Latest Events

This page shows the 100 latest events.

What/When	Ship
News Event Tuesday, April 15, 2025 @ 1500	LORD OF THE ISLES (1989- ro-ro ferry 84.6m overall of Caledonian MacBrayne, Gourock, Scotland)	Own Page
Scottish Government promise funding to replace Caledonian MacBrayne's LORD OF THE ISLES
Port of Registry Glasgow (Scotland, UK) Gross Tonnage 3,504
From BBC Scotland online news 15 April 2025 Funding for new ferry promised at 'crisis' meeting   Image source,Christopher Brindle Image caption, The transport secretary said funding had been earmarked for a replacement for MV Lord of the Isles Published 14 April 2025 Updated 15 April 2025 Funding has been earmarked for another new large ferry to serve the Western Isles, Scotland's transport secretary has told islanders. Fiona Hyslop said money was allocated in the budget to replace the ageing MV Lord of the Isles, which serves South Uist, within "about three years". Hyslop made the pledge at a "crisis summit" called by an island business group which claims economic development is being stifled by ferries disruption. South Uist has been particularly badly hit by a shortage of vessels on CalMac routes, and is currently served by a ship restricted to just 45 passengers. West coast ferry services have been under intense pressure as the state-owned ferry operator awaits the arrival of replacement vessels for its ageing fleet. 'Exceptional' pressures force CalMac fleet reshuffle Published 26 February CalMac cuts passenger numbers over safety failure Published 28 December 2024 Winter maintenance has revealed new faults in older ships and forced it to rejig the expected deployment of ferries around the network. MV Lord of the Isles, which normally sails from Lochboisdale on South Uist to the mainland port of Mallaig, is currently serving other routes and will not return until mid-May. MV Isle of Mull is instead sailing from the island to Oban, but a fault with its emergency evacuation chutes means it is only permitted to carry 45 passengers instead of the 900 it can normally accommodate. Image source,Christopher Brindle Image caption, MV Isle of Mull is currently serving South Uist but is restricted to carrying 45 passengers On the eve of the meeting, the Scottish government announced a £4.4m "resilience fund" to help island businesses during the current difficult period. A concessionary fare scheme for young islanders will also be extended this summer, giving four free journeys to the mainland for those aged between 19 and 21. Earlier this month, under 22s in Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles became entitled to free inter-island travel in a scheme similar to the free bus travel for young people introduced throughout Scotland. Image caption, Fiona Hyslop, third from right, joined a panel of politicians, civil servants and CalMac representatives to hear the concerns of islanders The South Uist Business Impact Group called the "crisis summit", claiming the island had suffered "reputational damage" from years of under investment. Spokesperson John Daniel Peteranna told the BBC: "When we set up the business group three years ago we didn't think things could get any worse but they have surprised us." Replacement plans for MV Lord of the Isles, the third oldest large ship in the CalMac fleet, was one of the issues the group was seeking answers on. Hyslop told the meeting that funding for the procurement of a new ferry was included in the 2025/26 budget. Another £4m had been allocated for site investigation work for a proposed new ferry terminal on Gasay island, a short distance from the existing Lochboisdale pier. On the resilience fund, she said help would be "targeted" at island communities worst affected by disruption but that South Uist would "definitely benefit". Fleet renewal During the 1980s and 90s CalMac would typically purchase a new ship every few years but since 2007 the procurement role has been taken on by a separate government owned company, CMAL. Problems over the construction of two new gas-powered ferries ordered in 2015 contributed to a slowdown in ferry replacement - and much of CalMac's large ship fleet is now beyond its expected operational life. Image caption, CalMac has faced severe pressures maintaining its ageing fleet The first new large ferry in a decade, MV Glen Sannox, entered service in January while its sister ship MV Glen Rosa remains under construction. In 2022 and 2023 contracts for another four ships were placed with a Turkish shipyard, but these are also delayed, with the first delivery now due in the summer. Earlier this year CalMac warned it was facing "exceptional" pressures as it awaited the arrival of the new vessels. The 32-year-old MV Caledonian Isles has been out of service for more than a year for repairs, MV Hebridean Isles had to be retired and other vessels have had problems identified during winter overhauls. The ferry operator said it had been providing extra sailings from South Uist to Barra to offer an alternative route to the mainland, and it was considering whether sailing times for this option could be extended.
News Event Thursday, April 17, 2025 @ 1500	RUHRTAL (2021-- General cargo ship IMO: 9313682 MMSI: 255806465 : 88m overall of Hs Bereederungs Gmbh & Co Kg - Haren Ems, Germany)	Own Page
RUHRTAL at River Berth, Port of Ayr (Scotland) discharging dry bulk cargo from Antwerpen (Belgium)
Ship's location Berth 4, River Berth, Port of Ayr (Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Madeira (Portugal) Arrived from Antwerpen (= Antwerp, Belgium : having left there at 07:48 on 12 April) Gross Tonnage 2,461 Cargo carried on arrival Dry bulk cargo Deadweght Tonnage 3,707
Contributed by Veronika
News Event Monday, April 14, 2025 @ 1151	FORTH UMPIRE (in 2025 Workboat / Dredger MMSI: 235104635 : 15m overall of Briggs Marine Services)	Own Page
Workboat / Dredger FORTH UMPIRE at the Loading Bay, Rothesay Dock, Clydebank (River Clyde, Scotland)
Ship's location Loading Bay, Rothesay Dock, Clydebank (River Clyde, Scotland, UK) Port of Registry UK
Contributed by Robert McManus I have attached a photo of Briggs Marine Services workboat "Forth Umpire" in the loading bay at Rothesay Dock Clydebank.  Forth Umpire is currently on dredging ops on the River Clyde, flying the UK flag.
News Event Tuesday, April 15, 2025 @ 1600	HMS CARDIFF (in 2024 Type 26 Frigate Pennant number F 89 of Royal Navy, London)	Own Page
New Royal Navy Frigates HMS GLASGOW and HMS CARDIFF at Elderslie Drydocks, Glasgow
Ship's location Elderslie Drydocks, Glasgow (Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Admiralty (London, UK)
Contributed by Veronika    Two new Royal Navy Frigates HMS GLASGOW and HMS CARDIFF being constructed by BAE Systems Shipyard at Govan, Glasgow and are shown here in the nearby drydocks at Elderslie, Glasgow.
News Event Monday, April 14, 2025 @ 1346	WILSON DROGHEDA (2020 --- General cargo ship IMO 9390123 : 87.85m overall of Manager: Wessels Reederei Gmbh - Haren Ems, Germany : Owner: Wilson Shipowning As - Bergen, Norway)	Own Page
WILSON DROGHEDA at Port of Ayr, Ayr (Scotland) with bulk cargo from Glomfjord (Norway)
Ship's location Berth 15 / 16, Port of Ayr, Ayr (Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Bridgetown (Barbados) Arrived from Glomfjord (Norway) Net Tonnage 1,369 Cargo carried on arrival Dry bulk cargo Gross Tonnage 2,452 Deadweght Tonnage 3,690
Contributed by Veronika
News Event Monday, April 14, 2025 @ 1326	JONABORG (2023 --- General Cargo Ship IMO: 9214018 MMSI 244054000 : 88.95m overall of Royal Wagonborg, Delfzijl, Netherlands)	Own Page
JONABORG discharging dry bulk cargo at Berth 4, River Berth, Port of Ayr (Scotland, UK)
Ship's location Berth 4, River Berth, Port of Ayr (Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Delfzijl (The Netherlands) Arrived from Eemshaven (Netherlands) having left there at 2143 on 9 April Net Tonnage 1,168 Cargo carried on arrival Dry bulk cargo Gross Tonnage 2,088 Deadweght Tonnage 2,800
Contributed by Veronika   JONABORG's previous name SANDETTIE (from new in 2004 to July 2023) can be seen on her bow
News Event Saturday, April 12, 2025 @ 1413	TIDESPRING (2017-- Tide class Fast Fleet Replenishment Tanker IMO number: 9655535 pennant number136 : 200.9 m (659 ft 1 in) overall of Royal Fleet Auxiliary, London, UK)	Own Page
TIDESPRING leaving Hunterston Outer Berth, bollards 1-11 (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK) for sea
Sailing for Sea Port of Registry London (England, UK) Sailed from berth Hunterston Outer Berth, bollards 1-11 (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK) Deadweght Tonnage 37,000
TIDESPRING was in the outer berth at Hunterston, with her head north.    In the background, nearest the camera, is the small island of Little Cumbrae, and in the far distance are the mountains on the much larger Isle of Arran.    Two Svitzer tugs attended and ANGLEGARTH attached to the tanker's bow and SVITZER WARDEN attached at the tanker's stern. The tugs pulled TIDESPRING off the berth into the middle of Hunterston Channel then turned her 180 to port, to now head south to the exit from the channel.    ANGLEGARTH and SVITZER WARDEN were then released to return to Inchgreen Wall, Greenock, and Pilot Boat MOUNT STUART then came alongside the tanker to land the Pilot at Largs Marina.    This image shows TIDESPRING just before being turned around.
News Event Friday, February 10, 1961 @ 1800 The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate	PORT NAPIER (1947-1970 Refrigerated cargo liner 560 feet overall of Port Line, London : Scrapped in 1970)	Own Page
PORT NAPIER left Timaru (city in southern Canterbury Region of South Island, New Zealand) for London
Sailing for London (England, UK) Port of Registry London (UK) Sailed from berth Timaru (a port city in the southern Canterbury Region of South Island, New Zealand) Gross Tonnage 11,879
News Event Thursday, February 9, 1961 @ 1000 The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate	SPEAKER (1948-1962 General cargo ship 442 feet long of Charente / T & J Harrison, Liverpool)	Own Page
SPEAKER at Saint Kitts (Island in Lesser Antilles, Leeward Islands, in Caribbean Sea, West Indies)
Ship's location Saint Kitts (Island in Lesser Antilles, Leeward Islands, in the Caribbean Sea, West Indies) Port of Registry Liverpool (England, UK) Sailing for Grenada (island of West Indies in eastern Caribbean Sea. The southernmost of Windward Islands) Gross Tonnage 7,276 Cargo carried on arrival General cargo
News Event Saturday, August 1, 1970 @ 2200 The actual date and time are unknown and details shown here are our best estimate	Govan - Yorkhill passenger ferry (around 1970's of Clyde Port Authority, Glasgow)	Own Page
Sunset on Dockland at Upper Glasgow Harbour (Scotland) with Govan - Yorkhill ferry in mid-river
Ship's location Upper Glasgow Harbour (Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Glasgow (Scotland, UK)
Contributed by Flying Drake Billy
News Event Tuesday, April 1, 2025 @ 1038	UNKNOWN black-hulled Police Boat (April 2025 passing Gourock Pier)	Own Page
UNKNOWN Police Boat passing Gourock Pier (Firth of Clyde, Scotland) outbound to Firth of Clyde
Ship's location Passing Gourock Pier (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK) Sailing for Outbound to Firth of Clyde
Contributed by Sandra (Site Administrator)
News Event Tuesday, April 1, 2025 @ 1440	CMS BRUISER (2007 - Tug 19.3m overall of Clyde Marine Services, Greenock, Scotland)	Own Page
CMS BRUISER leaving Garvel Drydock, Greenock, after assisting to dock paddle steamer WAVERLEY
Ship's location Leaving Garvel Drydock, Greenock, after assisting to dock paddle steamer WAVERLEY Port of Registry Greenock (Scotland, UK) Sailing for Victoria Harbour, Greenock (Scotland, UK) ... at her owners office
News Event Tuesday, April 1, 2025 @ 1440	CMS WRESTLER (2019- Tug 21.2m long of Clyde Marine Services, Victoria Harbour, Greenock)	Own Page
CMS WRESTLER leaving Garvel Drydock, Greenock, after assisting to dock paddle steamer WAVERLEY
Ship's location Leaving Garvel Drydock, Greenock, after assisting to dock paddle steamer WAVERLEY Port of Registry Greenock (Scotland, U.K.) Sailing for Victoria Harbour, Greenock (Scotland, UK) ... at her owners office
News Event Tuesday, April 1, 2025 @ 1333	WAVERLEY (1974- Excursion paddle steamer 240 feet long of Waverley Steam Navigation Co. Ltd)	Own Page
WAVERLEY approaching and docking at Garvel Drydock, Greenock
Ship's location Approaching and docking at Garvel Drydock, Greenock Port of Registry Glasgow (Scotland, U.K.) Sailing for Garvel Drydock, Greenock (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK) Gross Tonnage 693 Sailed from berth Custom House Quay, Greenock (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK) tugs CMS BRUISER and CMS WRESTLER Ships agent Waverley Steam Navigation Co. Ltd.
