to load the fuel was taking longer than anticipated.

This meant they would no longer be able to meet the deadline for the handover to the ferry-owning agency CMAL by 30 September. The latest delay is expected to be approximately two weeks.

The ship and its sister vessel, Glen Rosa, were originally due for delivery in 2018 but have faced repeated design and construction challenges.

Both ferries were designed from the outset to be "dual fuel" ferries, able to run on both traditional marine gas oil and LNG.

But problems installing the LNG system have been behind some of the repeated delays in delivering the two ferries, with the Port Glasgow shipyard dealing with these issues over the past year.

Ferguson Marine's interim chief executive John Petticrew wrote to MSPs to inform them of the latest delay.

He said: "The past week has seen us dealing with several technical challenges relating to the cooling of the LNG system, which has delayed the loading, final commissioning of the system and the harbour and sea trials.

"Regrettably, this means that some of the work required after these trials will not be completed in time for the proposed handover at the end of September 2024."

Mr Petticrew added: "I am personally very disappointed to be delivering this news, but I can assure (you) that the team at the yard are doing everything possible to keep as closely as possible to the proposed schedule."

Harbour trials

LNG needs to be kept at below -160C in order to remain in a liquid state.

Following the harbour trials, the plan is to put the vessel through its paces at sea, stopping and starting several times and carrying out endurance tests.

Current cost estimates for Glen Sannox are between £145.5m and £149.1m and it is hoped the cost of Glen Rosa will be kept below £150m.

Now six years late, the total bill will be three times the original £97m price tag.

Glen Sannox undertook sea trials earlier this year, but in those tests the 102-metre vessel was not using LNG.

The ferry, which has capacity for 852 passengers, is designed to serve the Arran route with CalMac.

News Event

Wednesday, September 4, 2024 @ 1058
LOCHNEVIS (2000- Ro-ro ferry 49m overall of Caledonian MacBrayne, Gourock, Scotland, UK) Own Page

LOCHNEVIS at Dales Marine Services, James Watt Dock, Greenock waiting to enter Garvel Drydock

Ship's locationDales Marine Services, James Watt Dock, Greenock (Scotland, UK)Port of RegistryGlasgow (Scotland, UK)
Gross Tonnage941

Radio Message

Wednesday, September 4, 2024 @ 1228
SD ORONSAY (2008- Personnel transfer vessel 27m overall of Serco Denholm, London) Own Page

SD ORONSAY radios Estuary Control advising now leaving Great Harbour for Faslane

Ship's locationGreat Harbour, Greenock (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)Port of RegistryLondon (England, UK)
Sailing forHMNB (= His Majesty's Naval Base) Faslane (Gare Loch, Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)Gross Tonnage199
Deadweght Tonnage109

Radio Message

Wednesday, September 4, 2024 @ 0826
LE DUMONT D'URVILLE (2019- Cruise Liner capacity 184 guests : 430 feet overall) Own Page

LE DUMONT D'URVILLE radios Estuary Control advising now in position at Greenock Ocean Terminal

Ship's locationIn position at east end of Greenock Ocean Terminal with her head eastPort of RegistryFrance

Radio Message

Wednesday, September 4, 2024 @ 0848
MINNA (2003- Marine Protection Vessel 47m overall of Marine Protection of Scottish Government : she concentrates on inshore fisheries) Own Page

MINNA radios Estuary Control advising she is passing Kempock Point and inbound to Rothesay Dock

Ship's locationPassing Kempock Point (= Gourock Pier, Firth of Clyde, Scotland) inbound to Rothesay Dock, ClydebankPort of RegistryLeith (Scotland, UK)
Gross Tonnage781

Radio Message

Wednesday, September 4, 2024 @ 0755
LE DUMONT D'URVILLE (2019- Cruise Liner capacity 184 guests : 430 feet overall) Own Page

LE DUMONT D'URVILLE radios Estuary Control advising she is passing Kempock Point

Ship's locationPassing Kempock Point (= Gourock Pier, Firth of Clyde, Scotland) inbound to Greenock Ocean TerminalPort of RegistryFrance

4 September 2024 with an early morning arrival of French liner LE DUMONT D'URVILLE approaching Greenock Ocean Terminal (Scotland, UK) and a wall of sea mist across the entrance to the Gare Loch.

News Event

Wednesday, September 4, 2024 @ 0845
MARINA (2011- in service, Passenger cruise liner 782 ft (238.35 m) of Oceania Cruises, Southampton, England) Own Page

MARINA at Greenock Ocean Terminal Cruise Pontoon, Greenock (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)

Ship's locationGreenock Ocean Terminal Cruise Pontoon, Greenock (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)Port of RegistryMajuro (Marshall Islands : country of more than 1,200 islands and atolls in Central Pacific Ocean)
Cargo carried on arrivalPassengers Gross Tonnage66,084

News Event

Wednesday, September 4, 2024 @ 0740
SD ANGELINE (2016- Utility vessel 25m overall of Serco Marine Services, London) Own Page

Early morning twilight and SD ANGELINE passes Greenock Ocean Terminal (Firth of Clyde, Scotland)

Ship's locationPassing Greenock Ocean Terminal (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)Port of RegistryLondon (England, UK)
Sailing forHMNB (= His Majesty's Naval Base) Faslane (Gare Loch, Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)Gross Tonnage200
Sailed from berthGreat Harbour, Greenock (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)Deadweght Tonnage620

In the image, early morning twilight, the SD ANGELINE is on the left side having left Great Harbour and making for Faslane Naval Base, and the vessel on the right side is the tug SD DEPENDABLE, having left Faslane Base and making for Great Harbour.   Reminds me of the old saying "ships that pass in the night"

News Event

Wednesday, September 4, 2024 @ 0805
LE DUMONT D'URVILLE (2019- Cruise Liner capacity 184 guests : 430 feet overall) Own Page

LE DUMONT D'URVILLE approaching Greenock Ocean Terminal (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)

Ship's locationApproaching Greenock Ocean Terminal (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK) Port of RegistryFrance
Cargo carried on arrivalPassengers

4 September 2024 with an early morning arrival of French liner LE DUMONT D'URVILLE approaching Greenock Ocean Terminal (Scotland, UK) and a wall of sea mist across the entrance to the Gare Loch.

News Event

Wednesday, September 4, 2024 @ 0905
MINNA (2003- Marine Protection Vessel 47m overall of Marine Protection of Scottish Government : she concentrates on inshore fisheries) Own Page

MINNA passing Custom House Quay, Greenock (Firth of Clyde, Scotland) on passage to Clydebank

Ship's locationPassing Custom House Quay, Greenock (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)Port of RegistryLeith (Scotland, UK)
Arrived fromSeaGross Tonnage781
Sailing forRothesay Dock, Clydebank (River Clyde, Scotland UK)

This image is a real "little and large" item, with little MINNA passing the large MARINA at the cruise ship pontoon at Greenock Ocean Terminal.

 

News Event

Wednesday, September 4, 2024 @ 1107
SPIRIT OF FORTITUDE (1997- a tri-deck luxury superyacht 33m overall of Royal Scottish Shipping Line Cruises) Own Page

SPIRIT OF FORTITUDE in James Watt Dock, Greenock (Scotland, UK)

Ship's locationJames Watt Dock, Greenock (Scotland, UK)Port of RegistryValletta (Malta)
Gross Tonnage199 tonnes

News Event

Wednesday, September 4, 2024 @ 1105
SD IMPULSE (1993- Shiphandling Tug 32.53m overall of Serco Marine Services) Own Page

SD IMPULSE at Dales Marine Services, James Watt Dock, Greenock (Scotland, UK)

Ship's locationDales Marine Services, James Watt Dock, Greenock (Scotland, UK)Port of RegistryLondon (England, U.K.)
Gross Tonnage319

Radio Message

Wednesday, September 4, 2024 @ 1316
LOCHNEVIS (2000- Ro-ro ferry 49m overall of Caledonian MacBrayne, Gourock, Scotland, UK) Own Page

Caledonian MacBrayne's LOCHNEVIS advises Estuary Control by radio now all fast in Garvel Drydock

Ship's locationGarvel Drydock, Greenock (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)Port of RegistryGlasgow (Scotland, UK)
Ships agentCaledonian MacBrayne, Gourock, ScotlandGross Tonnage941

MV Lochnevis, Loch Nibheis in Gaelic, serves the Small Isles of Canna, Eigg, Muck and Rum from Mallaig.

    When she was designed, with her huge stern ramp, it was to specifications that allowed her to be as large as possible and still serve each of the Small Isle ports.

News Event

Wednesday, September 4, 2024 @ 1305
LOCHNEVIS (2000- Ro-ro ferry 49m overall of Caledonian MacBrayne, Gourock, Scotland, UK) Own Page

Caledonian MacBrayne's LOCHNEVIS enters Garvel Drydock, Greenock (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)

Ship's locationGarvel Drydock, Greenock (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)Port of RegistryGlasgow (Scotland, UK)
Cargo carried on arrivalLight ship = no cargo on boardGross Tonnage941
Ships agentCaledonian MacBrayne, Gourock, Scotland

MV Lochnevis, Loch Nibheis in Gaelic, serves the Small Isles of Canna, Eigg, Muck and Rum from Mallaig.

    When she was designed, with her huge stern ramp, it was to specifications that allowed her to be as large as possible and still serve each of the Small Isle ports.

News Event

Wednesday, September 4, 2024 @ 1330
SD RELIABLE (2009- Tractor shiphandling tug 29.14m overall of Serco Marine Services, London, UK) Own Page

SD RELIABLE arrives at Basin of James Watt Dock, Greenock and waits to enter Garvel Drydock

Ship's locationBasin of James Watt Dock, Greenock (Scotland, UK) waiting to enter Garvel Drydock, GreenockPort of RegistryLondon (England, UK)
Arrived fromHMNB (= His Majesty's Naval Base) Faslane (Gare Loch, Scotland, UK)
Cargo carried on arrivalLight ship = no cargo on board

News Event

Wednesday, September 4, 2024 @ 1408
SMB SHACKLETON (SMB = Survey Motor Boat.... Survey motor boat 11m overall of Royal Navy, London, UK) Own Page

SMB SHACKLETON leaving James Watt Dock Marina, Greenock, for Faslane Naval Base

Sailing forHMNB (= His Majesty's Naval Base) Faslane (Gare Loch, Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)Port of RegistryAdmiralty, London (England, UK)
Sailed from berthJames Watt Dock Marina, Greenock (Scotland, UK)

News Event

Thursday, November 29, 2007 @ 1400
The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate
VITAL SPARK (2006 - General cargo coaster 66 feet (23m) overall as a National Historic Ship) Own Page

Clyde Puffer VITAL SPARK facing WEE SPARK (a 1/3 scale Clyde Puffer) at Bowling Harbour

Ship's locationBowling Harbour (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)Port of RegistryGlasgow (Scotland, UK)
Reg Tonnage96

Contributed by Robert McManus

News Event

Thursday, September 5, 2024 @ 1230
The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate
GLENLEE (1992- a 3-masted barque 245.34 feet (74.83 m) long and a static floating museum ship at Riverside Museum, Glasgow) Own Page

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

Ship's locationRiverside Museum, Glasgow (Scotland, UK)Port of RegistryGlasgow (Scotland, UK)

Contributed by Robert McManus

News Event

Thursday, September 5, 2024 @ 1430
The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate
EEMS DUNDEE (2013- General cargo ship 107.95m overall of Amasus Shipping, Delfzijl, The Netherlands)) Own Page

EEMS DUNDEE in River Clyde, Glasgow (Scotland, UK) with Wind Turbine components from Bilbao (Spain)

Ship's locationRiver Clyde, Glasgow (Scotland, UK)Port of RegistryDelfzijl (The Netherlands)
Arrived fromBilbao (Espana / Spain)
Cargo carried on arrivalWind Turbine components

Contributed by Robert McManus

News Event

Thursday, September 5, 2024 @ 1400
The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate
MINNA (2003- Marine Protection Vessel 47m overall of Marine Protection of Scottish Government : she concentrates on inshore fisheries) Own Page

Marine Protection Vessel MINNA at berth 2 Rothesay Dock, Clydebank (River Clyde, Scotland, UK)

Ship's location2 Rothesay Dock, Clydebank (River Clyde, Scotland, UK) with her head northPort of RegistryLeith (Scotland, UK)
Gross Tonnage781

Contributed by Robert McManus

News Event

Thursday, September 5, 2024 @ 1230
The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate
CMS BRUISER (2007 - Tug 19.3m overall of Clyde Marine Services, Greenock, Scotland) Own Page

Tug CMS BRUISER assisting new Royal Navy Frigate HMS CARDIFF to berth at Scotstoun, Glasgow

Ship's locationBAe Systems yard at Scotstoun, Glasgow (River Clyde, Scotland, UK)Port of RegistryGreenock (Scotland, UK)
Ships agentClyde Marine Services, Victoria Harbour, Greenock (Scotland, UK)

Contributed by Robert McManus

News Event

Thursday, September 5, 2024 @ 1230
The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate
QUEEN MARY (2016- Static Heritage and Education ship berthed at Glasgow Science Centre, Glasgow) Own Page

Static heriiage and education ship QUEEN MARY under restoration at Glasgow

Ship's locationRiver Clyde at Glasgow (Scotland, UK) Port of RegistryGlasgow (UK)

Contributed by Robert McManus

News Event

Thursday, September 5, 2024 @ 1230
The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate
HMS CARDIFF (in 2024 Type 26 Frigate Pennant number F 89 of Royal Navy, London) Own Page

New ship HMS CARDIFF arriving at BAe Systems at Elderslie (River Clyde, Scotland) for fitting out

Ship's locationAt BAe Systems yard at Elderslie (River Clyde, Scotland, UK)Port of RegistryAdmiralty (London, UK)

Contributed by Robert McManus

News Event

Wednesday, September 4, 2024 @ 1124
MARINA (2011- in service, Passenger cruise liner 782 ft (238.35 m) of Oceania Cruises, Southampton, England) Own Page

MARINA at Greenock Ocean Terminal Cruise Pontoon (Scotland, UK)

Ship's locationGreenock Ocean Terminal Cruise Pontoon, Greenock (Scotland, UK) Port of RegistryMajuro (Marshall Islands : country of more than 1,200 islands and atolls in Central Pacific Ocean)
Arrived fromBelfast (Northern Ireland, UK)Gross Tonnage66,084
Sailing forLiverpool (England, UK)
Cargo carried on arrivalPassengers
Outward cargoPassengers

Current itinerary of Oceania Marina

Oceania Marina current cruise is 12 days, round-trip Anglo-Saxon Byways London to London. The itinerary starts on 29 Aug, 2024 and ends on 10 Sep, 2024.

