Latest Events

This page shows the 100 latest events.

What/When	Ship
News Event Wednesday, August 13, 2025 @ 1445	SOUND OF SCARBA (2001- Ro-ro ferry 49.95m overall of Western Ferries, Hunter's Quay)	Own Page
SOUND OF SCARBA passing the town of Strone (Holy Loch, Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)
Ship's location Passing the town of Strone (Holy Loch, Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Glasgow (Scotland, U.K.) Arrived from Western Ferries Terminal, McInroy's Point, Gourock (Scotland, UK) Gross Tonnage 489 Sailing for Hunter's Quay (Cowal Peninsula, Firth of Clyde, Southern Scottish Highlands (Scotland, UK)) Deadweght Tonnage 229 Outward cargo Passengers and vehicles Ships agent Western Ferries, Hunter's Quay (Scotland, UK)
A slight sea-mist as SOUND OF SCARBA approaches the entrance to Holy Loch and ahead is the Liner SEABOURN SOJOURN at anchor
News Event Wednesday, August 13, 2025 @ 1408	SOUND OF SCARBA (2001- Ro-ro ferry 49.95m overall of Western Ferries, Hunter's Quay)	Own Page
SOUND OF SCARBA leaving Hunter's Quay for McInroy's Point Terminal, Gourock
Sailing for Western Ferries Terminal, McInroy's Point, Gourock (Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Glasgow (Scotland, U.K.) Sailed from berth Hunter's Quay (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK) Gross Tonnage 489 Outward cargo Passengers and vehicles Deadweght Tonnage 229
News Event Wednesday, August 13, 2025 @ 1117	SOUND OF SCARBA (2001- Ro-ro ferry 49.95m overall of Western Ferries, Hunter's Quay)	Own Page
SOUND OF SCARBA arriving at McInroy's Point Terminal with passengers and vehicles from Hunter's Quay
Arrived from Hunter's Quay (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Glasgow (Scotland, U.K.) Sailing for Western Ferries Terminal, McInroy's Point, Gourock (Scotland, UK) Gross Tonnage 489 Cargo carried on arrival Passengers and vehicles Deadweght Tonnage 229 Ships agent Western Ferries, Hunter's Quay (Scotland, UK)
News Event Wednesday, August 13, 2025 @ 1107	SOUND OF SHUNA (2003- Roro ferry 49.95m of Western Ferries, Hunters Quay, Scotland)	Own Page
SOUND OF SHUNA loading passengers and vehicles at McInroy's Point Terminal, Gourock
Ship's location Western Ferries, McInroy's Point Terminal, Gourock (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Glasgow (Scotland, UK) Sailing for Hunter's Quay (Cowal Peninsula, Firth of Clyde, Southern Scottish Highlands (Scotland, UK)) Gross Tonnage 489 Outward cargo Passengers and vehicles Deadweght Tonnage 229
News Event Wednesday, August 13, 2025 @ 1026	AURORA (2001 > Container ship IMO 9234989 : 134.42m overall of BG Freight Line, Rotterdam, The Netherlands)	Own Page
AURORA leaves Greenock Ocean Terminal with containers for Dublin (Ireland)
Sailing for Dublin (Ireland) Port of Registry Antigua and Barbuda Sailed from berth Greenock Ocean Terminal West (Scotland, UK) .... Container Berth Outward cargo Containers Draught aft on sailing 7.1meters Ships agent BG Freight Line
A beautiful and calm and warm summer morning, with a touch of patchy sea-mist. 10:11   AURORA ... Draft 7.1meters for Dublin.   Ready to leave. 10:19   AURORA ... Let go all ropes   10:43   AURORA passing Kempock Point, outbound for Dublin.
News Event Wednesday, July 20, 1960 @ 1000 The actual date and time are unknown and details shown here are our best estimate		Own Page
Youtube film of entering Hong Kong Harbour in 1960
Ship's location Hong Kong
Contributed by Suzanne https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WOYcdwdU1Q
News Event Wednesday, February 9, 1966 @ 1000 The actual date and time are unknown and details shown here are our best estimate	U.S.S. RANDOLPH (in 1966 Aircraft Carrier CV15 of US Navy)	Own Page
Youtube video of Aircraft Carrier USS RANDOLPH (CV 15) at Hamburg (Germany) in 1966
Ship's location Hamburg (Germany)
Contributed by Suzanne https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWnhD4kNOiQ
News Event Saturday, May 1, 1965 @ 1000 The actual date and time are unknown and details shown here are our best estimate		Own Page
BBC film 3.33 minutes in 1965 of Customs at work at Apapa Quay, Nigeria
Ship's location Apapa Port, Nigeria
Contributed by Suzanne https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpMtA0WRxsM
News Event Wednesday, January 3, 2024 @ 0600 The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate		Own Page
Youtube video 1.18minute of anchorage at Port Said, Egypt on 3 January 2024
Ship's location Anchorage at Port Said, Egypt
Contributed by Suzanne https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYjmFR_l7F8
News Event Wednesday, August 13, 2025 @ 1255	SD IMPETUS (1993- Tug IMO 9050802 : 32.53m overall length of Serco Marine Services, London)	Own Page
SD IMPETUS passing Custom House Quay, Greenock for the Naval Base at Faslane
Ship's location Passing Custom House Quay, Greenock (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK) Port of Registry London (England, UK) Arrived from Serco Marine Services Base, Great Harbour, Greenock (Scotland, UK) Gross Tonnage 319 Sailing for HMNB (= His Majesty's Naval Base) Faslane (Gare Loch, Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK) Deadweght Tonnage 92
News Event Thursday, May 14, 1964 @ 1400 The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate	EMPRESS OF ENGLAND (1957-1970 Passenger Liner 640 feet long of Canadian Pacific Steamships, Liverpool : 1975 scrapped at Kaohsiung, Taiwan)	Own Page
EMPRESS OF ENGLAND left Tail-of-the-Bank, the anchorage off Greenock, for Liverpool
Arrived from Quebec and Montreal (Canada) Port of Registry Liverpool Sailing for Liverpool (England, UK) Gross Tonnage 25,585 Sailed from berth Tail-of-the-Bank, the anchorage off Greenock (Scotland, UK) Deadweght Tonnage 8,910
News Event Wednesday, May 13, 1964 @ 1800 The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate	ARKADIA (1958-1966 Emigrant ship / Cruise liner 590 feet overall of Arcadia Steam Ship Company, Andros, Greece : December 1966 scrapped at Valencia, Spain)	Own Page
ARKADIA left Left Gravesend (River Thames, England, UK) for Montreal (Province of Quebec, Canada)
Sailing for Montreal (Province of Quebec, Canada) Port of Registry Greece Sailed from berth Left Gravesend (River Thames, England, UK) Gross Tonnage 20,259
News Event Thursday, May 14, 1964 @ 0800 The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate	BENARMIN (1963-1972 General cargo liner 550 feet long of William Thomson's Ben Line, Leith)	Own Page
BENARMIN at Kobe (Japan) for Moji (Japan)
Ship's location Kobe (Japan) Port of Registry Leith (Scotland) Sailing for Moji (Japan) Net Tonnage 6,486 Gross Tonnage 11,362 Deadweght Tonnage 13,015
News Event Thursday, May 14, 1964 @ 1800 The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate	BENDORAN (1956-1977 Conventional general cargo liner 508 feet long 17 knots of William Thomson's Ben Line of Leith : 1977 scrapped in Taiwan)	Own Page
BENDORAN left Hong Kong for Singapore (pronounced sing--a--pore) .... not sing-ga-pore
Sailing for Singapore (pronounced sing--a--pore) .... not sing-ga-pore Port of Registry Leith (Scotland, UK) Sailed from berth Hong Kong Gross Tonnage 10,355 Deadweght Tonnage 12,100
News Event Thursday, May 14, 1964 @ 1800 The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate	BENLOYAL (1959-1978 General cargo liner 550 feet long of William Thomson's Ben Line, Edinburgh : scrapped 1978)	Own Page
BENLOYAL left Hong Kong for Yokohama (Japan)
Sailing for Yokohama (Japan) Port of Registry Leith (Scotland, UK) Sailed from berth Hong Kong
News Event Thursday, May 14, 1964 @ 1800 The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate	BENVALLA (1962-1972 General cargo liner 550 feet long of William Thomson's Ben Line, Edinburgh)	Own Page
BENVALLA left Aden (Yemen) for Suez Canal
Sailing for Suez (Egypt) .. the southern entrance to the Suez Canal which leads to the Mediterranean Sea) Port of Registry Leith (Scotland, UK) Sailed from berth Aden (Yemen)
News Event Thursday, May 14, 1964 @ 1800 The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate	BENVENUE (1948-1973 General cargo liner 475 feet long of Ben Line / William Thomson, Edinburgh)	Own Page
BENVENUE left Rejang (Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia) for Singapore (pronounced sing--a--pore)
Sailing for Singapore (pronounced sing--a--pore) .... not sing-ga-pore Port of Registry Leith (Scotland, UK) Sailed from berth Rejang (Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia)
News Event Thursday, May 14, 1964 @ 1800 The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate	BENVORLICH (1946-1971 General cargo ship of William Thomson Ben Line, Edinburgh)	Own Page
BENVORLICH left London (England, UK) for Rotterdam (The Netherlands)
Sailing for Rotterdam (The Netherlands) Port of Registry Leith (Scotland) Sailed from berth London (England, UK) Gross Tonnage 9,767
News Event Wednesday, May 13, 1964 @ 0800 The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate	CARINTHIA (1956-1968 Passenger / cargo liner 608 feet long of Cunard Line, Liverpool)	Own Page
CARINTHIA from Liverpool at Quebec City (pronounced KIB-BECK : Canada)
Ship's location Quebec City (pronounced KIB-BECK : the capital city of the Canadian province of Quebec) Port of Registry Liverpool (England, UK) Arrived from Liverpool (England, UK) Gross Tonnage 21,947
News Event Wednesday, May 13, 1964 @ 0800 The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate	CARMENCITA (1959-1975 Ore carrier 517 feet long 66 feet beam of J M Ugland Shipping, Grimstad)	Own Page
CARMENCITA from Glasgow (Scotland, UK) at Seven Islands (= Sept Iles, Canada)
Ship's location Seven Islands (= Sept Iles, Canada) Port of Registry Grimstad (Norway) Arrived from Glasgow (Scotland, UK) Net Tonnage 4,231 Gross Tonnage 10,858 Deadweght Tonnage 16,300
News Event Wednesday, May 13, 1964 @ 1800 The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate	CITY OF GLASGOW (in 1964 at Port Said and London)	Own Page
CITY OF GLASGOW left Port Said (Egypt) having passed through Suez Canal for London (England, UK)
Sailing for London (England, UK) Sailed from berth Port Said (Egypt) having passed through Suez Canal on a northbound convoy
