Ardrossan - On This Day In History

[Penny Tray]

LAUNCH AT ARDROSSAN
7 MARCH 1940

THE ACACIA

The naval trawler ACACIA – 164 feet in length, 27 feet in breadth, and 10 feet in depth – built by Ardrossan Dockyard Limited for The Admiralty, London, was launched on the above date.

[Further details of this vessel, including one photograph by her later name, the VAILA, are contained in the following link:-

https://www.clydeships.co.uk/view.php?y ... sel=ACACIA

[Penny Tray]

GLASGOW HERALD
7 MARCH 1950

LAUNCH AT ARDROSSAN

Ardrossan Dockyard Limited, yesterday put into the water the passenger-cargo vessel EL KERYM for the Halal Shipping Company, London.

A sister ship of the EL HALAL, launched at Ardrossan about 15 months ago, the new vessel is of 2000 tons deadweight. Her length is 270 feet, breadth 42 feet, and depth 27½ feet.

She will trade between Aden, Alexandria, and the Benadir coast.

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

https://www.clydeships.co.uk/view.php?y ... l=EL+KERYM

[Penny Tray]

GLASGOW HERALD
7 MARCH 1887

ARDROSSAN SALE OF PROPERTY

In the Eglinton Arms Hotel on Saturday, the tenement of shops and dwelling-houses in Glasgow Street and Montgomerie Lane, belonging to the trustees of the late Mr Wallace, architect, Ardrossan, were exposed for sale.

It was estimated that the upset price would be £1700, but as no one seemed inclined to offer this price it was further reduced to £1600, at which the bidding started, and was continued with spirit till £1715 was reached, at which figure it was sold to Mr H. Love Barr, baker, Ardrossan.

Mr John Emslie, writer, acted as agent in the sale, while Mr James Clark was the auctioneer.

[Penny Tray]

GLASGOW HERALD
8 MARCH 1901

ARDROSSAN ACCIDENT

Yesterday afternoon when the steamer HERMIA was leaving the harbour she drove down on the Winton Pier, striking it forcefully. The boatswain WILLIAM WILLIAMSON, 45 years of age, was shot from the bow of the vessel and thrown off, sustaining slight concussion of the brain and other injuries.

The unfortunate man was removed to a house in the town.

[Penny Tray]

VESSEL FOUNDERED
9 MARCH 1889

THE MARY CAROLINE

The wooden sailing smack MARY CAROLINE, built by an unknown builder in Ardrossan in 1852, and latterly owned by D. Campbell, Campbeltown, foundered 8 miles south-east of the Davaar Light House in the Firth of Clyde.

[Penny Tray]

LAUNCH AT ARDROSSAN
9 MARCH 1944

THE LAIRDS LOCH

The motor vessel LAIRDS LOCH – 263 feet in length, 41 feet in breadth, and 12 feet in depth – built by Ardrossan Dockyard Limited for Burns & Laird Lines Limited, was launched on the above date.

[Further details of this vessel, including nine photographs, are contained in the following link:-

https://www.clydeships.co.uk/view.php?y ... AIRDS+LOCH

[Penny Tray]

GLASGOW HERALD
9 MARCH 1888

DEATH

MEARNS: At Winton Street, Ardrossan, on the 8th inst., aged 53 years and 7 months, JAMES H. MEARNS, printer and publisher.

OBITUARY
DEATH OF AN ARDROSSAN PUBLISHER

We regret to announce the death of Mr J. H. Mearns, printer and publisher, Ardrossan, which took place at his residence, Winton Street, yesterday morning.

Deceased, who had been in failing health for some months past, was greatly beloved by all who knew him, and the intelligence of his demise will be received with deep regret by his many friends and acquaintances throughout Ayrshire.

The deceased gentleman was an ardent Freemason, besides being a member of several other local bodies.

He was in his 54th year.

Much sympathy is evinced in the district for his wife and family.

The funeral, which is a public one, takes place on Saturday.

[Penny Tray]

GLASGOW HERALD
9 MARCH 1918

DEATH ON SERVICE

McKIRDY: Previously reported missing on 27th August, 1917, now presumed killed in action, Private JOHN McKIRDY, the Welsh Regiment, beloved husband of Mary Conn, 12 Seton Street, Ardrossan, and only son of the late Councillor McKirdy, Saltcoats.

[John Donnelly]

LAUNCH AT ARDROSSAN
9 MARCH 1944

THE LAIRDS LOCH

The motor vessel LAIRDS LOCH – 263 feet in length, 41 feet in breadth, and 12 feet in depth – built by Ardrossan Dockyard Limited for Burns & Laird Lines Limited, was launched on the above date.

[Further details of this vessel, including nine photographs, are contained in the following link:-

https://www.clydeships.co.uk/view.php?y ... AIRDS+LOCH

Strange how things stick in your mind.
I remember seeing the Lairds Loch in Ardrossan when I was a wee boy, and realising that it was connected to the Lairds Isle and that there were probably many more Lairds Somethings floating around the seas.

JD.

[Hughie]

Yes, John. The Lairds Loch and the Lairds Wood at that time when I was a wee boy berthed at the North side of Winton Pier. So if you were waiting for the Lairds Isle from Belfast at it's usual berth and looked across to Winton Pier you'd have had a great full-on view of the Lairds Loch or Wood when they were in port.

[John Donnelly]

Hughie,

Just as a matter of idle curiosity, how many other Lairds Somethings were there; any idea - anybody?

JD.

[hahaya2004]

Have a look here, JD.
http://forums.clydemaritime.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=16387

I didn't scroll to the end and don't know if they're all shown, but maybe it's of interest to you.
Irene