Date / TimePort
29 Aug 21:00     Departing from Southampton, England hotels
31 Aug 08:00 - 19:00     Leith-Edinburgh, Newhaven-Rosyth-Queensferry, Scotland
01 Sep 10:00 - 19:00     Kirkwall, Orkney Island Scotland
02 Sep 07:00 - 16:00     Stornoway, Isle of Lewis and Harris, Scotland
03 Sep 09:00 - 19:00     Belfast, Northern Ireland
04 Sep 07:00 - 18:00     Greenock-Glasgow, Clydeport, Scotland
05 Sep 08:00 - 21:00     Liverpool, England
06 Sep 07:00 - 19:00     Dublin, Ireland
07 Sep 07:00 - 18:00     Holyhead, Anglesey Island Wales
08 Sep 08:00 - 17:00     Cobh-Cork, Ireland
09 Sep 10:00 - 20:00     Torbay UK, England
10 Sep 08:00     Arriving in Southampton, England hotels
MS Marina docked in Sète, October 2015
History
Name Marina
Owner Oceania Cruises
Port of registry Majuro Marshall Islands
Ordered 2007
Builder Fincantieri Sestri Ponente
Yard number 6194
Laid down 10 March 2009
Launched 4 April 2010
Completed 19 January 2011
Maiden voyage 22 January 2011
Identification
Status In active service
General characteristics
Class and type Oceania-class cruise ship
Tonnage 66,084 GT
Length 782 ft (238.35 m)[2]
Beam 105 ft (32.00 m)[2]
Draught 24 ft (7.32 m)[2]
Installed power 2 x 12,600 kW

Wartsila 12V46C

2 x 8,400 kW Wartsila 8L46C
Propulsion 2 x 12 MW Electric motors affixed to fixed pitch propellers

2 x 2,200 kW bow thrusters

1 x 1,900 kW stern thruster
Speed 20 knots (37 km/h)[2]
Capacity 1,250 passengers (double occupancy)
Crew 780 crew[3]

News Event

Friday, August 30, 2024 @ 1500
HMS CARDIFF (in 2024 Type 26 Frigate Pennant number F 89 of Royal Navy, London) Own Page
Port of RegistryAdmiralty (London, UK)

From BBC Scotland online news 30 August 2024


New Navy frigate makes first journey on giant barge


Calum Watson

  • Published
    30 August 2024

The Royal Navy's newest Type 26 frigate has made its first journey down the River Clyde, carried by a giant barge.

HMS Cardiff is the second of eight anti-submarine warfare ships being constructed at the BAE Systems Govan shipyard in Glasgow.

The semi-submersible barge will carry the 150m (492ft)-long ship to a deep water site in the west of Scotland. It will be gently lowered into the water for the first time on Monday.

The £1.2bn warship will then be towed back upriver to BAE's Scotstoun site where "fitting out" work will continue to prepare the ship for delivery.

HMS CardiffImage source,BAE Systems
Image caption,

HMS Cardiff, leaving the Govan shipyard where it was built

HMS Cardiff under Erskine BridgeImage source,Christopher Brindle
Image caption,

The journey was made at low tide so the ship could pass safely beneath the Erskine Bridge

David Shepherd, Type 26 programme director at BAE Systems, said it was a proud moment for thousands of people who had been involved in the ship's construction.

"The Type 26 has awesome and world-leading capability and we’re looking forward to installing HMS Cardiff’s complex systems and bringing her to life," he said.

BAE Systems abandoned traditional "dynamic" slipway launches on the Clyde 14 years ago in favour of the "float off" method.

The technique is more controlled and allows the vessel to be launched in a more complete state.

The first of the "City Class" Type 26 frigates, HMS Glasgow, was launched this way in late 2022.

Both HMS Glasgow and HMS Cardiff were built in sections with the forward and aft ends then joined together on the hardstanding beside the river.

HMS Cardiff at Govan
Image caption,

HMS Cardiff with the new Govan shipbuilding hall in the background

Future vessels will be assembled within a huge new shipbuilding hall - dubbed a "frigate factory" - which is being built at the Govan shipyard.

The Janet Harvey building - named after a pioneering female apprentice who started work at the site during World War Two - is large enough to accommodate two Type 26 frigates side-by-side.

A new generation of Clyde shipbuilders are also being trained at a £12m shipbuilding academy that recently opened at Scotstoun.

Early steel fabrication work has started on the next ships, HMS Belfast and HMS Birmingham, at the Govan site.

The eight Type 26 frigates are expected to enter service between 2028 and the mid-2030s. Their role will include protecting the aircraft carriers and Trident submarines.

The 137m (9,449ft) barge carrying HMS Glasgow is jointly owned by Scottish marine engineering firm Malin and Italy's Augustea and is one of the largest in Europe.

As well as transporting ships, it is used for moving equipment for the oil, gas and renewables sector.

The journey was timed so that the barge and its 6,000 tonne cargo were able to pass safely beneath the Erskine Bridge, which was temporarily closed.

Fitting out work on the first Type 26 frigate HMS Glasgow continues at BAE's Scotstoun shipyard, on the opposite bank of the Clyde.

All of the Royal Navy's complex surface warships are currently being built in Scotland, with five Type 31 frigates also being constructed at the Babcock shipyard at Rosyth.

News Event

Monday, July 5, 1965 @ 1900
ITALIAN (in 1965 General cargo ship 337 feet overall of Ellerman Papayanni, Liverpool)) Own Page

Papayanni's ITALIAN arrives Prince's Dock, Glasgow to load general cargo for Genoa (Italy) and Malta

Arrived fromElderslie Drydock, Scotstoun, Glasgow (Scotland, UK)Port of RegistryLiverpool (England, UK)
Arrived in berth2 / 3 Prince's Dock, Glasgow (Scotland, UK) with her head east and middle of ship on bulkhead wall
Sailing forLiverpool (England, UK) to complete loading, then for Genoa (Italy) and Malta
Sailed from berth2 / 3 Prince's Dock, Glasgow (Scotland, UK) with her head east and middle of ship on bulkhead wall
Draught forward on arrival7 feet
Draught aft on arrival13 feet 4 inches
Cargo carried on arrivalLight ship = no cargo on board
Commened loading outward cargo6 July at 08:00
Outward cargoGeneral cargo 186 tons
Stevedore loading outward cargoJames Spencer & Co. (Stevedores) Ltd., 165 Finnieston Street, Glasgow, C. 3. Tel.. 041-221-5224
Completed loading outward cargo7 July at 15:00
Draught forward on sailing8 feet 3 inches
Draught aft on sailing14 feet 1 inch
Ships agentCity Line Ltd., 75 Bothwell Street, Glasgow, C.2. Tel. CENtral 9971
Sailed16:20 on 7 July for Liverpool (England, UK) to complete loading, then for Genoa (Italy) and Malta

News Event

Saturday, September 1, 1979 @ 0800
The actual date and time are unknown and details shown here are as published
BENVALLA (1979-1987 and 1993-1993 Containership of Ben Line, Edinburgh, Scotland) Own Page

BENVALLA on container service from Japan to Singapore, Port Kelang and Penang

Port of RegistryLeith (Scotland, U.K.)
Gross Tonnage7,112

From the Ben Line company magazine "Ben Bulletin" of September 1979

Crew List of BENVALLA on 14 August 1979

Position of BENVALLA on 9 August 1979

1979 -1987 BENVALLA
1987 - 1991 chartered out renamed Maersk Rando,
1991 Maersk Asia Quarto,
1992 Tiger Star,
1993 reverted to Benvalla,
1993 sold to Singapore renamed Eagle Moon.1979 -1987 BENVALLA

 

News Event

Friday, May 17, 2024 @ 0635
ATLANTIS (2015- Tug 30.66 meters overall 70 tonnes bollard pull of Seacontractors, Vlissingen, The Netherlands) Own Page

Tug ATLANTIS arrives at Rothesay Dock, Clydebank (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK) from Rotterdam

Ship's locationArriving at Rothesay Dock, Clydebank (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)Port of RegistryVlissingen (The Netherlands / Holland)
Arrived fromRotterdam (The Netherlands / Holland)Gross Tonnage365
Cargo carried on arrivalBarge in tow

Contributed by Robert McManus

 

 

News Event

Friday, August 30, 2024 @ 1029
Own Page

Morning of 30 August 2024 when new warship HMS CARDIFF is taken down River Clyde by barge

Ship's locationRiver Clyde (Scotland, UK)

The following set of really excellent and interesting images were taken by Robert McManus throughout the morning of 30 August 2024 and contributed to this website.

 

Tug SVITZER WARDEN assisting at the stern of the barge CD01

Tug CMS WRESTLER passing the brand new and just opened for use Yoker - Renfrew bridge.

Tug CMS BOXER

Workboat CASPER OWL (the OWL represents the first letters of the name of the owners "Offshore Workboats Limited")

Workboat LAURA M

Passing the new Renfrew - Yoker bridge :  the tug on the left SVITZER MILFORD and the tug on the right ANGLEGARTH tow the giant barge CD01 carrying the Royal Navy's new warship, type 26 Frigate HMS CARDIFF. 

MOD (= Ministry of Defence) Police Boat LISMORE escorts the procession of vessels.

Workboat OSCAR OWL

Escorting the convoy is a Police RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) apparently crewed by two female officers.   It is not known if this RIB is operated by MOD Police or Police Scotland.

News Event

Monday, May 30, 1955 @ 1255
OWERRI (1955-1972 General cargo ship 450 feet long of Elder Dempster Line, Liverpool : 1983 scrapped at Karachi, Pakistan) Own Page

OWERRI arrives in Prince's Dock, Glasgow to load for West African ports

Arrived fromLiverpool (England, UK)Port of RegistryLiverpool (England, UK)
Arrived in berth19 Prince's Dock, Glasgow (Scotland, UK) with her head westGross Tonnage5,798
Sailing forWest African ports
Sailed from berth19 Prince's Dock, Glasgow (Scotland, UK) with her head west
Draught forward on arrival9 feet
Draught aft on arrival15 feet 6 inches
Cargo carried on arrivalLight ship = no cargo on board
Commened loading outward cargo31 May at 0800
Outward cargoGeneral cargo and 5 passengers
Stevedore loading outward cargoJames Spencer & Co. (Stevedores) Ltd., 165 Finnieston Street, Glasgow, C. 3. Tel.. 041-221-5224
Completed loading outward cargo16 June at 2000
Draught forward on sailing20 feet 4 inches
Draught aft on sailing22 feet 10 inches
Engine trials15 June at 0700 ahead for five minutes
Sailed0920 on 17 June for West African ports

News Event

Sunday, January 16, 1955 @ 1700
PACIFIC RELIANCE (1951-1971 cargo liner 500 feet long of Furness Withy Company) Own Page

PACIFIC RELIANCE closes at Glasgow for receiving cargo for Pacific Coast of North America

Ship's locationGlasgow (Scotland, U.K.)Port of RegistryLondon
Sailing forLos Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Victoria, Portland and VancouverGross Tonnage9442
Ships agentFurness Withy & Co. Ltd., 19 St Vincent Place, Glasgow Tel. CENtral 8193

Contributed image

 

News Event

Wednesday, May 3, 1950 @ 1700
The actual date and time are unknown and details shown here are as published or expected
UMGENI (1938-1957 Passenger / cargo ship 451 feet overall of Bullard King Natal Direct Line, London : 1963 scrapped at Antwerp, Belgium) Own Page

UMGENI expected to leave London around 3 May 1950 for South Africa

Ship's locationLondon (England, UK)Port of RegistryLondon (England, UK)
Sailing forSouth AfricaNet Tonnage5,082
Outward cargoPassengers and general cargoGross Tonnage8,180
Ships agentBullard King & Co. Ltd., 61-2 Gracechurch Street, London, E.C.3. Phone : Mansion House 2721 / 3

Natal Line company advert and postcard

News Event

Friday, August 20, 1965 @ 1950
SCOTTISH COAST (1957-1969 Passenger cargo ship 342 feet long of Burns & Laird Lines, Glasgow : 2002 scrapped at Mumbai, India)) Own Page

SCOTTISH COAST arrives at Ardrossan Harbour with passengers and cars from Belfast

Vessel MasterCapt. Douglas McCormickPort of RegistryGlasgow (Scotland, U.K.)
Arrived fromBelfast (Northern Ireland, UK)Net Tonnage1827
Arrived in berth11 Bunkering Berth, South Montgomerie Pier, Ardrossan Harbour (Scotland, UK)Gross Tonnage3817
Cargo carried on arrivalPassengers and cars (cars = automobiles)
Ships agentBurns & Laird Lines, Ardrossan Harbour

News Event

Friday, May 31, 1957 @ 0800
The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate
Own Page

Ships at Manchester (England, UK) ... from Lloyds List 1 June 1957

News Event

Friday, May 31, 1957 @ 0800
The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate
Own Page

Ships in the Clyde (excluding coastwise vessels) ... from Lloyds List 1 June 1957

News Event

Tuesday, August 27, 2024 @ 1340
RONJA KVALOEY (2022- Fish carrier 76.86m overall of Arctic Group A/S : Operator: Stan Shipping Agency Ltd.) Own Page

RONJA KVALOEY undergoing maintenance at Dales Drydock at Port of Troon (Firth of Clyde, Scotland)

Ship's locationDales Drydock at Port of Troon (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)Port of RegistryGrimstad (Norway)
Gross Tonnage2,784

News Event

Wednesday, August 28, 2024 @ 0936
Own Page

Carnlough and Glenarm ( both in Northern Ireland) and Furnace in Loch Fyne (Scotland)

Does anyone have images of any of these three places ?

