Ardrossan - On This Day In History

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GLASGOW HERALD
12 DECEMBER 1956

10 YEAR BAN AND £80 FINES
DRIVING OFFENCES

Harry Kemp, (70), amusements caterer, 16 South Crescent, Ardrossan, who was disqualified from driving for a year last January, but whose licence was reinstated in September, was disqualified for 10 years and fined £75 at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court yesterday, when he admitted driving his car under the influence of drink or drugs.

He was also fined £5 on a charge of failing to stop for the police.

The depute fiscal said that when the police eventually stopped Kemp, after he had ignored signals, Kemp reprimanded them. He repeatedly refused to get out of his car, and in the end had to be forcibly removed.

According to medical evidence, Kemp was in poor health and was taking a potent barbiturate, so that even a minute amount of alcohol would have an effect on him and might completely upset his balance.

An agent said that Kemp had given him his driving licence with instructions to hand it in and said he would never drive again.

Sheriff R. N. Levitt said he was not entirely satisfied that Kemp’s state of health was the main factor in the charges against him but because of the medical report submitted, and on account of his age, he would not send Kemp to prison.

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GLASGOW HERALD
13 DECEMBER 1912

THE ARDROSSAN DOCK DISPUTE

The situation at Ardrossan Harbour remains absolutely unchanged. It has been stated that a move towards mediation between the harbour authority and the men’s union was made on Wednesday, but the harbour officials state that no overtures have been made either to or by them.

The majority of the strikers have gone to seek employment elsewhere. Nearly 100 free labourers are still being housed at the Shipping Federation depot, and work is being carried on at the docks with almost normal dispatch.

The Harbour Company is introducing a number of mechanical appliances which will enable them to dispense with a good deal of manual labour.

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GLASGOW HERALD
14 DECEMBER 1881

THE STRANDING OF THE ANNETTA

A Board of Trade Inquiry was opened in the Town Hall, Ardrossan, yesterday into the stranding of the barque ANNETTA, of Ardrossan, on the Horse Island, in Ardrossan Harbour, on the 21st of November, when three lives were lost.

Mr. Alexander, Boydston, and Mr J. L. Bailey, officiated as Justices.

The nautical assessors were Captain Burney, R.N., and Messrs Alexander Murdoch and George Hyde, R.N.R.

Mr W. D. McJannet, Irvine, appeared on behalf of the master and mate of the ANNETTA, and Mr William Liddell for the owners of the tug COMMODORE.

Several witnesses were examined, and the Court adjourned till today.

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GLASGOW HERALD
14 DECEMBER 1881

THE STRANDING OF THE ANNETTA

A Board of Trade Inquiry was opened in the Town Hall, Ardrossan, yesterday into the stranding of the barque ANNETTA, of Ardrossan, on the Horse Island, in Ardrossan Harbour, on the 21st of November, when three lives were lost.

Mr. Alexander, Boydston, and Mr J. L. Bailey, officiated as Justices.

The nautical assessors were Captain Burney, R.N., and Messrs Alexander Murdoch and George Hyde, R.N.R.

Mr W. D. McJannet, Irvine, appeared on behalf of the master and mate of the ANNETTA, and Mr William Liddell for the owners of the tug COMMODORE.

Several witnesses were examined, and the Court adjourned till today.

GLASGOW HERALD
15 DECEMBER 1881

THE STRANDING OF THE ANNETTA

The inquiry at Ardrossan respecting the stranding of the barque ANNETTE on the Horse Island and the loss of three lives was resumed yesterday, and was adjourned till today, when the judgment of the Court will be given.

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GLASGOW HERALD
15 DECEMBER 1877

ARDROSSAN – SERIOUS ACCIDENT AT RAILWAY STATION

About six o’clock last night, a sad accident occurred at the station to a man named EDWARD CASKIE, whereby he had both legs very severely fractured. He was engaged clearing the line to make room for the passenger train, and while crossing the line he was knocked down by a train of empty waggons, several of which ran over his legs.

He was at once placed in a carriage and conveyed by a special engine to Kilmarnock Hospital; and it is feared his injuries are so severe that amputation will be necessary.

[George Ardrossan]

15 DECEMBER

DEATH
At Corrie Bank, Fox Street, Greenock, on 13 December 1948, Angus MacDonald, minister-emeritus of the Barony Church, Ardrossan; husband of the late Agnes M Wright. Funeral service in the Barony Church, Ardrossan, tomorrow, Thursday, 16 December at 2.30pm, thereafter public to Ardrossan Cemetery.
The Scotsman, 15 December 1948

George

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VESSEL SANK
16 DECEMBER 1922

SMERDIS

The steel screw steamer SMERDIS, built by Ardrossan Dry Dock and Shipbuilding Company Limited for J. & P. Hutchison, Glasgow in 1916, fouled an anchor, capsized, and sank in the Mersey while on a voyage from Bordeaux to Liverpool.

