Glasgow And Ships Of The Clyde

Latest Events

This page shows the 100 latest events.

What/When Ship

News Event

Sunday, August 3, 2025 @ 1312
WILSON DIEPPE (2010 > General cargo ship IMO 9409625 : 87.84m overall of Wilson ASA, Bergen, Norway) Own Page

WILSON DIEPPE at Port of Ayr, Scotland with a cargo of fertiliser from Terneuzen (Netherlands)

Ship's locationAyr (Firth of Clyde, Scotland)Port of RegistrySt John's (Antigua and Barbuda)
Arrived fromTerneuzen (Netherlands) having left there at 1130 on 30 JulyNet Tonnage1,369 tonnes
Arrived in berth17:07 on 2 AugustGross Tonnage2,452 tonnes
Cargo carried on arrivalFertilisersDeadweght Tonnage3,782 tonnes

News Event

Monday, August 4, 2025 @ 1045
Own Page

The BBC series "Island Crossings" returns to TV and I-Player

Returning to BBC TV on your telly-box and also on BBC I-Player is the lovely series "Island Crossings."

   You don't know what it's about ?

The Scottish ferry company Caledonian MacBrayne operates the ferries to the Highlands and Islands of Western Scotland, including the smallest and sparsely populated islands and the major islands.

   The series is filmed on the vessels and the islands, showing the vessel's crews and shoreside staff and their daily work in providing a life-line service to island communities. 

   It's well worth watching. 

News Event

Sunday, August 3, 2025 @ 1311
WYRE BAY (1969 > Backhoe Dredger and Water Injection Dredger 25m overall of Wyre Marine Services, Fleetwood, England) Own Page

After dredging : WYRE BAY shifting from Port entrance to Griffin Dock, Port of Ayr, Scotland, UK)

Ship's locationAfter dredging : shifting from Port entrance to Griffin Dock, Port of Ayr, Scotland, UK)Port of RegistryFleetwood (Lancashire, England, UK)
Net Tonnage113 tonnes
Gross Tonnage113 tonnes

WYRE BAY entering Griffin Dock and passing WILSON DIEPPE discharging fertiliser from Terneuzen, Netherlands

News Event

Sunday, August 3, 2025 @ 1700
GLEN SANNOX (2024- Ro-ro ferry 102.4m 336 feet overall of Caledonian MacBrayne, Gourock, Scotland) Own Page

Caledonian MacBrayne's GLEN SANNOX leaving Troon for Brodick (Isle of Arran, Scotland, UK)

Sailing forBrodick (Isle of Arran, Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)Port of RegistryGlasgow (Scotland, UK)
Sailed from berthFerry Terminal, East Pier, Port of Troon (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)
Outward cargoPassengers and vehicles
Ships agentCaledonian MacBrayne, Gourock, Scotland

News Event

Monday, June 11, 1956 @ 2100
ROYAL SCOTSMAN (1936-1967 Passenger and cargo ship 339 feet long of Burns & Laird Line, Glasgow) Own Page

Burns & Laird Lines Glasgow and Belfast night passenger service timetable commencing 11 June 1956

Ship's locationLancefield Quay, GlasgowPort of RegistryGlasgow
Sailing forDonegall Quay, Belfast (Northern Ireland, UK)Gross Tonnage3,288
Outward cargoPassengers and general cargo
Ships agentBurns & Laird Lines, 52 Robertson Street, Glasgow, C. 2. Tel. CENtral 9650

News Event

Monday, July 1, 1974 @ 0800
The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate
WINDSOR CASTLE (1960-1977 Passenger / cargo liner of Union Castle Mail Steam Ship Company, London) Own Page

Union Castle / Safmarine passenger brochure for October 1974 to March 1976 to and from South Africa

Port of RegistryLondon (England, UK)
Gross Tonnage37,640

News Event

Thursday, March 7, 1957 @ 0800
The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate
MISSION SAN FRANCISCO (1947-1957 Tanker of US Military Sea Transportation Service) Own Page

In 1957 US Navy Tanker MISSION SAN FRANCISCO and freighter ELNA 11 collide in Delaware River

Ship's locationPassing New Castle, Delaware River, USAPort of RegistryUS Navy
Vessel MasterCaptain William Allen

   The US Navy Tanker MISSION SAN FRANCISCO broke in two after a collision in the Delaware River, USA.    Both vessels caught fire.

   Ten men from the tanker, including the captain and a pilot are missing.   Fifty eight others, including the entire crew of the cargo ship, the ELNA 11, were saved.   Ten of them from blazing oil spreading across the river.

Career

Mission San Francisco was laid down on 5 May 1945 as Contocook under a Maritime Commission contract by Marinship Corporation, Sausalito, California; launched on 18 September 1945, sponsored by Mrs. John J. Manning; and delivered on 11 October 1945. Chartered to Deconhill Shipping Company, upon her delivery, for operations, she served until 14 April 1946 when she was returned to the Maritime Commission and laid up in the Maritime Reserve Fleet at Mobile, Alabama.

Acquired by the Navy on 28 October 1947, she was placed in service with the Naval Transportation Service as Mission San Francisco (AO-123). Taken over by the Military Sea Transportation Service on 1 October 1949 she was redesignated USNS Mission San Francisco (T-AO-123) and served under MSTS until 18 January 1954, when she was returned to the Maritime Administration and laid up in the Maritime Reserve Fleet at Beaumont, Texas.

 

Reacquired by the Navy on 20 October 1956, she was once again placed in service with MSTS and chartered to Mathiasens Tanker Industries. Her period of service with MSTS was short. On 7 March 1957 while passing New Castle, Delaware, she collided with the Liberian freighter Elna II. The shock of the collision caused Mission San Francisco to catch fire and explode, breaking her in two. The explosion killed 10 men, including her master, Capt. William Allen. Immediately after the collision, Elna II backed off but in her attempts to avoid the burning hulk she ran aground. Due to bad weather, rescue attempts were slow, but all aboard Elna II and the survivors of Mission San Francisco were rescued by the United States Coast Guard. Declared unsalvageable by the Navy, Mission San Francisco was stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on 20 March 1957.


 

USNS Mission San Francisco
History
United States
Name Mission San Francisco
Builder Marinship Corporation
Laid down 5 May 1945
Launched 18 September 1945
In service 28 October 1947
Out of service 20 March 1957
Fate Sunk, 1957
General characteristics
Class & type Mission Buenaventura-class oiler
Displacement
  • 5,532 long tons (5,621 t) light
  • 21,880 long tons (22,231 t) full
Length 524 ft (160 m)
Beam 68 ft (21 m)
Draft 30 ft (9.1 m)
Propulsion Turbo-electric, single screw, 6,000 hp (4.47 MW)
Speed 16.5 knots (30.6 km/h; 19.0 mph)
Complement 52
 

News Event

Saturday, October 16, 1937 @ 1900
CIRCASSIA ( 1937 - 1966 Passenger and cargo liner 483 feet long of Anchor Line, Glasgow) Own Page

Invitation to inspect CIRCASSIA at Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Works, Govan, Glasgow

Ship's locationFairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Works, Govan Road, Govan, Glasgow (Scotland, UK)Port of RegistryGlasgow

and this is what CIRCASSIA looks like

News Event

Tuesday, July 12, 1949 @ 1200
The actual date and time are unknown and details shown here are our best estimate
SAINT COLUMBA (1936-1958 Mail and passenger steamer of David MacBrayne, Glasgow : Scrapped 1958) Own Page

David MacBrayne's SAINT COLUMBA in Firth of Clyde (Scotland, UK) or Western Isles of Scotland

Ship's locationFirth of Clyde (Scotland, UK) or Western Isles of ScotlandPort of RegistryGlasgow (UK)
Cargo carried on arrivalPassengers Deadweght Tonnage785
Ships agentDavid MacBrayne Ltd., Clyde House, 44 Robertson Street, Glasgow, C.2. Telephone CENtral 9231

Contributed image

News Event

Thursday, July 14, 1966 @ 1800
QUEEN MARY (1936-1940 Passenger liner 1,019.4 ft (310.7 m) of Cunard Line: 1940-1946 Troopship: 1946-1967 returned to service with Cunard Line, Liverpool) Own Page

In 1966 Cunard Line warn they may have to sell both QUEEN liners and all the other passenger ships

Ship's locationSouthampton (England, UK)Port of RegistryLiverpool (England, UK)

News Event

Sunday, May 29, 1966 @ 1400
As shown in the attached copy of timetable
TALISMAN (1935-1967 Passenger paddle steamer of Caledonian Steam Packet Company, Gourock) Own Page

Clyde Paddle Steamer TALISMAN 1966 summer season Sunday afternoon cruises to Tighnabruaich

Sailing forLargs, Rothesay and then through Kyles of Bute to Tighnabruaich (all in Firth of Clyde, Scotland)Port of RegistryGlasgow
Sailed from berthMillport Old Pier (Isle of Great Cumbrae, Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)
Outward cargoPassengers
Ships agentCaledonian Steam Packet Company Ltd., Gourock Pier, Scotland, UK

News Event

Tuesday, June 29, 1965 @ 1700
PLAINSMAN (1959 - 1979 General cargo ship 489 feet overall of T & J Harrison Line, Liverpool) Own Page

PLAINSMAN closes at Birkenhead for receiving cargo for West, South and East Africa

Ship's locationBirkenhead (England, UK)Port of RegistryLiverpool
Arrived fromGlasgow (Scotland, UK)
Sailing forLobito, Cape Town, Mossel Bay, Port Elizabeth, East London, Durban and Mauritius
Outward cargoGeneral cargo
Ships agentThos. & Jas. Harrison Ltd., Mersey Chambers, Old Churchyard, Liverpool, 2 Telephone CENtral 5611

News Event

Wednesday, July 23, 2025 @ 1115
ARGYLE (2006- Passenger and vehicle ferry of Caledonian MacBrayne, Gourock) Own Page

ARGYLE leaves Wemyss Bay Pier with passengers and vehicles for Rothesay

Ship's locationLeaving Wemyss Bay Pier (Firth of Clyde) for Rothesay (Isle of Bute, Firth of Clyde)Port of RegistryGlasgow (UK)
Sailing forRothesay (Isle of Bute, Firth of Clyde, Scotland)
Sailed from berthWemyss Bay Pier (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)
Outward cargoPassengers and vehicles
Ships agentCaledonian MacBrayne, Gourock, Scotland

Contributed by Sandra B. (Senior Site Administrator, Gourock)


There is an old, very old and indeed ancient saying in Scotland " The best laid plans of mice and men gang oft agley"

   Translated it means "The best laid plans of mice and men often go wrong"

   And it happened to me.

I had saved up my pennies, checked my camera battery and memory card and set off on a trip to Ardrossan to take an early-morning start on a day away to Brodick on the Isle of Arran on my old friend, Caledonian MacBrayne's forty-year old ferry ISLE OF ARRAN.

   Looking out of my window at Gourock there was a slight mist which, with the heavily overcast sky, cool north-westerly wind and moderate visibility did not prophesy a good day for photography.

   However the BBC weather forecast said things were to greatly improve during the late morning and afternoon.

   So off I went, terrifically excited for my expedition to Arran.

My plans were to go on the bus through the amazing and mountainous north of the island, past Corrie and Sannox, Lochranza and Pirnmill and then stop for lunch at Blackwaterfoot. 

 Then on another bus through the south end of the island seeing Kilmory and Kildonan, Pladda Island, and Whiting Bay and Lamlash and Holy Isle, stopping somewhere for dinner.

   Then a bus back to Brodick for the last ferry back to Ardrossan.    The kind, very courteous and always pleasant bus drivers always waited a few moments to let me take photographs of interesting subjects.

   That was my plan for the day.


   And as I drove along the North Shore Road to Ardrossan my heart and spirits fell.   With a resounding thump.   Like seven on the Richter Scale. 

   I stopped in a lay-by and gazed across the outer Firth of Clyde to Arran.   You could not see it.