News Event Wednesday, May 13, 1964 @ 1800 The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate	CITY OF HEREFORD (1958-1971 General cargo liner of Ellerman Hall Line, London)	Own Page
CITY OF HEREFORD left Madras (Madras State, Tamil Nadu, India) for Liverpool (England, UK)
Sailing for Liverpool (England, UK) Port of Registry London Sailed from berth Madras (Madras State, Tamil Nadu, India : in 1996 the city of Madras was renamed Chennai) Gross Tonnage 4,954 Deadweght Tonnage 7,610
News Event Wednesday, May 13, 1964 @ 0800 The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate	CLAN MACDOUGALL (1944-1971 cargo liner 508 feet long of Clan Line Steamers)	Own Page
CLAN MACDOUGALL from Liverpool (England, UK) at Port Elizabeth (South Africa)
Ship's location Port Elizabeth (South Africa) Port of Registry Glasgow Arrived from Liverpool (England, UK) Gross Tonnage 9710
News Event Wednesday, May 13, 1964 @ 0800 The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate	DUNSTAN (1948-1951 then 1958-1966 General cargo ship of Booth Line, Liverpool)	Own Page
DUNSTAN at Lisboa / Lisbon (Portugal) for UK
Ship's location Lisboa / Lisbon (Portugal) Port of Registry Liverpool (England) Sailing for UK Gross Tonnage 2,993
News Event Wednesday, May 13, 1964 @ 1800 The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate	MANIPUR (1945-1967 General cargo ship of T & J Brocklebank, Liverpool : 1967 scrapped)	Own Page
MANIPUR left Jeddah (in the Red Sea, Saudi Arabia) for Colombo (Ceylon)
Sailing for Colombo (Ceylon : since 1972 known as Sri Lanka) Port of Registry Liverpool (England, U.K.) Sailed from berth Jeddah (in the Red Sea, Saudi Arabia) Gross Tonnage 8,559
News Event Wednesday, May 13, 1964 @ 1800 The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate	OLINDA (1950-1966 General cargo ship of British India Steam Navigation Co., London)	Own Page
OLINDA left Jeddah (in the Red Sea, Saudi Arabia) for Colombo (Ceylon)
Sailing for Colombo (Ceylon : since 1972 known as Sri Lanka) Port of Registry London (England, U.K.) Sailed from berth Jeddah (in the Red Sea, Saudi Arabia) Gross Tonnage 5,424
News Event Wednesday, May 13, 1964 @ 1800 The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate	ORONSAY (1951-1975 Passenger liner 708 feet long of P & O-Orient Line, London)	Own Page
ORONSAY left Vancouver (British Columbia, Canada) for Sydney (Australia)
Sailing for Sydney (Australia) Port of Registry London (England, UK) Sailed from berth Vancouver (British Columbia, Canada)
News Event Wednesday, May 13, 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 Montreal (Canadian Province of Quebec) for Liverpool (England, UK)
Ship's location Montreal (the largest city of the Canadian Province of Quebec) Port of Registry London Sailing for Liverpool (England, UK)
News Event Wednesday, May 13, 1964 @ 1800 The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate	QUEEN MARY (1936-1940 Passenger liner 1,019.4 ft (310.7 m) of Cunard Line: 1940-1946 Troopship: 1946-1967 returned to service with Cunard Line, Liverpool)	Own Page
QUEEN MARY left New York (USA) for Southampton (England, UK)
Sailing for Southampton (England, UK) Port of Registry Liverpool (England, UK) Sailed from berth New York (USA)
News Event Wednesday, May 13, 1964 @ 1800 The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate	ROMNEY (1952-1978 General cargo ship 472 feet long of Lamport & Holt Line, Liverpool :1978 Scrapped)	Own Page
ROMNEY left Las Palmas (capital of Gran Canaria, in the Canary Islands) for Rosario (Argentina)
Sailing for Rosario (Rosario Department, Argentina) Port of Registry Liverpool (England) Sailed from berth Las Palmas (Spanish city and capital of Gran Canaria, in the Canary Islands, in the Atlantic Ocean) Gross Tonnage 8,237
News Event Wednesday, May 13, 1964 @ 1800 The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate	SUNDA (1952-1968 Refrigerated / general cargo liner 523 feet long of P & O Steam Navigation Company, London)	Own Page
SUNDA left Honj Kong for London (England, UK)
Sailing for London (England, UK) Port of Registry London (England, UK) Sailed from berth Honj Kong Net Tonnage 4,965 Gross Tonnage 9,235 Deadweght Tonnage 11,571
News Event Thursday, May 14, 1964 @ 0800 The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate	TARKWA (1944-1967 General cargo ship of Elder Dempster Line, Liverpool)	Own Page
TARKWA from Port Harcourt (Rivers State, Nigeria) at Liverpool (England, UK)
Ship's location Liverpool (England, UK) Port of Registry Liverpool (England) Arrived from Port Harcourt (Rivers State, Nigeria) Gross Tonnage 7,416 Ships agent Elder Dempster Line, Liverpool
News Event Wednesday, August 13, 2025 @ 1224	NACC AFRICAN (1996 < Cement Carrier IMO 9116515 : 145m overall of Nova Algoma Cement Carriers Ltd)	Own Page
NACC AFRICAN arriving in Firth of Clyde (Scotland, UK) and passing the town of Dunoon
Ship's location Arriving in Firth of Clyde (Scotland, UK) and passing the town of Dunoon Port of Registry Panama Arrived from Arzew (Algeria, North Africa) having left there at 18:08 on 5 August Sailing for Berth 4 King George V Dock, Glasgow (Scotland, UK) assisted by tug CMS THUNDERER Cargo carried on arrival Cement
13:00    NACC AFRICAN passing Custom House Quay, Greenock.    Tug CMS THUNDERER is close astern If you were ever seriously worried about the name NACC ..... well here is your answer.   On the funnel (smoke stack) is Nova Algoma Cement Carriers Limited Tug CMS THUNDERER following close astern The cement carrier is now turning to shape up to round Garvel Point on her 19-mile passage up the River Clyde to King George V Dock, Glasgow
News Event Friday, August 1, 1930 @ 1200 The actual date and time are unknown and details shown here are our best estimate	Renfrew - Yoker Ferry (Around 1930s Chain-driven ro-ro ferry of Clyde Navigation Trust, Glasgow)	Own Page
Around 1930s RENFREW - YOKER chain-driven ro-ro ferry at Renfrew (River Clyde, Scotland, UK)
Ship's location Renfrew - Yoker chain-driven ro-ro ferry at Renfrew (River Clyde, Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Glasgow (Scotland, UK) Cargo carried on arrival Passengers and vehicles
Contributed image
News Event Thursday, August 14, 2025 @ 1453	LOUGH FOYLE (2009 < Trailing Suction Hopper Dredger IMO 7823310 : 75m overall of Londonderry Port & Harbour Commissioners - Londonderry, U.K)	Own Page
Dredger LOUGH FOYLE undergoing repairs and maintenance at Garvel Drydock, Greenock
Ship's location Garvel Drydock, Greenock (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Londonderry (Northern Ireland, UK) Gross Tonnage 848
News Event Thursday, August 14, 2025 @ 1526	NENYA (in 2025 Yacht at Greenock)	Own Page
NENYA leaving James Watt Dock Marina, Greenock (Scotland, UK)
Sailing for Sea Port of Registry Glasgow (Scotland, UK) Sailed from berth Leaving James Watt Dock Marina, Greenock (Scotland, UK)
News Event Thursday, August 14, 2025 @ 1547	AFTER LIFE (in 2025 Motor Cruiser at Greenock)	Own Page
AFTER LIFE approaching James Watt Dock Marina, Greenock (Scotland, UK)
Ship's location Approaching James Watt Dock Marina, Greenock (Scotland, UK) Arrived from Sea
News Event Thursday, August 14, 2025 @ 1550	SD ORONSAY (2000- IMO 9201607 Naval Auxiliary passenger ferry 27m long)	Own Page
SD ORONSAY passing Custom House Quay, Greenock (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)
Ship's location Passing Custom House Quay, Greenock (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK) Port of Registry London (England, U.K.) Arrived from HMNB (= His Majesty's Naval Base) Faslane (Gare Loch, Scotland, UK) Gross Tonnage 199 Sailing for Serco Base, Great Harbour, Greenock Deadweght Tonnage 109
News Event Thursday, August 14, 2025 @ 1605	LADY A (Motor Cruiser at Greenock in 2024)	Own Page
Motor cruiser LADY A approaching James Watt Dock Marina, Greenock
Ship's location Approaching James Watt Dock Marina, Greenock Arrived from Sea
News Event Thursday, August 14, 2025 @ 1615	ENDURANCE (in 2023 Inshore creel fishing boat GW42 at Greenock)	Own Page
Creel Boat ENDURANCE heading for the Fishing Boat Quay, James Watt Dock, Greenock (Scotland, UK)
Arrived from Fishing in the Firth of Clyde (Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Glasgow (Scotland, UK)
News Event Thursday, August 14, 2025 @ 1630	ZEPHYR (in 2025 RIB = Rigid inflatable boat at Greenock)	Own Page
ZEPHYR (RIB = Rigid inflatable boat) approaching James Watt Dock Marina, Greenock
Arrived from Sea Sailing for James Watt Dock Marina, Greenock (Scotland, UK)
News Event Thursday, August 14, 2025 @ 1801	ANGLEGARTH (1996- Tug 33m long of Svitzer A/S, Copenhagen, Denmark / Managers: Svitzer Marine Ltd, Middlesbrough)	Own Page
ANGLEGARTH passes Greenock Esplanade to meet incoming container ship MSC MIA SUMMER 11
Arrived from Inchgreen Wall, Great Harbour, Greenock (Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Milford (Wales, UK) Sailing for Off Fort Matilda (Greenock) to meet the incoming container ship MSC MIA SUMMER 11 Gross Tonnage 374 Ships agent Svitzer Towage, Greenock (Scotland, UK) Deadweght Tonnage 290
News Event Thursday, August 14, 2025 @ 1803	SVITZER MILFORD (2004 > Shiphandling tug IMO 9292876 of Svitzer Marine, Middlesbrough, UK)	Own Page
SVITZER MILFORD passes Greenock Esplanade to meet incoming container ship MSC MIA SUMMER 11
Arrived from Inchgreen Wall, Great Harbour, Greenock (Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Milford Haven (Wales, UK) Sailing for Off Fort Matilda (Greenock) to meet the incoming container ship MSC MIA SUMMER 11 Gross Tonnage 384 Ships agent Svitzer Towage, Greenock (Scotland, UK) Deadweght Tonnage 226
News Event Saturday, July 17, 2010 @ 1000 The actual date and time are unknown and details shown here are our best estimate		Own Page
Craighouse (Isle of Jura, Western Isles of Scotland) with Jura Hotel in the background
News Event Saturday, July 18, 1970 @ 1000 The actual date and time are unknown and details shown here are our best estimate		Own Page
Hawaii advert, posibly around 1970s, for travel by Clipper Aeroplane
News Event Sunday, August 2, 1970 @ 1200 The actual date and time are unknown and details shown here are our best estimate		Own Page