  In the 1950s and 1960s Carnlough, Glenarm and Furnace were busy little places which loaded limestone or granite into coasters and Clyde puffers for Scottish and English Irish Sea ports.

   Does anyone have images which we can put onto this website ? 


News Event

Tuesday, August 27, 2024 @ 1220
HEKLA (2008- Multipurpose dry cargo carrier 88.97m overall of Royal Wagenborg, Delfzijl, The Netherlands) Own Page

HEKLA at River Berth, Port of Ayr (Firth of Clyde, Scotland) with agriprods from Halmstad (Sweden)

Ship's locationRiver Berth, Port of Ayr, Ayr (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)Port of RegistryDelfzijl (The Netherlands)
Arrived fromHalmstad (Sweden)Deadweght Tonnage3,442
Cargo carried on arrivalAgriprods (= Agricultural produce) ... wheat / grain / ... ???????

News Event

Friday, December 29, 1961 @ 1000
The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate
CLAN KEITH ( - 1961 General cargo ship of Clan Line Steamers, Glasgow : 1961 sank after an explosion off Tunisia) Own Page

Inquiry to be held into the loss of CLAN KEITH and 62 crew off Tunisia on 5 November 1961

Port of RegistryGlasgow (Scotland, UK)
HL Deb 16 November 1961 vol 235 cc788-92

6.13 p.m.

THE EARL OF CORK AND ORRERY rose to ask Her Majesty's Government whether there is sufficient information upon the sinking of the British ship "Clan Keith" on November 6 off Tunis to decide whether the explosion was inboard or outboard; and, further, if the explosion was inboard, whether it could have any connection with the series of explosions going on in the world at the present time.

The noble and gallant Earl said: My Lords, I rise to ask the Unstarred Question in my name on the Order Paper. When the Question appeared, it seemed that a certain section of people thought that I was going to divulge some secret knowledge about the unfortunate loss of the "Clan Keith".

I, of course, have no such knowledge.    I am not in the position to get it. But I want it to be recorded—and this is the object of my standing here and saying this—that that explosion ought not to be treated as just an ordinary sea event, unfortunate, sad, but not out of the way.   

That ship was a fine British ship belonging to the Clan Line, which is a very good line, well officered, well-commanded and all well found. That 7,000-odd ton ship has gone to the bottom.    Whether the explosion was internal or external remains to be seen.

If the explosion was internal, it would be a serious thing and would need to be followed up; but if it was external, as the papers say and as it is understood the captain has said, of course, it may be comfortable to write it off and say it was an ordinary catastrophe—another ship gone.

But if it was an internal explosion, I believe that if the trail of the bomb were followed up, it would lead to something very serious and give us a warning.

What would be the motive of enemy agents in this country in getting rid of one of our ships?

I suggest a motive at once.

The motive is that it is many years since the first consignment of enemy explosives was landed in this country and they cannot just be put there—they need a test.

What better test could they have, what more realistic test, than to put a bomb into a British ship and blow her up?    That would be a good test and I consider that it is a feasible one, too. As I say, the Clan Line is A.1 in everything, but in a crowded port it is not difficult to pass a box.

I know that I shall be interrupted and told that I am, wandering, but I am trying to make a case why this examination should be a very thorough one.

If the bomb was internal and if the trail is properly followed up, it may lead to valuable discoveries; but if the explosion were external, it would be well to brush it off, give it a routine inquiry and then no further notice.

It is a difficult point to put, but the captain is said to have already given his view that the explosion was an external one.

With all due respect to him. I think that he would be predisposed to give that opinion. It was very heavy weather.    The ship was blown up and sinking, and I do not think he was considering whether it was in or outside his ship. He was thinking about his passengers and crew and how to get them out of it.

He had no time to go into these details. I would suggest that not too much weight should be put upon that evidence.

What would be the trail it would lead to?

It might lead up to where certain people kept bombs, where the ingredients were.

They are all there, and it might well be that they wanted to fire those bombs as the first test; and as war approached would start shipping bombs into the various ships, and we should be handicapped to the extent that the ships were blown up in that way.

I am putting it very badly, but I feel that in this case, and under the conditions in which we now live, this matter should be closely gone into and should not be brushed aside as an unfortunate incident.

I raise my voice to-day only to get an assurance that the Government are looking into this.

6.22 p.m.

LORD CHESHAM 

My Lords, I am sorry to say to the noble Earl that there is not at present sufficient information available for me to give as full and proper an answer to the Question that he has posed to us as he would probably have liked.

 

 

He will appreciate, as will your Lordships, that, for reasons which I shall come to in a minute. I cannot follow him along the lines of thought which he has put to us.    I think the thing is for me to do the best I can with what can now be said.

As the noble Earl told us, the "Clan Keith" sank off North-Western Tunisia and it was reported that she broke in two following an explosion.

The weather in the area at the time, I gather, was very severe.

The ship carried a total crew of 68, of whom 54 were residents of Pakistan, 3 of South Africa and 11 of the United Kingdom.

First news of the casualty was received from the motor vessel "Durham Trader" which, during the morning, encountered one of the lifeboats of the "Clan Keith" carrying 5 survivors, including the master.

Two further survivors were later picked up from the water by the Finnish tanker "Nunnalahti", but one of those survivors unfortunately died.

Her Majesty's Cruiser "Blake", with the frigates "Plymouth" and "Rhyl", the destroyer "Diana" and the French minesweeper "Narvik", went to the scene and, together with aircraft and other merchant vessels, searched the area for further survivors, but, I am sorry to say, without success.

They did see wreckage and a number of empty lifeboats. Therefore, my Lords, it must be concluded, unfortunately, that 62 members of the crew have lost their lives in this very sad occurrence and I am sure the House would wish to join with me in expressing our deep sympathy with the bereaved relatives.

My right honourable friend the Minister of Transport has insufficient information in his possession at this moment to arrive at any view of the probable cause of the loss of the "Clan Keith".

He has ordered a preliminary inquiry into the casualty under Section 465 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894.

The master and other survivors, who have been flown back to the United Kingdom by the owners of the ship, are co-operating with the officers of the Ministry who are conducting the inquiry. When sufficient information has been obtained to enable my right honourable friend to arrive at a considered view on the nature of the casualty he will decide whether to order a public formal investigation.

I am sure that neither the noble Earl nor the House will expect me to anticipate a decision which my right honourable friend, I am sure your Lordships will agree, rightly prefers to take in the light of the fullest information obtainable.

I think I may say, however, that it would be unusual if a formal investigation were not ordered into a casualty in which such heavy loss of life has taken place.

But, meanwhile, it would be clearly wrong to prejudge in any way the results of the preliminary inquiry or of any formal investigation that may be ordered.

I can, however, assure the noble Earl that this matter will not be, as he put it, brushed aside.    He will appreciate that I cannot follow him and cannot discuss what he suggested to us on the subject of bombs and so on.

But as I say, due attention will be paid to what he has said to-day and this investigation will be treated, as I hope all such investigations are treated, with the utmost seriousness and pursued, as I think it must be in this case, to the ultimate to which it is possible to pursue it.

I hope the noble Earl will feel from what I have said that the matter will be properly and seriously treated.

News Event

Sunday, September 13, 1959 @ 2100
TABARISTAN (1947-1968 Refrigerated / General cargo ship 476 feet long of Strick Line / F C Strick, London) Own Page

TABARISTAN arrives in King George V Dock, Glasgow to load 1,563 tons of steel tubes for Persian Gulf

Arrived fromLiverpool (England, UK)Port of RegistryLondon (England, UK)
Arrived in berth9 King George V Dock, Glasgow : with her head northNet Tonnage4,346
Sailing forDamman (Saudi Arabia, Persian Gulf) via Liverpool (England, UK)Gross Tonnage7,173
Sailed from berth9 King George V Dock, Glasgow : with her head northDeadweght Tonnage9,850
Draught forward on arrival12 feet 10 inches
Draught aft on arrival21 feet 4 inches
Cargo carried on arrivalGeneral cargo (outwards)
Commened loading outward cargo14 September at 08:00
Outward cargoSteel Tubes 1,563 tons
Completed loading outward cargo19 September at 19:00
Draught forward on sailing20 feet 3 inches
Draught aft on sailing21 feet 11 inches
Ships agentFrank C. Strick & Co. (Glasgow) Ltd., 95 Bothwell Street, Glasgow, C 2 Phone CITy 6131
Sailed2315 on 19 September for Liverpool (England, UK)

Contributed image

Tabaristan 1947

News Event

Wednesday, March 2, 1966 @ 2315
RUNSWICK (1956 - 1972 cargo ship 476 feet overall of Headlam & Sons, Whitby Own Page

RUNSWICK (on Hall Line charter) arrives in Glasgow for receiving cargo for African ports

Arrived fromManchester (England, UK)Port of RegistryWhitby (North Yorkshire, England)
Arrived in berth2 / 3 Prince's Dock, Glasgow (Scotland, UK) with head east and bridge 1/2 blind east of bulkhead 2/3Gross Tonnage6229
Sailing forSwansea (Wales) then Lobito, Cape Town, Mossel Bay, Port Elizabeth, East London, Durban, Mauritius
Sailed from berth2 / 3 Prince's Dock, Glasgow (Scotland, UK) with head east and bridge 1/2 blind east of bulkhead 2/3
Draught forward on arrival11 feet 6 inches
Draught aft on arrival15 feet 3 inches
Cargo carried on arrivalLight ship = no cargo on board
Commened loading outward cargo7 March at 08:00
Outward cargoGeneral cargo 350 tons
Stevedore loading outward cargoJames Spencer & Co. (Stevedores) Ltd., 165 Finnieston Street, Glasgow, C. 3. Tel.. 041-221-5224
Heavy lifts loaded8 March loaded one heavy lift of 23 tons by ship's own gear
Completed loading outward cargo8 March at 20:00
Draught forward on sailing11 feet 2 inches
Draught aft on sailing16 feet 2 inches
Ships agentCity Line Ltd., 75 Bothwell Street, Glasgow, C.2. Tel. CENtral 9971
Sailed22:50 on 8 March for Swansea (Wales) and Birkenhead (England) then African ports

Sharp-eyed readers may have noticed that the ship's agents City Line of Glasgow had advertised that RUNSWICK would leave Glasgow for Birkenhead to finish loading cargo.   But the Dockmaster's Book for Prince's Dock shows that RUNSWICK left Glasgow for Swansea (south Wales, UK).   

MV RUNSWICK

News Event

Thursday, March 3, 1966 @ 0500
CITADEL (1950-1971 General cargo coaster 138 feet 45 metres long of Carebeka N.V./ Owner Rijkent Huizenga, Groningen, Netherlands : 1978 scrapped in Antwerp) Own Page

CITADEL arrives in Prince's Dock, Glasgow with a cargo of potash from Wismar (Germany)

Arrived fromWismar (Hamburg Metropolitan Region, district of Northwestern Mecklenburg, Hamburg, Germany)Port of RegistryGroningen (Netherlands)
Arrived in berth26 Prince's Dock, Glasgow (Scotland, UK) with her head eastReg Tonnage241
Sailing forNewport (city and county borough in south Wales, UK, 12 miles (19 km) northeast of Cardiff. Gross Tonnage369
Sailed from berth26 Prince's Dock, Glasgow (Scotland, UK) with her head eastDeadweght Tonnage460
Draught forward on arrival9 feet
Draught aft on arrival10 feet
Cargo carried on arrivalPotash
Commenced discharge of inward cargo3 March at 08:00
Stevedore discharging inward cargoClyde Port Authority, 16 Robertson Street, Glasgow, G2 8DS (Scotland, UK)
Completed discharge of inward cargo3 March at 16:30
Outward cargoLight ship = no cargo on board
Ships agentLietke & Co. Ltd., 114 Hope Street, Glasgow, C.2. Phone CENtral 1336
Draught
Sailed4 March at 13:50 for Newport (south Wales, UK)

News Event

Saturday, April 13, 1963 @ 1700
GRINDEFJELL (1953 - 1966 General cargo ship 297 feet overall of Olsen & Ugelstad, Oslo, Norway) Own Page

GRINDEFJELL closes at Glasgow for receiving cargo for Montreal and the Great Lakes

Ship's locationGlasgow (Scotland, U.K.)Port of RegistryOslo
Sailing forMontreal, Toronto, Cleveland, Detroit, Milwaukee and ChicagoGross Tonnage1,887
Ships agentJ C Peacock & Co. Ltd., 166 Buchanan Street, Glasgow, C.1. Phone DOUglas 7101Deadweght Tonnage3,240

News Event

Tuesday, January 1, 1952 @ 1200
The actual date and time are unknown and details shown here are our best estimate
Own Page

1952 Ellerman & Bucknall advert in Australia for services to UK, Continent, USA, Canada and Africa

News Event

Wednesday, December 4, 1957 @ 1110
CITY OF GUILDFORD (1957-1979 General cargo ship 434 feet long of Ellerman Hall Line, Liverpool : 1984 scrapped at Chittagong, Bangladesh) Own Page

Her maiden voyage : CITY OF GUILDFORD arrives in Glasgow to load cargo for Bombay and Karachi

Arrived fromWallsend (North Tyneside, Tyne and Wear, England, UK, at the eastern end of Hadrian's Wall)Port of RegistryLiverpool (England, UK)
Arrived in berth1 Prince's Dock, Glasgow (Scotland, UK) with her head west Net Tonnage2,517
Sailing forBirkenhead (England, UK) to complete loading, then for Bombay (India) and Karachi (Pakistan)Gross Tonnage4,945
Sailed from berth1 Prince's Dock, Glasgow (Scotland, UK) with her head west Deadweght Tonnage7,760
Draught forward on arrival11 feet 3 inches
Draught aft on arrival19 feet 2 inches
Cargo carried on arrivalSand Ballast 850 tons
Commenced discharge of inward cargo4 December at 13:00
Stevedore discharging inward cargoSmith Coggins
Completed discharge of inward cargo9 December at 10:00
Commened loading outward cargo5 December at 08:00
Outward cargoGeneral cargo 2,700 tons
Stevedore loading outward cargoSmith Coggins
Heavy lifts loaded11 December loaded 2 lifts total 10 tons from floating crane NEWSHOT
Completed loading outward cargo13 December at 16:40
Draught forward on sailing14 feet 2 inches
Draught aft on sailing22 feet 8 inches
Engine trials13 Decembe at 14:30 slow each way
Ships agentCity Line Ltd., 75 Bothwell Street, Glasgow, C.2. Tel. CENtral 9971
Sailed13 December at 18:00 for Birkenhead (England, UK) then for Bombay (India) and Karachi (Pakistan)

This was CITY OF GUILDFORD's maiden voyage (= the first voyage to be made by a brand new ship) as she arrives in Glasgow from her builders Swan, Hunter and Wigham Richardson's shipyard at Wallsend, River Tyne, England.

