Ardrossan - On This Day In History

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GLASGOW HERALD
17 AUGUST 1867

ARDROSSAN COURSING CLUB

The list of nominations for the Eglinton St. Leger, for puppies of 1866, to be run near Ardrossan on Thursday, 3rd October, and following days, has been published. It shows no less than 44 entries.

Entry money, £3 10s; £1 10s forfeit.

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GLASGOW HERALD
17 AUGUST 1867

ACCIDENT TO THE STEAMER EARL OF ARRAN

Yesterday morning, shortly after the steamer left Ardrossan for Arran, one of the bolts of the piston-rod broke, and she was compelled to return to Ardrossan and disembark her passengers.

It was late in the afternoon before she could proceed on her passage.

[George Ardrossan]

17 AUGUST

ARDROSSAN YOUTH FATALLY INJURED AT FIREWORKS DISPLAY
While watching a victory bonfire and fireworks display on the Castle Hill, Ardrossan, William Dickson, (15), 44 Glasgow Street, Ardrossan, was struck by a rocket and injured so seriously that he died shortly after his admission to Kilmarnock Infirmary. The rocket was lying on the platform preparatory to being fired and it was accidentally set of by a squib thrown from among the crowd.
The Scotsman, 17 August 1945

ARDROSSAN DOCKYARD’S WAR RECORD
Since the outbreak of war till the end of June this year, Ardrossan Dockyard Limited, Ardrossan, have launched, fitted out and completed twenty-five new ships – eleven minesweeping trawlers and four boom defence ships for the Admiralty, two cargo ships for the Ministry of War Transport and one cattle and general cargo ship and seven general cargo ships for private owners. 745 ships including 49 submarines, 31 destroyers and 10 frigates, have been dry-docked for repair and altogether 3825 actual jobs of shipbuilding, ship repairing and conversion and engineering have been dealt with.
The Scotsman, 17 August 1945

George

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GLASGOW HERALD
18 AUGUST 1885

BIRTH

SWEET: At Ardrossan, on the 15th instant, Mrs. R. Sweet, Lamlash; a daughter.

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GLASGOW HERALD
18 AUGUST 1885

BIRTH

HOGARTH: At Annfield, Ardrossan, on the 16th instant, Mrs. John Hogarth; a daughter.

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GLASGOW HERALD
18 AUGUST 1884

DEATH

STEVENS: At Ardrossan, on the 17th instant, in her 70th year, Mrs. Margaret Campbell or Stevens, relict of James Stevens, surgeon there.

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GLASGOW HERALD
18 AUGUST 1888

LANARKSHIRE – AYRSHIRE RAILWAY

To commemorate the opening of this line of railway to public traffic on Monday, 3rd September, the magistrates of Ardrossan recommend the observance of a half-holiday, and rejoicing in the shape of fireworks, bunting, &c.

[down south]

SATURDAY 18th AUGUST 1973

NEWCOMER STARS FOR LADESIDE

ARDROSSAN WINTON ROVERS 2 – KILBIRNIE LADESIDE 4

Remembering their many fine encounters of last season, it was not surprising that a fair sized crowd turned out to see this game .

Disappointment abounded, however, as physical endeavour rather than tactical skill was used by these two most attractive footballing sides.

As tempers reached boiling point in the first half, Paterson and Osbourne of Kilbirnie were booked. Jim Clarke of Winton was booked in the second half. A few other players were fortunate that their names were not added to the list.

Kilbirnie took a surprising lead in six minutes. Close season signing Dave Paterson pushed a free-kick to Kerr. The winger beat full back Hay and crossed to Bobby Davidson who side-footed the ball past Winton’s trialist goalkeeper.

Despite this early setback, it was Winton who dominated most of the first half hour. In the 11th minute, they almost got the equaliser when John McColl sent in a shot from all of 25 yards but Gordon Clark saved well. Winton continued to push forward and forced a number of corners in quick succession but could not find the net. The home side’s frustration became more evident after 15 minutes when left winger Lunan shot past from close range with only the keeper to beat.