Lyle Hill and Free French Memorial overlooking Cardwell Bay, Gourock (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)
News Event Sunday, December 10, 1950 @ 1000 The actual date and time are unknown and details shown here are our best estimate	RANGITIKI (1929-1962 Passenger / cargo liner of New Zealand Shipping Company, London)	Own Page
RANGITIKI model New Zealand vessel in a whisky bottle (believed made around 1950 in Wellington NZ)
Port of Registry London (England, UK)
News Event Thursday, May 8, 2025 @ 0937	REFLECTION (in 2025 Yacht at Greenock)	Own Page
Yacht REFLECTION passing Custom House Quay, Greenock (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)
Ship's location Passing Custom House Quay, Greenock (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK) Arrived from James Watt Dock Marina, Greenock (Scotland, UK) Sailing for Sea
News Event Thursday, May 8, 2025 @ 0910	WAVERLEY (1974 > Excursion paddle steamer 240 feet long of Waverley Steam Navigation Co. Ltd)	Own Page
WAVERLEY having maintenance at Custom House Quay, Greenock then leaving for trials at Largs
Ship's location Custom House Quay, Greenock (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Glasgow (Scotland, UK) Gross Tonnage 693
09:10   WAVERLEY having maintenance at Custom House Quay, Greenock.   In the background is the German Liner MEIN SCHIFF 3 09:45   WAVERLEY leaves her overnight berth at Custom House Quay and will turn around off James Watt Dock and then leave Greenock for Largs to undergo berthing trials at the outer pier Having turned around off James Watt Dock Basin WAVERLEY now heads outbound to pass Greenock Ocean Terminal 09:59  WAVERLEY passing the German Liner MEIN SCHIFF 3 at the Cruise Pontoon at Greenock Ocean Terminal
News Event Tuesday, April 29, 2025 @ 1243	SD FORCEFUL ( 2008 < Tug IMO: 8401468 : 39m overall of Serco Denholm, London)	Own Page
SD FORCEFUL at the Serco Base at Great Harbour, Greenock (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)
Ship's location Serco Base at Great Harbour, Greenock (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK) Port of Registry London (England, UK) Gross Tonnage 384 Deadweght Tonnage 85
News Event Tuesday, April 29, 2025 @ 1242	SD DEPENDABLE (2010- Shiphandling tug 29.14m overall of Serco Marine Services, London)	Own Page
Tug SD DEPENDABLE arriving in the Serco Base, Greenock (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)
Ship's location Arriving in the Serco Base, Greenock (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK) Port of Registry London (England, UK) Arrived from HMNB (= His Majesty's Naval Base) Faslane (Gare Loch, Scotland, UK) Gross Tonnage 271 Cargo carried on arrival Light ship = no cargo on board
Tug SD DEPENDABLE arriving at Great Harbour to tow the unmanned oil barge SD OILMAN to the Naval Base at Faslane SD DEPENDABLE (on the right) arriving at the Serco Base.      On the left of the image is berthed the tug SD FORCEFUL.   And last but not least, at the extreme left of the photograph (and only partly visible at the stern of SD FORCEFUL) is the unmanned oil barge SD OILMAN.   About an hour later tug SD DEPENDABLE will leave Great Harbour with SD OILMAN lashed / towed alongside for the Naval Base at Faslane.
News Event Tuesday, April 29, 2025 @ 1241	SD ANGELINE (2016- IMO: 9648544 Utility support vessel 25m overall of Serco Marine Services, London)	Own Page
SD ANGELINE at the Serco Base at Great Harbour, Greenock (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)
Ship's location Serco Base at Great Harbour, Greenock (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK) Port of Registry London (England, UK) Gross Tonnage 200 Deadweght Tonnage 620
News Event Wednesday, November 26, 1975 @ 1000		Own Page
Extracts of Palm Line Company magazine PALM BULLETIN of Nov. 1975
News Event Thursday, August 14, 2025 @ 1849	MSC MIA SUMMER 11 (2005 < Container Ship IMO 9169067 : 215.98m overall of Msc Mediterranean Shipping Co - Geneva, Switzerland)	Own Page
MSC MIA SUMMER 11 approaching Greenock Ocean Terminal (Firth of Clyde, Scotland)
Ship's location Approaching Greenock Ocean Terminal (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK) with tug ANGLEGARTH Port of Registry Monrovia (Liberia) Arrived from Liverpool (England, UK) having left there at 1420 on 13 August Gross Tonnage 25,219 Sailing for Container Berth at Greenock Ocean Terminal (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK) Deadweght Tonnage 18,779 Cargo carried on arrival Containers
The container ship was approaching Greenock Ocean Terminal.   Tug ANGLEGARTH was attached through MIA's stern centre lead and SVITZER MILFORD (which cannot be seen in these images) was on the port side Arriving at the Container Terminal
News Event Wednesday, August 13, 2025 @ 1251	MEERCAT (2009 < Multipurpose Vessel IMO 916047 MMSI: 235077964 : 15.5m overall of JIFMAR Offshore Services Ltd., Aix-en-Provence, France)	Own Page
Workboat MEERCAT repairing the wall at Custom House Quay, Greenock (Firth of Clyde, Scotland)
Ship's location Custom House Quay, Greenock (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Southampton (England, UK) Gross Tonnage 32.36
Whilst MEERCAT was repairing the wall the vessels passing were the Cement Carrier NACC AFRICAN and tug CMS THUNDERER on passage to King George V Dock, Glasgow.
News Event Wednesday, August 13, 2025 @ 1250	CLYDE (in 2024 Catamaran type Police boat of Police Scotland)	Own Page
Police Boat CLYDE outbound and passing Custom House Quay, Greenock (Scotland, UK)
Ship's location Outbound and passing Custom House Quay, Greenock (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Glasgow (Scotland, UK)
News Event Wednesday, August 13, 2025 @ 1535	BETTY (2021 > Bulk Carrier IMO 9522881 : 186.4m overall of Interorient Marine Services - Hamburg, Germany)	Own Page
BETTY passing Greenock outbound for Skaggerak for orders : then for Ust-Luga (Russia)
Ship's location Outbound and passing Greenock Ocean Terminal (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Majuro (Marshall Islands, an island country in the northwestern Pacific Ocean) Arrived from USA via Newport (Wales, UK) Gross Tonnage 22,683 Sailing for Skaggerak for orders : then for Ust-Luga (Russia) and estimated arrival is 13:00 on 20 August Deadweght Tonnage 36,892 Sailed from berth Riverside Quay, Shieldhall, Glasgow (Scotland, UK) tugs ANGLEGARTH and SVITZER MILFORD Outward cargo Light ship = no cargo on board
Contributed by Sandra B. (Site Administrator)
News Event Wednesday, August 13, 2025 @ 1000	BBC RAISE ( 2019 > General cargo ship IMO 9538880 : 161.5m overall of Briese Schiffahrts Gmbh & Co - Leer, Germany)	Own Page
BBC RAISE at Brodick Bay (Isle of Arran, Scotland, UK) waiting for a berth at Riverside, Glasgow
Ship's location Brodick Bay (Isle of Arran, Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK) waiting for a berth at Riverside, Glasgow Port of Registry St John's (Antigua and Barbuda) Arrived from Coega (South Africa) and left there at 15:33 on 17 July Gross Tonnage 14,859 Cargo carried on arrival Bulk Minerals Deadweght Tonnage 17,884
News Event Wednesday, August 13, 2025 @ 1403	SEABOURN SOJOURN (2010 < Cruise Liner IMO 9417098 : of Seaborn Cruise Line)	Own Page
SEABOURN SOJOURN at Holy Loch, just off the town of Strone (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)
Ship's location Holy Loch, just off the town of Strone (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Nassau (Bahamas) Arrived from Dublin (Ireland) having left there at 1726 on 12 August Sailing for Tobermory (Isle of Mull, Western Isles of Scotland, UK) Cargo carried on arrival Passengers Outward cargo Passengers Ships agent Seabourne Cruises
Contributed by Sandra B.  (Site Administrator)   Ahead of the Liner, along the north bank of Holy Loch, is the small town of Strone.   If any former or serving U.S. Navy personnel see this image, well then, just for nostalgia's sake, the liner is anchored in the very spot where, in the 1960's, the US Navy had their Submarine Depot Ships PROTEUS and HUNLEY, Polaris Submarines and Dry Dock based in the Holy Loch.   Place names like Ardnadam, Sandbank, Dunoon and Gourock may ring a bell. For a short time the mist crept across the top of the surrounding hills The Liner was anchored in the Holy Loch and passengers were brought ashore by orange-coloured tenders from the ship and landed at the pontoon at the Holy Loch Marina.   The tenders provided a continual shuttle service for the three minute crossing.   Yes, this is the colourful gazebo shelter at the Holy Loch Marina's pontoon and the Liner's ever smiling, immensley attentive and extremely helpful attendant.
News Event Wednesday, August 13, 2025 @ 1353	SOUND OF SHUNA (2003- Roro ferry 49.95m of Western Ferries, Hunters Quay, Scotland)	Own Page
SOUND OF SHUNA on passage from Hunter's Quay (Firth of Clyde) to McInroy's Point, Gourock
Ship's location On passage from Hunter's Quay (Firth of Clyde) to McInroy's Point, Gourock (Firth of Clyde) Port of Registry Glasgow (Scotland, UK) Arrived from Hunter's Quay (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK) Gross Tonnage 489 Sailing for McInroy's Point, Gourock (Scotland, UK) Deadweght Tonnage 229 Outward cargo Passengers and vehicles Ships agent Western Ferries, Hunter's Quay (Scotland, UK)
Contributed by Sandra B. (Site Administrator)
News Event Tuesday, August 12, 2025 @ 0930 The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate	SURVEY (in 2025 a RIB (= Rigid Inflatable Boat) at Rothesay Dock, Clydebank)	Own Page
SURVEY boat in Rothesay Dock, Clydebank (River Clyde, Scotland, UK)
Ship's location Rothesay Dock, Clydebank (River Clyde, Scotland, UK)
Contributed by Robert McManus This boat was passing the "Big Head" = a very large head-like exhibit, now discarded and unused, which was an attraction at the Glasgow Garden Festival held at Prince's Dock in the Summer of 1988.
News Event Tuesday, August 12, 2025 @ 0945 The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate	RENFREW - YOKER FERRY (in 2025 : an un-named foot ferry vessel of Clyde Link, Glasgow)	Own Page
Redundant Renfrew - Yoker passenger ferry laid up at Rothesay Dock, Clydebank