Contributed image

News Event

Thursday, May 26, 1966 @ 1920
GLENSHIEL (1959-1973 General cargo coaster 106 feet long of Hay Hamilton Ltd. / Glenlight Shipping, Glasgow : 1973 sank off Troon, Scotland) Own Page

Coaster GLENSHIEL arrives at Ardrossan Harbour from Glasgow to load bags of malt for Isle of Islay

Vessel MasterC WestPort of RegistryGlasgow (Scotland, UK)
Arrived fromGlasgow (Scotland, UK)Reg Tonnage89
Arrived in berthEglinton Dock, Ardrossan Harbour (Scotland, UK)Gross Tonnage195
Draught aft on arrival8 feet 6 inches
Cargo carried on arrivalLight ship = no cargo on board
Ships agentR. L. Alpine & Co. Ltd., Winton Buildings, Ardrossan (Scotland, UK) Tel. Ardrossan 65 / 66

News Event

Thursday, May 26, 1966 @ 1615
ANZAC (1939-1976 Steam general cargo Clyde puffer lighter 66 feet long of J & J Hay Ltd, Glasgow : scrapped 1976)) Own Page

Puffer ANZAC arrives at Ardrossan Harbour from Scottish Highlands to load drums of bitumen for Islay

Vessel MasterJ SmithPort of RegistryGlasgow
Arrived fromLochaline (Morven area, Scottish Highlands, Scotland, UK)Reg Tonnage52
Arrived in berthEglinton Dock, Ardrossan Harbour (Scotland, UK)Deadweght Tonnage140
Draught aft on arrival7 feet 6 inches
Cargo carried on arrivalLight ship = no cargo on board
Ships agentR. L. Alpine & Co. Ltd., Winton Buildings, Ardrossan (Scotland, UK) Tel. Ardrossan 65 / 66

News Event

Thursday, May 26, 1966 @ 1605
ACTEON (1961- 1985 Oil tanker "A"- class carrying crude oil and white oil products,170m overall of La Corona / Shell Tankers, Rotterdam, Holland) : 1985 scrapped at Chittagong, Bangladesh) Own Page

Shell tanker ACTEON arrived at Ardrossan Harbour (Scotland) with a cargo of Petrol and Avtur

Vessel MasterJ RusigPort of Registry's-Gravenhage (Netherlands)
Arrived fromStanlow (on Manchester Ship Canal, England, UK) via Dublin (Ireland)Deadweght Tonnage19,195
Arrived in berth12 Ocean Tanker Berth, Ardrossan Harbour, Scotland, U.K., assisted by tugs SEAWAY and BRIGADIER
Draught aft on arrival20 feet
Cargo carried on arrivalPetrol and Avtur ( Avtur = aviation turbine fuel = kerosene)
Ships agentT L Duff & Co. Ltd., 13 Montgomerie Street, Ardrossan (Scotland, UK) tel. Ardrossan-Saltcoats 38

News Event

Thursday, May 26, 1966 @ 0550
LENA (in 1966 Oil products coastal tanker) Own Page

LENA arrived at Ardrossan Harbour (Scotland) with a cargo of bitumen from Stanlow (England)

Vessel MasterB Forseis ???Port of RegistrySkarkavi
Arrived fromStanlow (on Manchester Ship Canal, England, UK)Net Tonnage1.282
Arrived in berthOil berth, 1a Eglinton Dock, Ardrossan Harbour (Scotland, UK)
Draught aft on arrival19 feet 6 inches
Cargo carried on arrivalBitumen
Ships agentT L Duff & Co. Ltd., 13 Montgomerie Street, Ardrossan (Scotland, UK) tel. Ardrossan-Saltcoats 38

News Event

Wednesday, March 19, 1969 @ 1800
The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate
S. A. ORANJE (1966-1975 Passenger 755 = 214 in first class and 541 in tourist class / cargo liner formerly PRETORIA CASTLE : overall length 747 ft (228 m) of Safmarine, Cape Town : 1975 scrapped) Own Page

List of passengers on S. A. ORANJE leaving Cape Town 19 March 1969 for Las Palmas and Southampton

Vessel MasterCommander J. P. Smythe, D.S.C., R.D., R.N.R.Port of RegistryKaapstad (Pronounced kapstet : Afrikaans for "Cape Town")
Sailing forLas Palmas (Gran Canaria, Spain) then Southampton (England, UK)Gross Tonnage27,513
Sailed from berthCape Town (South Africa)

News Event

Friday, May 1, 1964 @ 0800
The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate
KENYA (1951-1969 : a 273- Passenger / refrigerated cargo liner 540 feet 164.53m overall of British India Steam Navigation Company, London) Own Page

KENYA on passage from Durban (South Africa) for London : at Suez awaiting a northbound convoy

Ship's locationSuez (Egypt) ... probably waiting to join a northbound convoy through the Suez CanalPort of RegistryLondon (England, UK)
Arrived fromDurban (South Africa)Net Tonnage8,042
Sailing forLondon (England, UK)Gross Tonnage14,437
Deadweght Tonnage9,720

The funnel of UGANDA was taller than her sister ship KENYA

BISN

News Event

Friday, May 1, 1964 @ 0800
The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate
ORIANA (1961-1986 Passenger liner 804 feet long of P & O-Orient Lines / P & O Steam Navigation Company, London)) Own Page

ORIANA at Southampton (England, UK) from Yokohama (Japan)

Ship's locationSouthampton (England, UK)Port of RegistryLondon (England, UK)
Arrived fromYokohama (Japan)

Contributed image

News Event

Friday, May 1, 1964 @ 0800
The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate
PORT AUCKLAND ( 1949 - 1976 Refrigerated cargo liner 510 feet long of Port Line, London) Own Page

PORT AUCKLAND at Kingston (Jamaica) on passage from Dunedin (New Zealand) for Liverpool (England)

Ship's locationKingston (Jamaica)Port of RegistryLondon
Sailing forOn passage from Dunedin (South Island, New Zealand) for Liverpool (England, UK)

Contributed image

News Event

Saturday, May 2, 1964 @ 0800
The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate
PORT LAUNCESTON (1957-1977 General cargo ship of Port Line Ltd., London) Own Page

PORT LAUNCESTON at Suez (Egypt) on passage from Port Pirie (South Australia) for London (England)

Ship's locationSuez (Egypt) ... probably waiting to join a northbound convoy through the Suez CanalPort of RegistryLondon (UK)
Sailing forOn passage from Port Pirie (South Australia) for London (England, UK) Gross Tonnage10,468

Port Pirie is a small city on the east coast of the Spencer Gulf in South Australia, 223 km (139 mi) north of the state capital, Adelaide.

Contributed image

Port Launceston 

News Event

Friday, May 27, 1955 @ 1700
PACIFIC RELIANCE (1951-1971 cargo liner 500 feet long of Furness Withy Company) Own Page

PACIFIC RELIANCE closes at Glasgow for receiving cargo for Pacific Coast of North America

Ship's locationGlasgow (Scotland, U.K.)Port of RegistryLondon
Sailing forLos Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Victoria and VancouverGross Tonnage9442
Ships agentFurness Withy & Co. Ltd., 19 St Vincent Place, Glasgow Tel. CENtral 8193

Contributed image

News Event

Wednesday, May 12, 1965 @ 1700
CITY OF KARACHI ( 1951 - 1972 general cargo liner 489 feet long of Ellerman Line, London) Own Page

CITY OF KARACHI closes at Birkenhead for receiving cargo for west, south and east Africa

Ship's locationBirkenhead (England, U.K.)Port of RegistryGlasgow
Sailing forLobito, Cape Town, Mossel Bay, Port Elizabeth, East London, Durban and MauritiusGross Tonnage7,320
Ships agentHall Line Ltd., Tower Building, Water Street, Liverpool, 3 Telephone Central 8444Deadweght Tonnage11,056

News Event

Tuesday, August 6, 2024 @ 0757
JEWEL OF THE SEAS (2004- Cruise liner 962 feet overall of Royal Caribbean Cruise Line) Own Page

JEWEL OF THE SEAS passing Cloch Lighthouse and inbound to Greenock Ocean Terminal (Firth of Clyde)

Ship's locationPassing Cloch Lighthouse (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK) inbound for Greenock Ocean TerminalPort of RegistryNassau (New Providence Island, Bahamas)
Cargo carried on arrivalPassengers Gross Tonnage90,090

News Event

Tuesday, August 6, 2024 @ 0810
JEWEL OF THE SEAS (2004- Cruise liner 962 feet overall of Royal Caribbean Cruise Line) Own Page

JEWEL OF THE SEAS passing Gourock and approaching Greenock Ocean Terminal (Firth of Clyde)

Ship's locationPassing Gourock and approaching Greenock Ocean Terminal Cruise Pontoon (Firth of Clyde)Port of RegistryNassau (New Providence Island, Bahamas)
Cargo carried on arrivalPassengers Gross Tonnage90,090

News Event

Monday, July 12, 1948 @ 1115
The actual date and time are unknown and details shown here are our best estimate
Own Page

Panoramic postcard painting of Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK

From a postcard, contributed by Ann Munro

News Event

Thursday, July 12, 1973 @ 1115
The actual date and time are unknown and details shown here are our best estimate
QUEEN MARY 11 (Passenger excursion vessel 263 feet long of Caledonian Steam Packet Company, Gourock) Own Page

QUEEN MARY 11 leaving Wemyss Bay pier (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)

Ship's locationWemyss Bay Pier (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)Port of RegistryGlasgow
Outward cargoPassengers

From a postcard, contributed by Ann Munro

News Event

Tuesday, July 11, 1995 @ 1115
The actual date and time are unknown and details shown here are our best estimate
WAVERLEY (1947 - 1974 Excursion paddle steamer 240 feet long of Caledonian Steam Packet Company, Gourock) Own Page

WAVERLEY on an excursion cruise at Wemyss Bay pier (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)

Ship's locationWemyss Bay Pier (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)Port of RegistryGlasgow (Scotland, U.K.)
Cargo carried on arrivalPassengers Gross Tonnage693

From a postcard, contributed by Ann Munro

News Event

Monday, July 22, 2024 @ 1214
SVITZER MILFORD (2004- Shiphandling tug IMO 9292876 of Svitzer Marine, Middlesbrough, UK) Own Page

SVITZER MILFORD at Dales Marine Services, James Watt Dock, Greenock (Scotland, UK)

Ship's locationDales Marine Services, James Watt Dock, Greenock (Scotland, UK)Port of RegistryMilford Haven (Wales, UK)
Gross Tonnage384
Deadweght Tonnage226

News Event

Monday, July 22, 2024 @ 1213
SVITZER HAWK (2008- Tug 31m overall of Svitzer Towage) Own Page

SVITZER HAWK at Dales Marine Services, James Watt Dock, Greenock (Scotland, UK)

Ship's locationDales Marine Services, James Watt Dock, Greenock (Scotland, UK)Port of RegistryBristol (England, UK)
Deadweght Tonnage249 tonnes

News Event

Thursday, April 4, 2024 @ 1324
VALENTINA (2011- Container ship IMO 9344722 being 179m overall of Peter Doehle Schiffahrts Kg - Hamburg, Germany) Own Page

VALENTINA passes Cloch Lighthouse (Firth of Clyde, Scotland) inbound for Greenock Container Terminal

Ship's locationPassing Cloch Lighthouse (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK) inbound for Greenock Container TerminalPort of RegistryMadeira (Portugal)
Arrived fromPortbury (Somerset, Somerset, England, UK)Gross Tonnage17,360
Cargo carried on arrivalContainersDeadweght Tonnage22,263

News Event

Tuesday, August 6, 2024 @ 0952
ALBA VENTURER (1999- Bermudan ketch 70 feet (21.33m) overall of Ocean Youth Trust, Scotland) Own Page

ALBA VENTURER outbound to Firth of Clyde and passing Custom House Quay, Greenock

Ship's locationPassing Custom House Quay, Greenock (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)Port of RegistryGlasgow (Scotland, UK)
Arrived fromJames Watt Dock Marina, The Sugar Warehouse East Hamilton Street, Greenock, Scotland, PA15 2UA Gross Tonnage58.83 tonnes
Sailing forOutbound to Firth of Clyde

Alba Venturer

Alba Venturer is a Bermudan ketch designed and built by the world class Oyster Marine Ltd in 1998/99, and launched in March 1999. Our Patrons, Curly and Barbara Mills, supported the building of a new vessel as a gift to the young people of Scotland. It has a standard Oyster 70′ hull but fitted to Ocean Youth Trust Scotland’s exact specifications for sail training.