   There was an immense wall of thick fog stretching along the Firth, completely obscuring the 13-mile long island and it's mountains.   And the sky was totally overcast with low dark-grey clouds and the water, reflecting the colour of the sky, was almost black.    There would be "Nil Points" as they say in the Eurovision Song Contest, for taking any photographs today in Arran.

   So, as the old saying goes, my plans were going wrong ... very wrong.

Turning the car I went back along the coast and had to content myself with taking images of the two Wemyss Bay ferries and the Turkish ship at Greenock.

   And my pennies, remaining in my purse,  have been saved for some other day.


Caledonian MacBrayne's ferry ARGYLE backing off the ramp at Weymss Bay

Now turning to starboard (= right) to head outbound to Rothesay

The ferry has completed her turning and can now head to pass Toward Point for the pier at Rothesay

News Event

Wednesday, July 23, 2025 @ 1125
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 locationArriving at Wemyss Bay (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK) from Rothesay, Isle of Bute, Firth of Clyde Port of RegistryGlasgow (Scotland, U.K.)
Arrived fromRothesay, Isle of Bute, Firth of Clyde (Scotland, UK)
Cargo carried on arrivalPassengers and vehicles
Ships agentCaledonian MacBrayne, Gourock, Scotland

Contributed by Sandra B.  (Site Administrator, Gourock)

 

BUTE was emerging from the mist and, in the distance, the stern of her sister ferry ARGYLE can be seen, in the mist, on her passage from Wemyss Bay to Rothesay.

The mist was starting to clear as BUTE approached the ramp at Wemyss Bay

News Event

Wednesday, July 23, 2025 @ 1345
BURHAN DiZMAN (2007 > General cargo ship IMO 9381809 : 126.8m overall of Dizman Denizcilik, Istanbul, Turkey) Own Page

BURHAN DiZMAN passes Greenock on her way to anchor off Brodick to await orders

Ship's locationPassing Custom House Quay, Greenock (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)Port of RegistryBridgetown (Barbados)
Arrived fromRiverside Quay, Shieldhall, Glasgow (Scotland, UK) having left there at 12.00 hoursGross Tonnage5,816
Sailing forTo anchor in Brodick Bay (Isle of Arran, Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK) ... to await ordersDeadweght Tonnage7,718
Outward cargoLight ship = no cargo on board

Contributed by Sandra B.  (Senior Administrator, Gourock)

 

Approaching and passing Custom House Quay, Greenock.    To her right is Caledonian MacBrayne's brand new ferry GLEN ROSA fitting out and maintenance in Garvel Drydock and at the far right is Caledonian MacBrayne's large ferry CALEDONIAN ISLES undergoing extended maintenance and repair in James Watt Dock.

Passing Greenock Ocean Terminal and making her way to Brodick Bay (Isle of Arran, Firth of Clyde) where she would anchor to await orders. 

  Her crew did not have time to enjoy the terrific excitement of Isle of Arran as, only a few hours after anchoring, orders arrived to leave and make the long passage to the far end of the Mediterranean Sea to Istanbul, Turkey.

News Event

Wednesday, March 8, 1961 @ 1800
The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate
CHINKOA (1952-1972 Cargo ship of British India Line, London : Scrapped 1972) Own Page

CHINKOA left Trincomali (Ceylon : Trincomali is known as "Trinco" ) for Hull (England)

Sailing forHull (England, UK)Port of RegistryLondon (England, UK)
Sailed from berthTrincomali (Ceylon : 1972 known as Sri Lanka) : Trincomali is referred to in Sri Lanka as "Trinco"Gross Tonnage7,102

News Event

Tuesday, July 22, 2025 @ 2025
CALEDONIAN ISLES (1993- Passenger and vehicle ferry 308 feet 94m long of Caledonian MacBrayne, Gourock) Own Page

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

Ships agentCaledonian MacBrayne, Gourock, ScotlandPort of RegistryGlasgow (UK)
Gross Tonnage5,221

From BBC Scotland online news 22 July 2025

 

Return of Arran ferry delayed by up to four months

A black and white ship with red funnels leaving a dry dock. Two tugs at the side of the ship and rear are helping it leave the dock
Image source,Christopher Brindle
Image caption,

MV Caledonian Isles will return to dry dock for inspection and repairs

 

 

An ageing ferry which has not sailed since January last year could be out of service for another four months, operator CalMac has said.

The 32-year-old MV Caledonian Isles was forced out of action 18 months ago, leaving a hole in the timetable for the west coast ferries.

CalMac has now said the vessel will return to dry dock for further repairs - which will likely take between eight weeks and four months - prompting a re-think of the winter timetable.

The repair bill for the ferry, which has been side-lined from the Arran route since January 2024, has already risen to nearly £11m.

Calmac said MV Caledonian Isles will enter drydock in Leith in the coming days for works to repair an issue with "instability in pitch response".

The ferry will have its shaft lines removed for further investigation.

This will take a minimum of eight weeks including sea trials.

If this doesn't solve the problem - the retrofitting of a new system to improve the accuracy of the pitch input will be attempted. This would take four months.

Duncan Mackison, CalMac CEO, said: "Based on the current prognosis, we could be in a situation where MV Caledonian Isles returns in September in a best-case scenario or November in a worst-case scenario.

"However, we intend to publish winter timetables soon and aim to give communities and customers certainty about service levels and vessel deployment during that period.

"This is a complex process as we need to develop this plan whilst factoring in an annual overhaul schedule that will see a fleet, which is another year older, spend a record of number of days in planned maintenance."

The ferry operator's winter timetable runs from 20 October to 26 March 2026, and its entire fleet undergoes annual maintenance between September and May each year.

News Event

Wednesday, March 8, 1961 @ 1800
The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate
COROMANDEL (1949-1969 Refrigerated / General cargo ship 484 feet long of P & O Line, London) Own Page

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

Sailing forLondon (England, UK)Port of RegistryLondon (England, UK)
Sailed from berthAden (Yemen)Net Tonnage4,026
Gross Tonnage7,065
Deadweght Tonnage9,730

News Event

Thursday, March 9, 1961 @ 0800
The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate
IXION (1951-1972 Passenger/cargo liner 523 feet long of Alfred Holt's Blue Funnel Line, Liverpool : 1972 scrapped in Barcelona) Own Page

IXION from Glasgow at Adelaide (State of South Australia)

Ship's locationAdelaide (State of South Australia)Port of RegistryLiverpool (England, U.K.)
Arrived fromGlasgow (Scotland, UK)Gross Tonnage10,125

News Event

Thursday, March 9, 1961 @ 1800
The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate
MAIPURA (1952-1972 Cargo liner 509 feet long of T & J Brocklebank, Liverpool) Own Page

MAIPURA left Middlesborough (England, UK) for Calcutta (India)

Sailing forCalcutta (India)Port of RegistryLiverpool (England)
Sailed from berthMiddlesborough (England, UK)

News Event

Thursday, March 9, 1961 @ 0800
The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate
MAKALLA (1943-1967 General cargo ship of Thos & Jno Brocklebank, Liverpool) Own Page

MAKALLA from Glasgow at Aden (a Crown Colony of UK until 1967 : in 1967 became independent)

Ship's locationAden (a Crown Colony of UK until 1967 : in 1967 became People's Republic of South Yemen)Port of RegistryLiverpool (England)
Arrived fromGlasgow (Scotland, UK)Gross Tonnage8,971

News Event

Thursday, March 9, 1961 @ 0800
The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate
MAKRANA (1957-1971 General cargo ship 497 feet long of T & J Brocklebank / Cunard Line, Liverpool : 1974 scrapped at Shanghai, China)) Own Page

MAKRANA at Aden (a Crown Colony of UK until 1967 : in 1967 became People's Republic of South Yemen)

Ship's locationAden (a Crown Colony of UK until 1967 : in 1967 became People's Republic of South Yemen)Port of RegistryLiverpool (England, UK)
Sailing forLondon (England, UK)Net Tonnage4,586
Gross Tonnage8,764
Deadweght Tonnage10,350

News Event

Thursday, March 9, 1961 @ 1800
The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate
MANAAR (1950-1972 General cargo ship of Brocklebank Line, Liverpool) Own Page

MANAAR left London (England, UK) for Liverpool (England, UK)

Ship's locationRiver Tyne (England, UK)Port of RegistryLiverpool (UK)
Sailing forLiverpool (England, UK)Gross Tonnage8,996
Sailed from berthLondon (England, UK)

News Event

Thursday, March 9, 1961 @ 0800
The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate
MARENGO (1947-1967 General cargo ship 420 feet long of Ellerman Wilson Line, Hull: scrapped 1972) Own Page

MARENGO from Baltimore (Maryland, USA) at River Tyne (England, UK)

Ship's locationRiver Tyne (England, UK)Port of RegistryHull (England)
Arrived fromBaltimore (Maryland, USA)Net Tonnage2,555
Gross Tonnage4,986
Deadweght Tonnage7,075

News Event

Wednesday, March 8, 1961 @ 1800
The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate
NEVASA (1956-1962 Troopship then laid up then 1964-1975 Educational cruise ship of British India Steam Navigation, London : Scrapped Taiwan in 1975) Own Page

NEVASA left Port Said (Egypt) having passed Suez Canal on a northbound convoy for Southampton

Sailing forSouthampton (England, UK)Port of RegistryLondon (England, UK)
Sailed from berthPort Said (Egypt) having passed through Suez Canal on a northbound convoyGross Tonnage20,527

News Event

Thursday, March 9, 1961 @ 0800
The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate
ORONTES (1929-1962 Passenger liner of P & O) Own Page

ORONTES from London (England, UK) at Sydney (New South Wales, Australia)

Ship's locationSydney (New South Wales, Australia)Port of RegistryLondon (England, UK)
Arrived fromLondon (England, UK)

News Event

Thursday, March 9, 1961 @ 0800
The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate
BENALDER (1949-1968 General cargo liner 475 feet long of Ben Line / William Thomson & Company, Edinburgh) Own Page

BENALDER from Hong Kong at Iloilo (Philippines)

Ship's locationIloilo (Philippines)Port of RegistryLeith (Scotland, UK)
Arrived fromHong KongNet Tonnage4,665
Gross Tonnage7,877

News Event

Thursday, March 9, 1961 @ 0800
The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate
BENCLEUCH (1949-1972 General cargo liner of William Thomson Ben Line, Edinburgh) Own Page

BENCLEUCH at Hong Kong for Kaohsiung (= pronounced Coo - shung, Taiwan)

Ship's locationHong KongPort of RegistryLeith (Scotland, UK)
Sailing forKaohsiung (= pronounced Coo - shung, Taiwan)

News Event

Thursday, March 9, 1961 @ 1800
The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate
BENLOYAL (1959-1978 General cargo liner 550 feet long of William Thomson's Ben Line, Edinburgh : scrapped 1978) Own Page

BENLOYAL from Hull (England, UK) left Penang (Malaysia)

Arrived fromHull (England, UK) Port of RegistryLeith (Scotland, UK)
Sailed from berthPenang (Malaysia)

News Event

Wednesday, March 8, 1961 @ 0800
The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate
BENMHOR (1952-1973 General cargo ship of William Thomson's Ben Line, Edinburgh : 1973 Scrapped) Own Page

BENMHOR from Bangkok (Thailand) at Suez (Egypt) ... probably waiting to join a northbound convoy

Ship's locationSuez (Egypt) ... probably waiting to join a northbound convoy through the Suez CanalPort of RegistryLeith (Scotland, UK)
Arrived fromBangkok (Thailand)Gross Tonnage7,755

News Event

Thursday, March 9, 1961 @ 1800
The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate
BENNACHIE (1960-1964 General cargo ship of William Thomson's Ben Line, Edinburgh) Own Page

BENNACHIE from Balikpapan (Borneo) left Gan Island (Maldives in the Indian Ocean)

Arrived fromBalikpapan (city in East Kalimantan, Indonesia. Located on the east coast of the island of Borneo)Port of RegistryLeith (Scotland, U.K.)
Sailed from berthGan (the southernmost island of Addu Atoll as well as the southernmost island in Maldives)Gross Tonnage9,885

From Wikipedia

Gan is the second largest island of the atoll, after Hithadhoo, and measures 2.2561 square kilometres (0.87 sq mi) in area. Gan was formerly inhabited, but its inhabitants were moved to neighbouring islands after the British naval and airbase was built. It has had continuous human habitation since very ancient times and during the pre-Islamic era was the head island and a Buddhist place of learning in Addu. There were large cultivated fields of yams, manioc and coconut trees on this island. There were a few mosques in the village. A former havitta at island's east end had to be removed to build the runway.