WAVERLEY, being towed by two tugs, has left Custom House Quay and is heading for the Garvel Drydock. And now WAVERLEY is approaching the James Watt Dock Basin and the entrance to Garvel Drydock.   The paddle Steamer is being towed at the bow by tug CMS BRUISER and at the stern by tug CMS WRESTLER And now with WAVERLEY inside the dock the dock gates of Garvel Drydock are closing
News Event Tuesday, April 1, 2025 @ 1341	ANGLEGARTH (1996- Tug 33m long of Svitzer A/S, Copenhagen, Denmark / Managers: Svitzer Marine Ltd, Middlesbrough)	Own Page
Tug ANGLEGARTH passing James Watt Dock, Greenock to meet inbound ECO TRINITY
Ship's location Passing James Watt Dock, Greenock (Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Milford (Wales, UK) Sailing for Off Greenock Ocean Terminal to meet the incoming ECO TRINITY for Glasgow Gross Tonnage 374 Ships agent Svitzer Marine Ltd., Greenock (Scotland, UK) Deadweght Tonnage 290
News Event Tuesday, April 1, 2025 @ 1308	SD OILMAN (2009- IMO 9533452 : Dumb = non-propelled : unmanned tank barge 30.42metres of Serco Marine Services, London)	Own Page
Unmanned Tank Barge SD OILMAN at Great Harbour, Greenock (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)
Ship's location Great Harbour, Greenock (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK) Port of Registry London (England, UK)
Contributed by Veronika
News Event Tuesday, April 1, 2025 @ 1307	SD 1710 U (1980- at least 2024 Sullage / oil separator barge 31m overall of Royal Maritime Auxiliary Service / Serco Denholm / Serco Marine Services, London)	Own Page
Unmanned Sullage / Oil Separator Barge SD 1710 U in Great Harbour, Greenock (Scotland, UK)
Ship's location Great Harbour, Greenock (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK) Port of Registry London (England, UK) Gross Tonnage 242
Contributed by Veronika
News Event Tuesday, April 1, 2025 @ 1305	CLYDE (in 2024 Catamaran type Police boat of Police Scotland)	Own Page
Police Boat CLYDE at James Watt Dock Marina, Greenock (Scotland, UK)
Ship's location James Watt Dock Marina, Greenock (Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Glasgow (Scotland, UK)
Contributed by Veronika
News Event Tuesday, April 1, 2025 @ 1304	COASTBUSTER 11 ( = COASTBUSTER 2 : in 2025 Workboat IMO: 8880315 : 21.5m overall of Coastworks Operations Ltd., Fairlie, Ayrshire, Scotland, UK)	Own Page
COASTBUSTER 11 ( = COASTBUSTER 2) at The Cut, James Watt Dock, Greenock (Scotland, UK)
Ship's location The Cut, James Watt Dock, Greenock (Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Glasgow (Scotland, UK)
Contributed by Veronika
News Event Tuesday, April 1, 2025 @ 1303		Own Page
Creel Boat berth at the Cut at James Watt Dock, Greenock
Ship's location Creel Boat berth at the Cut at James Watt Dock, Greenock (Scotland, UK)
Contributed by Veronika
News Event Tuesday, April 8, 2025 @ 1144		Own Page
Clyde ships use foghorns due to wildfire smoke
From BBC Scotland online news 8 April 2025 Clyde ships use foghorns due to wildfire smoke Image source,Stephen Lipton Image caption, The wildfire smoke affected visibility on the River Clyde near Greenock Published 8 April 2025, 11:44 BST Updated 7 hours ago A huge smoke haze from a wildfire prompted ships on the River Clyde to sound their foghorns on Monday. Fumes from the blaze near Inverkip in Inverclyde drifted over Greenock, with social media reports saying ships issued warning blasts due to low visibility. A spokesperson for Peel Ports Clydeport said there was no specific request for sound signals, but vessels are obligated under the International Collision regulations to operate their foghorns when in or near areas of restricted visibility.
News Event Tuesday, April 1, 2025 @ 1248	HEBRIDEAN PRINCESS (1989- Passenger cruise ship 72m 236ft long of Hebridean Island Cruises, Skipton, England)	Own Page
HEBRIDEAN PRINCESS alongside in James Watt Dock, Greenock (Scotland, UK)
Ship's location James Watt Dock, Greenock (Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Glasgow (Scotland, U.K.) Gross Tonnage 2,112
News Event Tuesday, April 1, 2025 @ 1246	GINA MARY (2017-- Twin Screw Aquaculture / Workboat Support Vessel : 25m overall of Inverlussa Marine Services, Craignure, Isle of Mull , Argyll, PA65 6BD Scotland)	Own Page
GINA MARY at Dales Marine Services, James Watt Dock, Greenock for maintenance and repair
Ship's location Dales Marine Services, James Watt Dock, Greenock (Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Glasgow (Scotland, UK)
News Event Tuesday, April 8, 2025 @ 1234	CONFORMITY (2020- General cargo ship 89m overall of Faversham Ships Ltd. / Windle Shipping Co. Ltd. / Manager : Herman Lohmann Bereederungen GmbH & Co. KG)	Own Page
CONFORMITY at Port of Ayr, Ayr (Scotland, UK) discharging bulk cargo from Amsterdam (Netherlands)
Ship's location Berth 15 / 16, Port of Ayr, Ayr (Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Peel (Isle of Man, UK) Arrived from Amsterdam (Netherlands) Net Tonnage 1,460 Cargo carried on arrival Dry bulk cargo Gross Tonnage 2,545 Deadweght Tonnage 3,864
Contributed by Veronika
News Event Tuesday, April 1, 2025 @ 1244	PRINCE MADOG (2001- Research vessel 34.9 metres long of University of Bangor, Wales / Managed by P & O Maritime Services, London, UK)	Own Page
PRINCE MADOG at Dales Marine Services, James Watt Dock, Greenock for maintenance and repairs
Ship's location Dales Marine Services, James Watt Dock, Greenock (Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Beaumaris (Wales, UK) Gross Tonnage 390
Research Vessel Prince Madog State-of-the-art, purpose built research vessel commissioned by Bangor University using a £2.8 million Joint Infrastructure Fund grant. Managed and operated by P&O Maritime Services, delivered and in service July 2001. The vessel enables the UK's marine scientists to study the biology, chemistry, geology and physics of our seas. Designed to take up to ten scientists and 20 students. The School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor and other university departments in the UK also use the vessel as a teaching platform, training the next generation of marine scientists. Full details and specifications Prince Madog (P&O Maritime Services) Build Number 3485 Gross Tonnes 390 tonnes Length Overall 34.9m Breadth Moulded 8.5m Draft max 3.5m Endurance 10 days between ports Scientific Berths 9 + 1 Crew 8 Constructed Visser, 2001 Design Speed 10.5 knots Actual Speed 12 knots Propulsion 1080kW Bow Thruster 150kW Equipment Reson 7125 dual frequency (200 kHz and 400 kHz) SeaBat Multi-beam system. Teledyne RD Instruments (RDI) Acoustic Doppler Current Profiling system 300 kHz Simrad HPR-410P Hydroacoustic Positioning reference system Simrad EK60 Scientific echosounder 120kHz and 38kHz split beam transducers Geoacoustics 5 to 7 kHz Pinger QTC Seabed discrimination system Underway sampling and meteorological package Water purification system Walker Marine Aquaprobe speedlog Trimble DGPS 12 channel receiver Scientific Fridge and Freezer Seabird SBE 911plus CTD with SBE32 water sampler CTD cable 1000m Hydrographic winch Telephone +44 (0)1248 382902 Satellite phone: 00870 323523411 School Fax +44 (0)1248 716367
News Event Tuesday, April 1, 2025 @ 1242	SVITZER HAWK (2008- Tug 31m overall of Svitzer Towage)	Own Page
SVITZER HAWK at Dales Marine Services, James Watt Dock, Greenock for maintenance and repair
Ship's location Dales Marine Services, James Watt Dock, Greenock (Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Bristol (England, UK) Ships agent Svitzer Marine Ltd., Greenock (Scotland, UK) Deadweght Tonnage 249 tonnes
The vessel in the background is the Caledonian MacBrayne ro-ro ferry CALEDONIAN ISLES in the Garvel Drydock for maintenance and repairs.
News Event Tuesday, April 1, 2025 @ 1240	LOCHINVAR (2013-- Diesel-Electric Hybrid Ro-ro ferry : 43.50m (142 ft 9 inches) overall of Caledonian MacBrayne, Gourock)	Own Page
LOCHINVAR at Dales Marine Services, James Watt Dock, Greenock for maintenance and repair
Ship's location Dales Marine Services, James Watt Dock, Greenock (Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Glasgow (Scotland, UK) Ships agent Caledonian MacBrayne, Gourock, (Scotland, UK) Gross Tonnage 499 Deadweght Tonnage 135
LOCHINVAR usually serves on the Lochaline (Morvern, Scottish Highlands) service across the Sound of Mull to Fishnish (on the Isle of Mull).    In the first image, on the wall astern of LOCHINVAR are, from left to right, tug SVITZER HAWK, then research ship PRINCE MADOG then Workboat Support Vessel GINA MARY then cruise ship HIGHLAND PRINCESS and, tucked just under her bow, is the workboat COASTBUSTER 11.
News Event Monday, April 7, 2025 @ 1000	KONGO STAR ( 2010 --- Oil / Chemical Tanker IMO: 9508823 : 128.6m overall of Valloeby Kongo Star Ltd - Hamburg, Germany )	Own Page
KONGO STAR discharging oil grades at the Fuel Terminal, Rothesay Dock, Clydebank (Scotland, UK)
Ship's location Fuel Terminal, Rothesay Dock, Clydebank (River Clyde, Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Valletta (Malta) Arrived from Mongstad (Norway) Gross Tonnage 8,581 Cargo carried on arrival Oil grades Deadweght Tonnage 13,011
Contributed by Robert McManus
News Event Monday, July 16, 1923 @ 1200 The actual date and time are unknown and details shown here are our best estimate	KENILWORTH (1823-1938 Side paddle steamer ferry 215 feet overall of 1898 North British Steam Packet Company, Glasgow / 1902 North British Railway Company / 1923 LNER : 1938 scrapped in Glasgow))	Own Page
Painting of side paddle steamer KENILWORTH leaving Innellan Pier (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)
Ship's location Innellan (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Glasgow (Scotland, UK) Gross Tonnage 330
Contributed by Veronika
News Event Friday, April 4, 2025 @ 1010	OSCAR (1976-- Multicat Workboat : 14m overall of Offshore Workboats Limited, Clydebank, Scotland)	Own Page
Offshore Workboats OSCAR at Rothesay Dock, Clydebank (River Clyde, Scotland, UK)
Ship's location Rothesay Dock, Clydebank (River Clyde, Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Glasgow (Scotland, UK) Ships agent Offshore Workboats Ltd., Clyde Boatyard, Clydebank (Dunbartonshire, G81 1LX, UK ) Gross Tonnage 22.36
Contributed by Robert McManus.   Workboat Oscar tied up at Rothesay Dock Clydebank. One of "Offshore Workboats Ltd" fleet.