Yacht specifications

 

 

News Event

Saturday, August 10, 2024 @ 1034
Own Page

Brooklyn Bridge (New York, USA)

Ship's locationBrooklyn Bridge (New York, USA)

Contributed by Jim Hiddleston

News Event

Saturday, August 10, 2024 @ 1034
Own Page

Manhattan Island (New York, USA)

Ship's locationManhattan Island (New York, USA)

Contributed by Jim Hiddleston

News Event

Thursday, August 8, 2024 @ 1800
The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate
ISLE OF ISLAY (2024- Ro-ro ferry of Caledonian MacBrayne, Gourock, Scotland) Own Page

Delivery of new Caledonian MacBrayne ferry ISLE OF ISLAY delayed until end of 2024

Ship's locationCemre Shipyard (Turkey)Port of RegistryGlasgow (Scotland, UK)

From BBC Scotland online news 8 August 2024

 

New Turkish-built CalMac ferry delayed by two months

 Isle of Islay on water on a sunny dayImage source,CMAL
Image caption,

CMAL said the construction and workmanship of Isle of Islay is progressing well

  • Published
    8 August 2024
Updated 9 August 2024

The first of four new CalMac ferries being built by a shipyard in Turkey will be delivered late.

MV Isle of Islay had been expected to be handed over in mid October – but this has been put back to near the end of the year.

The Cemre shipyard blamed delays in delivery of equipment and materials, due to global supply chain difficulties.

The announcement comes at a difficult time for CalMac with two of its 10 major vessels currently out of action and a third due to be retired in November.

Another ferry, the much-delayed Glen Sannox, being built by the Ferguson shipyard, will not be handed over until late September and will require several weeks of crew familiarisation before it comes into service.

News of the problems with delivery of the Turkish ferry came in a letter to MSPs from Kevin Hobbs, external, chief executive of the government-owned ferries procurement company CMAL.

In the letter, Mr Hobbs said: "There have been major challenges the yard has had to overcome in the programme; the war in Ukraine affecting the supply of steel, the devastating earthquakes in south-eastern Turkey, which led to a serious loss of manpower in the shipyard, with many of the workers in the yard and subcontractors travelling to the region to assist in the rescue operations.

"I can report the quality of the workmanship and construction of the vessel is fully meeting requirements, with high levels of activity, supervision, engineering and co-ordination.

"The relationship between CMAL, CalMac and Cemre is strong and we are working together every day to achieve the ships that will serve Island communities for many years to come."

MV Hebridean IslesImage source,CalMac
Image caption,

One of CalMac's oldest ferries, MV Hebridean Isles, will be withdrawn from service in November

MV Isle of Islay - destined for the Islay route - is the first of the new Islay class vessels, with MV Loch Indaal due to follow next year and two other ships also on order.

They are slightly smaller than the two ships being built at Ferguson’s, with conventional engines and some battery power.

CalMac chief executive Duncan Mackison said: “Unfortunately, global supply chain issues are outwith every agency’s control and have caused a slight delay to what has otherwise been a faultless process.

"CalMac crew for the new vessel are on-site at the shipyard to support the final stages of the build, and we stand ready to take delivery of MV Isle of Islay as soon as she is ready.”

CalMac is continuing to face pressure maintaining its fleet, with many ships now beyond their expected service life.

The main Arran ferry Caledonian Isles has not been in service since February, and has been undergoing major steelwork repairs in Merseyside.

That work has now been completed, but new repairs are being done to a bulkhead that was damaged when a ballast tank was over pressurised.

The ship could be back in service by the end of August but this could now slip to September.

Lord of the Isles
Image caption,

Lord of the Isles is now in Greenock to establish how badly it has been damaged

Another major vessel, Lord of the Isles, which serves South Uist, is out of action after an engine fire on Tuesday.

The ship is due to arrive in Greenock on Friday afternoon where an assessment of the damage will be carried out.

A third major vessel, the 38-year-old Hebridean Isles, is due to be scrapped in November because it would require expensive and lengthy work to keep it in service.

The delivery date for Glen Sannox, being built at Ferguson’s and due to serve the Arran route, has also been put back recently because of problems completing its LNG propulsion system, and will not be handed over until the end of September.

News Event

Thursday, August 1, 2024 @ 1600
TRIO FIRAT (2024- General cargo ship 88.30m overall of Trio Firat Shipping Corp., Hydor, Norway) Own Page

TRIO FIRAT leaves River Berth, Port of Ayr (Firth of Clyde, Scotland) for Avonmouth (England)

Sailing forAvonmouth (England, UK)Port of RegistryBasseterre (Saint Kitts and Nevis)
Sailed from berthRiver Berth, Ayr (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)Net Tonnage1,434
Outward cargoLight ship = no cargo on boardGross Tonnage2,373
Deadweght Tonnage4,245

News Event

Saturday, December 24, 1955 @ 0748
CLYTONEUS (1948-1972 General cargo ship 487 feet long of Alfred Holt's Blue Funnel Line, Liverpool : 1972 Scrapped) Own Page

Alfred Holt's CLYTONEUS arrives in Glasgow to discharge oil and load general cargo for the Far East

Arrived fromShanghai (China) via Newport (South Wales, UK)Port of RegistryLiverpool (England)
Arrived in berth2 King George V Dock, Shieldhall, Govan, Glasgow (Scotland, UK)Gross Tonnage7,620
Sailing forBirkenhead (England, UK) to complete loading then for Penang (Malaysia)
Sailed from berth2 King George V Dock, Shieldhall, Govan, Glasgow (Scotland, UK)
Draught forward on arrival17 feet 2 inches
Draught aft on arrival23 feet 4 inches
Cargo carried on arrivalOil (inwards) and general cargo (outwards)
Commened loading outward cargo24 December at 0800
Outward cargoGeneral cargo
Stevedore loading outward cargoRenfrew Stevedores, King George V Dock, Glasgow
Completed loading outward cargo30 December at 1000
Draught forward on sailing19 feet 1 inch
Draught aft on sailing24 feet 4 inches
Ships agentRoxburgh, Colin Scott & Co. Ltd., 80 Buchanan Street, Glasgow, C. 1. Tel. CENtral 9891
Sailed1120 on 30 December for Birkenhead (England, UK) to complete loading then for Penang (Malaysia)

News Event

Wednesday, March 5, 1941 @ 1525
Own Page

British King and Queen visit Fairfield Shipyard, Govan, Glasgow (Scotland, UK)

News Event

Tuesday, February 2, 1965 @ 1650
IRISH FIR (in 1965 General cargo ship 258 feet overall of Irish Shipping Company, Dublin) Own Page

IRISH FIR arrives in Rothesay Dock, Clydebank to load 1,753 tons Spent Oxide for Bordeaux (France)

Arrived fromLondonderry (Northern Ireland, UK)Port of RegistryDublin (Ireland / Eire)
Arrived in berth8 Rothesay Dock, Clydebank (Scotland, UK) with her head east
Sailing forBordeaux (France)
Sailed from berth8 Rothesay Dock, Clydebank (Scotland, UK) with her head east
Draught forward on arrival7 feet 10 inches
Draught aft on arrival12 feet
Cargo carried on arrivalLight ship = no cargo on board
Commened loading outward cargo3 February at 0800
Outward cargo1,753 tons of Spent Oxide ... see remarks below
Stevedore loading outward cargoR P Shaw & Sons Ltd, Rothesay Dock, Clydebank (Scotland, UK) Telephone CLYdebank 1433
Completed loading outward cargo4 February at 1545
Draught forward on sailing15 feet
Draught aft on sailing17 feet
Sailed4 February at 2205 for Bordeaux (France)

The vessel loaded a cargo of spent oxide for France.

   What is spent oxide ?   

It is iron oxide that has been used in gas manufacture to purify coal gas by removing chiefly hydrogen sulfide and sometimes cyanogen, that generally has formed a coating on shavings and sawdust, and that may be used as a source of sulfur and of cyanogen compounds.   You will be pleased to now know that.

News Event

Wednesday, August 7, 2024 @ 1730
The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate
LORD OF THE ISLES (1989- ro-ro ferry 84.6m overall of Caledonian MacBrayne, Gourock, Scotland) Own Page

Small fire on Caledonian MacBrayne's ferry LORD OF THE ISLES : being towed to Clyde for repairs

Port of RegistryGlasgow (Scotland, UK)
Gross Tonnage3,504

 

From BBC Scotland online news

7 August 2024 around 19:45hrs

 

Fire caused engine failure on CalMac ferry LORD OF THE ISLES

(Our little interesting note : the vessel is affectionately referred to by islanders on South Uist as "Loti" ... just a shorthand for her name LORD OF THE ISLES) 

 

MV Lord of the IslesImage source,CalMac
Image caption,

MV Lord of the Isles is to be towed by a tug to a yard on the Clyde for repairs

  • Published
    2 hours ago

A small fire caused an engine failure on a west coast ferry and forced its crew to head for the nearest port, according to operator CalMac.

MV Lord of the Isles was on the Mallaig to Lochboisdale, South Uist, route on Tuesday, before it was diverted to Armadale on Skye.

CalMac said the small fire was extinguished quickly by the crew and no-one was hurt.

Sailings between Mallaig and Lochboisdale, have been cancelled for the rest of the week.

CalMac said it was investigating the failure which affected the main starboard engine.

Passengers were offered alternative travel arrangements.

Head of operations Finlay MacRae said: "This was a long night for our customers, and I apologise for the disruption caused to them.

"Their safety was our priority, and we made sure that everyone was spoken to individually so that our crew and port staff could make sure they had all the support they needed in terms of food, onward journeys, and accommodation."

A tug is to tow the ferry to a yard on the Clyde for repairs.

Ferry disruption

The fire comes against a backdrop of disruption to Calmac services.

Last week, MV Hebridean Isles was removed from service due to an issue with its bow thruster.

Islay's 38 year old ferry is to be retired later this year and replaced by new ferries.

Over the years it has required lengthy and costly repairs - including last year when it was out of action for 10 months.

Last week it also emerged the delivery of new ferry Glen Sannox had been further delayed.

The ship and another new vessel, Glen Rosa, were originally due for delivery in 2018 but have faced repeated design and construction challenges.

The bill for repairing and maintaining CalMac's ageing publicly-owned ferry fleet has almost trebled in the past five years, according to figures released last month.

A freedom of information request from the Scottish Liberal Democrats found the annual cost of fixing CalMac-run ferries in 2018-19 was about £15.5m.

Between 2022-23 the cost rose to £26.6m and by 2023-24 further increased to £41.2m.

News Event

Wednesday, July 1, 1953 @ 0800
The date shown is as timetabled and the time shown is our best estimste
Own Page

1953 Advert in Singapore for Ellerman & Bucknall services to Malaya, China, Philippines and Japan

Ships agentMcAlister & Co. Ltd., Post Box 399, Singapore
AgentMcAlister & Co. Ltd., Post Box 399, Singapore

Latest Comments

This shows the 100 latest comments.


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AT PRINCE'S DOCK, GLASGOW  ... WHAT WAS WRC   

On 25 March 1966, RAVNEFJELL at 30 Prince's Dock, Glasgow loaded 2 lifts by WRC, total 48 tons 10 hundredweights.   What was WRC ?????

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E-mail from Nelson (Liverpool)        16 June 2024

 

   I am interested in your latest Clan Line item about CLAN ROSS at Birkenhead in 1958.

  Does anyone know the address of the Cayzer Irvine and Clan Line office in Liverpool in 1958 ?

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Any information please on 

   motor launch / cruiser PIONEER at Glasgow Riverside Museum

  and

  the unknown workboat at Govan Pontoon, Glasgow

these vessels may have been involved in the construction of the new Govan Bridge in January 2024.


 

 

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CLAN MACKINNON at New York in March 1954

  Yes, Clan Line's CLAN MACKINNON arrived in New York (USA) from London in March 1954.   This is well outwith the usual Clan Line trading areas.   Any suggestions as to why CLAN MACKINNON would be in New York  ?

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Harrison Line memories : the song Matilda by Harry Belafonte

 

Contributed by Jim (Birkenhead)  28 April 2024

 

I spent many enjoyable years with Harrison Line of Liverpool.

 

One of the memories when on the West Indies run was when in the Caribbean and in the ship’s crew mess or over the ship’s loudspeakers music was played.  

Harry Belafonte was always enjoyed, and when he sang Matilda, Coconut woman  and island in the sun all over the ship the crew would accompany him, singing out loudly, especially the word Matilda .   It it was amazing to hear everyone blasting out Matilda  at the top of their voices.

 

A few years after leaving Harrison’s I was at Bidston Dock and met an old shipmate from TACTICIAN and ADVENTURER.  He was walking his dog.  It’s name was Matilda.

 

A question for everyone, for something that has puzzled me was in Belafonte's song Matilda, who was Matilda and what was her story.    Does anyone know?

 

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AHMADU BELLO  (1963-1981) of Nigerian National Line

Contributed by J. (Engineer, London)  by e-mail 22 April 2024

   Does anyone remember AHMADU BELLO (1963-1981) a general cargo ship of Nigerian National Line : a frequent visitor to London, Birkenhead, Glasgow and Tees Dock.

..................................................................................................................


 

Walter Runciman / Moor Line’s CRAGMOOR

 

E-mail received 26 August 2022

I was staggered to read about Moor Line’s CRAGMOOR in your Latest Entries.   My father sailed in that ship in 1961-62.  Mostly a Newcastle and Sunderland crew.    Have you the details of those times.

 Name is not shown, by request.

 Douglas replies :    Yes, I’ve got the details from the Chief Officers Log Books.   There’s an awful lot in the books, maybe 100 large pages or so and masses of daily detail.   Let me know on CONTACT US what you actually want and I’ll see what can be done.  Thanks for your message.

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Does anyone remember Hogarth’s BARON FORBES which was

scrapped in 1953

and

Tracing a discharge book left aboard in 1959.

 E-mail 13 November 2020

From Murdo MacPherson

 Does anybody remember the rent boat BARON FORBES an old

ex-german ship the worst ship I sailed in she was scrapped

in 1953,  forecastle accommodation one trip was enough

The captain Mcphail was strict
ps I left my discharge book on an Everard ship in Goole

in 1959 got any ideas how I can trace it

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..


Isthmian Steamship Lines of USA

E-mail October 10  2020 

 From Bobby Ford  (USA)


Do you have anything about Isthmian Steamship Lines,

or anyone remember them, who did freighter service

from India and Far East in 1950 / 60’s.