Gan now has a hotel catering to tourists and is connected by causeways to the neighbouring islands of FeyduMaradu and Hithadhoo.

Archaeology

In 1922 H. C. P. Bell visited this island and investigated the ancient Buddhist ruins there. These included the foundations of a temple (vihara) and a mound or a low hill which was a very ruined stupa. Gan's ruins were the remains of the southernmost Buddhist site of the Maldives. The mound, as well as the foundations of the nearby vihara, were bulldozed when the airport was built.

British base

In 1941, during the Second World War, the Royal Navy established a base ("Port T"). An isolated island base with a safe, deep anchorage in a suitably strategic position was required, and Addu met the requirements. Once available, its facilities were used extensively by the Fleet.

Royal Navy engineers landed in August 1941 from HMS Guardian to clear and construct airstrips on Gan for the Fleet Air Arm. In the interim, Catalina and Sunderland flying boats operated from jetties on the northern, sheltered side of Gan. Large oil tanks were built on Gan, and on Hitaddu Island on the western edge of the atoll; vital elements for a naval base. These were visible from a long distances at sea, but this was unavoidable, given the atoll's low profile.

 

Ship's supplies for the fleet were provided from a pair of Australian refrigerated ships, Changte and Taiping that included Addu in a number of bases that they serviced regularly. Three times these ships replenished forty or more ships of the Eastern Fleet. Several large Australian Imperial Force troop convoys also refueled at Addu on their way from Aden to Fremantle, Western Australia.

The six major islands were garrisoned by the 1st Royal Marine Coast Defence Regiment, manning shore batteries and anti-aircraft guns. To facilitate the defence, causeways were built connecting the western islands of Gan, Eyehook (Abuhera), Maradhoo and Hithadhoo and, much later in the war, they were linked by a light railway. Addu was an unpopular posting due to the hot, humid climate, lack of recreational facilities and lack of socialising with the local population.

 

The Japanese remained unaware of the base’s existence until their plans for expansion in South-east Asia had come to nothing, even during their carrier raids in the Indian Ocean in April 1942. Later in the war, submarine reconnaissance established the base’s existence. Despite openings into the lagoon being permanently closed by anti-submarine nets, the German U-boat U-183 torpedoed the tanker British Loyalty in March 1944 (she had been previously torpedoed and sunk at Diego Suarez in May 1942, but was raised and towed to Addu for use as an oil storage vessel); this was a long-range shot from outside the atoll through a gap in the anti-torpedo nets.[1] Although seriously damaged, the tanker did not sink. She was not fully repaired but kept as a Ministry of War Transport Oil Fuel Storage Vessel. There was significant oil pollution after this incident and British personnel were used to clean the lagoon, but they were only partially successful.

On 5 January 1946, British Loyalty was scuttled southeast of Hithadhoo Island in the Addu Atoll lagoon. Despite the fact that she is still leaking oil, she has become a popular diving location.

In 1957, the naval base was transferred to the Royal Air Force. From 1957, during the Cold War, it was used as an outpost as RAF Gan. The base remained in intermittent service until 1976, when British Forces withdrew.

From Gan Island several rockets of the Kookaburra type were launched from a pad at 0°41' S and 73°9' E.[2]

Most of the employees who had experience working for the British military spoke fluent English. When the base at Gan was closed for good, they turned to the nascent tourism industry for employment. As a result, there was an influx of Addu people to Malé seeking employment in the nearby resorts and also looking for education for their children.

After the British military left, the airstrip was neglected and remained almost unused for many decades. Recently it has been developed into what is now Gan International Airport and also has a tourist resortEquator Village.

 

Gan
Addu Atoll seen from space. Gan lies at the end of the continuous reef fringing Addu from the west and southwest
Addu Atoll seen from space. Gan lies at the end of the continuous reef fringing Addu from the west and southwest
1976 map of Addu Atoll showing Gan and airfield
1976 map of Addu Atoll showing Gan and airfield
Gan is located in Maldives
Gan
Gan
Location in Maldives
Coordinates: 00°41′40″S 073°09′18″E
Country Maldives
Geographic atoll Addu Atoll
Distance to Malé 258.48 km (160.61 mi)
Area
 • Total
2.256 km2 (0.871 sq mi)
Dimensions
 • Length 1.000 km (0.621 mi)
 • Width 0.330 km (0.205 mi)
Population
 • Total
1,104
 • Density 490/km2 (1,300/sq mi)
Time zone UTC+05:00 

News Event

Thursday, March 9, 1961 @ 0800
The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate
BENRINNES (1959-1973 General cargo ship 492 feet long of Ben Line Steamers Ltd., Edinburgh : 1973 scrapped) Own Page

BENRINNES from Bangkok (Thailand) left Port Swettenham (since 1972 known as Port Kelang, Malaysia)

Arrived fromBangkok (Thailand)Port of RegistryLeith (Scotland, UK)
Sailed from berthPort Swettenham (since 1972 known as Port Kelang, Strait of Malacca, Malaysia)Net Tonnage4,752
Gross Tonnage8,008
Deadweght Tonnage12,546

Just in case you are deeply interested in why it's called Port Swettenham :

   From Wikipedia :

In September 1882, Sir Frank Athelstane Swettenham was appointed Selangor's new Resident.

Swettenham initiated a rail link between Klang and Kuala Lumpur to overcome the transport problems, particularly of the tin mining interests who needed to convey the ore to Klang's port, Pelabuhan Batu.[9]

 Nineteen and a half miles of rail track from Kuala Lumpur to Bukit Kudu was opened in September 1886, and extended 3 miles to Klang in 1890.[10][11][12][13][14] 

River navigation, however, was difficult, as only ships drawing less than 3.9 metres (13 ft) of water could come up the jetty, and thus a new port was selected near the mouth of the river as the anchorage was good.

Developed by the Malayan Railway and officially opened 15 years later on 15 September 1901 by Swettenham himself, the new port was named Port Swettenham.

News Event

Thursday, March 9, 1961 @ 0800
The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate
BENVRACKIE (1955-1975 General cargo liner of William Thomson's Ben Line, Edinburgh) Own Page

BENVRACKIE from Hamburg (Germany) at Hong Kong

Ship's locationHong KongPort of RegistryLeith (Scotland, UK)
Arrived fromHamburg (Germany)Gross Tonnage12,010

News Event

Thursday, March 9, 1961 @ 0800
The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate
ANTILOCHUS (1949-1976 General cargo ship 487 feet long of Ocean Steam Ship Co. Ltd / Alfred Holt's Blue Funnel Line and associated Companies, Liverpool : 1978 scrapped in Pakistan) Own Page

ANTILOCHUS from Glasgow (Scotland) at Port Swettenham (since 1972 known as Port Kelang, Malaysia)

Ship's locationPort Swettenham (since 1972 known as Port Kelang, Strait of Malacca, Malaysia)Port of RegistryLiverpool (England, U.K.)
Arrived fromGlasgow (Scotland, UK)Net Tonnage4,472
Gross Tonnage7,702
Deadweght Tonnage9,240

Just in case you are deeply interested in why it's called Port Swettenham :

   From Wikipedia :

In September 1882, Sir Frank Athelstane Swettenham was appointed Selangor's new Resident.

Swettenham initiated a rail link between Klang and Kuala Lumpur to overcome the transport problems, particularly of the tin mining interests who needed to convey the ore to Klang's port, Pelabuhan Batu.[9]

 Nineteen and a half miles of rail track from Kuala Lumpur to Bukit Kudu was opened in September 1886, and extended 3 miles to Klang in 1890.[10][11][12][13][14] 

River navigation, however, was difficult, as only ships drawing less than 3.9 metres (13 ft) of water could come up the jetty, and thus a new port was selected near the mouth of the river as the anchorage was good.

Developed by the Malayan Railway and officially opened 15 years later on 15 September 1901 by Swettenham himself, the new port was named Port Swettenham.

News Event

Thursday, March 9, 1961 @ 1800
The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate
BALLARAT (1954-1968 General cargo liner 527 feet long of P & O, London) Own Page

BALLARAT left Melbourne (State of Victoria, Australia) for London (England, UK)

Sailing forLondon (England, UK)Port of RegistryLondon (England, UK)
Sailed from berthMelbourne (State of Victoria, Australia)

News Event

Wednesday, March 8, 1961 @ 0800
The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate
CLAN MACTAVISH ( 1949 - 1971 General cargo liner 506 feet long of Clan Line Steamers, Glasgow : Scrapped 1971) Own Page

CLAN MACTAVISH from Glasgow (Scotland, UK) at Lourenco Marques (Mozambique)

Ship's locationLourenco Marques (Mozambique)Port of RegistryGlasgow
Arrived fromGlasgow (Scotland, UK)Gross Tonnage8,035

News Event

Thursday, March 9, 1961 @ 0800
The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate
CAPETOWN CASTLE (1938-1967 passenger / cargo liner of Union Castle Line, London : scrapped 1967) Own Page

CAPETOWN CASTLE at Cape Town (South Africa) for Durban (South Africa)

Ship's locationCape Town (South Africa)Port of RegistryLondon
Sailing forDurban (South Africa)Gross Tonnage27,000

News Event

Thursday, March 9, 1961 @ 1800
The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate
CITY OF COLOMBO (1956-1977 General cargo ship of Ellerman Lines, London : Scrapped in 1979) Own Page

CITY OF COLOMBO left Osaka (Japan) for Hull (England, UK)

Sailing forHull (England, UK)Port of RegistryLondon (UK)
Sailed from berthOsaka (Japan)

News Event

Wednesday, March 8, 1961 @ 1800
The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate
CITY OF EDINBURGH (1947-1961 General cargo ship of Ellerman Lines, London : Scrapped 1961) Own Page

CITY OF EDINBURGH left Hull (England, UK) for London (England, UK)

Sailing forLondon (England, UK)Port of RegistryLondon (England, UK)
Sailed from berthHull (England, UK)

News Event

Thursday, March 9, 1961 @ 0800
The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate
OXFORDSHIRE (1957-1964 Troopship of Bibby Line, Liverpool) Own Page

QXFORDSHIRE at Famagusta (Cyprus) for Hong Kong

Ship's locationFamagusta (Cyprus)Port of RegistryLiverpool (England)
Sailing forHong KongGross Tonnage21,619

News Event

Wednesday, March 8, 1961 @ 1800
The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate
PROME (1937-1962 Passenger / cargo liner 462 feet overall of Patrick Henderson Line, Glasgow) Own Page

PROME from Glasgow (Scotland, UK) left Port Sudan (Sudan, Africa) for Rangoon (Burma)

Arrived fromGlasgow (Scotland, UK)Port of RegistryGlasgow
Sailing forRangoon (Burma)
Sailed from berthPort Sudan (Sudan, Africa)

News Event

Wednesday, March 8, 1961 @ 1800
The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate
QUEEN ELIZABETH (1940-1946 Troopship then 1946-1968 passenger liner of Cunard Line, Liverpool) Own Page

QUEEN ELIZABETH left Cherbourg (France) for New York (USA) ... Americans pronounce it as NOO YORK

Sailing forNew York (USA) ... Americans pronounce it as NOO YORK ... all in one quick wordPort of RegistryLiverpool (England, UK)
Sailed from berthCherbourg (France)Gross Tonnage83,673

News Event

Thursday, March 9, 1961 @ 1800
The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate
RIALTO (in 1961 at Middlesborough and Baltimore, USA) Own Page

RIALTO left Middlesborough (England, UK) for Baltimore (Maryland, USA)

Sailing forBaltimore (Maryland, USA)
Sailed from berthMiddlesborough (England, UK)