Back came Rovers and it needed an equally good save from Gordon Clarke to keep out a shot from Quinn.
The homesters much deserved equaliser came just after the half hour when veteran wing half Ronnie Sanderson fired home a great volley from just outside the 18 yard line.

Throughout this period of pressure from Winton, there had been a number of petty fouls from both sides and a minute after Sanderson’s goal, Kilbirnie wing half Osbourne was booked for a foul on Paul Clarke.

The game was really set alight seven minutes later. Dave Paterson gathered the ball on the halfway line, worked a neat move with Dave Clarke and brushed off two defenders’ tackles before sending in a shot from 12 yards which went under the keeper’s body into the corner of the net.

It was a sad mistake by the trialist keeper but to his credit, he quickly forgot about it and made three excellent saves in a row.

Unfortunately, his efforts were in vain as right on the interval, Bobby Davidson strode through the home defence to notch his second goal and his team’s third counter.

The opening burst of the Kilbirnie side in the second period made it look as though Winton were going to be blown out of the ground but again they struck back with a goal in the 57th minute and it was undoubtedly the goal of the match for precision and timing.

Hay sent a curving free-kick round the defence which was headed by [Some text is missing here. ...] move by heading into the empty net.

This goal heralded a period of almost constant pressure from the Ardrossan side. Shots rained in on the Ladeside goal but somehow Gordon Clark and his defence were able to keep their goal intact.

For the second time in the match, Winton’s pressure ended with Kilbirnie scoring. With only seconds remaining, Dave Clarke gathered a pass from Paterson on the halfway line, raced upfield on his own and sent the ball past the Winton keeper.

Although the scoreline showed a difference of two goals, the game was much closer and if Winton’s young trialist keeper had not made that mistake just before the interval, the home side could possibly have won the game.

Rovers had excellent players in Hay, McColl, Sanderson and Quinn who continually harassed the visitors’ defence. For Kilbirnie, Clark in goal was impeccable while up front, Dave Clarke and Peter Mulherron were their usual deadly selves but the man who stood out above all was new signing, Dave Paterson. He had an outstanding game in midfield and had a hand in two goals as well as scoring one.

Winton Rovers – Newman; Hay, McColl, Sanderson, Welsh, Paul Clarke, Quinn, Evans, Jim Clarke, Cardno and Lunan.

Kilbirnie Ladeside - Clark; Brock, Kennedy, Osbourne, McLean, Smith, Davidson, Paterson, Mulherron, Dave Clarke and Kerr.

Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 24th August 1973

Susan

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GLASGOW HERALD
19 AUGUST 1929

MEASURING ULTRA-VIOLET RAYS
APPARATUS USED
THE HIGH ARDROSSAN FIGURES

The details of the ultra-violet rays recorded in four Scottish towns and published in “The Glasgow Herald” have, during the past few weeks, aroused considerable comment and not a little surprise.

On several occasions it has been pointed out by readers that the figures indicating the rays at Ardrossan appeared to be unusually high when compared with the figures from other towns, and a desire has been expressed for a detailed description of the method adopted in arriving at the results recorded.

By courtesy of Provost I. T. Fawcett, Ardrossan, a representative of “The Glasgow Herald” was permitted to inspect the apparatus on Saturday, and to witness the actual taking of the readings.

ACETONE METHYLENE GAUGE

The apparatus used is the type approved by Professor Hill. A quantity of acetone methylene blue solution is placed in a quartz tube and subjected to the light. The standard liquid, which fades under ultra-violet rays, has been given a value of 10 points. After a period of exposure the liquid is compared with solution in each tube of a set of eight which range in colour from the standard blue to a very light blue, and from the value ten to the value three. It is an apparatus of complete simplicity.