News Event Saturday, April 5, 2025 @ 1020	RIX ELEONORA (1998- General cargo ship IMO 9194830 : 87.98m overall of Rix Shipmanagement Sia - Riga, Latvia, Tallin, Estonia and Larnaca, Cyprus)	Own Page
RIX ELEONORA at berth 5 (at entrance to Griffin Dock) Port of Ayr (Scotland, UK)
Ship's location Berth 5 (at entrance to Griffin Dock) Port of Ayr (Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Madeira (Portugal) Arrived from Poole (Dorset, England : left there at 11:41 on 3 April 2025) Gross Tonnage 2,446 Deadweght Tonnage 3,722
Contributed by Veronika
News Event Thursday, April 3, 2025 @ 1200	CALEDONIAN ISLES (1993- Passenger and vehicle ferry 308 feet 94m long of Caledonian MacBrayne, Gourock)	Own Page
Return of Caledonian MacBrayne's ferry CALEDONIAN ISLES is delayed until end of May 2025
Port of Registry Glasgow (UK) Gross Tonnage 5,221
From BBC Scotland online news 3 April 2025 Return of MV Caledonian Isles ferry delayed again Image source,Christopher Brindle Image caption, The MV Caledonian Isles is not expected to return to service until the end of May Published 3 April 2025 Ferry operator CalMac has announced that the return of the MV Caledonian Isles - which has been out of service since last February - has been delayed by a further month. The ship has faced a series of issues including rust and twisted frames. It had been due to return to the Arran route by the end of April, but that has now been pushed back to the end of May. Until then, the service to Brodick will continue from Troon with a two-vessel service of MV Glen Sannox and MV Alfred. CalMac said it had found new issues with the tubes for MV Caledonian Isles' propeller shafts. The state-owned operator's chief executive officer Duncan Mackison said: "We know MV Caledonian Isles' ongoing absence has caused significant disruption on Arran and the wider network, and that's why we've taken steps to ensure that when she returns, she provides a resilient and reliable service. "We're in regular contact with Arran's ferry committee and want to reassure the local community that we expect MV Caledonian Isles back soon." Meanwhile, a further delay to the return of MV Hebrides from scheduled annual maintenance has also been announced. CalMac said the vessel, which operates on the Uig triangle, requires an extra six days of work to the bow visor and stern ramp. It is now set to return on Tuesday 22 April. The current alternative deployment plan will continue until the vessel is back in service.
News Event Thursday, April 3, 2025 @ 1000	ATLANTIC WIND (2013-- Chemical / Oil Products Tanker IMO 9341316 : 150m overall of Reederei Tms Atlantic Wind Gmbh & Co Kg - Hamburg, Germany	Own Page
ATLANTIC WIND discharging oil grades at Fuel Terminal, Rothesay Dock, Clydebank (Scotland, UK)
Ship's location Fuel Terminal, Rothesay Dock, Clydebank (River Clyde, Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Gibraltar Arrived from Milford Haven (Wales, UK) Gross Tonnage 10,549 Cargo carried on arrival Oil grades Deadweght Tonnage 15,019
Contributed by Robert McManus
News Event Tuesday, April 1, 2025 @ 1430	ECO TRINITY (2025-- General cargo ship IMO 9938705 : 132.8m overall of Briese Schiffahrts GmbH & Co. KG, Leer, Germany)	Own Page
ECO TRINITY passing James Watt Dock, Greenock (Scotland) for Riverside Quay, Glasgow
Ship's location Passing James Watt Dock, Greenock (Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Madeira (Portugal) Sailing for Riverside Quay, Shieldhall, Glasgow (Scotland, UK) ... followed by tug ANGLEGARTH Gross Tonnage 7,887 Cargo carried on arrival Wind Turbine components
Tug ANGLEGARTH was stationed at the stern of ECO TRINITY and would assist the cargo ship to berth at Riverside Quay, Glasgow.
News Event Tuesday, April 1, 2025 @ 1241	ARGYLL FLYER (in 2023 a 188 passenger ferry 30m long of Caledonian MacBrayne, Gourock)	Own Page
ARGYLL FLYER in James Watt Dock, Greenock (Scotland, UK) repairing an exhaust problem
Ship's location James Watt Dock, Greenock (Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Glasgow (Scotland, UK) Ships agent Caledonian MacBrayne, Gourock, Scotland
News Event Tuesday, April 1, 2025 @ 1343	DELTA (in 2025 RIB of Police Scotland, Glasgow, Scotland, UK))	Own Page
Police Scotland RIB DELTA approaching entrance to James Watt Dock, Greenock (Scotland, UK)
Ship's location Approaching entrance to James Watt Dock, Greenock (Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Glasgow (Scotland, UK) Arrived from Patrol in Firth of Clyde Sailing for James Watt Dock Marina, Greenock (Scotland, UK)
The first image shows the Police Scotland RIB (= Rigid Inflatable Boat) DELTA approaching the entrance to James Watt Dock, Greenock after the RIB making a patrol in the Firth of Clyde.    In the background the paddle steamer WAVERLEY has left Greenock's Custom House Quay and, assisted by tugs CMS BRUISER and CMS WRESTLER, is making for the nearby Garvel Drydock for maintenance and repairs.
News Event Tuesday, April 1, 2025 @ 1000 The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate	BBC LIVORNO 2016-- General cargo ship IMO 9570670, MMSI 305775000 : 130.2m overall of BBC Chartering & Logistics GmbH & Co. KG, Leer, Germany))	Own Page
BBC LIVORNO at Riverside Quay, Shieldhall, Glasgow (Scotland, UK)
Ship's location Riverside Quay, Shieldhall, Glasgow (Scotland, UK) Port of Registry St John's (Antigua and Barbuda) Gross Tonnage 7,138 Deadweght Tonnage 7,933
Contributed by Robert McManus
News Event Tuesday, April 1, 2025 @ 1221	WAVERLEY (1974- Excursion paddle steamer 240 feet long of Waverley Steam Navigation Co. Ltd)	Own Page
WAVERLEY arriving at Custom House Quay, Greenock to wait for entering Garvel Drydock
Ship's location Arriving at Custom House Quay, Greenock (Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Glasgow (Scotland, U.K.) Arrived from Glasgow Science Centre (19 miles upriver Clyde from Greenock) Gross Tonnage 693 Cargo carried on arrival Light ship = no passengers on board Ships agent Waverley Steam Navigation Co. Ltd.
WAVERLEY had travelled 19 miles down the River Clyde from Glasgow to Custom House Quay, Greenock.   There she would wait for an hour then two tugs would turn her to face upstream and tow her to the nearby Garvel Drydock for maintenance and repair to be ready for the summer season sailings.
News Event Tuesday, April 1, 2025 @ 0936	ARGYLE (2006- Passenger and vehicle ferry of Caledonian MacBrayne, Gourock)	Own Page
ARGYLE approaching Wemyss Bay (Firth of Clyde) inbound with passengers and vehicles from Rothesay
Ship's location Approaching Wemyss Bay Pier (Firth of Clyde) inbound with passengers and vehicles from Rothesay Port of Registry Glasgow (UK) Arrived from Rothesay, Isle of Bute, Firth of Clyde (Scotland, UK) Cargo carried on arrival Passengers and vehicles Ships agent Caledonian MacBrayne, Gourock, Scotland
In the first image, in the background, stretching along the shoreline is the village of Innellan, in the region of Argyll and Bute, west of Scotland, on the western shore of the Firth of Clyde.   It is four miles south of Dunoon.
News Event Tuesday, April 1, 2025 @ 1504	BBC LIVORNO 2016-- General cargo ship IMO 9570670, MMSI 305775000 : 130.2m overall of BBC Chartering & Logistics GmbH & Co. KG, Leer, Germany))	Own Page
BBC LIVORNO passing James Watt Dock, Greenock, Scotland) on passage from Glasgow to Antwerpen
Ship's location Passing James Watt Dock, Greenock (Firth of Clyde, Scotland) on passage from Glasgow to Antwerpen Port of Registry St John's (Antigua and Barbuda) Sailing for Antwerpen (= Antwerp, Belgium) Gross Tonnage 7,138 Sailed from berth Riverside Quay, Shieldhall, Glasgow (Scotland, UK) Deadweght Tonnage 7,933
News Event Tuesday, April 1, 2025 @ 0905	SPITZBERGEN (2015- Passenger Cruise liner 101m overall of Hurtigruten Expeditions ASA)	Own Page
SPITZBERGEN storing at Fairlie Quay (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)
Ship's location Fairlie Quay (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Norway Gross Tonnage 7,344 Deadweght Tonnage 687
News Event Thursday, March 24, 1955 @ 0800 The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate	SKYLIGHT (1936-1967 steam engined Clyde puffer lighter Crinan Canal type 66 feet long of Light Shipping Company / Ross & Marshall Ltd., Greenock)	Own Page
Puffer SKYLIGHT had discharged her cargo of coal and was then windbound at Campbeltown
Ship's location Windbound at Campbeltown (Kintyre, Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Greenock (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, U.K.) Arrived in berth Arrived Campbeltown 21 March, discharged cargo of coal 22 March then windbound till 25 March Net Tonnage 40 Sailing for Troon on 25 March, arriving pm. Gross Tonnage 90 Outward cargo Light ship = no cargo on board Ships agent Ross & Marshall Ltd., 98 West George Street, Glasgow, C.2. Tel DOUglas 4294
News Event Thursday, March 24, 1955 @ 0800 The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate	STARLIGHT (1937 - 1967 Clyde puffer lighter Crinan Canal type 66 feet long of Light Shipping Co. / Ross & Marshall Ltd., Greenock : 1967 scrapped at Bowling))	Own Page
Puffer STARLIGHT discharging her cargo of coal at Innellan and Blairmore (both in Firth of Clyde)
Ship's location The towns of Innellan and Blairmore (both in Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Greenock Arrived from Campbeltown (Kintyre, Scotland, UK) Gross Tonnage 91 Arrived in berth STARLIGHT had to berth in Greenock on 23 March as unable to berth at Innellan and Blairmore Cargo carried on arrival Coal for account of J. White Ltd. Ships agent Ross & Marshall Ltd., 98 West George Street, Glasgow, C.2. Tel DOUglas 4294
News Event Thursday, March 24, 1955 @ 0800 The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate	LIMELIGHT (1948-1963 steam general cargo puffer lighter Crinan Canal type 66 feet long of Light Shipping Company / Ross & Marshall, Greenock : scrapped at Dalmuir 1966)	Own Page
Clyde Puffer LIMELIGHT discharging her cargo of coal at Craignure (Isle of Mull, Scotland)
Ship's location Craignure (Isle of Mull, the second-largest island of the Inner Hebrides (after Skye) in Scotland) Port of Registry Greenock (UK) Arrived from Troon (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK) having left there on 22 March Gross Tonnage 96 Cargo carried on arrival Coal 111 tons 18 hundredweights for account of William Campbell, Esq. Deadweght Tonnage 140 Vessel bunkered At Troon bunkered 6 tons 17 hundredweights of coal for her steam engine Ships agent Ross & Marshall Ltd., 98 West George Street, Glasgow, C.2. Tel DOUglas 4294
News Event Thursday, March 24, 1955 @ 0800 The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate	POLARLIGHT (1948-1974 Clyde steam puffer lighter 66 feet long of Light Shipping Co. / Ross & Marshall )	Own Page
Puffer POLARLIGHT in Crinan Canal on passage from Port Ellen (Islay) for Troon (Firth of Clyde)
Ship's location In Crinan Canal on passage from Port Ellen (Isle of Islay) for Troon (Firth of Clyde) Port of Registry Greenock (Scotland, UK) Arrived from Port Ellen (Isle of Islay, Western Isles of Scotland, UK) Reg Tonnage 40 Sailing for Troon (Firth of Clyde) : at 13:00 on 25th will load 103 tons coal for Wm. Campbell Ltd., Port Ellen Cargo carried on arrival Light ship = no cargo on board Outward cargo Light ship = no cargo on board Ships agent Ross & Marshall Ltd., 98 West George Street, Glasgow, C.2. Tel DOUglas 4294
News Event Thursday, March 24, 1955 @ 0800 The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate	RAYLIGHT (1938- General cargo steam Clyde Puffer lighter 66 feet long of Ross & Marshall, Glasgow)	Own Page
Steam Clyde puffer lighter RAYLIGHT on hire to R. L. Alpine Ltd., Ardrossan
