That Ferry Again

[brian reynolds]

Hi,

There was a cabin removed late on in the build as the MCA insisted, that a new stairwell was put in, unfortunately this late change meant that a cabin had to be removed

Brian

[David Allan]

When I served my apprenticeship in Paisley we had an Engineering Federation which consisted of all local firms who guaranteed you would complete your apprentice ship if your firm went bust this was called an indentured apprentice ship the federation had their own training establishment
Some of the companies included in the Paisley & Renfrew Engineering Federation were as follows
Thomas Reid & sons (Steam deck machinery) Millen Bros also known as the "Dry Land shipyard" Lang Machine tools (lathes)Thomas Lamont (Pumps)Fullertons (Mine Winding Gear)Abbey gear cuttters Reekie eng (in situ machining) Fleming Ferguson (mostly Dredgers) A&F Craig (Boilers & Heat Exchangers) Leith Cardle (watertight Doors Seedhilll Finishing Co (Textiles)British Vita foam (Foam) Van Leer (Metal drums))This does not include Babcocks or The Ferguslie Mill nor the Anchor Mill if your Company went bust another would employ you until your time was served All of these companies are now gone Babcocks ceased Renfrew production This sory could probably be repeatd in most industrial towns in UK What hope for future generations

[vic mcclymont]

Two new builds for Western Ferries are to be built by Cammell Laird.
It is interesting to note the Ferries being fo Cmal are behind schedule.
Vic

[happy daze john in oz]

The Royal Australian Navy has ordered two new tug boats to use with their ships.
The tugs will be made in, you guessed it, China!!!!!!!!!!!

[Des Jenkins]

Hi John
Who better to save an Aus Naval ship but the Chinese, maybe they sent those three naval ships around the coast training the tug crews.
Des

[j.sabourn]

I reckon another job they were doing as well was laying listening devices through their moonpools to lie dormant until needed.JS

[Des Jenkins]

Hi Tony
I was in dry dock in Ardrossan in 51 on the British Scout, is the dry dock still there? They had women doing the hull scraping .
Des

[vic mcclymont]

Hi Des, it is still there, its now owned operated by the Dales group.
Vic

[David Allan]

Cammel Laird is owned by Peel Holdings who also own the majority of Clyde berths and Inchgreen Drydock which has been lying empty for years whilst work is diverted to non scots yards they also own Ardrossann Harbour which has been starved of investment for years so bad that the new ferries (whenever the second enters service)will not accommodate them they will have to use Troon which is owned be Ass British Ports Am I displaying my scots sense of Paranoia ????