Ship's location West of Scotland Boatyard, Rothesay Dock, Clydebank (Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Glasgow (Scotland, UK)
Contributed by Robert McManus
News Event Tuesday, August 12, 2025 @ 1030	GLENLEE (1992 > (locally known as the Tall Ship) a 3-masted barque 245.34 feet (74.83 m) long and a static floating museum ship at Riverside Museum, Glasgow)	Own Page
Museum Ship GLENLEE at Riverside Museum, Glasgow with Govan pedestrian / cyclist bridge
Ship's location Riverside Museum, Partick, Glasgow (Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Glasgow (Scotland, UK)
Contributed by Robert McManus
News Event Tuesday, August 12, 2025 @ 1100 The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate	BETTY (2021 > Bulk Carrier IMO 9522881 : 186.4m overall of Interorient Marine Services - Hamburg, Germany)	Own Page
BETTY discharging bulk agicultural cargo at Riverside Quay, Glasgow
Ship's location Riverside Quay, Shieldhall, Glasgow (Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Majuro (Marshall Islands, an island country in the northwestern Pacific Ocean) Arrived from USA via Newport (Wales, UK) : left Newport at 0610 on 8 August Gross Tonnage 22,683 Sailing for Ust-Luga (Russia) and estimated arrival is 13:00 on 20 August Deadweght Tonnage 36,892 Cargo carried on arrival Bulk cargo of agricultural products Outward cargo Light ship = no cargo on board
Contributed by Robert McManus
News Event Tuesday, August 12, 2025 @ 1145 The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate	MARIA (in 2025 Bulk Carrier IMO 5680229 ? )	Own Page
MARIA at Glasgow loading a cargo of scrap metal for Liverpool (England, UK)
Ship's location Berth 10 King George V Dock, Shieldhall, Glasgow (Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Majuro (Marshall Islands, an island country in the northwestern Pacific Ocean) Sailing for Liverpool (England, UK) Net Tonnage 21,223 Outward cargo Scrap metal Gross Tonnage 26,072
Contributed by Robert McManus
News Event Tuesday, August 12, 2025 @ 1130 The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate	HEBRIDEAN ISLES (1985- 2024 Ro-ro ferry 85m long of Caledonian MacBrayne, Gourock)	Own Page
HEBRIDEAN ISLES at King George V Dock, Glasgow (Scotland, UK) waiting for scrapping
Ship's location King George V Dock, Glasgow (Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Glasgow (Scotland, UK) Ships agent Caledonian MacBrayne, Gourock, Scotland Gross Tonnage 3,040
Contributed by Robert McManus
News Event Wednesday, August 13, 2025 @ 1301	CMS THUNDERER (in 2025 Tug in Clyde)	Own Page
Tug CMS THUNDERER passes Greenock and escorting NACC AFRICAN to Glasgow
Ship's location Passing Custom House Quay, Greenock (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK) Sailing for Escorting NACC AFRICAN on passage to King George V Dock, Glasgow
News Event Wednesday, July 16, 2025 @ 1335	ALFRED (2019- Ro-ro passenger catamaran ferry 84m overall on charter to Caledonian MacBrayne from Pentland Ferries)	Own Page
Man rescued after going overboard on Arran ferry ALFRED
Ship's location On passage from Troon to Brodick Port of Registry Kirkwall (Orkney Islands, Scotland, UK) Sailing for Brodick (Isle of Arran, Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK) Gross Tonnage 2,991 Sailed from berth Troon Ferry Terminal (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK) Deadweght Tonnage 466 Outward cargo Passengers Ships agent Caledonian MacBrayne, Gourock, Scotland
from BBC Scotland online news 16 August 2025 Man rescued after going overboard on Arran ferry ALFRED Image source,AFP Image caption, The passenger went overboard from the MV Alfred on Saturday Published 5 hours ago A ferry passenger has been rescued from the Firth of Clyde after falling from a vessel travelling to the Isle of Arran. Crews from the ferry were dispatched to pull the man from the water after he fell from the 13:35 Calmac service between Troon and Brodick on Saturday. The MV Alfred was rerouted back to Troon harbour after the rescue and Calmac warned sailings would be delayed for the rest of the day. The passenger, who was understood to be conscious, was passed to the Scottish Ambulance Service.
News Event Thursday, August 14, 2025 @ 1735	AILA (2018- Container Ship IMO 9354337 MMSI 230985000 : 141m overall length of Langh Ship, Piikkio, Finland)	Own Page
AILA leaving Greenock Ocean Terminal with containers for Bilbao (Spain / Espana)
Ship's location Off Greenock Esplanade : Canting to starboard (= turning to right) to head outbound for Spain Port of Registry Helsinki (Finland) Sailing for Bilbao (Spain / Espana) .... estimated time of arrival 10:00 on 17 August Gross Tonnage 9,131 tons Sailed from berth Greenock Ocean Terminal West (Scotland, UK) .... Container Berth Deadweght Tonnage 11,497 Outward cargo Containers
AILA was backing from the container berth.   At a suitable distance she will stop and then cant to starboard (= turn to her right) to head out from the Lower Clyde and make her way for Bilbao (Espana / Spain) Now commencing her turn Still turning AILA has now completed her turn and can now start to progress through the Firth of Clyde to the Cumbrae Heads where she will land her Pilot AILA now picking up speed to leave the waters of Lower Clyde
News Event Thursday, August 14, 2025 @ 1814	QUEEN ANNE (2004 > Pinnacle-class cruise liner IMO 9839399 : 322.51 m (1,058 ft 1 in overall of Carnival Corporation / Cunard Line)	Own Page
QUEEN ANNE on a 14-days cruise leaves Greenock Ocean Terminal (Scotland, UK) for Liverpool
Ship's location Heading outward and passing Greenock Esplanade (Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Hamilton (Bermuda) Arrived from Cobh (Ireland), Reykjavik, Isafjordur, Westfjords and Akureyri and Lake Myvatn (all in Iceland) Gross Tonnage 113,000 Sailing for Liverpool (England, UK) then Southampton (England, UK) Sailed from berth Cruise Pontoon, Greenock Ocean Terminal (Scotland, UK) Outward cargo Passengers
Queen Anne Itineraries Date Itinerary Price from 2025 Jul 27 7 days, round-trip This voyage is booking fastNorwegian Fjords   2025 Aug 03 14 days, round-trip This voyage is booking fastIceland And British Isles $1769 Date / Time Port 03 Aug     Departing from Southampton, England hotels 05 Aug     Cobh-Cork, Ireland 08 Aug - 09 Aug     Reykjavik, Iceland 10 Aug     Isafjordur, Westfjords Iceland 11 Aug     Akureyri, Iceland, Lake Myvatn 14 Aug     Greenock-Glasgow, Clydeport, Scotland 15 Aug     Liverpool, England 17 Aug     Arriving in Southampton, England Queen Anne in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico on January 31, 2025 History Bermuda Name Queen Anne Namesake Anne, Queen of Great Britain Owner  Carnival Corporation & plc Operator  Cunard Line Port of registry Hamilton,  Bermuda (2024-present) Route Various Ordered 2017 Builder Fincantieri Marghera Shipyard, Italy Cost US$600 million (approx.)[1] Yard number 6274[2] Laid down 5 October 2022 Launched 24 April 2023 Completed 3 May 2023 Maiden voyage 3 May 2024 In service 3 May 2024 Identification Call sign: ZCHE5 IMO number: 9839399[2] MMSI number: 310835000 Status In service General characteristics Class & type Pinnacle series 4[2] cruise ship Tonnage 113,000 GT Length 322.51 m (1,058 ft 1 in)[2] Beam 35.60 m (116 ft 10 in)[2] Installed power 4 × Caterpillar-MaK 12V43C, each 16,896 hp (12,599 kW)[3] Propulsion 2 × ABB Azipods[3] Capacity 3,000 maximum passengers[2]    It's said there are two certainties in life.   Death and taxes. But there is a third certainty, solely for Greenock people.    And that is : whenever a giant Cunard (actually it's Carnival Cruise Line .... but we will ignore that fact) cruise liner is leaving the cruise pontoon at Greenock Ocean Terminal the people of Greenock flock in their many thousands to the entire length of the magnificent Esplanade to watch the farewell.    And this lovely calm and warm evening brought a vast crowd of spectators, all seemingly armed with mobile phones, cameras and even drones, to record the happy scene when QUEEN ANNE made her spectacular departure.    The usual walkers and joggers normally have the wide footpath to themselves.   Not this evening.  Thousands of happy and excited people, too many to count adorned with camera tripods, as far as you could see.   Eyes glued to the water.  Waiting for the big event, for the show to begin.   And then, it's Showtime.    Six p.m. and QUEEN ANNE let go her mooring ropes and slowly and stately left her berth.    Many spectators were disappointed that she did not give a farewell blast on her horn, but such is life.    And others at a part of the Esplanade were more than a little upset.   A man on a jet ski, seemingly intent in showing off to the vast audience on the Esplanade, kept zooming and circling up and down noisely while the liner was passing and thereby destroyed many planned photographs and videos by obscuring the liner by the jet-ski waterspout and roaring of his engine.
News Event Thursday, August 14, 2025 @ 1515	HIRTA (2008- Fishing Support Vessel 84.02m overall of Marine Protection, Scottish Government)	Own Page
HIRTA outbound and passing James Watt Dock, Greenock (Scotland, UK) to commence a Fishery Patrol
Ship's location Outbound and passing James Watt Dock, Greenock (Scotland, UK) to commence a Fishery Patrol Port of Registry Leith (Scotland, UK) Arrived from Rothesay Dock, Clydebank (Scotland, UK) Sailing for Fishery Patrol in Scottish Waters
HIRTA outbound and passing James Watt Dock, Greenock and, in the distance, the Cunard / Carnival Liner QUEEN ANNE is at the Cruise Pontoon at Greenock Ocean Terminal
News Event Saturday, June 20, 1953 @ 1800 The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate	ORCADES (1948-1962 Passenger liner of Orient Line, then 1962-1973 of P & O Line, London)	Own Page
ORCADES leaves London on a 20 day cruise to Mediterranean Ports
Sailing for 20-days cruise to Palma, Barcelona, Naples (Napoli), Venice, Malta, Gibraltar and Lisbon Port of Registry London Sailed from berth London (England, UK) Outward cargo Passengers Ships agent Orient Line, 14 Cockspur Street, London, S.W.1. Telephone Trafalgar 7141
News Event Tuesday, August 12, 2025 @ 0715		Own Page