News Event

Wednesday, March 8, 1961 @ 0800
The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate
SALAMANCA (1948-1967 General cargo ship of Pacific Steam Navigation Company, Liverpool) Own Page

SALAMANCA from Punta Arenas (Magallanes y Antártica Region of southern Chile) at Hull (England)

Ship's locationHull (England, UK)Port of RegistryLiverpool
Arrived fromPunta Arenas (the capital of Magallanes y Antártica Chilena Region of southern Chile) Gross Tonnage6,704

News Event

Wednesday, March 8, 1961 @ 1800
The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate
SALMARA (1956-1966 General cargo ship of P & O, London) Own Page

SALMARA left London (England, UK) for Grangemouth (Scotland, UK)

Sailing forGrangemouth (Scotland, UK)Port of RegistryLondon (England, UK)
Sailed from berthLondon (England, UK)

News Event

Thursday, March 9, 1961 @ 0800
The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate
SUEVIC (1950-1974 Refrigerated / General cargo ship 561 feet long of Shaw Savill Line, London : 1974 scrapped) Own Page

SUEVIC from Glasgow (Scotland, UK) at Melbourne (State of Victoria, Australia)

Ship's locationMelbourne (State of Victoria, Australia)Port of RegistryLondon (England, U.K.)
Arrived fromGlasgow (Scotland, UK)Gross Tonnage13,587
Deadweght Tonnage14,630

News Event

Thursday, March 9, 1961 @ 0800
The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate
TOWNSVILLE STAR (1957-1980 Refrigerated / general cargo liner 516 feet long of Salient Shipping (Bermuda) Ltd. Hamilton, Bermuda / Blue Star Line, London) Own Page

TOWNSVILLE STAR at Launceston (Tasmania, Australia) for London (England, UK)

Ship's locationLaunceston (Tasmania, Australia)Port of RegistryLondon
Sailing forLondon (England, UK)Net Tonnage6,442
Gross Tonnage10,725
Deadweght Tonnage12,158

News Event

Thursday, March 9, 1961 @ 1800
The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate
UGANDA ((1951- 1986 Passenger (700) / refrigerated cargo liner 517 feet long of British India Steam Navigation Company / P & O, London) Own Page

UGANDA left Dar-es-Salaam (Tanganyika, East Africa) for Beira (Sofala Province, Mozambique)

Sailing forBeira (Sofala Province, Mozambique)Port of RegistryLondon (England, UK)
Sailed from berthDar-es-Salaam (Tanganyika, East Africa) .. 9 December 1961 became independent : 1964 TanzaniaGross Tonnage14,464

News Event

Wednesday, March 8, 1961 @ 1800
The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate
WANDERER (1951 - 1970 general cargo liner 448 feet long of T & J Harrison Line, Liverpool) Own Page

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

Sailing forLondon (England, UK)Port of RegistryLiverpool
Sailed from berthBeira (Sofala Province, Mozambique)

News Event

Saturday, December 10, 1949 @ 1000
The actual date and time are unknown and details shown here are our best estimate
Own Page

USA poster issued in New York in 1949 of Ship Stack Insignia ( == Ship Funnel Colours)

News Event

Monday, July 21, 2025 @ 1246
The actual date and time are unknown and details shown here are our best estimate
Own Page

Youtube video of the Port of Gibraltar

Ship's locationGibraltar

Contributed by Susanne : 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehIQsrpawEM

News Event

Tuesday, July 30, 1957 @ 1200
The actual date and time are unknown and details shown here are our best estimate
MALIKA (in 1957 British cargo ship in Suez Canal) Own Page

Youtube video of 1957 showing British ship MALIKA and other vessels transiting Suez Canal

Ship's locationSuez Canal (Egypt) in 1957

Contributed by Susanne : 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9MKk-MZaUM

News Event

Monday, August 16, 1954 @ 1210
SAXONIA (1954- 1963 Passenger liner of Cunard Line, Liverpool) Own Page

Youtube video of 1954 showing new Cunard Liner SAXONIA leaving Clydebank for dry-dock

Port of RegistryLiverpool (England, UK)
Gross Tonnage21,637

Contributed by Susanne 


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdPSEEd6sEU

News Event

Monday, July 21, 2025 @ 1210
Own Page

Youtube video of tanker transiting the St Lawrence Seaway (Canada) and Welland Canal 15 Locks

Contributed by Susanne : Youtube video of tanker transiting the St Lawrence Seaway (Canada) and Welland Canal 15 Locks to the Great Lakes


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XydHD83hGeA

News Event

Monday, July 21, 2025 @ 1205
Own Page

Youtube video of Clan Line part 1

Contributed by Susanne


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyKV-U2EcPw

News Event

Monday, July 21, 2025 @ 1200
Own Page

Youtube video of Alfred Holt / Blue Funnel Line in 1960s / 1970s / 1980s

Contributed by Susanne


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVnX-6HRfUY

News Event

Sunday, June 10, 1956 @ 1200
The actual date and time are unknown and details shown here are our best estimate
CARINTHIA (1956-1968 Passenger / cargo liner 608 feet long of Cunard Line, Liverpool) Own Page

Brand-new Cunard Liner CARINTHIA leaving John Brown's Shipyard, Clydebank (River Clyde, Scotland)

Ship's locationFrom John Brown's Shipyard, Clydebank. now passing Erskine (River Clyde) heading for GreenockPort of RegistryLiverpool (England, UK)
Arrived fromJohn Brown's Shipyard, Clydebank (River Clyde, Scotland, UK)Gross Tonnage21,947
Sailing forTail of the Bank Anchorage off Greenock then to conduct builders trials

Contributed by Tommy (Penilee, Glasgow) ... " A well known photograph of the new liner CARINTHIA "

News Event

Saturday, August 1, 1970 @ 2000
The actual date and time are unknown and details shown here are our best estimate
CHIEFTAIN (1968-1997 Tug 112 feet long of Steel & Bennie / Cory Towage, Glasgow) Own Page

Steel & Bennie tug CHIEFTAIN in River Clyde, Glasgow (Scotland) passing the Fairfield Shipyard

Ship's locationRiver Clyde, Glasgow (Scotland, UK) passing the Fairfield Shipyard, GovanPort of RegistryGlasgow (Scotland, U.K.)
Gross Tonnage205

Contributed by Tommy (Penilee, Glasgow) ... "A well known photograph with the massive Meadowside Granary in the background"

News Event

Monday, June 9, 2025 @ 1000
WAN HAI 503 (in 2025 Container ship on fire off India) Own Page

YouTube video of fire aboard Singapore container ship WAN HAI 503 off Kerala, India

Ship's locationOff Kerala coast (India)Port of RegistrySingapore

Contributed by Susanne


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQnofxjz1wA

News Event

Sunday, July 20, 2025 @ 0800
Own Page

YouTube 13 minute video of Ports of New York and New Jersey (USA)

Ship's locationPorts of New York and New Jersey (USA)

Contributed by Susanne


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzbFE1cyxPE

News Event

Tuesday, December 14, 1954 @ 1200
IVERNIA (1955-1963 Passenger liner 608ft 3ins (185.39m) overall of Cunard Line, Liverpool) Own Page

IVERNIA : Youtube video of launching and lives of Cunard Liners SAXONIA and IVERNIA in 1950 / 1960s

Ship's locationJohn Brown's Shipyard, Clydebank (River Clyde, Scotland, UK)Port of RegistryLiverpool (England, UK)
Gross Tonnage21,717

Contributed by Susanne


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DR5RmXH72d0

News Event

Wednesday, February 17, 1954 @ 1200
SAXONIA (1954- 1963 Passenger liner of Cunard Line, Liverpool) Own Page

SAXONIA : Youtube video of launching and lifes of Cunard Liners SAXONIA and IVERNIA in 1950 / 1960s

Ship's locationJohn Brown's Shipyard, Clydebank (River Clyde, Scotland, UK)Port of RegistryLiverpool (England, UK)
Gross Tonnage21,637

Contributed by Susanne


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DR5RmXH72d0

News Event

Saturday, July 19, 2025 @ 0951
ISLE OF CUMBRAE (in 2025 Ro-ro ferry of Caledonian MacBrayne, Gourock) Own Page

ISLE OF CUMBRAE on passage from Cumbrae slip (Isle of Great Cumbrae, Firth of Clyde) for Largs slip

Ship's locationOn passage from Cumbrae slip (Isle of Great Cumbrae, Firth of Clyde) for Largs slip (Firth of Clyde)Port of RegistryGlasgow (Scotland, UK)
Outward cargoPassengers and vehicles
Ships agentCaledonian MacBrayne, Gourock, Scotland

09:51   LOCH SHIRA approaching Cumbrae Slip with Caledonian MacBrayne's much smaller ferry ISLE OF CUMBRAE leaving Cumbrae Slip with passengers and vehicles for Largs Slip

09:53   ISLE OF CUMBRAE on passage from Cumbrae slip (Isle of Great Cumbrae, Firth of Clyde) for Largs slip (Firth of Clyde)

09:55   ISLE OF CUMBRAE lowering her ramp as she approaches Largs Slip

 

News Event

Saturday, July 19, 2025 @ 0945
LOCH SHIRA (2007 > ro-ro ferry 176.84 feet long of Caledonian MacBrayne, Gourock) Own Page

LOCH SHIRA on passage from Largs Slip to Cumbrae Slip (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)

Ship's locationOn passage from Largs Slip to Cumbrae Slip (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)Port of RegistryGlasgow (Scotland, UK)
Outward cargoPassengers and vehicles
Ships agentCaledonian MacBrayne, Gourock, Scotland

09:45   LOCH SHIRA on passage from Largs Slip to Cumbrae Slip (Firth of Clyde, Scotland)

09:51   LOCH SHIRA approaching Cumbrae Slip with Caledonian MacBrayne's much smaller ferry ISLE OF CUMBRAE leaving Cumbrae Slip with passengers and vehicles for Largs Slip

News Event

Friday, May 23, 2025 @ 0638
The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate
NORMANDIE (2019 > Aquitaine-class Frigate of French Navy : 466 ft (142.0 m) overall) Own Page

French Naval Frigate NORMANDIE, D651, passing Greenock (Firth of Clyde) on passage to Glasgow

Ship's locationPassing Custom House Quay, Greenock (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)Port of RegistryFrance (French Navy)
Arrived fromNATO Exercise Formidable Shield 2025
Sailing forBerth 4 King George V Dock, Glasgow (Scotland, UK) .... tugs CMS WRESTLER and CMS BOXER

Contributed by Robert McManus and Sandra B.

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

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

History
France
Name Normandie
Namesake Normandie
Builder DCNSLorient
Laid down 2014
Launched 1 February 2018
Completed 16 July 2019
Commissioned 3 June 2020
Homeport Brest
Identification
Status Active
General characteristics
Class and type Aquitaine-class frigate
Displacement 6,000 tons
Length 466 ft (142.0 m)
Beam 65 ft (19.8 m)
Draught 16 ft (4.9 m)
Propulsion
Speed 27 knots (50 km/h; 31 mph); max cruise speed 15.6 knots (28.9 km/h; 18.0 mph)
Range 6,000 nmi (11,000 km; 6,900 mi) at 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph)
Complement 145
Sensors and
processing systems
Armament
Aircraft carried   1 × NH90 helicopter
Aviation facilities Single hangar

 

06:38   Tugs CMS WRESTLER followed by CMS BOXER leave their berth at Victoria Harbour and pass Custom House Quay on their way to meet the incoming French Naval Frigate NORMANDIE off Greenock Esplanade

 

06:48   Pilot Cutter SKUA left Small Boat Harbour at Estuary Control with Pilot for NORMANDIE off Gourock

 

06:55   Radio message to Estuary Control from the Clyde Pilot on board NORMANDIE ... " Contact Yoker Bridge, ETA one hour, then run down to King George V berth 4, port-side-to"

 

07:01   Tug CMS WRESTLER leading warship NORMANDIE and tug CMS BOXER past Greenock Ocean Terminal

 

 

07.05   NORMANDIE passing Greenock Ocean Terminal

 

07:08   Tug CMS WRESTLER stationed ahead of the warship


07.10   NORMANDIE passing Custom House Quay, Greenock

 

07.11  Tug CMS BOXER stationed astern of the Frigate.   The daybreak and early morning sunshine was just starting and promised a beautiful Spring day

On this website's "Search Entries" for today 23 May 2025 there are superb images taken by Robert McManus of the three warships NORMANDIE, DE RUYTER and TROMP and both tugs passing Clydebank on their way upriver to Glasgow.   Definitely well worth a look.   Sandra B. (Site Administrator).