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GLASGOW HERALD
14 DECEMBER 1881

THE STRANDING OF THE ANNETTA

A Board of Trade Inquiry was opened in the Town Hall, Ardrossan, yesterday into the stranding of the barque ANNETTA, of Ardrossan, on the Horse Island, in Ardrossan Harbour, on the 21st of November, when three lives were lost.

Mr. Alexander, Boydston, and Mr J. L. Bailey, officiated as Justices.

The nautical assessors were Captain Burney, R.N., and Messrs Alexander Murdoch and George Hyde, R.N.R.

Mr W. D. McJannet, Irvine, appeared on behalf of the master and mate of the ANNETTA, and Mr William Liddell for the owners of the tug COMMODORE.

Several witnesses were examined, and the Court adjourned till today.

GLASGOW HERALD
15 DECEMBER 1881

THE STRANDING OF THE ANNETTA

The inquiry at Ardrossan respecting the stranding of the barque ANNETTE on the Horse Island and the loss of three lives was resumed yesterday, and was adjourned till today, when the judgment of the Court will be given.

GLASGOW HERALD
16 DECEMBER 1881

THE STRANDING OF THE ANNETTA

At Ardrossan yesterday, Mr Alexander read the judgment of the Court, which was as follows:-

1. That, having regard to the character and description of the ship, she was in good and seaworthy condition.

2. That the hawser was good enough for ordinary purposes, such as smooth water and fair weather, but was not at all calculated for heavy weather and high seas.

3. That the captain of the "Commodore" was justified in not passing his hawser on board the "Annetta" without being requested to do so by the captain of the "Annetta."

4. That as the "Annetta" had performed the same passage under the like circumstances and at the same time of the year previously, and as there were no appearances of very heavy weather, the master of the "Annetta" was justified in proceeding on the voyage?

5. That the "Commodore" appears from the evidence to have towed the "Annetta" with a fair and steady strain, and that the towing hawser broke under the very heavy and jerking action necessarily caused by the pumping and pitching of both vessels in the high sea.

6. That from the evidence before the Court (which, in this respect, is somewhat contradictory) it appears that the captain of the "Commodore" did exert himself to pass his towing hawser on board the "Annetta."

7. That the "Annetta" was properly and securely brought up by her anchors after the parting of the tow rope; but from the evidence a very long time elapsed (viz., ten minutes) before the anchors were let go. With regard to the unshackling of the cables, this would have been premature until the "Annetta" had first got the steamer's tow rope on board.

8. The first part of this question is answered under the sixth head, and there was no evidence before the Court to enable it to decide satisfactorily on the latter part of the question.

9. That this question falls to be answered in the affirmative.

10. That it appears the harbour tug was proceeding to the "Annetta" when she was hailed by a voice from the "Commodore," to the effect that there was no use going out, and that in consequence of this she returned to the harbour.

11. That this question falls to be answered in the affirmative.

12. That the cause of the "Annetta" going on shore was her having got into the position in which she anchored, the shifting of the wind from south-westerly to west, and the exceptional heaviness of the gale to which she was then exposed.

13. That this question falls to be answered in the affirmative. The Court further thinks that great credit was due both to the captain and mate of the "Annetta," on account of the presence of mind and bravery they displayed in their efforts to save life.

14. That the three lives were lost in the attempts of their owners to swim on shore, when they became exhausted and sunk without any one being able or near at hand to render them assistance.

15. That up to the time when the gale and sea increased, and the tow rope parted, both vessels appear to have been properly navigated.

16. That the captain of the "Commodore" appears to have conducted himself and his vessel with prudence and care; but the Court thinks the captain of the "Annetta" acted injudiciously in not taking the precaution to have the steamer's hawser passed on board when the wind and weather increased. The Court, however, does not find that the investigation has disclosed anything more than an error of judgment on his part, and so does not think itself called on to deal with his certificate.

Mr Alexander said that great credit was due to Mr Michael Coogan, the mate of the ANNETTA, and the Court desired to express in the strongest possible manner their high appreciation of the bravery he displayed in swimming from the vessel with a line in order in order to save the lives of those on board. They desire especially that the representatives of the press should notice his daring act of bravery with the object of bringing it under the notice of higher and more official quarters.

Mr Bailey said he could not allow the inquiry to close without endorsing what had been said by Mr Alexander as to the bravery of Mr Coogan, the mate of the ANNETTA. The very idea of a man struggling as he did in such a sea with the use of only one arm (the other being occupied in gathering up the coils of rope he carried) was sufficient to awaken the strongest admiration. In endeavouring to save the lives of his fellow creatures he behaved in a most noble manner.