Youtube film : Taking a tour of the Houston Ship Canal (Texas, USA)
Ship's location Houston Ship Canal (Texas, USA)
Contributed by Suzanne https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lb6qI_jnay0
News Event Monday, August 11, 2025 @ 2100		Own Page
Youtube : a five-minute film of the Port of Ayr, Scotland
Ship's location Port of Ayr, Ayr (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)
Contributed by Suzanne https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEwxNNRu5TY
News Event Tuesday, February 12, 2019 @ 1000	CARRIGAN HEAD (1958-1972 General cargo ship 459 feet overall of Ulster Steamship Company/ Head Line, Belfast)	Own Page
Youtube film about Head Line's CARRIGAN HEAD on a 1967 passage from Belfast to the Great Lakes
Port of Registry Belfast (Northern Ireland, UK)
There is a rather wonderful B.B.C. Documentary film which was made in 1967 about the Head Line’s cargo ship CARRIGAN HEAD travelling from Belfast to Detroit and Chicago.    The film is in black-and-white and about 26 minutes long and is pure nostalgia for the times when vessels worked on the U.K. to Great Lakes run.    Find it on Youtube       https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bNMQJHV0W0
News Event Tuesday, August 12, 2025 @ 0530		Own Page
Youtube film : A journey through the Crinan Canal, Scotland
Ship's location A journey through the Crinan Canal, Scotland
Contributed by Suzanne https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEY1THcarLk
News Event Monday, August 11, 2025 @ 2000		Own Page
Some interesting Youtube films of Netherlands deep-sea ships in 1960s and 1970s
Some interesting Youtube films of Netherlands ships in the Far East are https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrIV9bBKeZk shows elephants being shipped from Ceylon to Australia on STRAAT MALAKKA in 1961 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrPCt64Yff8 shows STRAAT MALAKKA in 1963 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXId5fjalqE shows TJIWANGI leaving Malaysia for Djakarta in 1952 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTrESE9CFms shows STRAAT JOHORE at Colombo in 1961 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DG0PvNiGqVY shows STRAAT JOHORE travelling from Australia to Tasmania in 1960 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HicB7y5VV6o shows STRAAT HOBART in 1974 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWA6EHpn7nU shows NIJKERK in 1974 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuFv57QCeJQ shows engineers on STRAAT JOHORE in 1961
News Event Monday, August 11, 2025 @ 1800	SAXON (1925-1965 General cargo lighter - "Clyde Puffer" - of Walter Kerr, Millport, Isle of Great Cumbrae, Firth of Clyde, Scotland)	Own Page
Highland Voyage : an enjoyable 15 minute musical colour film aboard the Clyde Puffer SAXON
Ship's location Firth of Clyde (Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Glasgow (UK)
Contributed by Suzanne https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZSak7hwUBE
News Event Thursday, June 8, 1967 @ 1000 The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate	PARKLAAN (1962- 1969 General cargo ship IMO 5270777 : 64.03m overall of Johannes Uittenbogaart, Rotterdam / Shipping company 'Hannah' NV , Rotterdam : 1984 scrapped)	Own Page
PARKLAAN arrived in Aberdeen (Scotland) from Casablanca (Morocco) after two life rafts stolen
Vessel Master Hendrik Doggenaar Port of Registry Rotterdam (The Netherlands) Arrived from Casablanca (Morocco, North Africa) Net Tonnage 304 Arrived in berth Aberdeen (Scotland, UK) Gross Tonnage 499 Deadweght Tonnage 936
News Event Monday, August 11, 2025 @ 1130		Own Page
Youtube video : San Francisco Bar Pilots
Ship's location San Francisco (California, USA)
Contributed by Suzanne On youtube ....   https://sfbarpilots.com/
News Event Monday, April 22, 2013 @ 1000	FLYING PHANTOM ( > 2007 Tug of Svitzer / Clyde Shipping Company, Glasgow : 2007 sank and subsequently scrapped)	Own Page
Firms charged over three deaths on tug FLYING PHANTOM off Clydebank (Scotland) in 2007
Port of Registry Glasgow (Scotland, UK)
Contributed by Sandra (Site Administrator) From BBC Scotland Online News 22 April 2013 Firms charged over River Clyde FLYING PHANTOM tug deaths Published  22 April 2013  Share Image caption, Eric Blackley, Robert Cameron and Stephen Humphreys died after the sinking Image caption, Eric Blackley, Robert Cameron and Stephen Humphreys died after the sinking     Two firms are to face criminal charges over the sinking of a tugboat in the River Clyde, which led to the deaths of three crewmen. The Flying Phantom capsized in thick fog on 19 December 2007, killing skipper Stephen Humphreys, 33; Eric Blackley, 57; and Robert Cameron, 65. An inquiry later criticised the boat's owner, Danish firm Svitzer, and port operator Clydeport over the deaths. Both firms will now face charges under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. The Flying Phantom, which was based at Greenock, was trying to guide a cargo vessel to a dock when it sank at about 18:10 opposite Clydebank College in West Dunbartonshire.   Salvage operation Crewman Brian Aitchison, from Coldingham, was rescued from the water after he managed to escape from the tug's wheelhouse. The bodies of skipper Mr Humphreys, from Greenock in Inverclyde, along with Mr Cameron, from Houston in Renfrewshire, and Mr Blackley, from Gourock, Inverclyde, were later recovered. The tug itself was raised in a salvage operation the following month. A Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) inquiry later found that the boat's towing winch had not released quickly enough, which meant it was capsized by the vessel it was pulling. The report also highlighted highlighted failings in procedure to ensure the tug operated safely in foggy weather. It found that the routine the tug crew followed before towing or entering fog was "ineffective", with the watertight engine room door left open and the crew not being used in the most effective manner once in the fog. There were also no defined procedures for the tug operators when assisting or towing in restricted visibility, it said. The report also highlighted the lack of an accepted international industry standard for tug tow line emergency release systems, and asked risk management organisation Lloyd's Register to develop a standard to ensure tow lines can be released effectively in an emergency. The MAIB report also criticised port operator Clydeport. It said control measures had proven ineffective. Damages claims Major shortcomings in the port's safety management system were also overlooked because there was no "designated person" in charge, the report found. The accident investigators made a number of recommendations, including that Clydeport appoint someone as "designated person" under the Port Marine Safety Code. The report said that UK ports appeared not to have learnt lessons from accidents at other ports. Image caption, The tug sank opposite Clydebank College in West Dunbartonshire Following the tragedy, the widows of the three crewmen launched a damages claim against Clydeport. They also criticised what they described as an unacceptable delay in holding a fatal accident inquiry. The latest development came in a short statement from the Crown Office on Monday, which said: "Crown counsel have instructed that two companies be indicted for trial in the high court. "Clydeport Operations Limited and Svitzer Marine Limited are to face charges under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 in relation to events surrounding an incident on the River Clyde on 19 December 2007 involving the Greenock-based tug boat, The Flying Phantom. "The families of the three crew who lost their lives have been updated in relation to this development."
News Event Saturday, August 9, 2025 @ 1220	TERSCHELLING (1964 > Buoy laying vessel / diving tender IMO 8862973 : 40.56m overall of Rijkwaterstraat)	Own Page
TERSCHELLING at Berth 3, River Berth, Port of Ayr (Scotland, UK)
Ship's location Berth 3, River Berth, Port of Ayr (Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Possibly Netherlands ??? Gross Tonnage 238
Contributed by Veronika
News Event Saturday, January 31, 1953 @ 1358	ORCHY (in 1953 General cargo coaster of William Sloan Ltd., Glasgow)	Own Page
In 1953 Coaster ORCHY assists in rescue when PRINCESS VICTORIA founders in North Channel
Ship's location North Channel : separating Galloway (Scotland) and Northern Ireland) Port of Registry Glasgow (Scotland, UK) Vessel Master Hugh Mathieson Sailing for Larne (Northern Ireland, UK) Sailed from berth Stranraer (Scotland)
Below : Captain Hugh Mathieson of Burns & Laird Lines, Glasgow Below :  ORCHY of William Sloan Ltd., Glasgow Below : ORCHY of William Sloan Ltd., Glasgow Below : PRINCESS VICTORIA From "The Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald" dated Friday 20th October 1972 CAPTAIN OF "LAIRDSFOX" RETIRES Captain Hugh Mathieson, MBE, master of the "Lairdsfox" which sails regularly between Ardrossan and Belfast, retired recently and received gifts and tributes from his colleagues in Burns Laird Lines Ltd. At an informal ceremony on board the ship in Ardrossan harbour on Tuesday, the marine superintendent of Burns Laird, Captain Peter Leask, said that in a small ship there was a friendly harmony among the personnel who sailed in her, founded on the temperament of the master. "As long as I have known Captain Mathieson," he said, "he has always kept a clean, efficient and friendly ship. The "Lairdsfox" is the cleanest British coaster that goes to sea and the enthusiasm of everyone in the ship makes this evident. She is clean, well-found and tidy as a ship should be." "Captain Mathieson was an outstandingly good master who made his own decision, and one could always rely on that whatever decision he made was first in the interest of safety and secondly in the interests of commerce." CHEQUE Captain Leask then presented Captain Mathieson with a cheque, and Captain Mathieson, thanking Captain Leask, said he would buy something to remind him of all his shipmates. Members of the crew, Burns Laird Lines and Mr. William Currie on behalf of Ardrossan Harbour Company, also paid tribute to Captain Mathieson. Captain Mathieson, who belongs to Skye, began his career as a fisherman before sailing as an able seaman.   