Ships agent Ross & Marshall Ltd., 98 West George Street, Glasgow, C.2. Tel DOUglas 4294 Port of Registry Glasgow (Scotland, UK) Net Tonnage 38 Gross Tonnage 96
News Event Thursday, March 24, 1955 @ 0800 The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate	WARLIGHT (1919-1964 Steam engined general cargo Crinan Canal size Clyde puffer 86 feet long of Light Shipping / Ross & Marshall, Greenock)	Own Page
Steam Clyde puffer lighter WARLIGHT discharging coal at Portree (Isle of Skye, Scotland)
Ship's location Portree (Isle of Skye or simply Skye, is northernmost of major islands in Scottish Inner Hebrides) Port of Registry Greenock (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, U.K.) Arrived from Troon (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK) where she sailed on 18 March Net Tonnage 60 Arrived in berth Arrived at Portree (Isle of Skye) pm on 21 March Gross Tonnage 135 Cargo carried on arrival Coal 149 tons 7 hundredweights for account of N. Beaton Ltd. Vessel bunkered After loading her cargo at Ttoon she bunkered 11 tons 5 hundredweights of coal for her steam engine Ships agent Ross & Marshall Ltd., 98 West George Street, Glasgow, C.2. Tel DOUglas 4294
News Event Thursday, March 24, 1955 @ 0800 The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate	SEALIGHT (1930-1963 Steam engined general cargo Clyde puffer lighter 86 feet long of Light Shipping Co. / Ross & Marshall Ltd : 1964 scrapped at Troon))	Own Page
Steam Clyde puffer lighter SEALIGHT discharging Barley at Port Ellen (Isle of Islay, Scotland)
Ship's location Port Ellen (Isle of Islay, Inner Hebrides of Western Isles, Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Greenock (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, U.K.) Arrived from Prince's Dock, Glasgow (where she loaded bagged barley) Gross Tonnage 154 Arrived in berth Arrived at Port Ellen at 13.00 hours on 23 March and began discharging Cargo carried on arrival Barley (for account of R Cameron & Co. Ltd. Vessel bunkered After loading cargo at Prince's Dock, Glasgow she shifted to nearby Queen's Dock to bunker with coal Ships agent Ross & Marshall Ltd., 98 West George Street, Glasgow, C.2. Tel DOUglas 4294
News Event Thursday, March 24, 1955 @ 0800 The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate	MOONLIGHT (1952- 1966 steam engined general cargo Clyde puffer lighter 88 feet long of Ross & Marshall, Glasgow : 1970 scrapped at Troon)	Own Page
Steam Clyde puffer lighter MOONLIGHT on slipway at Greenock for repairs and painting
Ships agent Ross & Marshall Ltd., 98 West George Street, Glasgow, C.2. Tel DOUglas 4294 Port of Registry Greenock (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, U.K.) Gross Tonnage 164 Deadweght Tonnage 188
News Event Friday, February 24, 1961 @ 0800		Own Page
1961 Advert by Burmah Oil Tankers for Deck Officers and Uncertificated Junior Engineer Officers
News Event Thursday, March 27, 2025 @ 1350		Own Page
E-mail with comments about the website
E-mail from “Miller” received 23 March 2025 Hi ShipsoftheClyde.com I like your website but would like to make some comments. .   You call the website Ships of the Clyde but there is a lot about overseas ships.   So your title is wrong. .   Your images often show a lot of background detail instead of concentrating on the ship. .   And with the image you often have lots of description which isn’t needed.   Folk look at your website to see the images not to read about the sky and sea.    If they want to read something  they can get a book from the library. Miller   ShipsoftheClyde replies. From Sandra B. (Site Administrator since 2011)   Hello Miller.   Please forgive me for addressing you as Miller as you did not give your name.   Let me start by thanking you for visiting the site.   Compliments, criticisms or complaints are always welcome to improve the delivery and interest of the website.   I will answer your points but first will provide some background. This website is non-commercial, free to use, there are no adverts and there is no need to register to use it.   It is run and administered entirely by volunteers and has been so since it’s inception in 2011.    The sole aim of the website is to preserve, with free and perpetual access, to leave to everybody, memories of ships and shipping-related items….. whether for the Clyde or worldwide.       And I am sorry to bring this matter up. We all have to die at some time or other.   Some will go to a Heavenly Spot, others to a place which is terribly hot.   Our volunteers and administrators, generally of retirement age, are freely giving their time and effort, in making and promoting this website for future generalions, no matter if they are from Greenock or Gibraltar or Arran or Australia.   It is their wonderful and thoughtful gift from them to everyone.   Your first point.    When the site started it dealt only with the Clyde.   But just like the ships going to all parts of the world the site soon began getting e-mails and images and requests from overseas and these messages were, and still are, very welcome and extremely informative.    You may notice on the Homepage / Frontpage that the title says Ships of the Clyde and Worldwide, and this shows our inclusivity of global maritime items.    The site has visitors and contributors from all over the world and their items are always of great interest.   Your second point.    An image of a vessel is informative and interesting.   Hovever the location and colour and background of the ship can enhance and enrich the quality and interest.   As an example, in the Clyde, the scenery is stunning, amazing and memorable, so why not show the ship in her surroundings.      A thought.   In 1960s Alfred Holt’s Blue Funnel Line distributed well-known postcards of their vessels off Gibraltar, at anchor in far eastern waters …. probably Port Swettenham, Malaya, and passing under the Sydney Harbour Bridge.   The locations definitely elevated the interest and attraction.    We have never set out to edit out location or background details, and, indeed, will endeavour and encourage to always show backgrounds.   Your third point.    You seem unhappy with the text accompanying images.   I am generally the person who creates and inputs the text.    Can I ask you to look at the news on the television and put the sound off.   You can see images or film clips,  but miss all the details, information and background to the stories.   So with an image my accompanying text is there to explain and inform and enhance the reader’s experience.    So my text will forever continue to be included, and I encourage all contributors to add as much text as they wish.   Finally Millar, I hope you understand my views and continue to visit ShipsoftheClyde.com. Perhaps you could e-mail to us some of your own images so that we can understand what you like. Mrs. Sandra B. (Gourock, Scotland)
News Event Tuesday, March 4, 2025 @ 1227	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 Great Harbour, Greenock (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK) Gross Tonnage 199 Sailing for HMNB (= His Majesty's Naval Base) Faslane (Gare Loch, Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK) Deadweght Tonnage 109
News Event Saturday, March 22, 2025 @ 1609	ENDURANCE (in 2023 Inshore creel fishing boat GW42 at Greenock)	Own Page
Creel fishing boat ENDURANCE 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 Glasgow (Scotland, UK) Arrived from Inshore creel fishing grounds in Firth of Clyde (Scotland, UK) Sailing for Creel fishing boat berth in James Watt Dock, Greenock (Scotland, UK) Cargo carried on arrival Probably creel fishing catch = lobsters / prawns / crabs
News Event Saturday, March 22, 2025 @ 1453	TUVAQ W (2018-- Oil / Chemical Tanker IMO: 9610341 : 112.7m overall of Coastal Shipping Ltd / Woodward Group, Goose Bay, NL, Canada)	Own Page
TUVAQ W passes Custom House Quay, Greenock on her passage to Rothesay Dock, Clydebank
Ship's location Passing Custom House Quay, Greenock (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Majuro (Marshall Islands, an island country in the northwestern Pacific Ocean) Sailing for Fuel Terminal, Rothesay Dock, Clydebank (River Clyde, Scotland, UK) Gross Tonnage 5,422 Cargo carried on arrival Oil Deadweght Tonnage 7,595
Tug CMS WRESTLER had been at the Tail-of-the-Bank off Greenock Ocean Terminal, idling and waiting patiently for the incoming TUVAQ W to escort her up the River Clyde to the Fuel Terminal at Clydebank near Glasgow.     With the tanker now arriving at the ship channel at the Ocean Terminal the tug moves to take station at the stern of TUVAQ W. Tug CMS WRESTLER in station astern of TUVAQ W Both tanker and tug pass James Watt Dock, Greenock to turn at Garvel Point for their 14-mile passage up the River Clyde, passing Port Glasgow, Dumbarton Rock, the small village of Bowling and under the Erskine Bridge to their destination of the Fuel Terminal at Rothesay Dock, Clydebank (near Glasgow)
News Event Tuesday, March 25, 2025 @ 1255	ANDREA (2006-- General cargo ship IMO 9350939, MMSI 246140000 : 82.50m overall of Royal Wagonborg, Delfzijl, The Netherlands))	Own Page
ANDREA discharging her bulk dry cargo at Port of Ayr (Scotland, UK)
Ship's location Berth 4, River Berth, Port of Ayr (Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Spijk (Province of Groningen, Netherlands) Sailing for Belfast (Northern Ireland, UK) Gross Tonnage 2,409 Cargo carried on arrival Bulk cargo of agricultural products
News Event Monday, March 24, 2025 @ 1113	SLOMAN HEBE (2019-- Chemical / Oil Products Tanker : 145.20m overall : Manager Sloman Neptun Schiffahrts Ag - Bremen, Germany : Owner Mt Sloman Hebe Schifffahrts Gmbh & Co Kg - Bremen, Germany	Own Page
SLOMAN HEBE at the Fuel Terminal, Rothesay Dock, Clydebank (River Clyde, Scotland, UK)
Ship's location Fuel Terminal, Rothesay Dock, Clydebank (River Clyde, Scotland, UK) Port of Registry St John's (Antigua and Barbuda) Arrived from Mongstad (Norway) Gross Tonnage 11,316 Cargo carried on arrival Oil grades Deadweght Tonnage 16,432 Outward cargo Oil
Contributed by Robert McManus SLOMAN HEBE is a Chemical/Oil Products Tanker built in 2019 (6 years old) and currently sailing under the flag of Antigua & Barbuda. Berthed at Rothesay Dock Clydebank, being loaded with oil.
News Event Saturday, March 22, 2025 @ 1313	NACC INDIAN (2024 - Bulk cement carrier 138.79m overall of Kgj Cement Singapore, Singapore)	Own Page
NACC INDIAN arriving in Firth of Clyde (Scotland, UK) and passing Greenock on passage to Glasgow
Ship's location Arriving in Firth of Clyde (Scotland, UK) and passing the town (covered in mist) of Hunter's Quay Port of Registry Panama Arrived from Southampton (England, UK) and Arzew (Algeria) Gross Tonnage 10,337 Sailing for Berth 4, King George V Dock, Shieldhall, Glasgow (Scotland, UK) Deadweght Tonnage 16,060 Cargo carried on arrival Cement
13:13   The town of Hunter's Quay and the area around Holy Loch in the Firth of Clyde, Scotland are lovely, quiet and have very beautiful scenery.   Unfortunately, when the cement carrier NACC INDIAN passed the background was veiled in a light mist and even the tops of the surrounding hills can barely be seen. 13.50   Tug SVITZER MILFORD had been waiting off Fort Matilda (at the western end of Greenock Esplanade) for the inbound NACC INDIAN and took position astern of the cement carrier.   The next image shows the vessels passing Greenock Ocean Terminal. The prominent deck crane on NACC INDIAN has now been raised.   It's unlikely to being prepared to lower the gangway at the berth, but who knows.   Any suggestions or knowledge ? Tug SVITZER MILFORD follows NACC INDIAN on her passage up the River Clyde to King George V Dock, Glasgow.