BAFFLING REFLECTED LIGHT

At Ardrossan the duty of recording the ultra-violet rays has been allotted to Mr. James C. Duncan, burgh surveyor, Linnside, Burnfoot. Mr. Duncan has placed the tube on top of a wooden stake 4 feet 6 inches high in his garden. In order to preclude the possibility of reflected rays from the top of the stake he has painted the wood a dull black colour which reflects the minimum of either light or heat rays. Linnside is situated on high ground about a quarter of a mile to the north-west of the town. Actually it is calculated that the instrument is 500 yards from a wide expanse of sea and 60 feet above sea level.

The method of recording the rays is that laid down by the manufacturers of the instrument. The day begins at 6 p.m., and at that hour the quantity tube is charged with the acetone methylene solution as supplied by the makers. It is compared with the set or “table” of tubes in order to verify its strength before exposure, and it is thereafter placed on the pole in the garden at right angles to the source of light. Until 6 p.m. on the following day comparisons with the “test tubes” are made three times or oftener, according to the fading of the solution.

POSSIBILITY OF ERROR

While the apparatus is simple in design and operation, the possibility of error is not altogether absent. The comparison of delicate shades of blue is a matter in which two or more persons might too easily disagree. This is especially the case when the colour is transparent liquid contained in a cylindrical tube, which tends to create shades of colour within the shade to be matched.

Again there appears to be some dubiety about the standardisation of the material used for the manufacture of the tubes. On one occasion Mr. Duncan experimented with two tubes and obtained readings which were slightly different.

The position of the apparatus, also, is a matter of much importance. An impure atmosphere prevents the penetration of the ultra-violet rays. To give the maximum reading the situation selected at Ardrossan is almost ideal. It would be of interest, however, if an instrument were placed on the roof of a building in the heart of the town and the reading compared with those obtained at the present time.

VALUE OF FIGURES

That such factors have an important bearing on the results tends to indicate that the figures obtained from the instrument, while showing in a general way the diffusion of ultra-violet rays in a particular district, should not be regarded, in comparisons between districts, as are hours of sunshine, inches of rain, or percentage of humidity.

Greater satisfaction might be obtained were those responsible for the ultra-violet ray readings in the respective towns able to meet for the purpose of testing the instruments at the various centres and of selecting as far as possible similar sites for the instruments.

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GLASGOW HERALD
19 AUGUST 1886

ARDROSSAN BOWLING CLUB

The final tie for the two handsome prizes given to the club by the lady patronesses was played on Tuesday night – the competitors being Messrs JOHN ALLISON, junior, draper, and WILLIAM COMRIE, teacher.

At the close the score stood thus – Mr. Allison, 21, Mr. Comrie, 16. The first prize therefore falls to Mr. Allison, while Mr. Comrie gets the second.

On the same evening the final tie for the president’s prizes (double-handed) was played off.

The competitors were – Messrs R. D. BOYD and ROBERT FERRIER (the latter of whom played as a substitute for Mr. WILLIAM HUGHES), and Messrs ALEXANDER McCORMICK and JAMES SMITH.

The game resulted in favour of Messrs Boyd and Ferrier, who scored 21 against their opponents’ 10.

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CASUALTY OF WAR
19 SEPTEMBER 1918

WILLIAM YUILLE

Killed in action, Private WILLIAM YUILLE, (21), The Queens (Royal West Surrey Regiment) – Theatre of war, France and Flanders – son of John and Jane Yuille, 9 McKellar Avenue, Ardrossan.

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GLASGOW HERALD
20 AUGUST 1927

FOOTBALL

Partick Thistle go to Rugby Park where they are to engage a reconstructed Kilmarnock team. After an opening win at Tynecastle at the expense of Heart of Midlothian, Kilmarnock were outclassed by Celtic at Parkhead on Tuesday – so much so in fact that necessary alterations have been made today both in defence and attack.

Hood is restored to the right back-berth to the exclusion of Paton, and Weir and Thomson are dropped forward. The former’s role of centre-forward is entrusted to Cunningham, and the vacancy at inside-right given to Williamson, of Ardrossan Winton Rovers, a product of Glasgow schools football. Miller, another junior from Saltcoats Victoria, will also make his senior debut at outside-left vice Thomson.