Ardrossan - On This Day In History

Published stories from each town's past.
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Re: Ardrossan - On This Day In History

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GLASGOW HERALD
18 FEBRUARY 1963

SAFE ABANDONED BY THIEVES

Thieves who stole a small safe from the burgh factor’s office in Ardrossan on Saturday night tried to tow it behind a car. When the tow rope broke less than 50 yards from the office, the thieves abandoned the safe in the middle of Montgomerie Street.

A sum of money inside the safe was intact.
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GLASGOW HERALD
18 FEBRUARY 1901

WRECK OF A NEWFOUNDLAND STEAMER
TWENTY-FOUR LIVES LOST

The steamer LUCERNE, bound from Ardrossan to St. John’s, with a cargo of coal, was wrecked in Trinity Bay on the 3rd instant.

The 24 persons on board were all lost.

A fragment of the steamer has been washed ashore and identified as a portion of the LUCERNE.

All of those aboard were natives of Newfoundland, and the news of their loss caused a painful shock.
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George Ardrossan
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Re: Ardrossan - On This Day In History

Post by George Ardrossan »

18 FEBRUARY

DEATH

McCALL – At Mavisbank, Aberfeldy, on 15 February 1937, Elizabeth Buchanan, elder daughter of the late Reverend John D McCall, New Ardrossan Parish Church. Friends meet cortege at Ardrossan Cemetery gate at 2pm today, Thursday.
The Scotsman, 18 February 1937

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GLASGOW HERALD
19 FEBRUARY 1841

BIRTH

At Ardrossan, on the 12th instant, Mrs David Bryan; a son.
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Re: Ardrossan - On This Day In History

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LAUNCH AT ARDROSSAN
19 FEBRUARY 1942

THE ULSTER DUKE

The motor vessel ULSTER DUKE – 194 feet in length, 30 feet in breadth, and 8 feet in depth – built by Ardrossan Dockyard Limited for the Belfast Steam Ship Company was launched on the above date.

[Further details of this vessel, including one photograph when later named the GUERNSEY COAST, is contained in the following link:-

https://www.clydeships.co.uk/view.php?y ... LSTER+DUKE
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Re: Ardrossan - On This Day In History

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GLASGOW HERALD
19 FEBRUARY 1841

SHIP NEWS

Bruckless, Donegal, February 11 – The SUSAN MARIA, Brooke, from Ardrossan to Donegal, ran on shore near the bar of Ballyshannon yesterday, but it is expected to be got off after discharging.
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GLASGOW HERALD
19 FEBRUARY 1975

ARDROSSAN AND BELFAST SERVICE

Burns & Laird wish to announce that their vessel M.V. “LION” will be WITHDRAWN from service for overhaul from Wednesday, 26 February, 1975, and expected to RECOMMENCE with the 16.15 hours sailing ex Belfast on Monday, 10th March, 1975.

It is regretted that passengers and passenger accompanied cars cannot be accepted during this period.
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George Ardrossan
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Re: Ardrossan - On This Day In History

Post by George Ardrossan »

19 FEBRUARY

NEW LITERARY SOCIETY

They are proposing to commence a Literary Society in connection with Ardrossan Unionist Club (shown below in 2002) next winter.
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Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 19 February 1904

ARDROSSAN MODEL YACHT CLUB
It would be interesting to know what exactly the patronage of the Town Council means in regard to Ardrossan Model Yacht Club. In another part of the paper is reproduced a letter from the Town Clerk to the Secretary of the Club. There we learn that the Council “are willing to extend their patronage to the Club” but desire “it be understood that in their corporate capacity, they cannot give more material aid”. Let us not, of course, cast a slight upon the magnanimity of the Council - their condescension is remarkable but what does their patronage mean? What are they going to do to help the Club in the project the latter have in hand? Are they going to do anything? While the question of even “extending patronage” to the Model Yacht Club’s valiant effort was under consideration at the Council, the most remarkable misconception of the circumstances existed in the mind of several members. It was continually being objected that if the Yacht Club were favoured in any way by the Council, some other club would come forward for help and there would be no end to that kind of thing. – all this despite the patent fact that the Model Club were asking no favour for themselves but solely for a movement the end of which would be to improve the amenity of the town. It was not so much that the Council could not see the real facts of the case – that would be to discredit them with impossible stupidity – but they would not see the facts of the case and because they would not see the facts, the community have a quarrel with the powers that be. It is to be hoped that the Council will redeem itself in the popular estimation by doing something on behalf of the North Shore pond and not waste time by talking airily about extending empty patronage.
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 19 February 1904