News Event Saturday, March 22, 2025 @ 1617	ENVIK (2004 - - IMO 8208464 MMSI 210164000 Cement Carrier : 95.80m overall and co-owned by CSL and SMT as part of the Eureka Shipping joint venture, Limassol, Cyprus)	Own Page
ENVIK passing Custom House Quay, Greenock on passage to King George V Dock, Glasgow
Ship's location Passing Custom House Quay, Greenock (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Limassol (Cyprus) Arrived from Gijon (Spain / Espana) Net Tonnage 1,133 Sailing for King George V Dock, Glasgow Gross Tonnage 3,779 Cargo carried on arrival Cement Deadweght Tonnage 3,682
ENVIK passing Greenock Ocean Terminal with the newly-arrived container ship ELBTEAM on the container berth
News Event Saturday, March 22, 2025 @ 1228	ARGYLE (2006- Passenger and vehicle ferry of Caledonian MacBrayne, Gourock)	Own Page
ARGYLE approaching Wemyss Bay Pier from Rothesay (Isle of Bute, Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)
Ship's location Approaching Wemyss Bay Pier (Firth of Clyde) inbound with passengers and vehicles from Rothesay Port of Registry Glasgow (UK) Arrived from Rothesay, Isle of Bute, Firth of Clyde (Scotland, UK) Sailing for Wemyss Bay Pier (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK Cargo carried on arrival Passengers and vehicles Ships agent Caledonian MacBrayne, Gourock, Scotland
The sky was completely overcast with thick, grey clouds and an unwelcome mist reduced visibility to a few hundred meters.    Look closely at the two images.   The tops of the hills in the distance, on the opposide of the Clyde, can barely be seen.
News Event Monday, February 18, 1946 @ 1200 The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate	EMPIRE HELMSDALE (in 1946 General cargo ship)	Own Page
EMPIRE HELMSDALE expected to berth in Glasgow with 1,100 tons of Bananas (about 40,000 packets)
Ship's location King George V Dock, Glasgow (Scotland, UK) Port of Registry UK Arrived from Canary Islands Cargo carried on arrival 1,100 tons of Bananas (about 40,000 packets)
News Event Wednesday, March 3, 1937 @ 1000		Own Page
Plan for establishment of Anti-submarine boom and gates between Dunoon and Cloch Point, Scotland, UK
News Event Wednesday, August 25, 1943 @ 0800	COMFORT (in 1943 Oiling Barge in Cardwell Bay, Gourock, Scotland)	Own Page
World War 2 : Admiralty order for vessels to travel Dead Slow when passing oiling barge COMFORT
Ship's location Cardwell Bay, Gourock (= beside Gourock Pier, Scotland, UK)
News Event Wednesday, March 1, 1961 @ 1600 The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate	MATURATA (1955-1969 General cargo liner 472 feet long of T & J Brocklebank, Liverpool)	Own Page
MATURATA left Berbera (pronounced BURR-BURR-AH, Somali Republic since 1960) for Calcutta
Sailing for Calcutta (India) Port of Registry Liverpool (England, UK) Sailed from berth Berbera (pronounced BURR-BURR-AH, Somali Republic since 1960, on the Horn of Africa) Net Tonnage 3,724 Gross Tonnage 7,365 Deadweght Tonnage 8,920
Somaliland was formerly the British Protectorate of Somaliland until 1960 when it gained independence and was renamed the Republic of Somalia.    Berbera was not a normal call for Brocklebank ships.   Any idea what she was doing there ?
News Event Tuesday, March 18, 2025 @ 1500	COASTBUSTER 11 ( = COASTBUSTER 2 : in 2025 Workboat IMO: 8880315 : 21.5m overall of Coastworks Operations Ltd., Fairlie, Ayrshire, Scotland, UK)	Own Page
Workboat COASTBUSTER 11 assists at BAE Systems, Govan, Glasgow as hull sections are unloaded
Ship's location Fairfields Basin (BAE Systems Yard, Govan, Glasgow, Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Glasgow (Scotland, UK)
Contributed by Robert McManus Tug Dutch Power holding the barge, Green Barge 4 in position ready to unload the sections of the hull for the construction of HMS Birmingham at BAE Govan. Dutch Power is being assisted by Coast buster ll. HMS Birmingham a Royal Navy submarine hunter is a type 26 frigate.
News Event Tuesday, March 18, 2025 @ 1500	DUTCH POWER (2009-- Shallow draught anchor handling tug IMO 9547879 : 31.1m overall of Bouwmantug Bv, Zierikzee, Netherlands	Own Page
Tug DUTCH POWER holding a barge in position to unload hull sections at BAE Systems, Govan, Glasgow
Ship's location Fairfields Basin (BAE Systems Yard, Govan, Glasgow, Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Zierikzee (Netherlands) Gross Tonnage 257 Deadweght Tonnage 130
Contributed by Robert McManus Dutch Power holding the barge, Green Barge 4 in position ready to unload the sections of the hull for the construction of HMS Birmingham at BAE Govan. Dutch Power is being assisted by Coast buster ll. HMS Birmingham a Royal Navy submarine hunter is a type 26 frigate.
News Event Monday, March 17, 2025 @ 1145		Own Page
Ferguson shipyard misses out on order for seven new all-electric ferries
From BBC Scotland online news 17 March 2025 Ferguson shipyard misses out on new CalMac ferry order Image source,Getty Images Calum Watson BBC Scotland news Published 17 March 2025, 11:09 GMT Updated 13 minutes ago The nationalised Ferguson shipyard has missed out on a crucial order for seven small all-electric ferries for west coast operator Caledonian MacBrayne. Ferries procurement agency CMAL has instead named a Polish firm, Remontowa, as preferred bidder for the Small Vessels Replacement Programme (SVRP). Ferguson's, the last commercial shipyard on the Clyde, had vowed to bid "aggressively" for the contract and had made it onto a shortlist of six bidders. The new "loch-class" vessels are due to start joining the CalMac fleet from 2027 onwards. The contract was a key part of Ferguson Marine's five-year business plan following delays and cost overruns in the construction of two much larger ferries for CalMac. The 50m (164ft) all-electric ferries are similar to ones it has delivered successfully in the past and could have given it a pipeline of repeatable work lasting several years. But the Port Glasgow shipyard is also pursuing other business opportunities, including defence sub-contracting work from BAE Systems and private sector work. Remontowa, based in Gdansk, has previously built the CalMac ferries MV Argyle, MV Bute and MV Finlaggan, and was runner up to Ferguson's when the contracts for MV Glen Sannox and MV Glen Rosa were awarded in 2015. Image source,Navalue Image caption, A concept design drawing of the new all-electric ferries. The Scottish government has allocated £175m for the electric ferries and upgrades of charging infrastructure at harbours. CMAL chief executive Kevin Hobbs said the bids had been assessed against a range of technical criteria, weighted 65% on quality and 35% on cost. He said: "It is our responsibility to follow the Public Procurement Strategy for Scotland and appoint a yard capable of producing quality vessels which meet the needs of islanders, but that also deliver the best value for the public purse. "We are confident in Remontowa's ability, and have worked with them before, most recently with the delivery of the MV Finlaggan in 2011." The new ferries will operate on the Colintraive-Rhubodach (Bute); Lochaline-Fishnish (Mull); Tarbert (Loch Fyne)-Portavadie; Iona-Fionnphort (Mull); Sconser-Raasay; Tobermory-Kilchoan (Mull); and Tayinloan-Gigha routes. This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest version. You can receive Breaking News on a smartphone or tablet via the BBC News App. You can also follow @BBCBreaking on X, external to get the latest alerts.
News Event Sunday, March 16, 2025 @ 1500	GLEN SANNOX (2024- Ro-ro ferry 102.4m 336 feet overall of Caledonian MacBrayne, Gourock, Scotland)	Own Page
GLEN SANNOW sailings resume between Troon and Brodick after crack repair
Ship's location Brodick (Isle of Arran, Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Glasgow (Scotland, UK)
From BBC Scotland online news 16 March 2025 Glen Sannox sailings resume after crack repair Image source,PA Media Image caption, Glen Sannox entered service on CalMac's busy Arran route in January Published 16 March 2025 Sailings on the new Glen Sannox ferry have resumed two days after crack was found in the ship's hull. It returned to service with the 14:50 sailing from Brodick, on the Isle of Arran, after repairs and testing were successfully completed. CalMac said the welding work was carried out on Saturday, following an assessment by divers, and it underwent a fresh examination earlier. The brand new vessel only began operating in January after being delivered almost seven years late and costing more than four times the original contract price. A CalMac spokesperson added: "We are grateful to the vessel's crew, our local port staff, plus the dive and repair teams for their speedy response to this issue." Sailings on the vessel had been cancelled since Friday when the fault was found. Why was Glen Sannox so hard to build? 'Sigh of relief' as delayed Scottish ferry completes first return journey Were Scotland's new gas-powered ferries a bad choice? The ferry operates on a route between Troon, South Ayrshire, and Brodick. The MV Alfred has operated extra sailings to provide cover and the operator said the "vast majority" of booked customers had been able to travel. CalMac previously said reports that the boat had hit the harbour or that water was leaking into the car deck were "categorically untrue". However, it confirmed that a "very small amount of water" had entered part of the rear of the ship near the steering gear. The order for Glen Sannox and another ship were placed with the Ferguson shipyard in Port Glasgow nearly a decade ago. But disputes over the design and claims for extra costs saw the shipyard fall into administration, and then be nationalised in 2019. The ships have ended up costing more than four times the £97m contract price.
News Event Saturday, February 18, 1961 @ 1800 The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate	CITY OF ROCHESTER (in 1961 General cargo ship 442 feet long of Ellerman Lines, London)	Own Page
CITY OF ROCHESTER left Zanzibar (island off East Africa) for Dar-es-Salaam (Tanganyika, East Africa)
Sailing for Dar-es-Salaam (Tanganyika, East Africa) Port of Registry London (UK) Sailed from berth Zanzibar (Island archipelago 25-50 km off East Africa : united in 1964 with Tanganyika)
News Event Saturday, February 18, 1961 @ 1800 The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate	ROSSETTI (1956-1963 then 1967-1970 General cargo ship of Lamport & Holt Line, Liverpool)	Own Page
ROSSETTI left Swansea (Wales, UK) for Porto Alegre (Brazil)
Sailing for Porto Alegre (Brazil) Port of Registry Liverpool (England) Sailed from berth Swansea (Wales, UK) Gross Tonnage 4,538
Lamport and Holt Line of Liverpool (England) named their ships after famouus artists,    Gabriel Charles Dante Rossetti (12 May 1828 – 9 April 1882), generally known as Dante Gabriel Rossetti was an English poet, illustrator, painter, translator, and member of the Rossetti family.   He founded the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood in 1848 with William Holman Hunt and John Everett Millais.    Rossetti inspired the next generation of artists and writers.
News Event Saturday, March 15, 2025 @ 1100	GLEN SANNOX (2024- Ro-ro ferry 102.4m 336 feet overall of Caledonian MacBrayne, Gourock, Scotland)	Own Page
Divers assess crack in hull of new GLEN SANNOX ferry
Ship's location Brodick Pier, Brodick (Isle of Arran, Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Glasgow (Scotland, UK) Ships agent Caledonian MacBrayne, Gourock, Scotland
From BBC Scotland online news 15 March 2025 Divers assess crack in hull of new Glen Sannox ferry Image caption, The Glen Sannox has only been in operation since January Published 2 hours ago Divers are inspecting the new Glen Sannox following the discovery of a crack in the ship's hull. The brand new vessel only began operating in January after being delivered almost seven years late and costing more than four times the original contract price. All of the Glen Sannox's Saturday sailings have been cancelled while the MV Alfred will operate an additional service. CalMac said it would provide an update on Sunday's sailings once a dive team had carried out a full assessment. The ship had been operating for just over two months between Troon in South Ayrshire and Brodick in the Isle of Arran. The vessel was removed from service on Friday after a crack was found on a "weld seam close to the waterline". The ferry operator said reports that the boat had hit the harbour or that water was leaking into the car deck were "categorically untrue". However, CalMac advised that a "very small amount of water" had entered part of the rear of the ship near the steering gear. Image source,CalMac Image caption, CalMac said MV Glen Sannox had been removed from service due to a crack on a weld seam on the vessel's hull which is close to the waterline Additional sailings have also been added between Lochranza in Arran and Claonaig in the Kintyre peninsula. The operator said all passengers should have a booking prior to arriving in Troon, adding that those who had not booked could not be guaranteed travel. Divers from Shearwater Marine Services arrived at the port on Saturday morning. A decision about Sunday's sailings will be taken later, the operator said in a statement on its website, external. It added: "We apologise for the disruption, and our port teams and customer engagement centre will be working hard to contact affected customers." The Glen Sannox has space for 127 cars and 852 passengers. Why was Glen Sannox so hard to build? 'Sigh of relief' as delayed Scottish ferry completes first return journey Were Scotland's new gas-powered ferries a bad choice? The order for Glen Sannox and another ship were placed with the Ferguson shipyard in Port Glasgow nearly a decade ago. But disputes over the design and claims for extra costs saw the shipyard fall into administration, and then be nationalised in 2019. The ships have ended up costing more than four times the £97m contract price. A Scottish government agency owns the ferries, leading to criticism of the SNP from opposition parties. Scottish Conservative transport spokeswoman Sue Webber called the issue a "hammer blow" for passengers. And Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP Willie Rennie said: "This has been a never-ending nightmare for this SNP commissioned ferry contract."
