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9th August 2019, 07:34 PM
#1
Ferguson Marine
It looks like the shipbuilder saved by Clyde Blowers in 2014 is about to enter administration.
The yard secured for a value of £97m the order to build two liquified powered ships for CMAL.. CMAL (Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited) ultimate owners of Calmac, the operators.
A dispute has been ongoing for a period of time, yard claiming design changes cost mllions, owners rejecting claim.
Compound further Scottish Government loans yard £45m with a clause to purchase yard for £1.
The yard has had £25m spent on it it which includes late building techniques.
Vic
PS Ferguson's are the largest commercial shipbuilder remaining on the River Clyde.
Last edited by vic mcclymont; 9th August 2019 at 07:45 PM.
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11th August 2019, 05:40 PM
#2
Re: Ferguson Marine
I well remember docking at Port Glasgow twice in the 50s, on one occasion the Queen's sister Princess Margaret came down the Clyde in a
launch escorted by police launches, don't remember what the occasion was but it was well publicised at the time as we were all told, she
went on past us and up river to the shipyards so maybe to launch a ship or open a facility. At that time the massive shipyard cranes and
gantries stretched as far as the eye could see and the river was very busy, there's not many of us on site that hasn't sailed on a ship built
on the Clyde, so many famous names from the Clyde shipyards, both commercial and warships such as RMS Queen MARY, HMS HOOD not
to forget CUTTY SARK and even our own VINDICATRIX although that wasn't her launch name. From the mid 19th century until now we have
witnessed the rise and fall of our once great shipbuilding industry, it's the same story all around the UK's remaining shipyards now fighting
for their existence. In later years watching Rab Nesbitt on the telly always reminded me of going ashore at Glasgow and whilst walking
through the Gorbals we came to a building with stone steps going up to glass doors that led to a Foyer, just as we got to the steps the
glass doors were thrown open and a bloke was literally flung out of the doors and came bouncing down the steps, rolled across the pavement
and came to a rest in the gutter, it was easy to see he'd had a skinful so we just kept walking, {can't remember if it was a cinema or dance hall}
but it was straight from the Wild West movies. cheers
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11th August 2019, 05:50 PM
#3
Re: Ferguson Marine
The best Dance Hall was the Barrowland, had to keep both eyes looking at the floor , never make eye contact or else... couldn't ask a girl to dance, in case she had a fella watching, in those days they all had razors,
If you took a girl back on the ship from Betty`s Bar, she would wreck the ship.
Three girls wrecked ours, the MEMPHIS, battered all the Sailors and Firemen and then upstairs and battered the Engineers, I slept in the focsle that night lying on a coil of rope, only safe place on the ship. even the Police had a big fight trying to get them ashore.
some hard case women there, and the Pubs shut at 9.30 PM.
NOT ONE OF MY FAVOURITE PORTS.
Cheers
Brian
Last edited by Captain Kong; 11th August 2019 at 05:51 PM.
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11th August 2019, 06:16 PM
#4
Re: Ferguson Marine
You haven't been to the Dennistoun Palais then?
Massive Dance Hall, you could walk behind the stage as there was a massive corridor, surrounding the stage.
At end of the stage was two lookout posts (kid you not) with bouncers keeping an eye on the Dancers.
Had to keep your wits about you.
Vic
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11th August 2019, 06:53 PM
#5
Re: Ferguson Marine
One of the dickies was a local and we latched on to him, we had a few good times there without bother,
Prob ably because he knew where to go and where not to go, but never took much notice of place names.
Last edited by John F Collier; 11th August 2019 at 06:56 PM.
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11th August 2019, 10:17 PM
#6
Re: Ferguson Marine
Originally Posted by
John F Collier
One of the dickies was a local and we latched on to him, we had a few good times there without bother,
Prob ably because he knew where to go and where not to go, but never took much notice of place names.
OOP’s For dicky read decky
Last edited by John F Collier; 11th August 2019 at 10:20 PM.
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11th August 2019, 10:51 PM
#7
Re: Ferguson Marine
A wee bit off Topic some replies to the Ferguson Marine ,but can understand as it had at the end to do with a Bar or Dance hall.
Anyway i will just add this short one
A lot may also remember the old Southampton Pier a very popular Dance Hall with many Seaman and always packed. Not too much nonsense went on,but there was the odd fisticuff or two LOL
Sorry to Hijack your Thread Vic
Last edited by Doc Vernon; 11th August 2019 at 11:23 PM.
Senior Site Moderator-Member and Friend of this Website
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16th August 2019, 07:34 PM
#8
Re: Ferguson Marine
Ferguson Marine were laced in Administration today and Nationalised by the SNP Government. The SNP have stated it is a short term solution and hopefully a buyer will be found.
Jim McColl, has slated the SNP, Calmac and the SNP for lack of useful talks.
Calmac status is that it was a design and build on fixed tender and there has been minor changes resulting in £2-3m costs.
The yard disputes this and states that there has been major changes resulting in ongoing costs, the yard has spent an additional £40m.
No doubt all will be revealed in the fullness of time.
Meanwhile, my own belief is that the Scottish Government will own the yard until both ferries are completed, I cannot see anyone taking the ships unless there are major concessions on cost etc.
Jim McColl the owner of the yard has spent over £25m on modernising the yard and it is now one of the most modern yards in Europe.
Vic
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