News Event

Thursday, May 8, 2025 @ 1543
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 locationFairlie Quay (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)Port of RegistryNorway
Gross Tonnage7,344
Deadweght Tonnage687

News Event

Thursday, May 8, 2025 @ 1508
LOCH SHIRA (2007 > ro-ro ferry 176.84 feet long of Caledonian MacBrayne, Gourock) Own Page

LOCH SHIRA on passage from Cumbrae slip (Firth of Clyde) for Largs slip (Firth of Clyde)

Ship's locationOn passage from Cumbrae slip (Isle of Great Cumbrae, Firth of Clyde) for Largs slip (Firth of Clyde)Port of RegistryGlasgow (Scotland, UK)
Sailing forLargs slip (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)
Sailed from berthCumbrae slip (Isle of Great Cumbrae, Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)
Outward cargoPassengers and vehicles
Ships agentCaledonian MacBrayne, Gourock, Scotland

News Event

Thursday, May 8, 2025 @ 1450
WAVERLEY (1974 > Excursion paddle steamer 240 feet long of Waverley Steam Navigation Co. Ltd) Own Page

WAVERLEY at Largs Pier (Firth of Clyde) and on trials in Largs Bay

Ship's locationLargs Pier (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)Port of RegistryGlasgow (Scotland, UK)
Arrived fromCustom House Quay, Greenock (Scotland, UK)Gross Tonnage693
Sailing forTrials in Largs Bay
Cargo carried on arrivalLight ship = no passengers on board
Ships agentWaverley Steam Navigation Co. Ltd.

14:45   WAVERLEY had earlier arrived at Largs Pier from her overnight berth at Custom House Quay, Greenock, and was preparing to leave for trials in Largs Bay

 

14:51   WAVERLEY gives a wheezy blast of her whistle .... which drew the attention of people promenading on the promenade ... and begins to move astern, backing off the pier

 

 

14:52   WAVERLEY backs off from Largs Pier

 

15:05   LOCH SHIRA had just left Cumbrae Slip (which is just to the right side of her) and WAVERLEY passes her port side-to-port side

 

15:07   LOCH SHIRA had just left Cumbrae Slip for Largs and WAVERLEY crosses astern of her

 

15:09   WAVERLEY approaching Largs Pier

 

15:11   WAVERLEY arrives at Largs Pier as LOCH SHIRA leaves for Cumbrae Slip 

 

15:23   WAVERLEY leaves Largs Pier and heads across Largs Bay and returning to Greenock

News Event

Thursday, May 8, 2025 @ 1445
ALBA VENTURER (1999- Bermudan ketch 70 feet (21.33m) overall of Ocean Youth Trust, Scotland) Own Page

ALBA VENTURER anchored off Largs Esplanade, in Largs Bay (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)

Ship's locationAnchored off Largs Esplanade, in Largs Bay (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)Port of RegistryGlasgow (Scotland, UK)
Arrived fromGreenock (Scotland, UK)Gross Tonnage58.83 tonnes
Cargo carried on arrivalYouth crew members

Alba Venturer

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

Yacht specifications

And some of the youth crew members enjoying a trip ashore at Largs

News Event

Wednesday, July 20, 1966 @ 0800
The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate
USS BORIE (1944-1972 Allan M Sumner-class Destroyer DD-704 : 376 ft 6 in (114.76 m) overall of United States Navy : 1984 scrapped) Own Page

In 1966 United States Navy Destroyer USS BORIE arrives at Leith in Firth of Forth on goodwill visit

Ship's locationPort of Leith (near Edinburgh, Firth of Forth, Scotland, UK)Port of RegistryUnited States Navy
Vessel MasterPart of an anti-submarine warfare group commanded by Rear Admiral Paul E. Hartmann
USS Borie
USS Borie wearing camouflage paint, date and location unknown.
History
United States
Name Borie
Namesake Adolph E. Borie
Builder Federal Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company
Laid down 29 February 1944
Launched 4 July 1944
Commissioned 21 September 1944
Decommissioned 1 July 1972
Stricken 1 July 1972
Fate To Argentina 1 July 1972
Argentina
Name Hipólito Bouchard
Namesake Hippolyte de Bouchard
Acquired 1 July 1972
Decommissioned 1984
Stricken 1984
Identification D-26
Fate Broken up for scrap 1984
General characteristics
Class & type Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer
Displacement 2,200 tons
Length 376 ft 6 in (114.76 m)
Beam 40 ft (12 m)
Draft 15 ft 8 in (4.78 m)
Propulsion
  • 60,000 shp (45,000 kW);
  • 2 propellers
Speed 34 kn (63 km/h; 39 mph)
Range 6,500 nmi (12,000 km; 7,500 mi) at 15 kn (28 km/h; 17 mph)
Complement 336
Armament

News Event

Wednesday, July 20, 1966 @ 0800
The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate
USS RANDOLPH (1953-1969 Essex-class Aircraft Carrier CVS-15 : 888 feet (271 m) overall of United States Navy : 1975 scrapped) Own Page

In 1966 United States Navy Aircraft Carrier USS RANDOLPH arrives in Firth of Forth on goodwill visit

Ship's locationAnchored near Inchkeith Island (Firth of Forth, Scotland, UK)Port of RegistryUnited States Navy
Vessel MasterPart of an anti-submarine warfare group commanded by Rear Admiral Paul E. Hartmann

 

The USS Randolph
USS Randolph underway on 25 October 1959
History
United States
Name Randolph
Namesake Peyton Randolph
Builder Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company
Laid down 10 May 1943
Launched 28 June 1944
Commissioned 9 October 1944
Decommissioned 25 February 1948
Recommissioned 1 July 1953
Decommissioned 13 February 1969
Reclassified
  • CVA-15, 1 October 1952
  • CVS-15, 31 March 1959
Stricken 1 June 1973
Fate Scrapped, 24 May 1975
General characteristics
Class & type Essex-class aircraft carrier
Displacement 27,100 long tons (27,500 t) standard
Length 888 feet (271 m) overall
Beam 93 feet (28 m)
Draft 28 feet 7 inches (8.71 m)
Installed power
  • 8 × boilers
  • 150,000 shp (110 MW)
Propulsion
Speed 33 knots (61 km/h; 38 mph)
Complement 3448 officers and enlisted
Armament
Armor
  • Belt: 4 in (102 mm)
  • Hangar deck: 2.5 in (64 mm)
  • Deck: 1.5 in (38 mm)
  • Conning tower: 1.5 inch
Aircraft carried 90–100 aircraft

 

 

News Event

Thursday, July 14, 1966 @ 0800
The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate
TRYGGHEIM (in 1966 Fish Carrier) Own Page

Norwegian fish carrier TRYGGHEIM landed 638 cases of Norwegian herring at Peterhead (Scotland)

Arrived in berthPeterhead (North-East Scotland, UK)Port of RegistryNorway
Cargo carried on arrivalFish : 638 cases of Norwegian herring

News Event

Friday, July 15, 1966 @ 0800
Own Page

1966 Advert for First Mates on 2-year contract to Straits Steamship Co. Ltd., Singapore

News Event

Friday, July 15, 1966 @ 1700
S. A. PIONEER (1966-1972 was formerly SOUTH AFRICAN PIONEER (1957-1966) General cargo ship 491 feet long of South African Marine Corporation, Kaapstad : 1972 scrapped at Kaohsiung, Taiwan)) Own Page

S. A. PIONEER closes at South Wales (UK) for receiving cargo for South Africa

Ship's locationPort in South Wales (UK)Port of RegistryKaapstad (pronounced ka pstet : Afrikaans for "Cape Town")
Sailing forCape Town, Port Elizabeth, East London, Durban, Lourenco Marques and Beira
Ships agentF. W. Allan & Ker Ltd., 95 Bothwell Street, Glasgow, C. 2. Tel. CENtral 0925 / 8

South African Pioneer

News Event

Friday, July 22, 1966 @ 1700
RAVNEFJELL (1955-1967 General cargo liner 304 feet long of A/S Falkefjell / Olsen & Ugelstad, Norway : Scrapped 1985) Own Page

RAVNEFJELL closes at Glasgow for cargo for Montreal, Toronto, Cleveland, Detroit and Chicago

Ship's locationGlasgow (Scotland, UK)Port of RegistryOslo (Norway)
Sailing forMontreal, Toronto, Cleveland, Detroit and Chicago
Ships agentJ. C. Peacock & Co. Ltd., 166 Buchanan Street, Glasgow C.1. Tel. DOUglas 7101

News Event

Monday, August 1, 1966 @ 1700
GEERTJE BUISMAN (1958-1970 General cargo ship 263 feet 80,17 metres long of N.V. R. Buisman's Koninklijke Fabriek van Gebrande Suikerpoeder, Zwartsluis, Netherlands) Own Page

GEERTJE BUISMAN on time charter to Donaldson Line closes at Glasgow for receiving cargo for Canada

Ship's locationPrince's Dock, Glasgow (Scotland, UK)Port of RegistryZwartsluis, Netherlands
Sailing forMontreal (Province of Quebec, Canada) Toronto (Canada) and Hamilton (Ontario, Canada)
Outward cargoGeneral cargo
Ships agentDonaldson Line Ltd., 14 St. Vincent Place, Glasgow Tel. Central 3901

Contributed images

News Event

Tuesday, July 19, 1966 @ 1700
LISMORIA (1948 - 1967 Passenger / cargo liner 455 feet long of Donaldson Line, Glasgow : 1967 scrapped at Kaohsiung, Tatwan) Own Page

LISMORIA at Prince's Dock, Glasgow (Scotland) closes for receiving cargo for Montreal (Canada)

Ship's locationPrince's Dock, Glasgow (Scotland, UK)Port of RegistryGlasgow
Sailing forMontreal (Province of Quebec, Canada)Gross Tonnage8323
Ships agentDonaldson Line Ltd., 14 St. Vincent Place, Glasgow Tel. Central 3901

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

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

News Event

Tuesday, July 19, 1966 @ 1700
INVENTOR (1964-1981 General cargo ship 150m 493 feet long with 150 ton Stulcken derrick of Charente Steamship Co / T & J Harrison, Liverpool : 1985 scrapped at Kaohsiung, Taiwan) Own Page

INVENTOR closes at Birkenhead for receiving cargo for west, south and east Africa

Ship's locationBirkenhead (England, UK)Port of RegistryLiverpool (England, UK)
Sailing forLobito, Durban, Lourenco Marques, Beira and MauritiusGross Tonnage8,813
Ships agentThos. & Jas. Harrison Ltd., Mersey Chambers, Old Churchyard, Liverpool, 2 Telephone CENtral 5611Deadweght Tonnage10,840

News Event

Saturday, July 16, 1966 @ 1100
The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate
DEVONIA (1962 - 1967 an educational cruise ship carrying passengers 517 feet long of British India Line, London : 1968 scrapped La Spezia, Italy) Own Page

DEVONIA leaves Greenock with 900 bird-watchers on a cruise to study Scottish sea-bird colonies

Ship's locationGreenock (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)Port of RegistryLondon (England, U.K.)
Sailing for7-day cruise around Scotland on a bird-watching expeditionNet Tonnage7,166
Outward cargo900 Passengers Gross Tonnage12,795

DEVONIA was built in 1939 as the troopship DEVONSHIRE for Bibby Line, Liverpool, and in 1962 Bibby's sold her to British India Line, London, for £175,000 for conversion to an educational cruise ship carrying 194 cabin passengers and 834 dormitory passengers.