News Event Friday, March 14, 2025 @ 1720	GLEN SANNOX (2024- Ro-ro ferry 102.4m 336 feet overall of Caledonian MacBrayne, Gourock, Scotland)	Own Page
New Arran ferry GLEN SANNOX out of service due to cracked hull
Ships agent Caledonian MacBrayne, Gourock, Scotland Port of Registry Glasgow (Scotland, UK)
From BBC Scotland online news 14 March 2025   New Arran ferry out of service due to cracked hull   Image caption, The Glen Sannox only made its first sailing earlier this year Claire Diamond BBC Scotland News Published 4 minutes ago The new Glen Sannox ferry has been removed from service because of a crack in the ship's hull, according to the ferry operator CalMac. The brand new vessel only began operating in January after being delivered almost seven years late and costing more than four times the original contract price. The ship had been operating since January between Troon in South Ayrshire and Brodick in the Isle of Arran. The 13:00 and 17:20 departures from Brodick were cancelled, external as was the 15:10 from Troon due to the fault. Delayed island ferry Glen Sannox begins sailings Why was Glen Sannox so hard to build? The boat is now tied up at Brodick. CalMac said reports that the ferry had hit the harbour or that water was leaking into the car deck were "categorically untrue". A statement from the ferry operator said: "MV Glen Sannox has been removed from service due to a crack on a weld seam on the vessel's hull which is close to the waterline. "This requires the support of a dive team to assess, and the earliest this could be arranged for is Saturday morning. A third-party team will attend tomorrow to carry out a full assessment. "Following this, we will be able to provide more information on the issue and, if required, repairs and service impact. "It does mean all MV Glen Sannox sailings on Saturday 15 March have been cancelled." They added: "We apologise for the disruption, and our port teams and customer engagement centre will be working hard to contact affected customers." Image caption, The Glen Sannox will stay in the dock until investigations into the crack in the hull are concluded The Glen Sannox has space for 127 cars and 852 passengers. CalMac has said another ferry, the MV Alfred, will make an extra journey to take some of the passengers who were booked onto the cancelled sailings. Some of the MV Alfred's sailing times have been amended to accommodate the extra crossing. The operator said all passengers should have a booking prior to arriving in Troon, adding that those who had not booked could not be guaranteed travel. Sailings on Saturday have also been cancelled. A decision about Sunday's sailings will be taken on Saturday, the operator said in a statement on its website., external A shuttle service will operate between Lochranza in Arran and Claonaig in the Kintyre peninsula. The order for Glen Sannox and another ship were placed with the Ferguson shipyard in Port Glasgow nearly a decade ago. But disputes over the design and claims for extra costs saw the shipyard fall into administration, and then be nationalised in 2019. The ships have ended up costing more than four times the £97m contract price.
News Event Thursday, March 2, 1961 @ 1800 The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate	TASMANIA STAR (1950-1975 Refrigerated cargo liner 547 feet long of Blue Star Line, London)	Own Page
TASMANIA STAR left Bluff (South Island, New Zealand) for London (England, UK)
Sailing for London (England, UK) Port of Registry London Sailed from berth Bluff (South Island, New Zealand) Gross Tonnage 11,950
News Event Thursday, March 13, 2025 @ 1800	AUSTRALIS (2019- Crude Oil Tanker IMO 9284946 : 329.66m 1083 feet overall and 60.04m breadth of Australis Shipping Inc. / Chandris (Hellas) Inc., Piraeus, Greece) ))	Own Page
Oil tanker AUSTRALIS sails away after six years in Loch Long
Port of Registry Monrovia (Liberia) Gross Tonnage 156,914 Deadweght Tonnage 299,095
From BBC Scotland online news 13 March 2025 Oil tanker sails away after six years moored in loch Image source,Christopher Brindle Image caption, Australis left the Loch Long on Wednesday after six years moored on Loch Long Published 2 hours ago A huge oil tanker moored in a Scottish loch for six years has finally sailed away. Australis had been berthed at the small Finnart oil terminal on Loch Long, Argyll and Bute, and used for fuel storage since March 2019. The facility is earmarked for closure as a consequence of the shutting down of the Grangemouth refinery which is linked to Finnart via pipeline. A previous plan to convert the Loch Long refinery for diesel import has been abandoned, and about 20 jobs will be lost at the site. Image source,Christopher Brindle Image caption, Australis was escorted by tugs as it made its way down the Firth of Clyde Photographers took advantage of the sunny weather to capture the 330-metre (1,083ft) vessel making its way down the Firth of Clyde. The giant ship has been sold and is currently bound for Falmouth in Cornwall. It is understood it will then move on to the Middle East. The Finnart terminal, which takes its name from a nearby country mansion, was built by the US Navy during World War Two, providing a deep water site to bring fuel ashore, out of range of the Luftwaffe. Oil was transported to Scotland's oil refinery at Grangemouth via a pipeline. After the war the Finnart terminal passed to the British Petroleum Oil Company and a more direct pipeline was constructed in the 1950s. Another pipeline was later built to take finished products in the other direction, to Finnart for export to Northern Ireland. The import of crude oil reached a peak in the 1970s, before North Sea oil began coming onshore in quantity. The Finnart site is currently owned by Petroineos, joint venture between Ineos and PetroChina. Grangemouth future Meanwhile the Scottish government says a long-awaited report assessing the future of the Grangemouth refinery site is expected to be published next week. Project Willow - which is being produced jointly with the UK government - was due to be published by the end of last month. Aladair Allan, a junior energy minister in the Scottish government, said they were working to finalise the details. The report will look at potential future uses for the site which could keep jobs in the area. The refinery is set to close in the coming months which will put 400 roles at risk. Allan also urged owners Petroineos to to "explore all possible opportunities" for moving staff to other parts of the firm rather than making them redundant.
News Event Wednesday, March 12, 2025 @ 1151	ALICAT (2019- Passenger ferry 19m long of Caledonian MacBrayne, Gourock)	Own Page
ALICAT passing Hunter's Quay (Firth of Clyde) on passage with passengers from Dunoon to Gourock
Ship's location Passing Hunter's Quay (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Glasgow (Scotland, U.K.) Arrived from Dunoon (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK) Gross Tonnage 73 Sailing for Gourock Pier (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK) Outward cargo Passengers Ships agent Caledonian MacBrayne, Gourock, Scotland
News Event Wednesday, March 12, 2025 @ 2024		Own Page
How do you pronounce Wemyss as in Wemyss Bay (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)
E-mail from Bob Davies (Fremantle, Western Australia) How do you pronounce Wemyss as in Wemyss Bay (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)     Great free website, lovely photographs, really enjoy the stories.    Bob. Douglas replies :   It is WEEM ... then Z as in zip.   So ... WEEM Z(ip) or think of ... dreams .... or teams -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
News Event Wednesday, March 12, 2025 @ 1125	ARGYLE (2006- Passenger and vehicle ferry of Caledonian MacBrayne, Gourock)	Own Page
ARGYLE approaching Wemyss Bay Pier from Rothesay (Isle of Bute, Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)
Ship's location Arriving at Wemyss Bay (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK) from Rothesay, Isle of Bute, Firth of Clyde Port of Registry Glasgow (UK) Arrived from Rothesay, Isle of Bute, Firth of Clyde (Scotland, UK) Cargo carried on arrival Passengers and vehicles Ships agent Caledonian MacBrayne, Gourock, Scotland
News Event Wednesday, March 12, 2025 @ 1241	MINNA (2003- Marine Protection Vessel 47m overall of Marine Protection of Scottish Government : she concentrates on inshore fisheries)	Own Page
MINNA passing Dunoon and Holy Loch (Firth of Clyde, Scotland) on passage to Clydebank
Ship's location Passing Dunoon and Holy Loch (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Leith (Scotland, UK) Arrived from Patrol at sea Gross Tonnage 781 Sailing for 1 West Quay, Rothesay Dock, Clydebank (River Clyde, Scotland UK) Cargo carried on arrival Light ship = no cargo on board
News Event Wednesday, March 12, 2025 @ 1334	AUSTRALIS (2019- Crude Oil Tanker IMO 9284946 : 329.66m 1083 feet overall and 60.04m breadth of Australis Shipping Inc. / Chandris (Hellas) Inc., Piraeus, Greece) ))	Own Page
AUSTRALIS was leaving the Clyde (Scotland) after being a storage oil tanker at Finnart Oil Terminal
Ship's location Firth of Clyde off Holy Loch and Dunoon, Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Monrovia (Liberia) Sailing for Falmouth (England) Gross Tonnage 156,914 Sailed from berth Finnart Oil Terminal, Loch Long, Scotland, UK. Deadweght Tonnage 299,095 Outward cargo Light ship = no cargo on board
For six years the giant AUSTRALIS had been berthed at Jetty 3 at Finnart Oil Terminal in Loch Long, Scotland and acting as a storage tanker.   Now it was her time to leave.    With tugs SVITZER HAWK and ANGLEGARTH stationed at the bow and tugs SVITZER WARDEN and SVITZER MILFORD positioned at the stern the four tugs pulled the 330m (1,083m) long tanker from the jetty and towed her at two knots through the long and narrow loch to meet the broad expanse of the Firth of Clyde off Barons Point and the town of Kilcreggan.    There ANGLEGARTH and SVITZER MILFORD left the convoy. AUSTRALIS slowly headed south towards the Cumbrae Heads which is the narrow entrance to the Clyde, between the Island of Little Cumbrae and the promontary of Garroch Head on the southern tip of the Isle of Bute.   Past the town of Dunoon on her starboard and the iconic Cloch Lighthouse to port. Western Ferries' SOUND OF SCARBA, on her regular daily service from McInroy's Point, Gourock to Hunter's Quay skirted around and well ahead of the convoy and giving the passengers the amazing close view of the gigantic tanker, empty of cargo and riding high in the water, like a maritime eclipse blocking the horizon.     Tug SVITZER HAWK escorted at the tanker's bow and tug SVITZER WARDEN kept her tow line at the centre lead at AUSTRALIS's stern.   Both SVITZERS would leave the tanker shortly as she left the Clyde to commence her passage to Falmouth (England) for maintenance and repair.
