Ardrossan - On This Day In History

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GLASGOW HERALD
1 APRIL 1901

ARDROSSAN SNOWSTORM

A heavy snowstorm swept over the district on Friday night and Saturday morning. The snow lay about four or five inches deep. The strong wind which blew caused considerable drifting, and in exposed parts the snow was several feet in depth. A thaw set in early on Saturday, and the roads and streets were in a wretched condition.

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GLASGOW HERALD
1 APRIL 1904

BIRTH

McKINNON: At the Mill Farm, Ardrossan, on the 30th ultimo, the wife of Alexander McKinnon; a daughter.

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GLASGOW HERALD
1 APRIL 1907

MAIL TRAIN ROBBERY

A daring robbery is reported to have taken place from the Irish mail train which left Glasgow by the Caledonian route via Ardrossan on Saturday night.

The train, which carries the mails nightly, is very popular with the travelling public, and owing to the Easter holidays it was more than normally crowded.

It is timed to leave the Central Station at eleven o’clock, and makes a non-stop run to Ardrossan, during the journey of about thirty-two miles in forty-five minutes.

The parcel portion of the mail, consisting of over twenty hampers from Edinburgh and the North of Scotland, as well as from Glasgow, was placed in a van next to the engine, the usual precautions being taken for its safety. So far as is known everything was in order when the train left Glasgow. When the parcel van was opened at Ardrossan it was discovered that the fastenings of several of the postal hampers had been tampered with, and that at least one of them had been entered.

It was evident that an attempt had been made to rob the mail, but how this was accomplished is a mystery. As has been stated, the train makes a rapid journey and does not stop, but the suspicion is that the van may have been reach by some person passing along the footboard. If this theory is correct the thief must have made a second perilous journey, for, as is usual, the van was opened immediately on arrival at Ardrossan by a group of officials whose duty it is to take charge of the transference of the mail to the steamer, and it is quite certain that no person was concealed in the vehicle.

The whole of the mail, including the postal hampers, was taken on board the steamer and conveyed to Belfast, the postal authorities being apprised of what had occurred.

The matter was also reported to the railway officials at headquarters and to the Belfast and Glasgow Police, and a searching inquiry is being made into all the circumstances. At present the extent of the robbery is not known, and can be ascertained only after the postal officials have compared the contents of the hampers with the records of the parcels forwarded with the mail.

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GLASGOW HERALD
2 APRIL 1904

DEATH

McKINNON: At Stanley Farm, Ardrossan, on the 1st instant, John McKinnon, in his 74th year.

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GLASGOW HERALD
2 APRIL 1907

THE MAIL TRAIN ROBBERY

As the result of investigation into the robbery from the Caledonian train which carried the Irish mail on Saturday night from Glasgow to Ardrossan, the police have come to the conclusion that it was by no means so serious as was at first supposed.

So far as has been ascertained only one parcel had been opened. In the bottom of the hamper from which it is thought to have been taken were found several chains and other articles of jewellery. It is surmised that these articles formed part of the contents of the package, and in view of the fact that they are of low quality the police authorities are of opinion that the property stolen is of little value. The police further consider that the robbery was not the work of expert thieves.

No arrests have yet been made.

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GLASGOW HERALD
2 APRIL 1930

THE ARDROSSAN AND SALTCOATS PLAYERS

The Ardrossan and Saltcoats Players are bringing to a close a full season with the production of “Bunty Pulls the Strings”.

Next week three performances will be given in Ardrossan and on Saturday and Monday, April 12 and 14, further presentations of the play will be given at Largs.

The Largs production will be the first dramatic entertainment in the new pavilion erected by the local Town Council.

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GLASGOW HERALD
3 APRIL 1908

ARDROSSAN BOAT ACCIDENT
TWO YOUNG MEN DROWN

A distressing accident occurred at Ardrossan yesterday, whereby two young men were drowned.

Three young men, named respectively Muir, Gillies, and Stewart, went out in a rowing boat to lift lobster creels at the Horse Island.

