Ardrossan - On This Day In History

[Penny Tray]

GLASGOW HERALD
13 MARCH 1875

LAUNCH AT ARDROSSAN

There was launched yesterday afternoon from the building-yard of Messrs P. Barclay & Son, Ardrossan, a very finely-modelled schooner of 160 tons.

The following are her dimensions:-

Length of keel, 73 feet; breadth of beam, 20 feet; and depth of hold, 9 feet.

She was named ANN MACTAVISH.

[Penny Tray]

GLASGOW HERALD
13 MARCH 1889

ARDROSSAN DEATH

Mr Alexander Hepburn, well known to shipmasters frequenting the port of Ardrossan, where he acted in the capacity as collector and otherwise for over 37 years, died somewhat suddenly at his residence in Montgomerie Street yesterday from paralysis.

[George Ardrossan]

13 MARCH

LATE RIGHT REVEREND MONSIGNOR ARCHIBALD McSPARRAN
The Right Reverend Monsignor Archibald McSparran (shown below), Saint Peter in Chains Roman Catholic Church, Ardrossan, who died at the weekend (on 10 March 1950) was a native of Ardrossan. Appointed to his first charge at Dumbarton over forty years ago, he later was for many years priest of Saint John’s, Portugal Street, Glasgow. He took an active interest in educational affairs and, while in Glasgow, was secretary of the Diocesan Education Board.

The Scotsman, 13 March 1950

George

[Penny Tray]

WIKIPEDIA SHIPWRECKS
14 MARCH 1939

THE SHELBRIT 4

The tanker SHELBRIT 4 ran aground at Campbell Rock, Ardrossan.

[Penny Tray]

LAUNCH AT ARDROSSAN
14 MARCH 1945

THE BARCAROLE

The boom defence vessel BARCAROLE – 173 feet in length, 32 feet in breadth, 9 feet in depth – built by Ardrossan Dockyard Limited for The Admiralty, London, was launched on the above date.

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

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

[Penny Tray]

GLASGOW HERALD
14 MARCH 1889

MUNICIPAL MEETING – ARDROSSAN

The monthly meeting of Commissioners was held on Monday night – Provost Hogarth presiding – when it was agreed to put a 6 foot fence round the face of the Hill which is to be used as a public park, gifted to the inhabitants by Lord Eglinton.

The old graveyard on the Hill will be fenced round and gateways put on. The principal entrance will be by Hill Place.

An improved method of sanitation is to be carried out at the slaughter-house to improve the drainage.

[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.

GLASGOW HERALD
15 MARCH 1888

ARDROSSAN – THE LATE MR J. H. MEARNS

At a meeting of the brethren of St. John’s R.A. Lodge, No. 320, held in the lodge-room, Ardrossan, on Monday evening, it was agreed, on the motion of the Master of the Lodge, Mr C. Murchie, seconded by Bro. Henry Wallace, to record in the minutes an expression of sorrow at the loss the lodge had sustained by the death of the late Mr J. H. Mearns, who had been a member of the local lodge for upward of 20 years.

[Penny Tray]

VESSEL WRECKED
15 MARCH 1846

THE EARL OF EGLINTON

The wooden sailing barque EARL OF EGLINTON, built by Barr & Shearer, Ardrossan, for Hamlin & Company, Greenock, and launched on the 30th of September, 1844, was wrecked on the south shore of Nantucket. The captain was John Niven.

[Penny Tray]

GLASGOW HERALD
15 MARCH 1880

FOOTBALL – ARDROSSAN SEAFIELD CLUB

The members of this club had a very successful conversazione in Ardrossan Town Hall on Friday night, at which upwards of 100 were present – Mr J H Mearns, publisher, presiding.

The musical part of the programme was admirably sustained.

The conversazione was followed by an assembly.

[George Ardrossan]

15 MARCH

ARDROSSAN RAILWAY FATALITY
While John Robertson, aged 51, surface foreman, was engaged clearing the points outside Ardrossan railway station on Saturday (13 March 1937), he was run over and instantaneously killed the engine of a passenger train, He was a widower with a family of four and resided care of Donaldson, 165 Glasgow Street, Ardrossan.
The Scotsman, 15 March 1937

George

[Penny Tray]

GLASGOW HERALD
16 MARCH 1880

LAUNCH AT ARDROSSAN

Messrs Barr & Shearer have just launched from their building yard a handsomely- modelled three-masted schooner of the following dimensions:- Length of keel, 96 feet; depth of hold, 10 feet 9 inches; breadth of beam, 22 feet 3 inches; registered tonnage, 140 tons; gross burden, 260 tons.

The vessel is named the “WILLIE GLEN,” of Glasgow. She is owned by Messrs Glen & Robertson, and is intended for the Newfoundland trade.

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

https://www.clydeships.co.uk/view.php?y ... ILLIE+GLEN

[Penny Tray]

GLASGOW HERALD
16 MARCH 1892

LAUNCH AT ARDROSSAN

Yesterday afternoon there was launched from the yard of the Ardrossan Shipbuilding Company Limited, Ardrossan, the fine screw-steamer TAMBO.

She was built to the order of Messrs Huddart, Parker & Company, Melbourne, is intended for the Australian coasting trade, and has accommodation for 40 first-class and 20 steerage passengers. She is splendidly furnished, the saloon being magnificent.

Her dimensions are 198 feet between perpendiculars, 30 feet beam, and 15 feet 6 inches moulded depth.

She will be furnished with steam-steering gear, steam-windlass, and all the latest and most approved appliances for facilitating the loading and discharging of cargoes. Her carrying capacity is 1000 tons, with a draught of 13 feet 9 inches.

The christening ceremony was gracefully performed by Miss Huddart.

In replying to the toast of “Success to the Tambo,” at the cake and wine banquet which followed the launch, Mr Huddart stated that, having examined the vessel, he was able to say the builders had done her ample justice. She was a strong ship and a well-finished ship, and the problem to him was that, on the dimensions stipulated and with the cargo she was required to carry, she should still present such a splendid appearance.

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

https://www.clydeships.co.uk/view.php?y ... ssel=TAMBO