News Event Wednesday, March 12, 2025 @ 1111	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)
Ship's location Leaving Wemyss Bay Pier (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Glasgow (Scotland, U.K.) Sailing for Rothesay (Isle of Bute, Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK) Sailed from berth Wemyss Bay Pier (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK) Outward cargo Passengers and vehicles Ships agent Caledonian MacBrayne, Gourock, Scotland
News Event Wednesday, March 12, 2025 @ 1025	HAV ALDA (2000- General cargo ship 82m long of Navigare Shipping, Runavík, Faroe Islands)	Own Page
HAV ALDA at Fairlie Quay (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)
Ship's location Fairlie Quay (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Runavík (Faroe Islands) Gross Tonnage 2,301 Deadweght Tonnage 3,159
News Event Monday, March 10, 2025 @ 2351		Own Page
Image of a refrigerator magnet of tugboats at Seattle (Washington State, USA)
Contributed by Willis (Seattle,USA)
News Event Monday, March 10, 2025 @ 1400		Own Page
Corran Ferry in Scottish Highlands : Europe's busiest single-ferry route in £30m upgrade
Ship's location Corran Ferry (Scottish Highlands, UK)
From BBB Scotland online news 10 March 2025   Europe's busiest single-ferry route in £30m upgrade Image source,Getty Images Image caption, There are separate plans to replace the route's MV Corran with a new electric ferry Published 10 March 2025 Updated 4 hours ago Plans have been submitted for £30m of infrastructure improvements for Europe's busiest single-vessel ferry service, external. Highland Council's Corran Ferry carries about 270,000 cars and 11,000 commercial vehicles a year. The five minute crossing of Loch Linnhe's Corran Narrows links the wider Lochaber area with communities in the Ardgour peninsula in the west. The alternative journey by road around the loch takes about two hours. Image caption, The service is a five minute crossing of the Corran Narrows Highland Council has submitted a planning application to build a new slipway and overnight berthing at Ardgour. Also, on the Nether Lochaber side, constructing a new marshalling area for vehicles, cycle path, parking and a new protective barrier called a breakwater. Highland Council would provide £10m towards the cost, while £20m would come from the UK government through the Inverness and Highland City Region Deal, external. Separately, the local authority hopes to replace the service's aging ferry. The Scottish government has said £28m could be used from the city region deal towards a new electric ferry. The money was initially allocated for an upgrade of the Longman interchange on the A9, but councillors appealed to the Scottish government to change investment priorities. Over the years, the ferry service has been hit by significant disruption with major breakdowns affecting the main vessel, MV Corran, and its relief boat - MV Maid of Glencoul. In October 2023, MV Corran returned to service after a year out of action. The boat was withdrawn for maintenance the previous October but this work was hampered by delays.
News Event Thursday, March 6, 2025 @ 1105	LOCH SHIRA (2007- roro ferry 176.84 feet long of Caledonian MacBrayne, Gourock)	Own Page
LOCH SHIRA arriving at Largs Slip with passengers and vehicles from Cumbrae Slip
Ship's location Arriving at Largs Slip (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Glasgow (Scotland, U.K.) Arrived from Cumbrae Slip (Great Cumbrae, Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK) Cargo carried on arrival Passengers and vehicles Ships agent Caledonian MacBrayne, Gourock, Scotland
News Event Monday, March 10, 2025 @ 0220		Own Page
Large cargo vessel runs aground off Isle of Skye (Scotland, UK)
Ship's location Breakish area, Isle of Skye (Scotland, UK)
From BBC Scotland online news 10 March 2025   Large cargo vessel runs aground off Isle of Skye   Image source,Kyle RNLI Image caption, The vessel was able to float away after around two hours Published 3 hours ago A 262ft (80m) cargo vessel has managed to free itself after dragging its anchor and running aground off the Isle of Skye. Volunteer lifeboat crews were called by the coastguard to help around 02:20 after the boat began being pushed ashore by the wind and choppy seas, having run aground at the stern in the island's Breakish area. Around two hours later the ship was able to use its thrusters and engine to move off the rocks, and than go into deeper water to find a safe place to anchor. None of the ship's crew was injured in the incident. Image source,Kyle RNLI Image caption, Lifeboats from Kyle and Portree attended the incident More stories from the Highlands and Islands News from the Highlands and Islands on BBC Sounds RNLI lifeboats from Kyle and Portree attended the incident, and provided safety cover, as well as ensuring there was no pollution risk. Daniel Elliot, Helm for Kyle of Lochalsh RNLI Lifeboat, said: 'When we arrived on scene, the vessel was aground by the bow and was being pushed further ashore by the sea and weather, with a risk of the vessel turning broadside. "However, the crew managed to get themselves off the rocks and out into deeper water. It was important that we stayed on scene to ensure that there was no unseen damage underneath the waterline which could pose a risk to the crew, or any pollution coming from the vessel which could pose a danger to the environment." Image source,Kyle RNLI Image caption, The boat dragged its anchor and ran aground
News Event Thursday, March 6, 2025 @ 1627	BUTE (2005- IMO 9319741 Passenger / Ro-ro ferry 72m long of Caledonian MacBrayne, Gourock)	Own Page
BUTE arriving at Wemyss Bay (Scotland, UK) with passengers and vehicles from Rothesay, Isle of Bute
Ship's location Approaching Wemyss Bay Pier (Firth of Clyde) inbound with passengers and vehicles from Rothesay Port of Registry Glasgow (Scotland, U.K.) Arrived from Rothesay, Isle of Bute, Firth of Clyde (Scotland, UK) Cargo carried on arrival Passengers and vehicles Ships agent Caledonian MacBrayne, Gourock, Scotland
News Event Thursday, March 6, 2025 @ 1527	ELBTEAM (2021- Container ship 141m overall of Usc Barnkrug Gmbh & Co Kg - Drochtersen, Germany)	Own Page
Container ship ELBTEAM leaves Greenock Ocean Terminal with containers for Bilbao (Spain / Espana)
Ship's location Leaving West Container Berth, Greenock Ocean Terminal (Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Madeira (Portugal) Sailing for Bilbao (Spain / Espana) Gross Tonnage 9,983 Outward cargo Containers Deadweght Tonnage 12,306 Draught aft on sailing 6.8m
15:14pm    Radio call from Clyde Pilot on board ELBTEAM to Estuary Control, Greenock.    " Now finished loading.  Will depart shortly for Bilbao.   6.8m draught.   No damage or defects " 15:27pm   The mist is gathering as ELBTEAM leaves the West Container Berth at Greenock Ocean Terminal.
News Event Thursday, March 6, 2025 @ 1337	STEN TRITON ( 2022--- Oil / Chemical Tanker IMO: 9322695 : 144.18m overall of Manager: Rederiet Stenersen As, Bergen, Norway : Owner: Eternal Nyborg Limited, Copenhagen, Denmark)	Own Page
STEN TRITON arrives in the Firth of Clyde (Scotland, UK) with oil from Mongstad (Norway)
Ship's location Passing Dunoon (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Madeira (Portugal) Arrived from Mongstad (Norway) Gross Tonnage 12,105 Sailing for Fuel Terminal, Rothesay Dock, Clydebank (River Clyde, Scotland, UK) Deadweght Tonnage 16,564 Cargo carried on arrival Oil grades
Contributed by Sandra B. (Site Administrator) 13: 37 hours  Thursday.    I'll start with an AXIOM ----- a self evident truth. When you look at the sea or river ... what colour do you see ?  The answere is .... the colour is simply a reflection of the colour of the sky above the water.     So, for example, in the Mediterranean on a beautiful sunny day the sea will be the same colour as the blue sky.    Now look at these first few images of STEN TRITON arriving in the Firth of Clyde (Scotland)    The first shows the tanker, hardly visible, emerging from the thick murky and misty gloom.   Look at the colour of the sea.   Yes, that nasty grey colour was a reflection of the thick dark grey blanket of clouds overhead in the sky.    But good news.   The following less-than-perfect photographs show the mist gradually clearing .... no, it's not my poor amateurish photographic skill, the images were taken in bursts of thinning mist. 14:10 hours  Thursday    STEN TRITON is now passing Greenock Ocean Terminal on her way upriver to the Fuel Terminal at Rothesay Dock, Clydebank (near to Glasgow)   The mist of thirty minutes earlier has now gone and the sun is desperately trying to burst through.   The container ship ELBTEAM can be seen completing loading and will soon be leaving for Bilbao (Spain / Espana).    The tanker had been met by two tugs off Fort Matilda, Greenock.  I'll do a little bit of tour guide for you.   Fort Matilda is an area at Whiteforland Point at the western end of Greenock Esplanade.   Around very early 1800's an Army fort was built there, equipped with cannons to protect Greenock from enemy shipping.     Over the years a naval torpedo manufacturing base was established there and finally was a Coastguard and Maritime Agency office, along with other Government Offices.       Nowadays the area is mostly a residential suburb of town houses and villas, with a few businesses.       In World War 2 (1939-1945) the nearby Battery Park in Gourock was the base of a battery of anti-aircraft guns to protect the shipyards and dock areas from German bombers .... hence the name Battery Park.     So now back to the two tugs meeting STEN TRITON. A smaller tug, CMS WRESTLER, took station ahead of the tanker to escort her along the channel to Clydebank where the tug would attach her tow-line to assist STEN TRITON to the Fuel Berth.    The much larger and powerful tug SVITZER MILFORD took station close astern of STEN TRITON and she would follow the tanker up the River Clyde to Clydebank.  Tug SVITZER MILFORD following closely astern of the tanker
News Event Thursday, March 6, 2025 @ 1212	SOUND OF SEIL (2013- roro ferry of Western Ferries, Hunters Quay, Scotland)	Own Page
SOUND OF SEIL 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, U.K.) Outward cargo Passengers and vehicles Ships agent Western Ferries, Hunter's Quay (Scotland, UK)
Contributed by Sandra B (Site Administrator)    It had been a very dull, grey and gloomy morning at Gourock and the thick heavy mist was slowly dispersing and this image shows Western Ferries' SOUND OF SEIL (on the left) inbound to McInroy's Point.    The ferry on the right is SOUND OF SHUNA, having left McInroy's Point for Hunter's Quay.    Immediately to the right of SOUND OF SHUNA, lurking and almost invisible in the mist and anchored quietly off Kilcreggan is the cargo ship ARCTIC ROCK, wating patiently to go upriver to the BAe Systems Fairfield Basin at Govan, Glasgow.   There she is expected to moor with her stern to, and perpendicular to the west quayside (basically doing a Mediterranean moor) and doing a roll-off discharge of her project cargo.
News Event Friday, March 7, 2025 @ 1151	DEO-GLORIA (2003- Trailing Suction Hopper Dredger IMO 7711074 : 70.36m overall of owner: Productie Zeezand BV : Manager: Zandhandel Faasse BV)	Own Page
Hopper Dredger DEO-GLORIA passing Yoker (River Clyde) on her way to the spoil disposal site
Arrived from Upper reaches of the River Clyde off Shieldhall, Govan, Glasgow (Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Goes (Netherlands) Outward cargo Spoil dredged from upper reaches of River Clyde at Glasgow (Scotland, UK) Deadweght Tonnage 2,100
Contributed by Robert McManus Trailing suction hopper dredger Deo Gloria working on the River Clyde passing Yoker this morning. Heading to the disposal site at Cloch point.