   Any memories of the "STEEL" boats  ?

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What do you want (or not want) on this website ?

    It is the time of year to ask you, the readers, what you want  -  or

do not want  -  on this website.

    More of this, or less of that, or maybe something new ?

    Please let us know what you want, so that we can try to provide the material which is of interest to YOU.

    Also we are always interested in receiving material from our readers.   So, wherever you are in the world, how about sending

stories, images or items to put in the website ?

 Thank you.  11 August 2020

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Information needed on Cunard Line's ASCANIA (1911-1918)

10th August 2020    E-mail from a viewer. 

Cunard Lines ASCANIA  (1911-1918)

 I am wondering if you might have more information and pictures

on the Vessel Ascania - Shipping line Cunard 1911-1918

Master - SGS Mihal.

This is a ship that my grandfather travelled from Southampton,

England to HalifaxNova ScotiaCanada in 1914.

Please any information would help.

Thank You

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

    Port of Registry Admiralty (Royal Navy, London)

 

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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Song about the Clyde and the musical band on Glasgow excursion steamers in 1950s / 60s

 

Email from Margaret Rose (nee Wilson)   May 31 2020 Montreal  

 

In the early 1960s my family emigrated from Scotland to Montreal(Canada).

   Dad always used to tell of sailing down the Clyde from

Glasgow on excursion steamers and there was a musical

band aboard which played Scottish tunes to entertain

passengers.

   A favourite song was something about the Clyde.   I know

it’s a long shot but does anyone know the name of the

song and the band ?

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Lightship ALBATROSS built at Robbs Shipyard, Leith in 1927

E-Mail from a viewer   31 May 2020

Hello- I wonder if anyone can please help. I am researching a lightship built at Robbs shipyard in 1927. Her name is Albatross and I believe she was built in yard 30. I would dearly love to see her build plans but I know that is a massive ask. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks

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Cruise ships may be laid up in the Clyde

 

22 May 2020

1353

 

From Jimmy Johnston (Paisley)

 

   In the news they are talking about laying up idle cruise liners in the Clyde.   Where in the Clyde or even in Scotland could be good places to put these big ships.

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e-mail from Tommy Robertson   (Dumbarton)

21 May 2020

 

Elder Dempster / Blue Funnel ship scrapped at Dalmuir (Glasgow) around 1980

 

Does anyone know the name of the Alfred Holt Blue Funnel

ship that was scrapped at the Arnott Young yard at Dalmuir. 

  She was definitely a Blue Funnel job but had the Elder

Dempster buff funnel.

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Paddle Steamers at Pusser River, Chalna, Bangladesh

 

E-mail 23 March 2020 from N.L. of Cardiff, Wales

 

   I was looking at your item on the WAVERLEY which calls herself the “Last seagoing paddle steamer in the World.”

  It reminded me of the last time I was at Chalna (Pusser River, Bangladesh) in early 1980s where there were many largish paddle steamers about 300 feet (100 metres) long chugging around.  

   I never thought of what they were doing, maybe bringing the gangs of workers to the anchorage to load Jute (who remembers the biting Jute Flies) onto the ships, or maybe taking passengers to some place downriver.

   But these were big working paddle steamers.   Does anyone else remember them ?

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Why was Irish Lights Tender IERNE registered in Liverpool ?

 19 March 2020 @ 1057

J R of Birkenhead e-mails :

   I read your item about the IERNE, a lights tender owned by the Commissioners of Irish Lights, DublinIreland.  

   Why was she registered in Liverpool and not Dublin ? and what was her eventual fate ?

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Maclay and McIntyre of Glasgow ships DOMIRA and KASSANGA and a ship LYNFIELD of Stockton on Tees

A viewer e-mails 

   I am particularly looking for some information about a Glasgow Tramp Shipping Co called Maclay and Mc intyre and 2 ships of there's Domira sold 1919 and Kassanga bought 1911 sunk 1917. 

 Also a ship called Lynfield belonging to a shipping co called Field from Stockton on Tees 

Can anyone help ?

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Stewardesses and Nurse on Burns & Lairds IRISH COAST in 1966

 2019-12-29

By e-mail

Does anyone remember the Stewardesses (usually student school-teachers who were working during the summer holidays) and the Nurse who worked on Burns & Lairds IRISH COAST in 1966.

Mary D.

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Old Mississippi – type passenger steamer in Sydney (Australia)

Jim Middleton (London) e-mails

29 December 2019

 The BBC news today showed the wild fires at Sydney and the smoke at Sydney Harbour.

   I was surprised to see in the news report, in the background, an old Mississippi type passenger steamer, with two tall abreast funnels (stacks) passing under the Harbour Bridge.

   Can anyone give details of this vessel and its route and timetable ?

   Thanks, JM.

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CLAN FRASER and a rope across the dock at Glasgow

 4 November 2019

Jim McGoogan e-mails :

   Your article of CLAN FRASER of 8th January 1964 says a rope was put across King George V Dock, Glasgow while the ship was making an engine trial.

   Why put a rope across the dock and where would the rope be attached to the ship and also attached to the dock ?

 

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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

====================================================================


Where is the “Chapman Anchorage” ???

   Robbie Keen (CarlisleEngland) emails:

 I see in the entry for BENWYVIS that she

was in “Chapman Anchorage.”   Where is

Chapman Anchorage and what would she

 be doing there ???

Robbie.  31 August 2019

__________________________________________________________________________________


Teak fronts on the front of ship's bridges

By Eric S.     8th July 2019

Many cargo vessels and tankers built as late as the 1950s had

teak fronts to their bridges, even though the rest of their

superstructures was steel. Why was this so? Was the teak

front at these late dates merely a design feature, or an echo

of past practice, perhaps, or were there practical reasons?

All comments are welcome.

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Can anyone identify this cap badge ?

Samms of Nantwich e-mails:    07 July 2019

 I saw this officer’s cap at a flea market.   Can

 

anyone identify the cap badge ? 

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What shipping Companies served Calcutta, Chalna, Chittagong and Rangoon and what problems did the Monsoon rains and storms cause to the ships ?

By e-mail from R.S. (London)  2 July 2019

    There was a programme on television the other evening

about the Monsoon in the Bay of Bengal.   I was a North

Atlantic man and never ventured to the Far East.

   I wondered what difficulties would be experienced by

ships during the Monsoon season’s heavy rainfall and

swollen rivers and storms.

    And also, I can only think of maybe 3 shipping

companies which regularly traded to the area – Calcutta,

Chalna, Chittagong, Rangoon.   What other companies

were there ?

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Where did this ship come from in Sweden ???

Haltst…….. ?????

January 2020 and Bryn Wayt e-mails

A chap was asking where ship came from: the spelling was incorrect using Haltstwik on the 'docket'.

The origin of the ship must have been HALLSTAVIK in Sweden.

The place was/is famous for it paper-mill, hence the ships cargo bound for Belfast.
Ref: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hallstavik

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U.S. Navy supply ships calling at Fairlie (Firth of Clyde)

From Alan and Jean, (Fairlie, Firth of ClydeScotland)

20 May 2019  @ 1540

    We were very interested in your mention of U.S.S. YELLOWSTONE

at Tail-of-the Bank.

   It reminded us in 1960s, 1970s and 1980s when U.S. Navy

supply ships were common callers at the Navy jetty at Fairlie,

bringing stores for the Holy Loch vessels, and the stores

were taken from Fairlie to Holy Loch in the Ross & Marshall

lighters and small coasters.

   The U.S. ships were quite colourful (colorful) with their

grey hulls and their funnels (stacks) painted grey with yellow

and blue bands.

   Our favourite, her name began with M, not quite sure but

could be MARSHFIELD or MARSHLAND ….. or something like

that, was obviously a WW2 type but always immaculate

 and a frequent caller.

   Does anyone else remember these ships calling at

the Clyde ?

 

Alan and Jean.

========================================================================================== 


Clyde Navigation Trust launches NEWARK, GARMOYLE and DUNGLASS

 

 14 March 2019   @ 1239

Richard Danielson e-mails

 The Clyde Navigation Trust harbour launches: Newark, Garmoyle and Dunglass have had little written about them. 

I have a photo showing two of them (which two I cannot tell) giving a tow to the Duchess of Hamilton to help her turn at Bridge Wharf in 1969. 

Please ask anyone who knows about the work of the launches to get in touch with me by email.

THANK YOU.
Richard Danielson.
 

 

Admin Note :

   For safety and security of our readers we do not normally show e-mail addresses.    Any reply to this interesting question should be made to our “CONTACT US” and we will forward the message to Richard.

 

20 March 2019  @ 1604

 

Jim Howie  (Partick, Glasgow)

 

   I am replying to Richard’s query about the small boats at Glasgow.

   Sorry to disappoint you Richard but there was a small but bulky booklet produced possibly about 50 years ago that described in great detail all the Clyde Navigation Trust / Clyde Port Authority vessels.   I did have a copy but it’s been lost.

  

In 1960’s the Clyde Trust / Authority had quite a few vessels.

6 Dredgers : CESSNOCK, CRAIGIEHALL, ELDERSLIE, LENNOX 11, ROSSLYN and SIR WILLIAM H. RAEBURN.

12 Hopper Barges.

1 Dumb grab hopper barge.

1 Tug CLYDE.

4 high-level Vehicular Ferryboats : FINNIESTON, GOVAN and WHITEINCH.  The remaining one was a spare in case of breakdowns.

3 chain-operated ferries : RENFREW and ERSKINE.  The remaining one was a spare in case of breakdowns.

11 passenger ferryboats.

1 60-ton floating crane NEWSHOT.

1 Diving Bell barge.

2 Divers’ motor boats.

1 Oil Separating Barge PLOVER

3 motor launches NEWARK, GARMOYLE and DUNGLASS.

1 Hydrographic Survey launch CRANNOG.

And a number of very small rope boats which were used in the docks and piers to bring the mooring ropes from ships to the pawls on the dockside.

 

I think CRANNOG did an awful lot of the surveying for the placement for both Finnart and Hunterston jetties.

And around mid 1990s NEWARK was fitted with an A-frame at the stern and spent a week in Ardrossan Harbour dragging the bottom of Eglinton Dock to clear all debris prior to the construction of the Marina in the dock.

   The motor launches normally berthed at the Trust / Authority workshops at Renfrew although at odd times they laid alongside the dredgers and hoppers in Queen’s Dock.

 

   If you would care to put the photograph on this site I have a friend who may be able to identify the boats in question.

 

Jim Howie.

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Looking for images / photos of BALLYGALLY HEAD of 1950s

 23 January 2019  1011

Joseph McGurk Jr. e-mails

Hi, I am looking for any photos of the tramp steam ship, BALLYGALLY HEAD, I think

there were two built, one in the late 1800s and the other in the mid 1950s

   I would appreciate if you could find any as it would make my father very happy as

he sailed on her

   Thank you, regards Joseph mc gurk jr

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Renfrew Harbour, Firth of Clyde, around 1980

    January 2019 : Robert Orr contributed this image of Clyde Navigation Trust / Clyde Port Authority HOPPER No. 25 at their wharf at their workshops at Renfrew Harbour around 1980.

 

   Does anyone have any idea what the other ships are ?


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The advert for paddle steamer EAGLE 111 in 1937

 6th  January 2019.

   James Barrowman (Brighton, England) e-mails :

I am an enthusiast for paddle steamers and read your item on EAGLE 111.

   The advertisement shows the ship departing from Glasgow (Bridge Wharf) s. s.

   Assuming that s.s. does not mean Steam Ship, can anyone help with what s.s. means ?

   Thanks, Jim Barrowman.

7th January 2019 

   J.S. (Pollokshaws, Glasgow) replies :

The River Clyde runs generally east to west through

the centre of Glasgow and essentially divides the city

into two halves, the  “North Side” and the “South Side.”

   In the past and even today people talk of coming

from or living in the South Side.

   Up to around 1970’s passenger excursion steamers

and cross-channel to Ireland steamers left Broomielaw,

Anderston Quay and Lancefield Quay on the North Side

and in the summer months left Bridge Wharf on the

South Side (hence S.S.) on excursions “Doon the Watter”

= Down the Water = sailing down the River Clyde to

Clyde piers such as Dunoon and Rothesay and

Tighnabruaich.

   The advert mentions the steamer calling at Govan

 Wharf and Renfrew to pick up passengers.

   Today Govan Wharf is only recognisable by a derelict

and ruined few baulks of timber.   It was situated on the

South Bank essentially between the Govan Drydocks

(now also derelict) and the Bae Shipyard (formerly Fairfields

yard) and beside the playing field between Wanlock Street

and Dunvegan Street, Govan.   Up to the 1960s the

small Govan Passenger Ferry used to ply from near

Govan Wharf across the river to the east end of Meadowside

Quay

   It was news to me that excursion steamers stopped

at Renfrew.   I have no idea where the stop was located.

   Perhaps someone can help.

 

Ref The advert for paddle steamer EAGLE 111 in 1937.

12 January 2019   Robert Orr replies :


The steamer berth at Renfrew was on the river bank at 'The Green' in

Renfrew and as far as I'm aware was destroyed during the 'Clydebank

Blitz' in 1941, (this being air attacks on the town of Clydebank on the

opposite bank of the Clyde, home amongst other things to John Browns

shipyard). If you go to Google maps and search Clyde Street Renfrew

the bollards for mooring ropes are still visible at the edge of the Green.

The Scania Yard visible in street view was the start of the land

 

occupied by Simons and Lobnitz shipyards in Renfrew.

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Questions about Alfred Holt's Blue Funnel Line in 1960's

10 December 2018   Geoff in Australia e-mails :

I was on the Ulysses which traded between the Far East,mainly Indonesia and the East Coast and Gulf of the US.I understand it was a route which belonged to the Indra Line which Holts acquired in 1915. I believe that it may have been incorporated into a round the world service later.My time was during the late 50s and ended in 1960.