He took his Mate's certificate in 1934 and his Master's certificate in 1938. He joined the Coast Lines Group in 1961 and transferred to Burns Laird in 1965. While Captain Mathieson was master of the "ORCHY" he was awarded the MBE in 1953 for the part he played in the rescue operations at the foundering of the Stranraer-Belfast car ferry "PRINCESS VICTORIA" Webmaster Note. The following is a resume of the foundering of "PRINCESS VICTORIA"   THE LOSS OF THE "PRINCESS VICTORIA" Princess Victoria (IV) 1946 - 1953 The PRINCESS VICTORIA was built by William Denny & Brothers, Dumbarton for the London Midland & Scottish Railway (LMSR). This was one of the earliest roll-on, roll-off car ferries to be employed in British coastal waters. The ship was no doubt part of the rebuilding program to replace the losses sustained during the Second World War. In fact her predecessor had struck a mine in the Humber estuary during 1940 and sunk.    The new ferry was used on the short Stranraer to Larne service, with Stranraer being her port of registry. At the very end of January 1953 a great storm moved south west from Norway across to Scotland, the high winds (100 mph+) combined with a high spring tide preceded by a coastal surge caused memorable and widespread flooding along the North Sea coasts, particularly in the Netherlands. Whilst many lives were lost in both the United Kingdom and the Low Countries, the Netherlands in particular, the largest single loss of life that occurred during this storm took place in the Irish Sea with the sinking of the car ferry PRINCESS VICTORIA. The PRINCESS VICTORIA was plying its regular route between Stranraer and Larne and had departed from Stranraer on January 31st at 07.45 captained by James Ferguson with 128 passengers, 49 crew and 44 tons of cargo on board. A gale warning was already in force although Stranraer, at the southern end of Loch Ryan is some twenty miles from the open sea, thus the conditions on the open sea were not immediately apparent. Once clear of Loch Ryan the ship turned west leading to the stern bearing the full force of the gale with spray and waves breaking over the stern doors. Previous concern about the potential damage that heavy seas could do to the stern doors had seen a guillotine 'spray' door fitted.    This extra protection had not been used on this trip, like many others because it took too long to raise and lower. Additionally the gale was not moderating as might have been expected, rather it was increasing in intensity, to become one of the strongest to hit this area during the twentieth century. Attempts to secure the doors failed and water continued to enter the car deck. The ship started to list to starboard, the Captain deciding to return to the safety of Loch Ryan by going astern and using the bow rudder. The extreme conditions did not allow the crew to release the securing pin on the bow rudder, so the Captain then choose to head for Larne taking a course that would keep the stern of the ship protected from the worst of the heavy seas. A morse code distress call was issued at 09.46 requesting the assistance of tugs, at 10.32 with the list worsening an SOS transmission was sent and finally at 14.00 the order was given to abandon ship. The wording of the earliest messages suggested that the ship's engines had stopped, when in fact they hadn't, thus misleading the rescuers as to the expected location of the ship. The reported position of the ship had been about five miles north west of Corswall Point, but until just after 1pm at least one of the ship's engines was still running, so quite possibly those attempting a rescue did not have an accurate location of the ship. Rescue attempts were made by the Portpatrick lifeboat and the destroyer HMS CONTEST, the latter coming from Rothesay and reaching the area about 1.30pm. Poor visibility prevented the crew of HMS CONTEST from locating the sinking ship. At 13.35 the crew of the ferry identified their location as now being within sight of the Irish coast and about twenty miles south east of Larne, their intended destination. At 13.58 the PRINCESS VICTORIA broadcast its last message advising the ship was on her beam ends five miles east of the Copeland Islands. With this new information the Donaghadee lifeboat was launched and an RAF Hastings aircraft was diverted from other rescue operations to drop supplies and aid the HMS CONTEST to the scene. It was never properly established why the positions provided by the ferry were wrong, especially those transmitted when the ferry was close to the Irish coast. Possibly the increasing list of the ferry had made accurate position taking very difficult.    On learning of the updated location of the sinking ferry four merchant vessels sheltering in Belfast Lough put to sea immediately, these were: the cattle ship LAIRDSMOOR, the trawler EASTCOTES, the coastal oil tanker PASS OF DRUMOCHTER and the coastal cargo ship ORCHY. This latter ship was the first to encounter the site of the sinking, with its survivors and wreckage. At this point an accurate position was sent out to the other rescuers. On reaching the survivors these ships could only provide shelter from the ocean swells to the small lifeboats until the Donaghadee lifeboat arrived and was able to bring 33 of the survivors on board. A number of honours were given to the ferry's crew and her rescuers: David Broadfoot, the radio officer was posthumously awarded the George Cross for staying at his post to the very end. James Ferguson, the captain posthumously received the George Medal, went down with the ship in the classic pose of the captain on the bridge. Some members of the rescuers also received the George Medal. These included Lieutenant Commander Stanley Lawrence McArdle and Chief Petty Officer Wilfred Warren of HMS CONTEST who both dived into the water to help survivors. The captains of the merchant ships: James Alexander Bell of the LAIRDSMOOR, David Brewster of the EASTCOTES, James Kelly of the PASS OF DRUMOCHTER and Hugh Angus of ORCHY each became Members of the British Empire. The coxswains of the Donaghadee and Portpatrick lifeboats received British Empire Medals in addition to several RNLI awards. There were 44 survivors, however all of the ferry's officers went down with the ship. A total of 133 lives were lost in the sinking, including 23 persons from the town of Stranraer, the Deputy Prime Minister of Northern Ireland, Maynard Sinclair and the MP for North Down, Lt Col Sir Walter Smiles. The small port town of Larne also was impacted by the loss of 27 persons in the sinking. Ultimately the responsibility for the sinking lay with the owners (the British Transport Commission) in that they were negligent in allowing a vessel to operate on a route where the stern doors were incapable of withstanding the heaviest of seas generated by severe weather and to operate a vessel with inadequate scuppering of water that might be taken on to the car deck. As with nearly all ferries the car deck created an inherent vulnerability for these vessels in that there were no bulkheads across this deck to minimise or contain any flooding that did occurr. Ironically the PRINCESS VICTORIA did have one bulkhead on her car deck. In October 1949 and November 1951 the PRINCESS VICTORIA had suffered the same two conditions that would eventually lead to her sinking. The reports containing the details of these incidents were not heeded to the fullest extent. The wreck remained undisturbed until 1992 when the BBC, wishing to create a 40th anniversary documentary provided support for a diving expedition. This team was assisted by a Royal Navy seabed survey of the area carried out in 1973. The wreck was resting in 90 metres of water. Basic Details Built: 1946/47 by William Denny & Brothers, Dumbarton, No. 1939 Launched: August 1946 Tonnage: 2,694 grt Length: 309 ft Breadth: 48 ft Draught: ?? Propulsion: Two license built Denny/Sulzer engines Screws: ? Speed: ?? knots
News Event Monday, January 9, 1961 @ 1700	SHUNA (1937 - 1963 Steam general cargo North-Sea coaster 274 feet long of Glen & Company, Glasgow)	Own Page
SHUNA closes in Glasgow for receiving cargo for Uddevalla and Gothenburg (both in Sweden)
Ship's location Prince's Dock, Glasgow (Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Glasgow (Scotland, U.K.) Sailing for Uddevalla and Gothenburg (both in Sweden) Gross Tonnage 1,652 Outward cargo General cargo Ships agent Glen & Co. Ltd., 165 St Vincent Street, Glasgow C. 2.
News Event Wednesday, August 6, 2025 @ 1030	RHONE (2023 > Hybrid Water Injection Dredger IMO: 9989596 : 44m overall of Van Oord, Rotterdam, Netherlands)	Own Page
Dredger RHONE dredging at River Cart (opposite Rothesay Dock) on River Clyde, Scotland, UK)
Ship's location Dredging at River Cart (opposite Rothesay Dock) on River Clyde, Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Rotterdam (The Netherlands)
Contributed by Robert McManus
News Event Tuesday, July 1, 2025 @ 1834	ARAPAHO in 2025 Rowing Boat of Ayr Renegade Coastal Rowing Club, South Harbour Street Slipway, Ayr, Scotland)	Own Page
ARAPAHO of Ayr Renegade Coastal Rowing Club being rowed on River Ayr at Ayr Harbour
Ship's location River Ayr, at the Port of Ayr (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)
The boat was named ARAPAHO after a tribe of North American Indians
News Event Thursday, August 7, 2025 @ 1000		Own Page
Please help to make this website better
Please help to make this website better    We want to improve this website to make it pleasantly interesting and genuinely informative for you, the reader.    So, please tell us what you want to see : maybe more of this, or less of that, or something completely new.   It’s up to you to tell us.    We have visitors to this site from all over the world.  They tell us about things from their countries, and this website is always happy to include items from outwith the UK.   You will be surprised how many countries visit this site each day.    And we always welcome any items which you can e-mail for inclusion to this site.   They don’t need to be associated with Glasgow and the Clyde.   Anywhere in the world is welcome.   As long as it has something to do with ships and the sea.       Be a correspondent for your area ?      A suggestion was made that readers could become correspondents for their areas, submitting  stories, images, information, whatever, for the present or the past.   Would you be willing to be a correspondent for your area ?    Please e-mail any replies to ShipsoftheClyde1@btinternet.com