News Event Friday, March 7, 2025 @ 1032	STEN TRITON ( 2022--- Oil / Chemical Tanker IMO: 9322695 : 144.18m overall of Manager: Rederiet Stenersen As, Bergen, Norway : Owner: Eternal Nyborg Limited, Copenhagen, Denmark)	Own Page
STEN TRITON discharging oil grades at the Fuel Terminal, Rothesay Dock, Clydebank (Scotland, UK)
Ship's location Discharging her cargo of oil grades at the Fuel Terminal, Rothesay Dock, Clydebank (Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Madeira (Portugal) Arrived from Mongstad (Norway) Gross Tonnage 12,105 Cargo carried on arrival Oil grades Deadweght Tonnage 16,564
Contributed by Robert McManus
News Event Thursday, March 6, 2025 @ 1057	CHALLENGER OF LEITH (2007- Workboat 15m overall of Coastworks Operations Ltd., Fairlie, Scotland)	Own Page
Workboat CHALLENGER OF LEITH leaving Rothesay Dock, Clydebank (River Clyde, Scotland, UK)
Ship's location Leaving Rothesay Dock, Clydebank (River Clyde, Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Leith (Scotland, UK) Sailing for Ardrossan Harbour (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)
Contributed by Robert McManus
News Event Thursday, March 6, 2025 @ 1126	ARGYLE (2006- Passenger and vehicle ferry of Caledonian MacBrayne, Gourock)	Own Page
ARGYLE approaching Wemyss Bay Pier from Rothesay (Isle of Bute, Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)
Ship's location Arriving at Wemyss Bay (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Glasgow (UK) Arrived from Rothesay, Isle of Bute, Firth of Clyde (Scotland, UK) Cargo carried on arrival Passengers and vehicles Ships agent Caledonian MacBrayne, Gourock, Scotland
It was a cold spring morning, very grey and gloomy and quite misty and a strong southerly wind was sweeping up the Firth of Clyde.      Happily there were occasional bright intervals and Caledonian MacBrayne's ferry ARGYLE appeared to be bathed in one as she approached Wemyss Bay Pier with passengers and vehicles from Rothesay (Isle of Bute)
News Event Thursday, February 3, 1949 @ 1700 The actual date and time are unknown and details shown here are our best estimate	PRINCESS VICTORIA (1948-1953 Ro-ro ferry 322 feet overall of British Railways : 1953 sank in North Channel, near Stranraer, Scotland))	Own Page
PRINCESS VICTORIA passing Corsewall Lighthouse (near Stranraer, Scotland, UK)
Ship's location Passing Corsewall Lighthouse (near Stranraer, Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Stranraer (Scotland, UK) Arrived from Larne (Northern Ireland, UK) Sailing for Stranraer (Scotland, UK) Cargo carried on arrival Passengers and general cargo and vehicles
Contributed by Jimmy (Newton Stewart, Scotland)
News Event Tuesday, March 4, 2025 @ 1127	GANTOCK (2012- Pilot vessel of Peel Ports, Clydeport, Glasgow)	Own Page
Pilot Boat GANTOCK leaves Estuary Control, Greenock Ocean Terminal (Scotland, UK)
Ship's location Leaving Estuary Control, Greenock Ocean Terminal (Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Greenock (Scotland, UK)
News Event Tuesday, March 4, 2025 @ 1125	SKUA (2010-- Pilot Boat Interceptor Class 48 : 14.5m overall and operational speed of 24 knots of Peel Ports and based in Clyde at Greenock, Scotland)	Own Page
Estuary Control, Greenock (Scotland) and Pilot Boat SKUA shifts to allow GANTOCK to leave
Ship's location Estuary Control, Greenock OceanTerminal (Firth of Clyde,Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Liverpool (England, UK)
News Event Friday, November 30, 1962 @ 1200 The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate	CITY OF LEICESTER (1964-1965 General cargo ship 373 feet overall of Ellerman Lines, London : formerly Ellerman Papayanni's EGYPTIAN : 1967 scrapped at Kaohsiung, Taiwan))	Own Page
CITY OF LEICESTER left Aden (Yemen) for Kuching (Capital city of Sarawak, Malaysia)
Sailing for Kuching (Capital city of Sarawak, Malaysia) Port of Registry London (England, U.K.) Sailed from berth Aden (Yemen) Net Tonnage 1,368 Gross Tonnage 3,512
Ellerman & Papayanni's EGYPTIAN was renamed as CITY OF LEICESTER in 1964-1965 but was sailing as CITY OF LEICESTER in 1962.    Can anyone explain this  ?
News Event Sunday, March 2, 2025 @ 0800	SPIRIT OF TASMANIA 1V (in 2024 Passenger Ferry 212m 695 feet of TT-Line, Australia)	Own Page
New Australian ferry SPIRIT OF TASMANIA 1V ordered to leave Port of Leith (near Edinburgh, Scotland)
Ship's location Port of Leith (near Edinburgh, Firth of Forth, Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Australia
From BBC Scotland online news 2 March 2025 Australian 'fiasco' ferry ordered to leave Edinburgh   Image source,TT-Line Image caption, Spirit of Tasmania IV came to Leith from a Finnish shipyard because it could have been damaged by pack ice Published 2 March 2025 A newly-constructed Australian ferry will be moved from Edinburgh to the other side of the world after leasing negotiations broke down. Often described as a "fiasco", the Spirit of Tasmania IV has been docked in Leith for three months due to issues with existing infrastructure in the Tasmanian city of Devonport. Operator TT-Line said it had been engaging with a broker to lease the ferry, however an agreement could not be reached. The Tasmanian government has now ordered the ferry operator to relocate the 212m-long (695ft) vessel to the island. The ship was built at a yard in Finland, but had to be moved to Scotland before winter over concerns it could be damaged by pack ice. A new berth to accommodate the ship, and sister vessel Spirit of Tasmania V, may not be ready until late 2026 or 2027 and the saga has sparked a huge political row in Australia. More stories from Edinburgh, Fife & East More stories from Scotland The vessel was due to operate in the Bass Strait, between Tasmania and the Australian state of Victoria, and had been described as a "game-changer" for the island's tourism industry. However, it has seen a series of delays in its construction, skyrocketing costs and problems upgrading the current berths - mirroring many of Scotland's own ferry problems. Tasmania's infrastructure minister, Michael Ferguson, and the chairman of ferry operator TT-Line, which is state-owned, resigned due to the controversy in August. The cost of building the two LNG dual-fuel ships has risen by A$94m (£47.5m) from A$850m (£430m) when the contract was signed in 2021. Meanwhile the cost of upgrading current infrastructure in Devonport, which handles about 450,000 passengers a year, has more than quadrupled from an original estimate of A$90m (£45.5m). TT-Line was paying A$47,534 (£24,031) per week to berth the ship at Forth Ports, according to figures published by the Tasmanian government. Last week Australian media reported there was a possibility of the ferry being used to house Ukrainian refugees in Scotland. However the Scottish government quickly dismissed this saying: "This is not true and we have no plans to lease this or any other vessel for this purpose." 'Biggest infrastructure stuff-up' Tasmania's transport minister Eric Abetz said that the government had done all it could to secure a lease that would benefit Tasmanians. He said: "We had an opportunity to secure an agreement worth tens of millions of dollars for the Tasmanian taxpayer, and it would have been economically irresponsible not to explore this. "Previous similar leases provided more than €50m (£41.2m) to vessel owners, and it was prudent that we sought similar arrangements for Tasmanian taxpayers. "The relentless negativity is hurting the state's economic opportunities, and it's time to move forward together." Tasmanian Labor, the opposition party, welcomed the "backflip" from the government but said it came four months and and millions of dollars too late. A spokesman said: "The ferry fiasco has been the biggest infrastructure stuff-up in Tasmania's history, but the cover-up has been even worse than the crime."
News Event Monday, March 3, 2025 @ 0647		Own Page
Fresh delays to Turkish-built Caledonian MacBrayne ferries
From BBC Scotland online news 3 March 2025 Fresh delays to Turkish-built CalMac ferries   Image source,CMAL Image caption, The Isle of Islay is expected at the end of June at the earliest Mary McCool & Calum Watson BBC Scotland News Published 3 March 2025, 06:47 GMT Updated 41 minutes ago Delivery dates for a fleet of CalMac ferries being built by a shipyard in Turkey have been pushed back again due to problems with labour shortages. According to a letter from the government-owned ferries procurement company CMAL, the first of the fleet will not be finished until the end of June at the earliest when it was originally expected in October. It comes at a trying time for CalMac - the west coast operator is facing a shortage of ships and has been grappling with an "exceptional" series of problems with its fleet. Transport Scotland said the latest delay was "disappointing" but had been caused by global issues "outwith the yard's control". New Turkish-built CalMac ferry delayed by two months Published 9 August 2024 'Exceptional' pressures force CalMac fleet reshuffle Published 4 days ago Problems with the delivery of the ferries from the Cemre yard in Turkey were confirmed in a letter from CMAL to the net zero, energy and transport committee on Friday. The letter has not yet been published on the Scottish government website, but was shared on social media by the Islay Community Council. It said: "We are facing serious issues with labour, particularly the availability of specialist commissioning sub-contractors. "This continues to set the project and delivery back." It said while the yard builds the vessels and installs machinery, manufacturers need their own specialists to commission the systems to ensure warranties are secured. "The lack of commissioning engineers is an issue affecting the global shipbuilding industry, and is causing months-long delays in some cases," it added. The letter said snow and cold weather had also delayed the docking of the Isle of Islay to check underwater parts and complete painting. When will the ships be delivered? The first of the Turkish ferries, MV Isle of Islay, was launched a year ago by Morag McNeill, the chairwoman of CMAL, in a ceremony at the Cemre shipyard. The second ship, MV Loch Indaal, was launched three months later by the wife of CMAL's vessel's director Jim Anderson. A freedom of information request from BBC News revealed that a total of 10 CMAL staff and their guests attended the Loch Indaal launch ceremony, with flight and accommodation costs totalling nearly £10,000. Isle of Islay - destined for the Islay route - was pushed from October to mid-February and will now be delivered "no earlier than the end of Q2 in 2025". CMAL said it expected the other three vessels to "follow a delivery schedule of six-month intervals from the delivery of MV Isle of Islay". This would mean that Loch Indaal, also for the the Islay route, would not be completed until the end of the year at the earliest, when it was due for June. The latter smaller vessels, MV Lochmor and MV Claymore are due to be deployed on the Little Minch routes between Skye, Harris and North Uist. The CMAL letter added: "The contract has anticipated intervals of four months, but it is prudent we take our current understanding of the situation into consideration." A Transport Scotland spokesperson said that shipyards across the world have been impacted by external supply chain and internal resourcing challenges. They said: "Cemre are working actively to outfit, test, trial, survey and complete the vessels as early as possible. "We continue to make clear our strong expectation to CMAL and CalMac to closely monitor progress on delivery and deployment timescales. "Following planned sea trials and commissioning work, a clearer indication on delivery, and that of the three sister vessels, will be provided by CMAL. "The quality of the workmanship and construction of the vessel is fully meeting CMAL expectations and we look forward to the vessels joining the fleet and serving island communities for years to come." Re-jigged services CalMac recently laid out how it had re-jigged services to cope with pressure due to repair delays and new issues identified during annual maintenance. Chief Executive Duncan Mackison said a third of its large vessels were currently out of action or operating with reduced capacity. The charter of the privately-owned catamaran Alfred - said to cost £1m a month - has now been extended to the end of May to maintain services. The summer-only Ardrossan-Campbeltown service remains suspended for another year. MV Caledonian Isles, which operates on the Arran route, has been out of action since last February with a series of issues including rust and twisted frames. The ship was due back next month, but this has been pushed back, possibly to late April, after new issues were found with the tubes for its propeller shafts. MV Isle of Lewis, which operates to Barra, needs steelwork replaced during annual maintenance, and will not return to service until Sunday 23 March, almost a month later than expected. MV Clansman has also been slightly delayed in overhaul, while MV Isle of Mull is restricted to just 45 passengers. This is due to problems with its emergency evacuation systems, which will not be fixed until mid-May at the earliest. The new Ferguson-built ferry Glen Sannox joined the fleet earlier this year and its sister ship Glen Rosa is due for delivery in autumn. Glen Sannox is serving the Arran route but is currently too big to berth at the Ardrossan harbour, sailing instead from Troon. 'Betrayed island communities' Scottish Conservative transport spokeswoman Sue Webber said: "This is yet another blow to Scotland's betrayed island communities, who are sick to the back teeth of delays to upgrading their decrepit ferry fleet. "The buck stops with SNP ministers who are responsible for this national scandal. Islanders must wince every time they hear of an update from CMAL or CalMac because it's always more bad news. "This latest delay couldn't be worse timed, with the summer schedule already scaled back because so many ageing ferries require repairs. "It defies belief that no SNP minister has resigned or been fired for inflicting this chaos on the country."
News Event Monday, July 5, 1965 @ 1100 The actual date and time are unknown and details shown here are our best estimate	COWAL (1954-1979 Passenger and side-loading vehicle ferry of Caledonian Steam Packet, Gourock	Own Page
Postcard showing ro-ro ferry COWAL leaving Wemyss Bay (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)
Ship's location Leaving Wemyss Bay Pier (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK) Port of Registry Glasgow Gross Tonnage 569 Deadweght Tonnage 151
Contributed image of a postcard purchased at the bookshop at Weymss Bay pier in January 2025.
News Event Sunday, June 16, 1963 @ 1100 The actual date and time are unknown and details shown here are our best estimate		Own Page
Postcard showing paddle steamer TALISMAN approaching Wemyss Bay (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)
Ship's location Wemyss Bay Pier (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)
Contributed image of a postcard purchased at the bookshop at Weymss Bay pier in January 2025.

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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