British India renamed her DEVONIA. Conversion was made by Barclay Curle, Whiteinch, Glasgow, and DEVONIA entered service with BI in Easter 1962.


For 5 years she carried school parties and special interest groups to generally Scandanavian and Mediterranean ports, and, on 15th December 1967, having completed 110 educational cruises, she was sold to Cantieri Navali ‘Santa Maria’, Genoa, Italy, to be broken up.

Demolition began at La Spezia, Italy, in January 1968.

DEVONIA was replaced by the educational cruise ship UGANDA of British India Line,

News Event

Tuesday, July 12, 1966 @ 1800
DATE is correct but ACTUAL TIME is not known - any TIME SHOWN is our estimate for guidance only
COLINA (1960-1967 general cargo liner 294 feet long of Donaldson Line, Glasgow) Own Page

COLINA left Glasgow (Scotland, UK) for Montreal (Canada)

Sailing forMontreal (the largest city of the Canadian Province of Quebec)Port of RegistryGlasgow
Sailed from berthGlasgow (Scotland, UK)

News Event

Monday, July 11, 1966 @ 0800
DATE is correct but ACTUAL TIME is not known - any TIME SHOWN is our estimate for guidance only
GEERTJE BUISMAN (1958-1970 General cargo ship 263 feet 80,17 metres long of N.V. R. Buisman's Koninklijke Fabriek van Gebrande Suikerpoeder, Zwartsluis, Netherlands) Own Page

GEERTJE BUISMAN on Donaldson Line charter from Glasgow (Scotland, UK) at Montreal (Canada)

Ship's locationMontreal (the largest city of the Canadian Province of Quebec)Port of RegistryZwartsluis, Netherlands
Arrived fromGlasgow (Scotland, UK)

News Event

Wednesday, July 13, 1966 @ 0800
DATE is correct but ACTUAL TIME is not known - any TIME SHOWN is our estimate for guidance only
ALAUNIA (1960-1969 Cargo liner 490 feet long of Cunard Line) Own Page

ALAUNIA from Liverpool (England) at New York (USA) ... Americans pronounce it as NOO YORK

Ship's locationNew York (USA) ... Americans pronounce it as NOO YORK Port of RegistryLiverpool
Arrived fromLiverpool (England, UK)

ALAUNIA served Cunard from 1960 to 1969 then was transferred to Brocklebank Line, Liverpool, and renamed "MALANCHA."

Built by W. Hamilton & Co., Port Glasgow(yard no. 522) as the ALAUNIA and launched on 12/5/1960, completed late 1960 for owners Cunard SS Co. Liverpool.

Propulsion: 2 Steam turbines geared to a single shaft of 10000 SHP giving a speed of 17.5 knots.

Renamed MALANCHA in 1969, same owners.

Sold in 1971 to Soja Shipping(Liberia) Inc. Panama and renamed Humi Nasita. Sold in 1973 to Ocean Tramping Co. Ltd Mogadishu, Somalia and renamed Yungming.

Sold in 1975 to Chinese Govt. Guangzhou, China and renamed Hong Qi 108.

She was deleted from Lloyds Register in 1993

News Event

Wednesday, July 13, 1966 @ 0800
DATE is correct but ACTUAL TIME is not known - any TIME SHOWN is our estimate for guidance only
CARINTHIA (1956-1968 Passenger / cargo liner 608 feet long of Cunard Line, Liverpool) Own Page

CARINTHIA from Liverpool (England) at Montreal (the largest city of the Canadian Province of Quebec)

Ship's locationMontreal (the largest city of the Canadian Province of Quebec)Port of RegistryLiverpool (England, UK)
Arrived fromLiverpool (England, UK)Gross Tonnage21,947

News Event

Tuesday, July 12, 1966 @ 0800
DATE is correct but ACTUAL TIME is not known - any TIME SHOWN is our estimate for guidance only
CARMANIA (1962-1973 Dual purpose Passenger liner / Cruise liner IMO 5064324 : formerly SAXONIA 1954-1963 : 608 feet 185m of Cunard Line : 117 1st class, 764 tourist class passengers) Own Page

CARMANIA at Quebec City (pronounced KIB-BECK : the capital city of the Canadian province of Quebec)

Ship's locationQuebec City (pronounced KIB-BECK : the capital city of the Canadian province of Quebec)Port of RegistrySouthampton (England, UK)
Arrived fromSouthampton (England, UK)Gross Tonnage21,370

News Event

Wednesday, July 13, 1966 @ 0800
DATE is correct but ACTUAL TIME is not known - any TIME SHOWN is our estimate for guidance only
QUEEN MARY (1936-1940 Passenger liner 1,019.4 ft (310.7 m) of Cunard Line: 1940-1946 Troopship: 1946-1967 returned to service with Cunard Line, Liverpool) Own Page

QUEEN MARY at Southampton (England, UK) from New York (USA)

Ship's locationSouthampton (England, UK)Port of RegistryLiverpool (England, UK)
Arrived fromNew York (USA)

News Event

Wednesday, July 13, 1966 @ 1800
DATE is correct but ACTUAL TIME is not known - any TIME SHOWN is our estimate for guidance only
BENARMIN (1963-1972 General cargo liner 550 feet long of William Thomson's Ben Line, Leith) Own Page

BENARMIN left Aden (Yemen) for Singapore

Sailing forSingapore Port of RegistryLeith (Scotland)
Sailed from berthAden (Yemen)Net Tonnage6,486
Gross Tonnage11,362
Deadweght Tonnage13,015

News Event

Thursday, July 14, 1966 @ 0800
DATE is correct but ACTUAL TIME is not known - any TIME SHOWN is our estimate for guidance only
BENLARIG (1961-1969 General cargo ship of William Thomson Ben Line, Edinburgh) Own Page

BENLARIG at Hong Kong for Manila (Philippines)

Ship's locationHong KongPort of RegistryLeith (Scotland, UK)
Sailing forManila (Philippines)

News Event

Thursday, July 14, 1966 @ 1800
DATE is correct but ACTUAL TIME is not known - any TIME SHOWN is our estimate for guidance only
BENLAWERS (1944-1968 General cargo ship 475 feet long of Ben Line / William Thomson Company, Edinburgh) Own Page

BENLAWERS left Penang (Malaysia) for Aden (Yemen)

Sailing forAden (Yemen)Port of RegistryLeith (Scotland, UK)
Sailed from berthPenang (Malaysia)Net Tonnage4,646
Gross Tonnage7,804

News Event

Thursday, July 14, 1966 @ 0800
DATE is correct but ACTUAL TIME is not known - any TIME SHOWN is our estimate for guidance only
BENVORLICH (1946-1971 General cargo ship of William Thomson Ben Line, Edinburgh) Own Page

BENVORLICH at Nagoya (Japan)

Ship's locationNagoya (Japan)Port of RegistryLeith (Scotland)
Gross Tonnage9,767

News Event

Monday, July 18, 1966 @ 1700
ADMINISTRATOR (1958 - 1978 General cargo ship 489 feet long of T & J Harrison's Line, Liverpool) Own Page

ADMINISTRATOR closes at Liverpool for receiving cargo for West Indies / Caribbean ports

Ship's locationLiverpool (England, UK)Port of RegistryLiverpool (England, U.K.)
Sailing forKingston, Vera Cruz, Tampico, Belize, Puerto Barrios, Puerto Matias and Degalvez
Outward cargoGeneral cargo
Ships agentThos. & Jas. Harrison Ltd., Mersey Chambers, Old Churchyard, Liverpool, 2 Telephone CENtral 5611

ADMINISTRATOR was loading cargo for Kingston (Jamaica), Vera Cruz (Eastern Mexico), Tampico (Mexico), Belize (a country on the north-eastern coast of Central America), Puerto Barrios (Guatemala), Puerto Matias (Guatemala) and Degalvez.

   ADMIN NOTE ABOUT DEGALVEZ: we cannot find which country that Degalvez is in.   Can anyone or an ex-Harrison help ?

News Event

Thursday, July 10, 2025 @ 1310
Own Page

What puffer was in Campbeltown when the Queen visited in 1958 ?

Ship's locationCampbeltown (Kintyre, Scotland, UK)
Cargo carried on arrivalCoal

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

E-mail 10 July 2025

From Jimmy

   I was at school at Campbeltown in 1958 and lived in a farm on the road to Macrihanish.

   The Queen visited the town in the summer and everyone came to see her.   After she had gone me and my pals went to the pier and looked at a puffer.   It was bringing a load of coal and the captain let us look around it and gave us all a wee bit of coal to prove to our folks that we had been on the boat.

   Its a long shot but do you know what puffer it was.   Jimmy

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

News Event

Sunday, October 5, 2008 @ 0900
The actual date and time are unknown and details shown here are our best estimate
QUEEN ELIZABETH 2 (1969-2008 Passenger Liner IMO 6725418 : 963 ft (293.5 m) overall of Cunard Line, London / Trafalgar House / Carnival Corporation) Own Page

Postcard of Liner QUEEN ELIZABETH 11 in the Firth of Clyde (Scotland, UK)

Ship's locationFirth of Clyde (Scotland, UK) Port of RegistrySouthampton (England, UK)
Net Tonnage37,218 / 37,182
Gross Tonnage65,863 / 70,327

Contributed images

News Event

Saturday, July 1, 1950 @ 1200
The actual date and time are unknown and details shown here are our best estimate
ST NINIAN (1950-1979 Passenger / cargo ferry IMO 182025 : 285.7 feet overall of North of Scotland Orkney & Shetland Shipping Company, Aberdeen : 1991 scrapped at Guayaqui, Ecuador) Own Page

Postcard of ST NINIAN (1950-1979) of North of Scotland Orkney & Shetland Shipping Company, Aberdeen

Port of RegistryAberdeen (Scotland, UK)
Net Tonnage1,232
Gross Tonnage2,244
Deadweght Tonnage935

Contributed image

News Event

Thursday, July 10, 2025 @ 0930
The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate
ATLANTIC TWIN (2014- Oil / chemical tanker 149.6m long of Reederei TMS Atlantic Tween GmbH & Co KG ( Carl F.Peters GmbH & Co KG Hamburg as manager ) Hamburg) Own Page

ATLANTIC TWIN discharging oil grades at the Fuel Terminal, Rothesay Dock, Clydebank (Scotland)

Ship's locationFuel Terminal, Rothesay Dock, Clydebank (River Clyde, Scotland, UK)Port of RegistryGibraltar
Arrived fromAntwerpen (= Antwerp, Belgium)Net Tonnage4,082
Cargo carried on arrivalOil gradesGross Tonnage10,549
Deadweght Tonnage15,212

Contributed by Robert McManus

News Event

Friday, June 16, 1967 @ 1800
CITY OF DURBAN (1954-1971 Passenger / cargo liner 541 feet overall of Ellerman Lines Ltd./ Ellerman & Bucknall Steamship Company, London : 1974 scrapped)) Own Page

Dinner Menu for Ellerman & Bucknall's CITY OF DURBAN on 16 June 1967

Port of RegistryLondon (England, UK)
Net Tonnage7,523
Gross Tonnage13,345
Deadweght Tonnage11,400

News Event

Wednesday, July 9, 2025 @ 1100
The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate
VOX ALEXIA (2022 < LNG Trailing Suction Hopper Dredger IMO 9891763 : 137.5m overall of Van Oord, Rotterdam) Own Page

Hopper Dredger VOX ALEXIA passing Clydebank (River Clyde, Scotland, UK) heading upriver for Glasgow

Ship's locationOff Clydebank (River Clyde, Scotland, UK) ... heading upriver for GlasgowPort of RegistryRotterdam (The Netherlands)
Arrived fromSpoil dumping grounds in Firth of Clyde (roughly midway between Gourock Pier and Blairmore)
Sailing forDredging area at King George V Dock, Glasgow (Scotland, UK)
Cargo carried on arrivalLight ship = no cargo on board

Contributed by Robert McManus

These four lovely images show hopper dredger VOX ALEXIA in the River Clyde (Scotland) off the town of Clydebank, and, having earlier dumped her load of spoil at the dumping ground at the entrance to Loch Long was now making her way upriver to resume dredging around King George V Dock at Glasgow.