News Event Wednesday, August 10, 1949 @ 1500 The actual date and time are unknown and details shown here are our best estimate		Own Page
Youtube film : Clyde Docks and Harbours, Scotland 1940s ..... in black and white and no sound
Ship's location Glasgow Docks and River Clyde in 1940s
Contributed by Suzanne https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3wsVUN2pcQ&t=390s
News Event Friday, December 1, 1944 @ 1200 The actual date and time are unknown and details shown here are our best estimate		Own Page
Youtube 5 minute colour film of Kilindini Harbour, Mombasa (Kenya) in 1944 during World War 2
Ship's location Kilindini Harbour, Mombasa (Kenya)
Contributed by Suzanne   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6krmhh9X7c
News Event Thursday, July 17, 2025 @ 1417	BUTE (2005- IMO 9319741 Passenger / Ro-ro ferry 72m long of Caledonian MacBrayne, Gourock)	Own Page
BUTE leaving Wemyss Bay Pier (Firth of Clyde) for Rothesay (Isle of Bute, Firth of Clyde)
Sailing for Rothesay (Isle of Bute, Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Glasgow (Scotland, U.K.) Sailed from berth Wemyss Bay (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK) Outward cargo Passengers and vehicles Ships agent Caledonian MacBrayne, Gourock, Scotland
News Event Thursday, July 17, 2025 @ 1055	WAVERLEY (1974 > Excursion paddle steamer 240 feet long of Waverley Steam Navigation Co. Ltd)	Own Page
WAVERLEY leaves Custom House Quay, Greenock on an excursion cruise to Arran (Firth of Clyde)
Sailing for Kilcreggan, Largs, Keppel Pier, Brodick and cruise to Holy Isle and Pladda (all Firth of Clyde) Port of Registry Glasgow (Scotland, UK) Sailed from berth Custom House Quay, Greenock (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK) Gross Tonnage 693 Outward cargo Passengers Ships agent Waverley Steam Navigation Co. Ltd.
Contributed by Sandra B.  (Site Administrator)   The Destination Board showing the places where today's cruise will call This next image shows six items for the price of one.   Telegraph instructing the handling of mooring ropes, capstan, compass, steering wheel, staff with the "Red Duster" merchant navy flag and lastly, the vessel's stern light. and just in case you wanted a closer look at the telegraph I had always referred to ship's funnels and, in the next image, now realise why our North American cousins call them Smoke-stacks.
News Event Sunday, August 3, 2025 @ 1312	WILSON DIEPPE (2010 > General cargo ship IMO 9409625 : 87.84m overall of Wilson ASA, Bergen, Norway)	Own Page
WILSON DIEPPE at Port of Ayr, Scotland with a cargo of fertiliser from Terneuzen (Netherlands)
Ship's location Ayr (Firth of Clyde, Scotland) Port of Registry St John's (Antigua and Barbuda) Arrived from Terneuzen (Netherlands) having left there at 1130 on 30 July Net Tonnage 1,369 tonnes Arrived in berth 17:07 on 2 August Gross Tonnage 2,452 tonnes Cargo carried on arrival Fertilisers Deadweght Tonnage 3,782 tonnes
News Event Monday, August 4, 2025 @ 1045		Own Page
The BBC series "Island Crossings" returns to TV and I-Player
Returning to BBC TV on your telly-box and also on BBC I-Player is the lovely series "Island Crossings."    You don't know what it's about ? The Scottish ferry company Caledonian MacBrayne operates the ferries to the Highlands and Islands of Western Scotland, including the smallest and sparsely populated islands and the major islands.    The series is filmed on the vessels and the islands, showing the vessel's crews and shoreside staff and their daily work in providing a life-line service to island communities.     It's well worth watching.
News Event Sunday, August 3, 2025 @ 1311	WYRE BAY (1969 > Backhoe Dredger and Water Injection Dredger 25m overall of Wyre Marine Services, Fleetwood, England)	Own Page
After dredging : WYRE BAY shifting from Port entrance to Griffin Dock, Port of Ayr, Scotland, UK)
Ship's location After dredging : shifting from Port entrance to Griffin Dock, Port of Ayr, Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Fleetwood (Lancashire, England, UK) Net Tonnage 113 tonnes Gross Tonnage 113 tonnes
WYRE BAY entering Griffin Dock and passing WILSON DIEPPE discharging fertiliser from Terneuzen, Netherlands
News Event Sunday, August 3, 2025 @ 1700	GLEN SANNOX (2024- Ro-ro ferry 102.4m 336 feet overall of Caledonian MacBrayne, Gourock, Scotland)	Own Page
Caledonian MacBrayne's GLEN SANNOX leaving Troon for Brodick (Isle of Arran, Scotland, UK)
Sailing for Brodick (Isle of Arran, Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Glasgow (Scotland, UK) Sailed from berth Ferry Terminal, East Pier, Port of Troon (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK) Outward cargo Passengers and vehicles Ships agent Caledonian MacBrayne, Gourock, Scotland
News Event Monday, June 11, 1956 @ 2100	ROYAL SCOTSMAN (1936-1967 Passenger and cargo ship 339 feet long of Burns & Laird Line, Glasgow)	Own Page
Burns & Laird Lines Glasgow and Belfast night passenger service timetable commencing 11 June 1956
Ship's location Lancefield Quay, Glasgow Port of Registry Glasgow Sailing for Donegall Quay, Belfast (Northern Ireland, UK) Gross Tonnage 3,288 Outward cargo Passengers and general cargo Ships agent Burns & Laird Lines, 52 Robertson Street, Glasgow, C. 2. Tel. CENtral 9650
News Event Monday, July 1, 1974 @ 0800 The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate	WINDSOR CASTLE (1960-1977 Passenger / cargo liner of Union Castle Mail Steam Ship Company, London)	Own Page
Union Castle / Safmarine passenger brochure for October 1974 to March 1976 to and from South Africa
Port of Registry London (England, UK) Gross Tonnage 37,640
News Event Thursday, March 7, 1957 @ 0800 The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate	MISSION SAN FRANCISCO (1947-1957 Tanker of US Military Sea Transportation Service)	Own Page
In 1957 US Navy Tanker MISSION SAN FRANCISCO and freighter ELNA 11 collide in Delaware River
Ship's location Passing New Castle, Delaware River, USA Port of Registry US Navy Vessel Master Captain William Allen
The US Navy Tanker MISSION SAN FRANCISCO broke in two after a collision in the Delaware River, USA.    Both vessels caught fire.    Ten men from the tanker, including the captain and a pilot are missing.   Fifty eight others, including the entire crew of the cargo ship, the ELNA 11, were saved.   Ten of them from blazing oil spreading across the river. Career Mission San Francisco was laid down on 5 May 1945 as Contocook under a Maritime Commission contract by Marinship Corporation, Sausalito, California; launched on 18 September 1945, sponsored by Mrs. John J. Manning; and delivered on 11 October 1945. Chartered to Deconhill Shipping Company, upon her delivery, for operations, she served until 14 April 1946 when she was returned to the Maritime Commission and laid up in the Maritime Reserve Fleet at Mobile, Alabama. Acquired by the Navy on 28 October 1947, she was placed in service with the Naval Transportation Service as Mission San Francisco (AO-123). Taken over by the Military Sea Transportation Service on 1 October 1949 she was redesignated USNS Mission San Francisco (T-AO-123) and served under MSTS until 18 January 1954, when she was returned to the Maritime Administration and laid up in the Maritime Reserve Fleet at Beaumont, Texas.   Reacquired by the Navy on 20 October 1956, she was once again placed in service with MSTS and chartered to Mathiasens Tanker Industries. Her period of service with MSTS was short. On 7 March 1957 while passing New Castle, Delaware, she collided with the Liberian freighter Elna II. The shock of the collision caused Mission San Francisco to catch fire and explode, breaking her in two. The explosion killed 10 men, including her master, Capt. William Allen. Immediately after the collision, Elna II backed off but in her attempts to avoid the burning hulk she ran aground. Due to bad weather, rescue attempts were slow, but all aboard Elna II and the survivors of Mission San Francisco were rescued by the United States Coast Guard. Declared unsalvageable by the Navy, Mission San Francisco was stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on 20 March 1957.   History United States Name Mission San Francisco Builder Marinship Corporation Laid down 5 May 1945 Launched 18 September 1945 In service 28 October 1947 Out of service 20 March 1957 Fate Sunk, 1957 General characteristics Class & type Mission Buenaventura-class oiler Displacement 5,532 long tons (5,621 t) light 21,880 long tons (22,231 t) full Length 524 ft (160 m) Beam 68 ft (21 m) Draft 30 ft (9.1 m) Propulsion Turbo-electric, single screw, 6,000 hp (4.47 MW) Speed 16.5 knots (30.6 km/h; 19.0 mph) Complement 52
News Event Saturday, October 16, 1937 @ 1900	CIRCASSIA ( 1937 - 1966 Passenger and cargo liner 483 feet long of Anchor Line, Glasgow)	Own Page
Invitation to inspect CIRCASSIA at Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Works, Govan, Glasgow
Ship's location Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Works, Govan Road, Govan, Glasgow (Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Glasgow
and this is what CIRCASSIA looks like
News Event Tuesday, July 12, 1949 @ 1200 The actual date and time are unknown and details shown here are our best estimate	SAINT COLUMBA (1936-1958 Mail and passenger steamer of David MacBrayne, Glasgow : Scrapped 1958)	Own Page
David MacBrayne's SAINT COLUMBA in Firth of Clyde (Scotland, UK) or Western Isles of Scotland
Ship's location Firth of Clyde (Scotland, UK) or Western Isles of Scotland Port of Registry Glasgow (UK) Cargo carried on arrival Passengers Deadweght Tonnage 785 Ships agent David MacBrayne Ltd., Clyde House, 44 Robertson Street, Glasgow, C.2. Telephone CENtral 9231
Contributed image