NEW STAINED GLASS WINDOW AND PULPIT FOR EVANGELICAL UNION CHURCH
To the generosity of Captain John Smith, Ardrossan Evangelical Union congregation are greatly indebted. His interest in the new church has from time to time been marked by generous donations and his most recent gift serves to show that that interest is not declining. The gift takes the form of a stained glass memorial window which is intended to replace the present circular window on the north side of the building above the platform. The design which the glass will take has already been fixed upon. It will consist of the figure of an angel with a cross around the waist of the angel being a band with the words ‘Behold I bring you good tidings’. Elsewhere on the glass will be an inscription commemorative of the laying of the memorial stone of the church. It is expected that the window will be unveiled early in May and, on the same occasion, the church will become possessed of a pulpit. The pulpit is being erected by the congregation and is intended to be a handsome structure, rising sixteen feet high from the platform.
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 19 February 1904
Image
The window is shown in the above photo taken at the Ardrossan Churches Group Remembrance Day service in 2014.

PUBLIC DINNER IN ARDROSSAN
A public dinner is coming off in Ardrossan in the near future.
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 19 February 1904

ORE FOR ARDROSSAN
A French steamer will fetch ore to Ardrossan Harbour at the beginning of the week.
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 19 February 1904

WILD WEST SHOW FOR ARDROSSAN
Ardrossan is named as one of the most important places in Scotland to be visited this summer by Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show.
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 19 February 1904

MARRIAGE OF CAPTAIN BAILIE
Bunting was much in evidence at the harbour on Monday (15 February 1904) by reason of the marriage of Captain Bailie of the ‘Ranza’. The ceremony was performed at the Channel Islands.
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 19 February 1904

NOT KEEN ON WORK?
It was stated in these columns last week that work was to be had for the asking at Nobel’s Ardeer Factory but the hint has not been taken by many of the unemployed gentlemen about Ardrossan who continue to throng the corners most objectionably.
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 19 February 1904

ACCIDENT TO THE TOWN HALL KEEPER
Mrs Thomson, caretaker of Ardrossan Town Hall (shown below as the Masonic Hall in 2003), sustained severe injuries on Monday forenoon (15 February 1904) while attending to the cleaning of the Hall. It appears that she was removing a large picture frame from the wall for the purpose of cleaning it when its weight bore her down and, striking her on the arm and shoulder, inflicted the injury. Medical attention was at once given her and she has since been progressing favourably.
Image
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 19 February 1904

STILL UNDECIDED
Still undecided! Yes and no one can tell when Ardrossan Celtic v Winton Rovers are likely to settle their somewhat prolonged ties in the first round of the Irvine Herald cup competition. Five times have the teams faced each other for this purpose, the last occasion being at Warner Park, Stevenston on Saturday (12 February 1904) where the game had to be reluctantly abandoned after about half-an-hour’s play owing to the stormy nature of the weather. When hostilities stopped, Celtic were in the ascendant by two goals to nothing but this result need not be wondered at when it is said that the Rovers had to face wind, hail and rain during the short time of play – one of the points, too, being scored by a Wintonian. Against the elements, the Rovers, however, pleased their admirers well and the goal they scored was well-deserved, though the referee did not think so. As showing how well-matched the teams are, the results of the five games played are as under.
At Winton Park: Rovers 1 – Celtic 1, game stopped owing to darkness
At Winton Park: Rovers 1 – Celtic 1
At Celtic Park: Celtic 2 – Rovers 3, Celtic protested
At Celtic Park: Celtic 0 – Rovers 0, protested game
At Warner Park, Stevenston Celtic 2 – Rovers 0, game abandoned
Talk about familiarity! Well, we think the above teams have had enough of that for a season for, in addition to the above, they have also played a North Ayrshire League game which resulted in a draw of three goals each and are destined to meet on other two occasions at least – how often after these, time alone will disclose. It is to he hoped that august body, the Irvine Association, will see to it that the undecided Herald tie is played off as early as possible. We believe a suggestion emanated from Irvine this week to the effect that the undecided tie could be played on the ground of the Irvine Meadow XI. We do not think the suggestion will meet with approval nor, in the interests of the respective clubs, do not think such a change advisable. The opinion we hold is that the contending teams should agree to have the tie decided on one or other of the home pitches, if not at Warner Park which is certainly more convenient than at Irvine. It is stated that the tie will not be played on Saturday first (26 February 1904) for certain reasons and that the Celtic officials are endeavouring to fix up with Dalry Juniors in order to play their Ardrossan and District tie in the first round for the Shields Cup, in which competition the Rovers have been awarded a bye. The latter club, it may be mentioned here, had a League fixture also arranged with Dalry for Saturday but the cup-tie will have first claim on the respective clubs.
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 19 February 1904

