Ardrossan - On This Day In History

[Penny Tray]

GLASGOW HERALD
14 NOVEMBER 1878

LECTURE – “ROMANCE AND THE DAILY NEWS”

This formed the subject of a lecture delivered in the Town Hall, Ardrossan, on Tuesday evening by the Rev. David Macrae, Gourock.

The lecturer treated his subject in an interesting and instructive manner, and was frequently applauded.

The Rev. J. D. McCall presided, and there was a large attendance.

[Penny Tray]

GLASGOW HERALD
14 NOVEMBER 1881

VESSEL SPOKEN

RING, from Ardrossan for San Francisco, October 15, in latitude 14S, longitude 26.

[Penny Tray]

GLASGOW HERALD
14 NOVEMBER 1885

SHIPPING CASUALTY

The GRAMPUS from Ardrossan, and the WILLIAM THOMSON (tug) were in collision in the river at Belfast yesterday morning. The latter sustained damage.

[Penny Tray]

GLASGOW HERALD
15 NOVEMBER 1882

MUNICIPAL MEETING – ARDROSSAN

The monthly meeting of Police Commissioners was held on Monday evening – Bailie Hogarth presiding.

It was reported that new lamps had been erected in North Crescent. An additional application for lamps in Montgomerie and Quarry Lanes was remitted to the Works Committee.

The Sergeant of Police reported that the public-houses had been generally well conducted during the month, and the Sanitary Inspector in his report intimated that the town was in a good sanitary condition.

[Penny Tray]

GLASGOW HERALD
16 NOVEMBER 1887

COL. SAUNDERSON, M.P., AT ARDROSSAN

Col. Saunderson, M.P., addressed a crowded meeting in the Assembly Hall, Ardrossan, last night, under the auspices of the local Conservative Association.

[Penny Tray]

GLASGOW HERALD
16 NOVEMBER 1885

ARDROSSAN ENGINEERING AND SHIPBUILDERS’ YARD

Ardrossan Engineering and Shipbuilders’’ Yard, lately occupied by Messrs. Barclay & Robertson, to be sold.

Apply to Mr. Alexander Guthrie, shipping agent, Ardrossan; or to Robertson, Low & Cross, writers, 176 St. Vincent Street, Glasgow.

[Penny Tray]

GLASGOW HERALD
16 NOVEMBER 1920

ARRAN STEAMER HELD UP

A westerly gale blew all day at Ardrossan yesterday, and high seas were running. The weather was so stormy that the Arran steamer was unable to make the passage to the island.

[Penny Tray]

GLASGOW HERALD
16 NOVEMBER 1887

MUNICIPAL MEETING – ARDROSSAN

The monthly meeting of Police Commissioners was held on Monday evening – Provost Hogarth presiding.

The Works Committee submitted a report on remits made to them, from which it appeared that something had been done to improve the lighting at North Crescent; that Messrs. Barrie and McMillan had visited the slaughter-houses at Ayr, Irvine, and Kilmarnock, with the view of ascertaining how the drainage was carried out, and both these matters were remitted back to the committee.

The committee recommend that no steps be taken meantime to acquire the field at North Crescent as a recreation ground, and stated that they had agreed to erect a lamp at the Stanley Bridge.

The report was approved.

The Clerk reported that he had written to the Hon. Mr. Vernon as to the tenant’s refusal to grant the Castle Hill Park for recreation purposes, but had as yet received no reply.

A letter was read from Mr. Strain, C.E., as to the drain at the harbour extension works, which the Commissioners wished carried to low-water mark. Mr. Strain stated that he could not see any obligation rested on either the harbour or railway company to do this, though if it was found necessary any proposal the Commissioners might make would have the company’s attention. It was explained that the plans had been submitted to the Commissioners and approved of, and that the drains had been formed in accordance with those plans.

A few of the members seemed to think that the outlet was better as it was than at low-water mark.

Bailie Craig reported that he had attended the recent meeting of the County Road Board in regards to getting the Ardrossan roads taken over. It appeared that the Board had taken an opinion of counsel on the subject and found that they were acting within their right. It had been suggested by Captain Boyle that the better way would be to petition the Secretary of State, and he (Bailie Craig) now moved that they put themselves in communication with other burghs in a similar position, with the view of taking joint action to have a short bill introduced to Parliament to have the grievance redressed. This was agreed to.

A discussion followed as to the quality of gas, in which a diversity of opinion was observable, but no action was resolved upon.

The police were instructed to see that carts retailing coals within the burgh should be provided with beams and scales.

The meeting subsequently sat as the Local Authority, when the town was reported to be in a good sanitary state.

[Penny Tray]

GLASGOW HERALD
17 NOVEMBER 1881

ARDROSSAN – POLICE COMMISSIONERS

The monthly meeting of this body was held on Monday night – Provost Barr presiding.

A letter was read from the Hon. G. R. Vernon, Commissioner to Lord Eglinton, regarding the proposed public park. He stated that he observed from the newspapers that instead of an ornamental public park it was intended merely to have a place for children and others in the district to play in. If that was the case Lord Eglinton would not let the field. His Lordship would grant a lease for 19 years at £21 per annum, on condition that the field is used as a public park, the ground laid out in walks and wall and fences kept in order at the town’s expense.

An animated discussion followed. Some Commissioners wished the matter to drop as it would be too costly; but others thought the work of ornamentation might be gradual. It was ultimately agreed to meet the Hon. Mr. Vernon and ascertain his views more fully.

It was agreed that subscriptions should be collected for the sufferers by the East Coast disaster, the Provost and several Commissioners heading the lists, which are to be left at local banks.

[The East Coast disaster refers to a windstorm that struck the south-eastern coast of Scotland, specifically Berwickshire, on 14 October 1881. One hundred and eighty-nine fishermen, most of whom were from the village of Eyemouth, were drowned.]

[Penny Tray]

GLASGOW HERALD
17 NOVEMBER 1888

NARROW ESCAPE OF DREDGER’S CREW AT ARDROSSAN

The heavy rain on Thursday was yesterday followed by a southerly gale of unusual intensity, which increased in force from 9 a.m. till 11, when it was high tide.

The dredger GREENORE, of the largest in the kingdom, was at her mooring outside and about 20 men were on board. They remained looking after the vessel till their position became unsafe.

One of the mooring chains snapped, the dredger swung round and threatened to leave her moorings. The seas broke over her with great force, and matters looked serious.

The rocket brigade could not get into position for the block of waggons on the Glasgow & South Western Railway line down to the pier head; and meantime the dredger’s boat was lowered, and the men got into her.

Crowds on the pier-head anxiously watched their movements; and it looked as if any moment the whole of the men would be swamped before leaving the side of the dredger, but, getting adrift, by dint of skilful management, they were swept safely ashore.

Shortly before this, the outside coffer dam that had been erected round the workings of the new steamboat berth in course of construction for the Belfast and other steamers gave way, and the men made a hurried retreat. Much damage was done.

Later in the day the gale moderated and the GREENORE was berthed in the old dock.

[Penny Tray]

GLASGOW HERALD
18 NOVEMBER 1889

FOOTBALL
ARDROSSAN v. LOCHWINNOCH

At Ardrossan, resulting in favour of the home team by 3 goals to nil.

[Penny Tray]

GLASGOW HERALD
18 NOVEMBER 1881

SHIPPING CASUALTY

The BOLIVIA, from Ardrossan to San Francisco, put into Belfast Lough yesterday, having been struck by a heavy sea, and sustained damage to stanchions and had bulwarks carried away.