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.

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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

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

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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 Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada 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, Dublin, Ireland.  

   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 8^th 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 ====================================================================

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Where is the “Chapman Anchorage” ???

   Robbie Keen (Carlisle, England) 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

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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 Clyde, Scotland)

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.

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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.

7^th 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

Harbour, Scotland.   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.

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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 ?

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

  

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   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

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

  

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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" 

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

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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 ?

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   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 ?

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" 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. ”

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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 ?  

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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 ?

 

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

  

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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 ?

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   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” ???

  

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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 ?

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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 ?

 

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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 27^th 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 ? ”

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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 ?

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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

  

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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)

  

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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

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German cargo ship RUHR in 1953

 

  On 15^th 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 ?

 

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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 4^th November 1957.

 

   Anyone have details of this ship ?

 

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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.

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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. ?

 

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SUNBEAR of Saguenay Terminals.

 

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

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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.

  

 

  

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   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 ?

  

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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 ?

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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

  

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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

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Pacific Steam Navigation’s KENUTA at Puna in 1957

 

Tom Hayworth e-mails :

 

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

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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 ?

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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.

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MYSTERY SHIP PORTHOLE  From Michael Irwin (michaelj87836@gmail.com) When: 16 September 2016 15:09 Can show name?  Can show email?  Can show message?  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 ?

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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 ?

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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.

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   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. 

 

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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

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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.

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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.

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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 ?

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“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)

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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.

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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. ?

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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.

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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 ?

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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.

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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."

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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"

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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.

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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."

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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.

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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"

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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. 

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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.

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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. 

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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.

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CAN YOU HELP   This vessel "Stern" or "Stein" arrived KG5.   Is the name "Stern" or "Stein"    Click on the image to enlarge it.

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CAN YOU HELP   : What is the name of this 1967 arrival.  Click on the image to enlarge it.

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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.

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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 .

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