(Applause)

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GLASGOW HERALD
16 DECEMBER 1890

ARDROSSAN – DOCK WORKS

Since the directors of this company issued their half-yearly report to the shareholders in July last that the works had been maintained in good order, yet the percentage of work done was not up to what was expected a the earlier part of the year, the whole of the excavations in the wet dock had been finished, 24 percent of that in the outer basin – to which the attention of the contractors has been mainly confined, but as often defeated when success seemed about to crown their efforts.

The ill-formation of the roadway between the old dock and the new outer basin contributed to this.

The new quay wall was being founded to a great depth on the south side of the dock, and being carried round to the old Belfast pier, but the water found a way through the rubble or sub-soil into the new outer basin workings, and practically stopped progress for the season, when somewhat over 24 percent of the work had been gone through in the outer basin, and 51 percent of that in the entrance channel; 97 percent of the concrete walls inside the coffer dam, and about 51 percent of the works at the breakwater. Seventy-three percent of the concrete work had at the time of report been finished.

The additions since have not been extensive.

Now all the floating gear except one dredger has been laid up for the winter, and 120 hands have been paid off. This is a dismal look-out for the tradesmen and shopkeepers, who, however, have had a brisk time of it for long.

The foundry of Messrs Goodwin & Company has always been the leading industry in Ardrossan, and afforded work to many hands, a large diminution in the number of whom is about to take place.

A Grangemouth firm has bought the old shipyard, and the hands have all been paid off.

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GLASGOW HERALD
16 December 1936

KING'S ACCESSION PROCLAIMED

At Ardrossan yesterday King George VI's accession was proclaimed from a platform erected in front of the town hall. The platform was draped at the base in royal blue, and surrounding it, hung on the wall of the hall, was a large Union Jack with two Scottish Royal Standards.

Provost Hopperton, in reading the proclamation, spoke through a microphone to the large gathering, which included harbour and shipyard workers and almost 1200 school pupils and members of staffs.

The magistrates, town councillors and officials, ministers of the town, RSF Territorials, constabulary, and Boys' Brigade were represented.

A prayer was offered by the Rev. Dr. R.M. Adamson, and following the singing of the National Anthem three cheers were given for the King.

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GLASGOW HERALD
17 DECEMBER 1891

ANNA L

There was launched from the yard of the Ardrossan Shipbuilding Company Limited, the handsomely modelled iron barque ANNA L, of the following dimensions – length 160 feet between perpendiculars by 28 feet by 13 feet 3½ inches moulded depth. She is built to the order of Mr Carl Bech, Tvedestrand, Norway, and is intended for general cargo purposes. She is guaranteed to carry a deadweight of 700 tons on a draft of 12 feet.

The vessel is built to 100 A1 class at Lloyds and Det Norske Veritas, and is to be fitted with donkey boiler and steam winch, Emerson, Walker & Company’s patent windlass, arranged to be wrought from steam winch, and all the other latest improvements.

[Further details of this vessel are included in the following link:-

https://www.clydeships.co.uk/view.php?y ... sel=ANNA+L

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GLASGOW HERALD
17 DECEMBER 1936

COASTER LAUNCHED AT ARDROSSAN

Arrangements had been made to launch yesterday two vessels built by Ardrossan Dockyard Limited, for Coast Lines Limited, London.

Owing to stormy weather, however, only the smaller of the two was sent down the ways, although both were named.

The vessel launched was the single screw Diesel-driven barge CORNISH COAST.

She is 120 feet in length, 27 feet in breadth, and 8½ feet in depth, moulded, and 280 tons deadweight on summer load draft. The main engine of the Kromhout type was installed by the builders.

The other vessel, the motor coastal ship ANTRIM COAST, will be launched today if the weather is suitable.

Her measurements are:- length 199 feet, breadth (moulded) 33 feet, depth (moulded to shelter deck) 21¼ feet. She is designed to carry about 950 tons. The engines will be supplied by John G. Kincaid and Company Limited, Greenock.

The ANTRIM COAST is the third of three sister ships built at Ardrossan to the order of Coast Lines Limited. She differs from the two previously launched ships. Instead of having usual wooden belting she is fitted with a rubber belting, and it is claimed by the builders that she is the only British ship so fitted.

Mrs Thomas Braidwood, wife of the Marine Superintendent, Coast Lines Limited, London, named both vessels.

At a luncheon in the Eglinton Arms Hotel, Ardrossan, Mr James S. Kincaid, vice-chairman of Ardrossan Dockyard Limited, presided and Mr D Russell-Fergusson, director presented a diamond brooch as a souvenir to Mrs Braidwood.


Mr Kincaid announced in the course of his speech that Coast Lines Limited had ordered other two ships of the same type as the ANTRIM COAST, to be built at Ardrossan, which would make five in all of that type.

Referring to the CORNISH COAST, the vessel launched that day, he said he thought she was the first of that particular type to be built in Britain for coasting purposes.

[The ANTRIM COAST, as it turned out, wasn't launched until 22 December, 1936.]