   The first image shows the small tug / workboat MEDWIN OWL leaving the dredger for Rothesay Dock, Clydebank, having made a moving crew change for VOX ALEXIA.

Logo of Van Oord

News Event

Wednesday, July 9, 2025 @ 0927
ROYSTERER (in 1980s Large ocean-going tug of Royal Maritime Auxiliary Service, London) Own Page

Royal Maritime Auxiliary tugs ROLLICKER and ROYSTERER at Gourock in 1980s

Ship's locationCardwell Bay Jetty, Gourock (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)Port of RegistryLondon (England, UK)

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

E-mail from Sandra B (Gourock) 9 July 2025

   The other day was walking at Cardwell Bay, Gourock and reminded of the large, powerful ocean-going Auxiliary tugs ... think their names were ROLLICKER and ROYSTERER .... which were stationed at the jetty in 1980s. 

   When at Gourock they seemed immobile, seemingly stationary there for weeks or months on end.

   Why were they there and why Cardwell Bay.   The long spindly jetty was quite a strange place to berth an ocean going tug.

   Sandra B.

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

News Event

Wednesday, February 2, 1966 @ 1800
The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate
LADY SOPHIA (1961-1968 General cargo ship 265 feet 80.7m overall of Downlands Shipping Inc, Monrovia : 1981 scrapped at Perama Greece) Own Page

LADY SOPHIA outbound with general cargo for Italy passes Tail-of-the-Bank anchorage off Greenock

Ship's locationOutbound and passing Tail-of-the-Bank anchorage off Greenock (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)Port of RegistryMonrovia (Liberia)
Arrived fromGlasgow (Scotland, UK)Gross Tonnage1,271
Sailing forGenoa (Italy)
Outward cargoGeneral cargo

News Event

Wednesday, February 2, 1966 @ 1800
The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate
ARCADIAN (1960 - 1974 General cargo liner 366 feet long of Ellerman & Papayanni Line, Liverpool) Own Page

ARCADIAN outbound with general cargo for Cyprus passes Tail-of-the-Bank anchorage off Greenock

Ship's locationOutbound and passing Tail-of-the-Bank anchorage off Greenock (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)Port of RegistryLiverpool (England, UK)
Arrived fromGlasgow (Scotland, UK)
Sailing forFamagusta (Cyprus)

News Event

Wednesday, February 2, 1966 @ 1800
The date is correct but time is unknown and the time shown here is only our best estimate
PORT VICTOR (1948-1970 General / refridgerated cargo liner 529 feet overall of Port Line, London : 1970 scrapped) Own Page

PORT VICTOR outbound passes Tail-of-the-Bank anchorage off Greenock

Ship's locationOutbound and passing Tail-of-the-Bank anchorage off Greenock (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)Port of RegistryLondon (England, U.K.)
Arrived fromGlasgow (Scotland, UK)Gross Tonnage10,390

Latest Comments

This shows the 100 latest comments.


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

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 ?????

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


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 ?

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


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

 

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.


 

 

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

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  ?

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

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?

 

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

 


AHMADU BELLO  (1963-1981) of Nigerian National Line

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

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

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


 

Walter Runciman / Moor Line’s CRAGMOOR

 

E-mail received 26 August 2022

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

 Name is not shown, by request.

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

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


Does anyone remember Hogarth’s BARON FORBES which was

scrapped in 1953

and

Tracing a discharge book left aboard in 1959.

 E-mail 13 November 2020

From Murdo MacPherson

 Does anybody remember the rent boat BARON FORBES an old

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

in 1953,  forecastle accommodation one trip was enough

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

in 1959 got any ideas how I can trace it

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


Isthmian Steamship Lines of USA

E-mail October 10  2020 

 From Bobby Ford  (USA)


Do you have anything about Isthmian Steamship Lines,

or anyone remember them, who did freighter service

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

   Any memories of the "STEEL" boats  ?

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


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

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


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

10th August 2020    E-mail from a viewer. 

Cunard Lines ASCANIA  (1911-1918)

 I am wondering if you might have more information and pictures

on the Vessel Ascania - Shipping line Cunard 1911-1918

Master - SGS Mihal.

This is a ship that my grandfather travelled from Southampton,

England to HalifaxNova ScotiaCanada in 1914.

Please any information would help.

Thank You

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


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 ?

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


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 ?

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


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

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


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.

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


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.

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


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 ?

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


Why was Irish Lights Tender IERNE registered in Liverpool ?

 19 March 2020 @ 1057

J R of Birkenhead e-mails :

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

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

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


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 ?

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


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.

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


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.

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


CLAN FRASER and a rope across the dock at Glasgow

 4 November 2019

Jim McGoogan e-mails :

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

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

 

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

 


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

 

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

   Can anyone help ?

14 September 2019

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


Where is the “Chapman Anchorage” ???

   Robbie Keen (CarlisleEngland) emails:

 I see in the entry for BENWYVIS that she

was in “Chapman Anchorage.”   Where is

Chapman Anchorage and what would she

 be doing there ???

Robbie.  31 August 2019

__________________________________________________________________________________


Teak fronts on the front of ship's bridges

By Eric S.     8th July 2019

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

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

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

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

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

All comments are welcome.

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


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 ? 

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


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 ?

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


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

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


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

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

20 May 2019  @ 1540

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

at Tail-of-the Bank.

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

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

bringing stores for the Holy Loch vessels, and the stores

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

lighters and small coasters.

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

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

and blue bands.

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

could be MARSHFIELD or MARSHLAND ….. or something like

that, was obviously a WW2 type but always immaculate

 and a frequent caller.

   Does anyone else remember these ships calling at

the Clyde ?

 

Alan and Jean.

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


Clyde Navigation Trust launches NEWARK, GARMOYLE and DUNGLASS

 

 14 March 2019   @ 1239

Richard Danielson e-mails

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

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

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

THANK YOU.
Richard Danielson.
 

 

Admin Note :

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

 

20 March 2019  @ 1604

 

Jim Howie  (Partick, Glasgow)

 

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

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

  

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

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

12 Hopper Barges.

1 Dumb grab hopper barge.

1 Tug CLYDE.

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

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

11 passenger ferryboats.

1 60-ton floating crane NEWSHOT.

1 Diving Bell barge.

2 Divers’ motor boats.

1 Oil Separating Barge PLOVER

3 motor launches NEWARK, GARMOYLE and DUNGLASS.

1 Hydrographic Survey launch CRANNOG.

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

 

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

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

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

 

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

 

Jim Howie.

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


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

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


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 ?


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


The advert for paddle steamer EAGLE 111 in 1937

 6th  January 2019.

   James Barrowman (Brighton, England) e-mails :

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

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

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

   Thanks, Jim Barrowman.

7th January 2019 

   J.S. (Pollokshaws, Glasgow) replies :

The River Clyde runs generally east to west through

the centre of Glasgow and essentially divides the city

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

   In the past and even today people talk of coming

from or living in the South Side.

   Up to around 1970’s passenger excursion steamers

and cross-channel to Ireland steamers left Broomielaw,

Anderston Quay and Lancefield Quay on the North Side

and in the summer months left Bridge Wharf on the

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

= Down the Water = sailing down the River Clyde to

Clyde piers such as Dunoon and Rothesay and

Tighnabruaich.

   The advert mentions the steamer calling at Govan

 Wharf and Renfrew to pick up passengers.

   Today Govan Wharf is only recognisable by a derelict

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

South Bank essentially between the Govan Drydocks

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

yard) and beside the playing field between Wanlock Street

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

small Govan Passenger Ferry used to ply from near

Govan Wharf across the river to the east end of Meadowside

Quay

   It was news to me that excursion steamers stopped

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

   Perhaps someone can help.

 

Ref The advert for paddle steamer EAGLE 111 in 1937.

12 January 2019   Robert Orr replies :


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

occupied by Simons and Lobnitz shipyards in Renfrew.

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


 

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.

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

 


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 

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


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 ?

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


Can anyone name this British coaster ?

 

05 November 2018

Billy Fullarton writes :

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

HarbourScotland.   Can anyone name this coaster. ?

 

   I think her name ends in SOUND.

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


British & Irish KILKENNY in 1935

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

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


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)

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


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

Jim J. of Liverpool e-mails :

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

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

Funnel ship there.

   Can anyone enlighten me as to why a Blue Funnel would

be in the Gulf of Mexico ?

   Also in conversation someone told of Blue Funnel having

Chinese crews on deck and catering.   I had always thought

that Blueys had British crews.   Someone please tell me

what is correct.

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


Deck cadets Critchley and Doherty on RAMON DE LARRINAGA in 1965

 22 May 2018

 Alan Rutherford e-mails :

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

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

  


   Looking for information on some British ships around 1950-1954

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

 Great website.

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

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


Regards,
Ian Rae

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

  


Can anyone identify this USN lapel badge ?

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

   Can anyone identify the badge ?

2018-02-18 @ 1320

 

19 May 2018

Hello Douglas,

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

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

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


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

Bill Steel e-mails

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

17 February 2018 @ 2307

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


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

    Jim Harrison  (Brighton, England) e-mails :

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

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

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

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


 

   German cargo ship MILLERNTOR in 1954

 

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

 

   After unloading she left Ardrossan returning to Narvik.

 

Does anyone have any information or details of MILLERNTOR ?

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

  


" If sufficient inducement "

 James Bridges (Canterbury, England) e-mails –

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

“ If sufficient inducement “

 

23 January 2019 at 2113

 Geoff  (Australia)  e-mails :

 

James Bridges (Canterbury, England) e-mails –

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

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


My understanding of "sufficient inducement" meant if there was

 enough cargo to be lifted to be commercially viable. ”

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


Was she “ LAIRDS OAK “ or “ LAIRDSOAK ” ?

   Robert Bothwell (Glasgow) e-mails :

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

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

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


 

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

 

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

 

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

  


 

Coaster BALLYCASTLE in 1953

 

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

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

  


 

   Carebeka's coaster RIAN in 1953

 

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

 

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

 

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

  


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

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

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

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

Additional note :

Can anyone supply details of ALPHERAT ?


 

Norwegian Tanker RAILA in 1953

 

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

 

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

  


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

 Fred from Formby (Merseyside, England, writes

 

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

 

Can someone tell something about these services ? ”

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


 

CHANTALA  (Worcester Park, Surrey) writes :

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

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

   All I can remember now is “Asti aria kurro”

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

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


 

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

 

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

  


 

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

 

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

  


Anchor Line advertisement of 1871

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

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

Thank you.

Still laughing

Fred of Formby, Merseyside, England.

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

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

  


 

German cargo ship RUHR in 1953

 

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

 

   Has anyone got any details of this ship ?

 

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

  


 

British coaster J B KEE in 1957

 

 Fred of Formby (Merseyside, England) writes :

 

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

 

   Anyone have details of this ship ?

 

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

  


 

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

 

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

 

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

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


  


 

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

 

 Jim Allbright (London) e-mails :

 

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

 

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

 

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

  


 

SUNBEAR of Saguenay Terminals.

 

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

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


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

Captain Bryn Wayt writes :

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

James Jeffries replies :

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

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

   In 1972 she was scrapped in Santander, Spain.

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

 

Billy MacAulay (Moderator and Senior Member) writes :

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

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

  

 

  


 

   Why was LADY McGOWAN IN Loch Riddon ?

 

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

 

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

 

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

  


John Kelly's coaster BALLYCLARE in late 1953.

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

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


 

Small boat sailor writes from Inverkip :

 

 

 

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

 

   Does anyone know anything of these two launches ?

 

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

 

   Sandy

  


Mystery of CVC in Prince’s Dock area of Glasgow

   In 1958 the Clyde Shipping Company’s coaster PLADDA

 was listed as berthed in CVC in Prince’s Dock

 area in Glasgow.

   Does anyone know where CVC was ?