ARDROSSAN CELTIC 2 – WINTON ROVERS 0 at Warner Park, Stevenston – game abandoned
When all other circumstances pointed to the long-drawn-out Irvine Herald tie between Ardrossan Celtic and Winton Rovers being brought to a termination, it was indeed cruel luck that the storm fiend should make a most unwelcome appearance at the time of starting and manifest itself to such an extent that it was necessary to abandon the game after twenty-five minutes play. There was a fair turnout of spectators considering the climatic conditions but the brief spell of play, not to speak of the drenching they received, was poor value for their money. The pitch was in good condition at the outset and despite the very high wind, a rousing game seemed probable. With the exception of Dunlop of the Rovers, whose position was filled by Goldie, both teams were at full muster. It was felt that the weather was conducive to tall scoring but it seemed hardly probable that the Celts, even with the assistance of the wind, would find the net as speedily as they did. Several minutes from the start, however, McLaughlin eluded the Rovers’ custodian and, on a renewal of the attack, the left-back piloted the sphere through his own goal giving the Celts a comfortable lead thus early in the match. It was extremely difficult to make any headway against the wind and, to make matters worse, the rain came down in torrents but by dint of low passing, the Rovers invaded the opposing lines where play reigned for a short time. The Celtic backs were somewhat flaky and spooned the ball repeatedly. Then down came the hailstones with a vengeance, rendering it impossible to follow the play accurately. Half-blinded, by the storm, the players plodded on and the Rovers maintained that they had the ball through on one occasion but if that were so, the referee apparently did not want to notice it. This official, Mr Deans of Kilmaurs, is we think, mistaken in his opinion which he expressed afterwards that a referee has not the power to stop any game unless appealed to by both teams or unless the ground becomes unplayable. In this case, the Rovers were first to appeal for a stoppage and the players were obliged to battle against the fury of the elements until the Celts also decided to stop when both teams very wisely left the field of their own accord. As the weather showed no signs of improvement, no attempt was made to continue the match. And so the agony will be prolonged for another spell! Ye gods, are we to have nothing but derbies all season? It would be foolish to conjecture how Saturday’s game might have resulted. Shortly after the start, the Celts’ prospects certainly looked rosy but on recovering from their early fright, the Rovers played up so well against the wind that with the change of ends, it is more than probable they would have made up the deficit. The protest which was responsible for the prolongation of the tie is evidently not yet finally settled and it may be several weeks before the sixth game is played, if it is ever played at all.
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 19 February 1904

George
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Re: Ardrossan - On This Day In History

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GLASGOW HERALD
20 FEBRUARY 1942

HEAD POSTMASTER

Mr A. D. McLean, who has been head postmaster, Ardrossan district, since 1938, has been appointed to a similar position at Canterbury.

He is a member of the Executive Council of the Association of Head Postmasters.
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Re: Ardrossan - On This Day In History

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LAUNCH AT ARDROSSAN
21 FEBRUARY 1866

THE CATHERINE HENDRY

The wooden sailing schooner CATHERINE HENDRY – 67 feet in length, 17 feet in breadth, and 7 feet in depth – built by Barclay & Shearer, Ardrossan, for Archibald Shaw; Neil, Charles, and Robert Hendry, Arran; and Thomas Aitken, Ardrossan, was launched on the above date.

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

https://www.clydeships.co.uk/view.php?y ... INE+HENDRY
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Re: Ardrossan - On This Day In History

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LAUNCH AT ARDROSSABN
21 FEBRUARY 1852

THE HELEN DOUGLAS

The wooden sailing vessel HELEN DOUGLAS – 155 feet in length, 29 feet in breadth, and 21 feet in depth – built by Barr & Shearer, Ardrossan, for John J. Gibb, Glasgow, was launched on the above date.

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

https://www.clydeships.co.uk/view.php?y ... EN+DOUGLAS
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Re: Ardrossan - On This Day In History

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GLASGOW HERALD
21 FEBRUARY 1913

ANOTHER ARDROSSAN STRIKE

The labourers employed by Ardrossan Shipbuilding Company Limited came out on strike yesterday morning. They demand an increase of 1d per hour.

Their present rate of pay is 5d an hour, a figure which the shipyard officials say is higher than that paid in most of the Clyde yards.

A deputation from the men waited on the manager yesterday forenoon when the employers offered an increase of ½d an hour. This the men refused to accept, and 68 workmen are now idle.
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