Crews during my time consisted of Europeans on deck and Chinese in the engine room, and catering,on ships trading from Liverpool. The Ulysses had Malays on deck and Chinese in the engine room,I cant remember who were the catering staff.


Gunung Djati was the name of the leading Javanese Haji and Islamic missionary.

 

With regards to crewing, the Dutch arm of Blue Funnel had all Chinese crews with Dutch officers, certainly in the 1950s.

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Ellerman’s CITY OF EXETER at Plymouth in 1958    

I was quite surprised to read that CITY OF EXETER called

at Plymouth in 1958.   Was Plymouth a normal call for Ellerman

African service passenger liners?

   Jim Hesketh, Liverpool 

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12 November 2018

 

TWEED, a 1959-built 112 foot water carrier of

Furness Withy, Port of Spain, Trinidad

 James R. (Avonmouth, England) e-mails :

    Looking at your list of ships I was surprised to see

TWEED of Furness Withy, a 112 foot water tanker at

Port-of-Spain, Trinidad.

   Anyone have information on this ship ?

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Can anyone name this British coaster ?

 

05 November 2018

Billy Fullarton writes :

  I took this photograph in 1970s or 1980s at Ardrossan

HarbourScotland.   Can anyone name this coaster. ?

 

   I think her name ends in SOUND.

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British & Irish KILKENNY in 1935

Does anyone have details of this ship in 1935 ???

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Ben Line carried a Naval tug from Trincomali to Gan ???

     I was with Brocklebank’s and sometimes called at

Gan Island in the Indian Ocean to discharge stores for

the RAF overside to landing craft in the lagoon.

   Talking to someone he said that he was on a Ben ship

which carried a small naval tug from Trincomali in

Ceylon to Gan, around late 1960s.

   Anyone know about this ?

    J.S., (Wallasey)

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Questions about Alfred Holt's Blue Funnel Line in 1960's

Jim J. of Liverpool e-mails :

   Around 1966 I was on a Royal Mail or Pacific Steam ship

in Houston / New Orleans area and saw an Alfred Holt Blue

Funnel ship there.

   Can anyone enlighten me as to why a Blue Funnel would

be in the Gulf of Mexico ?

   Also in conversation someone told of Blue Funnel having

Chinese crews on deck and catering.   I had always thought

that Blueys had British crews.   Someone please tell me

what is correct.

............................................................................................................................................................................


Deck cadets Critchley and Doherty on RAMON DE LARRINAGA in 1965

 22 May 2018

 Alan Rutherford e-mails :

   Interested in whereabouts of other deck cadet officers Critchley and Doherty from RAMON DE LARRINAGA in 1965 ?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 

  


   Looking for information on some British ships around 1950-1954

 Ian Rae e-mails  ....  4 March 2018 @ 1221

 Great website.

I am trying to find information on some of the voyages my late brother -in-law made.
Blairdevon-this was his first trip, signed on 30 April paid off 12 June 1950.This was a fairly ancient coal burner.Dont know owner
Tahsinia-20Jun-13 Oct 1950-to
Bombay
Saxon (?) Star-28 Sep -25 April 1952-(paid off Manchester)
Camerionia9 Jun to 10 Sep 1952
Empire Halladale-a troopship-23 Oct 1952 -paid off Birkenhead 22 Jan 1953
Retainer 6 Feb-31 Oct 1953-paid off Antwerp
Cortona 15 Dec 1953-19 Jan 1954

Thereafter he sailed out of London and latterly on Manchester Liners
When I tried your search the year 1951 was missing


Regards,
Ian Rae

 ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 

  


Can anyone identify this USN lapel badge ?

     Dominique and her husband from Lyons (France) were on vacation in Spain and bought this lapel badge in a street market in Tarragona (near Barcelona).

   Can anyone identify the badge ?

2018-02-18 @ 1320

 

19 May 2018

Hello Douglas,

It's Bryn (Wayt) here - you helped me with the Austerland cargo vessel last year. Thanks again.

This message is about the image of the USN "Anchor pin".
There are loads on eBay just type in "US Navy Petty Officer gold tie pin" 

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,


First ship was CHARLTON MIRA of Charlton Steam Shipping Company, London

Bill Steel e-mails

Charlton Mira was my first ship. Built in Sunderland at Bartram's yard. Doxford 670LB4 diesel oil engine. She had two scotch boilers and steam auxiliaries. Lovely vessel but would roll on wet grass.

17 February 2018 @ 2307

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 What is the difference between Agents / General Agents and Freight Brokers ?

    Jim Harrison  (Brighton, England) e-mails :

 I am using the India Steamship Company sailing notice as a simple example, but my question actually can also relate to many other shipping companies.

   The India Company shows that intending shippers can contact the U.K. General Agents Stelp & Leighton or the U.K. Freight Brokers J. H. Wackerbarth.

   My question is : what is the difference between using Agents / General Agents and Freight Brokers ?

 ....................................................................................................................................................


 

   German cargo ship MILLERNTOR in 1954

 

    In January 1954 the cargo ship MILLERNTOR, registered in Hamburg, 2,787 nett tons and Master T. Goldsweer, arrived at Ardrossan Harbour, Scotland, with a cargo of Iron Ore from Narvik (Norway).

 

   After unloading she left Ardrossan returning to Narvik.

 

Does anyone have any information or details of MILLERNTOR ?

..........................................................................................................................................................................

  


" If sufficient inducement "

 James Bridges (Canterbury, England) e-mails –

   Many of your sailing notices show that a ship will go to a port “if sufficient inducement.”      What exactly is “if sufficient inducement ?”

“ If sufficient inducement “

 

23 January 2019 at 2113

 Geoff  (Australia)  e-mails :

 

James Bridges (Canterbury, England) e-mails –

 “Many of your sailing notices show that a ship will go to a port “if

sufficient inducement.” What exactly is “if sufficient inducement ?


My understanding of "sufficient inducement" meant if there was

 enough cargo to be lifted to be commercially viable. ”

...........................................................................................................................................


Was she “ LAIRDS OAK “ or “ LAIRDSOAK ” ?

   Robert Bothwell (Glasgow) e-mails :

I have always had an affection for Burns & Laird Lines of Glasgow and refer to your entry of their coaster LAIRDS OAK in 1954.

   The Ships in Focus book shows her name as LAIRDSOAK but the accompanying photograph clearly shows the name LAIRDS OAK.

   I know it’s a bit pedantic but what was her name, LAIRDS OAK or was it LAIRDSOAK ?  


 

Harbour oilers CLYDE ENTERPRISE and CLYDE VENTURE in late 1960’s

 

   Does anyone have details of these two oilers which were working in the Clyde in late 1960’s ?

 

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

  


 

Coaster BALLYCASTLE in 1953

 

In 1953 the coaster BALLYCASTLE of John Kelly, Belfast, was at Ardrossan Harbour loading a cargo of coke for Londonderry.   Does anyone have details of this ship ?

...................................................................................

  


 

   Carebeka's coaster RIAN in 1953

 

 In December 1953 the Carebeka’s Groningen registered coaster RIAN arrived at Ardrossan Harbour from Hamburg.

 

   The handwriting in the Harbour Log-book is not easy to read.   The master’s name could be Cloinga or Eloinga : can any Netherlands reader tell what the name is ?

 

   Also the cargo is shown as  “M of Potash” …. What is “M of Potash” ???

  


Details needed of Van Nievelt, Goudriaan's ALPHERAT in 1954

When the Blue Star Line cargo ship PARAGUAY STAR was leaving Montevideo for Buenos Aires her docking bridge fouled the housed port anchor of the Dutch cargo ship ALPHERAT.

   The docking bridge sustained displaced and buckled bridge rails and started deck plank caulking.   Repairs at Buenos Aires cost 5,850 Argentinian Pesos.

   PARAGUAY STAR. a passenger and cargo liner of 10,722 gross tons, was on passage from Liverpool for Buenos Aires and ALPHERAT is a passenger and cargo ship of Rotterdam South America Line (Rotterdam-Zuid Amerika Lijn) and operated by Van Nievelt, Goudriaan & Co. Stoomvaart Maatschappij, Rotterdam.   ALPHERAT is well known for carrying Jewish emigrants from Rotterdam to South America.

Additional note :

Can anyone supply details of ALPHERAT ?


 

Norwegian Tanker RAILA in 1953

 

   Does anyone have details of the Tanker RAILA, registered in Oslo, which was working around the British coast in 1953 ?

 

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

  


Elder Dempster services from USA and Canada and Calcutta to Africa.

 Fred from Formby (Merseyside, England, writes

 

“ I was surprised to read in the Elder Dempster Lines entry of 27th May 1957 that they did sailings from U.S.A. and Canada to West Africa, also Canada to South Africa and also Calcutta to West Africa.

 

Can someone tell something about these services ? ”

 ........................................................................................................................


 

CHANTALA  (Worcester Park, Surrey) writes :

British India Steam Navigation handbook for Hindustani for Navigating Officers and Deck Cadets

   In 1965 when joining BI as a Deck Cadet a necessary handbook was for issuing commands in the Hindustani Language.

   All I can remember now is “Asti aria kurro”

   Does anyone still have the book and can scan or photograph a few pages to show the commands ?

......................................................................................................................................................


 

Sailings from Glasgow Bridge Wharf in April, May and June 1968 to Rothesay and Tighnabruaich.

 

      Thank you so very much for putting in the sailings from Bridge Wharf in Glasgow that I asked for.   Anne G., Isle of Bute

  


 

British Army Tank Landing Craft LCT 4086 and her base at Cairnryan in 1954

 

   Tank Landing Craft LCT 4086 of the British Army’s Royal Army Service Corps arrived at Ardrossan Dockyard in February 1954.   Anyone have details of this vessel and of her life and also details of her base at Cairnryan (which is near Stranraer in south-west Scotland)

  


Anchor Line advertisement of 1871

    I did laugh on seeing the wonderful Handyside and Henderson address of their office in Londonderry as 96 ½ Foyle Street.

   If anyone is in Londonderry can they please, please take a photograph of that building and post it on this site.

Thank you.

Still laughing

Fred of Formby, Merseyside, England.

11 June 2018  Bryn Wayt replies that the building has been demolished and modern housing has been built on its site

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

  


 

German cargo ship RUHR in 1953

 

  On 15th December 1953 the German cargo ship RUHR, registered in Hamburg and 1,725 nett tons, Captain Ekelman, brought a cargo of scrap metal from Halifax (Canada) to Ardrossan Harbour.

 

   Has anyone got any details of this ship ?

 

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

  


 

British coaster J B KEE in 1957

 

 Fred of Formby (Merseyside, England) writes :

 

   I have put in a short article about J B KEE making a distress call on 4th November 1957.

 

   Anyone have details of this ship ?

 

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...

  


 

Which Donaldson Line ship collided with a Cunard Liner in 1960’s in Quebec or Montreal ?

 

 Bas Buma (Rotterdam) e-mails ….. translated by Google

 

   Does anyone remember in 1960’s when a Donaldson cargo ship collided with a Cunard passenger liner, maybe CARINTHIA or SYLVANIA at Quebec or Montreal?   My memory is not good now.

..........................................................................................


  


 

At what time did Union Castle mailships leave South Africa for U.K. ?

 

 Jim Allbright (London) e-mails :

 

   I thoroughly enjoy reading your “Conducting their business in Great Waters” articles as they remind me of places and ships of long, long ago.

 

   Something which I have always pondered – Union Castle passenger liners left Southampton at 4pm on Thursdays for South Africa, --- but did they have a set time, say 4pm when sailing from, for example Cape Town or Durban, when returning to U.K. ?

 

 …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

  


 

SUNBEAR of Saguenay Terminals.

 

   In 1962 Saguenay had chartered a general cargo ship named SUNBEAR.   Does anyone have details of this vessel ?

  ....................................................................................................


Can anyone identify or help with a cargo ship AUSTERLAND around 1955-1960 ? === ship is now firmly believed to be AUSTRALIND 

Captain Bryn Wayt writes :

 My father fitted a T/V to a ship that visited the Clyde around the years 1955-60 and I accompanied my him to assist - I was young and have only a limited memory of the event.
The 'Master' invited us both to sail with him "around the world" - so my guess was it was a long-range merchant vessel. It was NOT a "liner" but more of an "ocean freighter".
The name that sticks in my limited memory bank is the "AUSTERLAND".
I've tried various sources to find her, but have not been successful.
I was born and bred in
Glasgow, but I was not acquainted with the Dock in which the ship was anchored to narrow the search.
It was there for at least a week, as the "Master" visited my father's shop and asked for a T/V to be fitted in his vessel.
It took a little time to gather the required bits and bobs to accommodate the order that's why I say a week all told in dock.
Anybody who can give me a clue where to look would be thanked in customer fashion.

James Jeffries replies :

   I saw the message from Captain Wayt and I don’t know off-hand of AUSTERLAND but the name makes me think of AUSTRALIND of the Australind Steam Shipping Company / Bethell, Gwyn & Trinder Anderson & Company, London.

    AUSTRALIND was a 7,214 gross ton tramp cargo ship and was built in 1944 by William Denny & Brothers, Dumbarton, for Australind,  and in 1959 was sold to Argus Steam Ship Company, Liberia and renamed PORTALON.

   In 1972 she was scrapped in Santander, Spain.

However it’s an interesting problem and I’ll start looking for an AUSTERLAND

 

Billy MacAulay (Moderator and Senior Member) writes :

   I have never heard of AUSTERLAND, but as Jim says AUSTRALIND is a possibility as Trinder Anderson vessels were visitors – though not too frequently – to Glasgow - and AUSTRALIND was in Govan Drydock, Glasgow around 1954.

   But I will also look for AUSTERLAND and being a cargo ship will search at Queen’s and Prince’s Docks and surroundings.   It will take some time as there is a lot to plough through.

  

 

  


 

   Why was LADY McGOWAN IN Loch Riddon ?

 

 The small I.C.I. explosives carrying coaster LADY McGOWAN was in Loch Riddon on 29 November 1953.

 

   Loch Riddon is a small Loch situated near Tighnabruaich in the Kyles of Bute, a lonely and sparsely populated hilly area off the main area known as Firth of Clyde, Scotland.