About 150 yards from the island the boat foundered in a heavy sea. Muir, an excellent swimmer, pluckily took hold of Stewart and managed to take him to the rocks at the south end of the island.

Afterwards he returned in search of Gillies, whom he was unable to find.

To his horror he discovered on swimming back to the island that Stewart had been washed away.

Muir then endeavoured to attract the attention of the people on the mainland by waving his clothes, and was at length perceived by some seamen at the harbour.

The pilot boat and tug were at once despatched, and Muir was taken off in a state of complete state of exhaustion.

No trace was got of the others.

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ARDROSSAN & SALTCOATS HERALD
2 APRIL 1909

IN MEMORIAM

GILLIES: Accidentally drowned near Horse Island, Ardrossan, on 2nd April, 1908, ALEXANDER BRODIE GILLIES, son of E. and J. Gillies.

STEWART: Accidentally drowned near Horse Island, Ardrossan, on 2nd April, 1908, RONALD STEWART, son of William and Mary Stewart.

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ROYAL HUMANE SOCIETY – BRONZE MEDAL CITATION - CASE 35954 - AMAND R MUIR
2 APRIL 1908

"On the 2nd of April 1908, a boat with three persons on board got into a rough sea about a mile from Ardrossan, and one of them, named Stewart, was washed overboard. Muir at once jumped after him and swam with him 150 yards to Horse Island.

Returning, he found the boat capsized and the third man washed away, and again reaching the island he found Stewart had also been washed from the rocks and drowned."

[The 29/1/1909 edition of the Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald intimates the birth of a daughter Euphemia, to AMAND MUIR, 11 Montgomerie Street, Ardrossan, which I have to presume is the above hero. Amand's wife is listed as Jessie.]

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GLASGOW HERALD
3 APRIL 1835

FURNISHED VILLA AT ARDROSSAN TO LET

That elegant and substantial villa in the Crescent of Ardrossan, built and occupied by the late James Hamilton, Esquire, of Holmhead, now belonging to the Misses Oswald, consisting of a kitchen, dining room, five bed rooms, water closet, laundry, large wine cellar, and accommodation for servants, with a washing-house, bleaching-green, coach-house and three stalled stable, will be let for the ensuing season.

There is a fine well of water at the kitchen door, and a garden at the back, surrounded with a high wall, in full bearing under crop.

The house is completely furnished in a superior style, and is pleasantly situated on the sea-beach, with a southern exposure, and delightful views; and there is a bathing machine immediately below the house.

There is daily every facility of intercourse with Glasgow and Paisley &c., by means of coaches and steamboats; and direct communication daily with Greenock, Ayr, and the Island of Arran, by means of steamboats.

For further particulars apply to Mr. Pearson, Stockwell Street, Glasgow, or to W. B. Orr, writer, Saltcoats.

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GLASGOW HERALD
3 APRIL 1835

DESIRABLE SEASIDE RESIDENCE ON THE AYRSHIRE COAST – TO LET FOR THE ENSUING SEASON

The Pavilion in the Crescent of Ardrossan, delightfully situated in the immediate vicinity of that fashionable and rising watering place.

The house is handsomely furnished, and is in every respect suited for accommodation of a genteel family – commands an extensive and interesting view of the Firth of Clyde, and the districts of Kyle and Carrick; and a tenant may have the privilege of the garden and pleasure grounds adjoining, which are kept in the best order – and fruit and vegetables may be had at market prices.

There are hot and cold baths in the town, most elegantly and comfortably fitted up, and several bathing carriages at all times in readiness on the shore – well supplied markets – a stage coach twice every lawful day to and from Glasgow – to Kilmarnock and Irvine twice every lawful day, and railway carriages twice a day to within a short distance of the latter place; a daily post, regular carriers, and daily intercourse with steam vessels with all the principal sea-ports on each side of the Firth.

Apply to Mr. Johnson, Redburn Cottage, near Irvine.

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GLASGOW HERALD
3 APRIL 1903

DEATH

McKENZIE: At 34 Glasgow Street, Ardrossan, on 31st March, Malcolm McKenzie, in his 75th year.