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

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


 

Pacific Steam Navigation’s KENUTA at Puna in 1957

 

Tom Hayworth e-mails :

 

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

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


Ben Line’s Far-East coaster BENVEG in 1957

 

Leith Man e-mails

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

for BENVEG as I had never heard of her.

 

Anyone have any more information please ?

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


SPRINGFIELD QUAY, GLASGOW

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

For a good few years what was Springfield Quay in Glasgow has been redeveloped into an entertainment area with a cinema, hotel, casino and restaurants.   There was always a big sign at the entrance reading "SPRINGFIELD QUAY" but now the sign has been removed and replaced with a much smaller and more modern one saying "THE QUAY"

It's sad to have the last of the great Glasgow dockside quayside names disappear from public view.

aand conveniently close to the city centre. With restaurants, casino, bingo, bowling, cinema and hotel, everything you need is at The Quay.nd conveniently close to the city centre. With restaurants, casino, bingo, bowling, cinema and hotel, everything you need is at The Quay.


MYSTERY SHIP PORTHOLE

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

I have a very short video posted on youtube of a porthole that I am trying to identify. It is more than likely WW1 era. Glass window is 14" in diameter and the entire assembly weighs 132 lbs. The name of the youtube video is Mystery Ship Porthole and I will leave a link. Thanks

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbgNppQ8XWM

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


LASHERCIA ..... A Spanish coaster in 1962

   Does anyone have information on LASHERCIA which was trading around the Irish Sea and Liverpool in 1962 ?

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


Clyde Navigation Trust launches GARMOYLE and DUNGLASS

Jim Allison writes : I see from arrivals and sailings that the Clyde Navigation Trust launches GARMOYLE and DUNGLASS were busy on the River, even in the middle of the night.  What was their occupation ?

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


Carrickfergus (Northern Ireland) in January 1963.

From Sean R  (Larne, Northern Ireland)

   Thanks very much for showing the ships bringing explosives from Irvine to Carrickfergus in January 1963.   After 53 years I've now found out the two ships in the photographs, CASCADE the Dutch coaster and LADY ANSTRUTHER of ICI.    Sean R.


 

   What do you want  (or don't want)  on this website  ?

   With new Administrators and Contributors now helping with this website, it is probably a good time to find out what you, the viewers, want to see and read about.

   So, what do you want -  or don't want  -  on this website ?   Should there be more of this  ....... or less of that   ....... or maybe something entirely new  ?

   Please use the "Contact us" button and tell the team in as much detail as possible so that we can try to provide items which are of interest to you.

   Thank you. 

 


Netherlands coaster MADO in 1963

   In January 1963 the Groningen registered coaster MADO was at Irvine, Scotland, having arrived with a cargo of 200 tons of fertilizer from Rotterdam.   Does anyone have any information or details of this ship

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


 

CARGOES FOR BEIRA BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT ONLY

I see from the sailing notices (such as in SYDNEY STAR) that cargoes for Beira in East Africa are often accepted by special arrangement only.  Why by special arrangement ?

  Charlie and Misty Fennelly, New Jersey. U.S.A.

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


Holland America cargo ship DUIVENDYK

Holland America cargo ship DUIVENDYK was at Glasgow from August 27 1959 to September 2 1959 loading scrap metal for Japan.   Does anyone have any information about this vessel.


 

Information needed on cargo ship KORBACH in 1958

 

KORBACH was closing for receiving cargo in Glasgow on 25 July 1958 and loading for the Great Lakes, Detroit and Chicago.    She was probably on a charter by Anchor Line or Head Line or Cunard Line.

 

Does anyone have any information on KORBACH ?


 

“Conducting their business in Great Waters” series

Just to say how much we enjoy reading your “Conducting their business in Great Waters” series.   Really good to read of BENDORAN at Zamboanga and DURBAN CASTLE at St. Helena Island and British India’s KENYA at Zanzibar. And Misty appreciates the diary of Donaldson Line's LETITIA that you included for her.  This is the only website that brings the voyages to life.   Even the kids read it and are sure learning their world geography.   Charlie and Misty Fennelly,  New Jersey. U.S.A (Misty was born in Canada and her family were Pilots on Saint Lawrence)


WHERE IS " PULO BOKOM "

On 5th January 1957 Alfred Holt's Blue Funnel CALCHAS was at Pulo Bokom.   It's not on Wikipedia.   Where is Pulo Bokom ?

"Hydatina" of Croydon, England, writes :

Pulau Bukom, also known as Pulau Bukum, is a small island belonging to Singapore that is located about five kilometres to the south of the main island of Singapore, off the Straits of Singapore. The size of Pulau Bukom is about 1.45 km².   Royal Dutch Shell Group had a refinery there which I visited a number of times on Shell U.K. Tankers.

Note : The event for CALCHAS has been amended accordingly.


MEANING OF CERTAIN SHIPPING DESCRIPTIONS
Mandy Skinner writes :
   I teach Modern Studies and Geography and my classes use this amazing website to learn of the trade and shipping business on the Clyde from the 1950's, and how the Port of Glasgow and Britain supplied to, and received goods from, every part of the world.
   However, as a non-sailor, I am mystified as to the actual meanings of some descriptions regarding ships.   Can someone please enlighten me ?
   The terms are
   
   Gross tonnage
   Net tonnage
   Deadweight tonnage
   Loading coal or oil bunkers / bunkered
   The ship was "ranging"
   On the ground
   Stevedore
   Longshoremen
   Bad spillage while unloading cargo  (I would have thought that any spillage was bad)
   Dragging her anchor
   Hopper barge
   Canting in Prince's Dock
   Shifting along the wall
   Palm oil cargo
   Shelphate
   Weatherbound / Windbound 
   Cleaning tanks  (as in the ship TULIPBANK)
   Fitting out
   Thank you,   Mandy Skinner

 

A question about Alfred Holt and the King George V Dock in Glasgow

Jim Alison e-mails :   Your event of 25th August 1958 tells that Blue Funnel's PELEUS loaded a 6-ton lift by "Holt's crane".   Did Alfred Holt have a company crane at Glasgow, or could it be the ship's own derrick that was used. ?


CLAN MACINTOSH and help needed on the origin of three launches loaded at Glasgow.

On 9th July 1958 CLAN MACINTOSH loaded 3 launches by her own gear at Glasgow.   The launches came from "Mechano / Medano.   Please have a look at the image, which has been enlarged, and see if you can throw some light on the launches.


Scottish motor coaster PIBROCH built in 1956 by Scott & Sons of Bowling

Does anyone have details of her owners and employment after being sold by Scottish Malt Distillers Company ?


CAN YOU HELP  The oilers "Invertest, Apexity and Clanity" are noted as daily supplying bunker fuel oil to vessels. Have you any images or information on these three ships. ? 

A. Manson replies: Apexity and Clanity were owned by F.T Everard later taken over by Fisher.


CAN YOU HELP   Ore ships at General Terminus Quay .....when leaving, they left Terminus Quay astern.... where were they turned, to go downriver ahead.  Did they turn in Princes Dock...or at Yorkhill Basin...or at King George V Dock ?

  A. Manson replies "Ore carriers leaving General Terminus Quay were canted at Princes Dock ; the area inside the entrance was known as the Canting Basin."


CAN YOU HELP   Glasgow fire-boat "St. Mungo"    Billy and Terry Kelly noted that Glasgow had a fire-boat named "St. Mungo" operated by Glasgow Fire Service, moored at Yorkhill Quay at the entrance to Queens Dock,  and crewed by firemen based in Yorkhill Fire Station (just across the road from Yorkhill Quay.)  Does anyone have a photograph of "St. Mungo" ?

A. Manson replies :Photographs and history the early and latter St. Mungo Fireboats can be seen by going on website "St. Mungo Fireboat"


CAN YOU HELP    Blue funnel liner "Pyrrhus" is shown as arriving on 16th July 1958 (see the image) at berth 3 King George V Dock, head South, bow 5 1/2 ...something...into berth 4.   Any idea what the 5 1/2 something is ?


Ref. "Pyrrhus Berthing. The large timber or metal doors on the dockside of the cargo sheds are referred to as Blinds. There may six or seven of these so the bow or stern of a vessel may be sited in a position relative to the blinds.


CAN YOU HELP   The coaster "Salling" arrived at KG5 on 16th July 1958 from " G.at ? " (see the image)  Can anyone hazard a guess what the place "G....at" is ?

A Manson replies "Destination of "Salling" could possibly have Ghent, Belgium."


CAN YOU HELP.   Princes Dock logbook shows these vessels arriving, but the writing is hard to read.   Can you make out the names?

          

Click on these images to enlarge them

First is maybe.... Cruzeiro Do Sul

Below it is maybe.... Templar

Further down is maybe... Kaduna ...or Kadura

Further down maybe... La Manche

Just below that ......Barbanihalis (or something)

Still further down..... Prins W J or G Frerderick

And also on that page for 28th June at 2045 arrives "Somme" at berth 65 annexe.   I had never heard of "65 annexe"     Can anyone enlighten me? 

A Manson replies "berth 65 Plantation was an Annex abutting on the West end of Mavisbank Quay."    and Kaduna was owned by Paddy Henderson, vessels trading to Burma and associated areas.

Prinz Willem 1V and Prinz W J Fredrick were owned by Dutch Company Oranje Lijn and traded to, and spent some time in the Great Lakes.


CAN YOU HELP   What is the name of this ship?  Is it Sunnarhav or Sunnanhav.  She arrived in Glasgow on 6th July 1965.  Just to allow continuity of entering details, the ship is listed in events as being "Sunnanhav" unless otherwise corrected.

A Manson replies : "Sunnanhan" could possibly have been owned by Saguenay Terminals who prefixed several of their ships names by "Sun"


CAN YOU HELP   The vessel "Mango" or "Manyo" arrived at Princes Dock from Ardrossan on 14th July 1965, draft 5' 10" forard and 12' 8" aft, which would be the draft of a coaster.  But the logbook shows her sailing on 18th July for Three Rivers (Canada) draft forard 17' 07" and aft 19' 06"   Any thoughts or information on this vessel would be welcome. 


THANKS FOR THE MEMORY   Mrs  Margaret Buckner e-mails from Canada.

"I was browsing and chanced on your website, and was astonished to discover mention of the Donaldson ships taking passengers from Princes Dock to Montreal.   I was a little girl in 1960 when my folks emigrated from Kirkintilloch to Canada on Laurentia, and it was a very rough crossing, but was calm when we passed Newfoundland.  The mention of "Laurentia" brought the memories flooding back, having been forgotten for 50 years. Thanks for bringing back the memory.


CAN YOU HELP   : This interesting little advert was in the 23rd June 1906 issue of "Largs and Millport Weekly News"   Note the early start for the days sailing, and the unusual name "Bute 4"     Any information on the firm or the vessels?   Click on the image to enlarge it to full size.

     

A Manson replies: For full history on SS Bute suggest Logging on" SS Bute at Greenock" With information regarding builders of same and SS Kyle then follow Princess Alice Disaster where all will be revealed re ultimate fate of Vessel. 


CAN YOU HELP  : The vessel "Cedric" arrived at KG5 on 10th October 1967. It's difficult to decipher where she came from.  Any suggestions?  Click on the image to enlarge it.

A Manson writes : 
The "Cedric" which arrived at KG5 dock 10th October 1967 would have come from Napier, New Zealand, where she would have loaded refrigerated cargo, e.g. lamb, butter, etc. This was a regular run for vessels belonging to the New Zealand Shipping Company.

A Manson writes :

Ref. the "Cedric" The port referred to is Napier New Zealand.


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


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


CAN YOU HELP  : Falcon Reefer arrived from USA and Newfoundland.   Which was the USA port concerned?   Click on the image to enlarge it.

A MANSON replies: Gloucester Massachusetts USA is on of America's oldest Ports.


CAN YOU HELP  : Harrison's "Statesman" in Jan 1968 at Shieldhall Riverside Quay conducted an engine test.   What is the word after the test.  Click on the image to enlarge it.

A Manson writes :

Ref. the engine test on "Statesman" at Riverside Shieldhall . The engines would have been run on slow speed. Vessels having such must be securely moored probably with insurance wires as an added precaution .