 

   Does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions as to the reason why LADY McGOWAN would be in this unusual locality ?

  


John Kelly's coaster BALLYCLARE in late 1953.

   In our entries for this ship it is difficult to read the Master's name... possibly Capt. Crab.   Anyone know if this is correct ?

............................................................................


 

Small boat sailor writes from Inverkip :

 

 

 

   I see that motor launches P.D.1 and 8641 passed King George V Dock, Glasgow in January 1967.   Their names vaguely ring a bell in my memory but I don’t remember anything about them.

 

   Does anyone know anything of these two launches ?

 

Just a guess could P.D.1 refer to the launch being the mooring rope boat in Prince’s Dock ?

 

   Sandy

  


Mystery of CVC in Prince’s Dock area of Glasgow

   In 1958 the Clyde Shipping Company’s coaster PLADDA

 was listed as berthed in CVC in Prince’s Dock

 area in Glasgow.

   Does anyone know where CVC was ?

Jim Sloan replies : CVC was Clyde Vila Crane on the quay around berth 81 Plantation Quay, Glasgow

..................................................................


 

Pacific Steam Navigation’s KENUTA at Puna in 1957

 

Tom Hayworth e-mails :

 

Your homepage shows KENUTA at Puna in 1957.   Where is Puna ?

.......................................................................


Ben Line’s Far-East coaster BENVEG in 1957

 

Leith Man e-mails

I was very surprised to see your entry for BENVEG in January 1957

for BENVEG as I had never heard of her.

 

Anyone have any more information please ?

............................................................................


SPRINGFIELD QUAY, GLASGOW

Harry Cochrane e-mails :and conveniently close to the city centre. With restaurants, casino, bingo, bowling, cinema and hotel, everything you need is at The Quay.

For a good few years what was Springfield Quay in Glasgow has been redeveloped into an entertainment area with a cinema, hotel, casino and restaurants.   There was always a big sign at the entrance reading "SPRINGFIELD QUAY" but now the sign has been removed and replaced with a much smaller and more modern one saying "THE QUAY"

It's sad to have the last of the great Glasgow dockside quayside names disappear from public view.

aand conveniently close to the city centre. With restaurants, casino, bingo, bowling, cinema and hotel, everything you need is at The Quay.nd conveniently close to the city centre. With restaurants, casino, bingo, bowling, cinema and hotel, everything you need is at The Quay.


MYSTERY SHIP PORTHOLE

 From Michael Irwin (michaelj87836@gmail.com)
When: 16 September 2016 15:09
Can show name? Checked
Can show email? Checked
Can show message? Checked

I have a very short video posted on youtube of a porthole that I am trying to identify. It is more than likely WW1 era. Glass window is 14" in diameter and the entire assembly weighs 132 lbs. The name of the youtube video is Mystery Ship Porthole and I will leave a link. Thanks

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbgNppQ8XWM

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LASHERCIA ..... A Spanish coaster in 1962

   Does anyone have information on LASHERCIA which was trading around the Irish Sea and Liverpool in 1962 ?

.................................................................................................................................................................


Clyde Navigation Trust launches GARMOYLE and DUNGLASS

Jim Allison writes : I see from arrivals and sailings that the Clyde Navigation Trust launches GARMOYLE and DUNGLASS were busy on the River, even in the middle of the night.  What was their occupation ?

......................................................................................


Carrickfergus (Northern Ireland) in January 1963.

From Sean R  (Larne, Northern Ireland)

   Thanks very much for showing the ships bringing explosives from Irvine to Carrickfergus in January 1963.   After 53 years I've now found out the two ships in the photographs, CASCADE the Dutch coaster and LADY ANSTRUTHER of ICI.    Sean R.


 

   What do you want  (or don't want)  on this website  ?

   With new Administrators and Contributors now helping with this website, it is probably a good time to find out what you, the viewers, want to see and read about.

   So, what do you want -  or don't want  -  on this website ?   Should there be more of this  ....... or less of that   ....... or maybe something entirely new  ?

   Please use the "Contact us" button and tell the team in as much detail as possible so that we can try to provide items which are of interest to you.

   Thank you. 

 


Netherlands coaster MADO in 1963

   In January 1963 the Groningen registered coaster MADO was at Irvine, Scotland, having arrived with a cargo of 200 tons of fertilizer from Rotterdam.   Does anyone have any information or details of this ship

..............................................................................................................................


 

CARGOES FOR BEIRA BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT ONLY

I see from the sailing notices (such as in SYDNEY STAR) that cargoes for Beira in East Africa are often accepted by special arrangement only.  Why by special arrangement ?

  Charlie and Misty Fennelly, New Jersey. U.S.A.

.............................................................................................................


Holland America cargo ship DUIVENDYK

Holland America cargo ship DUIVENDYK was at Glasgow from August 27 1959 to September 2 1959 loading scrap metal for Japan.   Does anyone have any information about this vessel.


 

Information needed on cargo ship KORBACH in 1958

 

KORBACH was closing for receiving cargo in Glasgow on 25 July 1958 and loading for the Great Lakes, Detroit and Chicago.    She was probably on a charter by Anchor Line or Head Line or Cunard Line.

 

Does anyone have any information on KORBACH ?


 

“Conducting their business in Great Waters” series

Just to say how much we enjoy reading your “Conducting their business in Great Waters” series.   Really good to read of BENDORAN at Zamboanga and DURBAN CASTLE at St. Helena Island and British India’s KENYA at Zanzibar. And Misty appreciates the diary of Donaldson Line's LETITIA that you included for her.  This is the only website that brings the voyages to life.   Even the kids read it and are sure learning their world geography.   Charlie and Misty Fennelly,  New Jersey. U.S.A (Misty was born in Canada and her family were Pilots on Saint Lawrence)


WHERE IS " PULO BOKOM "

On 5th January 1957 Alfred Holt's Blue Funnel CALCHAS was at Pulo Bokom.   It's not on Wikipedia.   Where is Pulo Bokom ?

"Hydatina" of Croydon, England, writes :

Pulau Bukom, also known as Pulau Bukum, is a small island belonging to Singapore that is located about five kilometres to the south of the main island of Singapore, off the Straits of Singapore. The size of Pulau Bukom is about 1.45 km².   Royal Dutch Shell Group had a refinery there which I visited a number of times on Shell U.K. Tankers.

Note : The event for CALCHAS has been amended accordingly.


MEANING OF CERTAIN SHIPPING DESCRIPTIONS
Mandy Skinner writes :
   I teach Modern Studies and Geography and my classes use this amazing website to learn of the trade and shipping business on the Clyde from the 1950's, and how the Port of Glasgow and Britain supplied to, and received goods from, every part of the world.
   However, as a non-sailor, I am mystified as to the actual meanings of some descriptions regarding ships.   Can someone please enlighten me ?
   The terms are
   
   Gross tonnage
   Net tonnage
   Deadweight tonnage
   Loading coal or oil bunkers / bunkered
   The ship was "ranging"
   On the ground
   Stevedore
   Longshoremen
   Bad spillage while unloading cargo  (I would have thought that any spillage was bad)
   Dragging her anchor
   Hopper barge
   Canting in Prince's Dock
   Shifting along the wall
   Palm oil cargo
   Shelphate
   Weatherbound / Windbound 
   Cleaning tanks  (as in the ship TULIPBANK)
   Fitting out
   Thank you,   Mandy Skinner

 

A question about Alfred Holt and the King George V Dock in Glasgow

Jim Alison e-mails :   Your event of 25th August 1958 tells that Blue Funnel's PELEUS loaded a 6-ton lift by "Holt's crane".   Did Alfred Holt have a company crane at Glasgow, or could it be the ship's own derrick that was used. ?


CLAN MACINTOSH and help needed on the origin of three launches loaded at Glasgow.

On 9th July 1958 CLAN MACINTOSH loaded 3 launches by her own gear at Glasgow.   The launches came from "Mechano / Medano.   Please have a look at the image, which has been enlarged, and see if you can throw some light on the launches.


Scottish motor coaster PIBROCH built in 1956 by Scott & Sons of Bowling

Does anyone have details of her owners and employment after being sold by Scottish Malt Distillers Company ?


CAN YOU HELP  The oilers "Invertest, Apexity and Clanity" are noted as daily supplying bunker fuel oil to vessels. Have you any images or information on these three ships. ? 

A. Manson replies: Apexity and Clanity were owned by F.T Everard later taken over by Fisher.


CAN YOU HELP   Ore ships at General Terminus Quay .....when leaving, they left Terminus Quay astern.... where were they turned, to go downriver ahead.  Did they turn in Princes Dock...or at Yorkhill Basin...or at King George V Dock ?

  A. Manson replies "Ore carriers leaving General Terminus Quay were canted at Princes Dock ; the area inside the entrance was known as the Canting Basin."


CAN YOU HELP   Glasgow fire-boat "St. Mungo"    Billy and Terry Kelly noted that Glasgow had a fire-boat named "St. Mungo" operated by Glasgow Fire Service, moored at Yorkhill Quay at the entrance to Queens Dock,  and crewed by firemen based in Yorkhill Fire Station (just across the road from Yorkhill Quay.)  Does anyone have a photograph of "St. Mungo" ?

A. Manson replies :Photographs and history the early and latter St. Mungo Fireboats can be seen by going on website "St. Mungo Fireboat"


CAN YOU HELP    Blue funnel liner "Pyrrhus" is shown as arriving on 16th July 1958 (see the image) at berth 3 King George V Dock, head South, bow 5 1/2 ...something...into berth 4.   Any idea what the 5 1/2 something is ?


Ref. "Pyrrhus Berthing. The large timber or metal doors on the dockside of the cargo sheds are referred to as Blinds. There may six or seven of these so the bow or stern of a vessel may be sited in a position relative to the blinds.


CAN YOU HELP   The coaster "Salling" arrived at KG5 on 16th July 1958 from " G.at ? " (see the image)  Can anyone hazard a guess what the place "G....at" is ?

A Manson replies "Destination of "Salling" could possibly have Ghent, Belgium."


CAN YOU HELP.   Princes Dock logbook shows these vessels arriving, but the writing is hard to read.   Can you make out the names?

          

Click on these images to enlarge them

First is maybe.... Cruzeiro Do Sul

Below it is maybe.... Templar

Further down is maybe... Kaduna ...or Kadura

Further down maybe... La Manche

Just below that ......Barbanihalis (or something)

Still further down..... Prins W J or G Frerderick

And also on that page for 28th June at 2045 arrives "Somme" at berth 65 annexe.   I had never heard of "65 annexe"     Can anyone enlighten me? 

A Manson replies "berth 65 Plantation was an Annex abutting on the West end of Mavisbank Quay."    and Kaduna was owned by Paddy Henderson, vessels trading to Burma and associated areas.

Prinz Willem 1V and Prinz W J Fredrick were owned by Dutch Company Oranje Lijn and traded to, and spent some time in the Great Lakes.


CAN YOU HELP   What is the name of this ship?  Is it Sunnarhav or Sunnanhav.  She arrived in Glasgow on 6th July 1965.  Just to allow continuity of entering details, the ship is listed in events as being "Sunnanhav" unless otherwise corrected.

A Manson replies : "Sunnanhan" could possibly have been owned by Saguenay Terminals who prefixed several of their ships names by "Sun"


CAN YOU HELP   The vessel "Mango" or "Manyo" arrived at Princes Dock from Ardrossan on 14th July 1965, draft 5' 10" forard and 12' 8" aft, which would be the draft of a coaster.  But the logbook shows her sailing on 18th July for Three Rivers (Canada) draft forard 17' 07" and aft 19' 06"   Any thoughts or information on this vessel would be welcome. 


THANKS FOR THE MEMORY   Mrs  Margaret Buckner e-mails from Canada.

"I was browsing and chanced on your website, and was astonished to discover mention of the Donaldson ships taking passengers from Princes Dock to Montreal.   I was a little girl in 1960 when my folks emigrated from Kirkintilloch to Canada on Laurentia, and it was a very rough crossing, but was calm when we passed Newfoundland.  The mention of "Laurentia" brought the memories flooding back, having been forgotten for 50 years. Thanks for bringing back the memory.


CAN YOU HELP   : This interesting little advert was in the 23rd June 1906 issue of "Largs and Millport Weekly News"   Note the early start for the days sailing, and the unusual name "Bute 4"     Any information on the firm or the vessels?   Click on the image to enlarge it to full size.

     

A Manson replies: For full history on SS Bute suggest Logging on" SS Bute at Greenock" With information regarding builders of same and SS Kyle then follow Princess Alice Disaster where all will be revealed re ultimate fate of Vessel. 


CAN YOU HELP  : The vessel "Cedric" arrived at KG5 on 10th October 1967. It's difficult to decipher where she came from.  Any suggestions?  Click on the image to enlarge it.

A Manson writes : 
The "Cedric" which arrived at KG5 dock 10th October 1967 would have come from Napier, New Zealand, where she would have loaded refrigerated cargo, e.g. lamb, butter, etc. This was a regular run for vessels belonging to the New Zealand Shipping Company.

A Manson writes :

Ref. the "Cedric" The port referred to is Napier New Zealand.


CAN YOU HELP   This vessel "Stern" or "Stein" arrived KG5.   Is the name "Stern" or "Stein"    Click on the image to enlarge it.


CAN YOU HELP   : What is the name of this 1967 arrival.  Click on the image to enlarge it.


CAN YOU HELP  : Falcon Reefer arrived from USA and Newfoundland.   Which was the USA port concerned?   Click on the image to enlarge it.

A MANSON replies: Gloucester Massachusetts USA is on of America's oldest Ports.


CAN YOU HELP  : Harrison's "Statesman" in Jan 1968 at Shieldhall Riverside Quay conducted an engine test.   What is the word after the test.  Click on the image to enlarge it.

A Manson writes :

Ref. the engine test on "Statesman" at Riverside Shieldhall . The engines would have been run on slow speed. Vessels having such must be securely moored probably with insurance wires as an added precaution .