Ardrossan - On This Day In History

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GLASGOW HERALD
8 FEBRUARY 1850

ISLE OF ARRAN STEAMER BURNED

If there was no disaster resulting from the gale, the blank was filled up by the almost total destruction, by fire, of the ISLE OF ARRAN steamer, Captain Blackley, which plies between Ardrossan and the island whose name the vessel bears.

The steamer was to have sailed on Tuesday; but this not being carried into effect, and the boat being advertised to sail on the following Wednesday morning, her fires were kept on, and she was all ready to start when about four o’clock, flames were perceived circling around the funnel, and over the top of the boilers, by some Irish labourers, who were awaiting at the harbour the arrival of the FIRE FLY from Belfast. The alarm was speedily given.

By the orders of Messrs Barr & Shearer, the men engaged in their extensive shipbuilding yard, were soon on the spot. All the assistance in their power were likewise rendered by Mr. Shearer, Captain Blackley, Captain McFie, Mr. Love, Mr. John Shearer, one of the foremen in the shipbuilding yard, and various other gentlemen.

From the control that the flames had acquired over the vessel, as well as from the exceedingly rough nature of the weather, the only alternative left by which they might save the remaining part of the steamer was adopted – viz. the scuttling of the boat. This was immediately carried into effect, and the ISLE OF ARRAN sank about 5 o’clock. She was burned down to the water’s edge from the funnel aft. Nothing whatever was rescued from the steamer, so that no inconsiderable amount of valuable property has been sacrificed.

The ISLE OF ARRAN amounted in tonnage to 80 tons. She was a neat commodious boat, widely, and like her amiable commander Captain Blackley, favourably known among the parties visiting Arran in the summer months. She was the property, we believe, of a joint-stock company; and we heard it rumoured in Ardrossan yesterday, that she was partially insured – to the extent of £1500 it was generally affirmed.

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GLASGOW HERALD
9 FEBRUARY 1846

ARDROSSAN SHEEP, WOOL, AND CATTLE MARKET

An important annual Tryst, as well as other markets, are about to be established at the rising port and town of Ardrossan under very influential auspices.

On account of the accessibility of the site to all western counties of Scotland, as well as to the north of England and Ireland, there is little doubt that the new establishment will soon grow into character and importance.

For the details regarding the projected mart we refer to the notice in our advertising columns.

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GLASGOW HERALD
9 FEBRUARY 1849

TESTIMONY OF RESPECT FOR THE LATE DOCTOR McFADZEAN OF ARDROSSAN

We understand that at the monthly meeting of the Justices of Peace for this district, held on Monday last – James Ogilvie Mack, Esquire, late of Edinburgh, being in the chair – Mr. Mack, in an impressive speech, passed a high eulogium upon the character and talents of the late Doctor McFadzean of Ardrossan, who had so long filled, and faithfully discharged the duties of Justice of the Peace in that district, and moved that the Court should record in their minutes of this day their very high sense of the talents, integrity, and efficiency of their late colleague, and express their deep regret at his removal, by death, from amongst them; and that an extract of the minute of the meeting, be forwarded by the Clerk to Mrs. McFadzean, with an expression of their deep and sincere condolence with her on the severe bereavement with which it has pleased Providence to visit her, by the sudden and unexpected death of her excellent and much-respected husband; which motion was unanimously agreed to.

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GLASGOW HERALD
9 FEBRUARY 1849

NOTICE TO SHIPPERS

At ARDROSSAN for TRINIDAD, A1 brig PEKIN, Captain Harvey, will sail on the 20th instant.

For freight or passage apply to John Campbell, Son & Company, Glasgow.

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GLASGOW HERALD
9 FEBRUARY 1904

MARRIAGE

DUTHIE – REID: At Glasgow on the 8th instant, James Duthie (late of Berkeley Terrace, Glasgow), to Nina Paterson, daughter of the late Alexander Paterson, schoolmaster, Ardrossan, and widow of Robert D. Reid, of Partickhill – at home, Holmshaw, Bishopbriggs, after St. Valentine’s Day.

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GLASGOW HERALD
9 FEBRUARY 1907

DEATH

WALLACE: At 4 Victoria Crescent, Kirn, on the 6th instant, Margaret Lochhead, widow of James Wallace, Ardrossan.

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GLASGOW HERALD
10 FEBRUARY 1887

BOARD OF TRADE INQUIRY

Yesterday Sheriff Spens, Glasgow, and tow nautical assessors – Captain Knox, R.N., London, and Captain John Bain, Glasgow – held an inquiry into circumstances attending the supposed loss of the British sailing ship ORNATE, of London.

Mr. C. D. Donald, who appeared for the Board of Trade, said that the ORNATE, which was built of wood at Harwich in 1865, belonged to Mr. McInnes, Princes Street, Ardrossan.

In the beginning of 1886, the ORNATE sailed to Demerara with a cargo of 1000 tons of coal. From that port she went to Pensacola, and there loaded a full cargo, including 30 to 35 tons of pitch pine planks. She left Pensacola on the 26th of June last, and had not since been heard of.

Mr. McInnes, the owner of the vessel, stated that there was a crew on board of 14 hands, all told.
The ORNATE was valued at nearly £3000, and the insurance was £1700.

After further evidence had been led, the Board found that there was nothing to show how the vessel had been lost; and no blame appeared to be attached to the owner.

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GLASGOW HERALD
10 FEBRUARY 1900

SNOWSTORM

Ardrossan:
Snow fell almost continuously yesterday. By evening it lay to a depth of about one foot. Drifts in places were breast high. Traffic of every kind was seriously interfered with. Owing to the depth of the snow on the railway between South Beach Station and Ardrossan the line was impassable.

The fall is the heaviest that has occurred for years.

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GLASGOW HERALD
10 FEBRUARY 1904

EDINBURGH GAZETTE NOTICE – CESSIO

JOHN McLEAN, builder, Ardrossan – to be examined in the Court House, Kilmarnock, 17th February, at eleven o’clock.

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GLASGOW HERALD
10 FEBRUARY 1969

ARDROSSAN ACADEMY’S DOUBLE FIRST

Ardrossan Academy retained both the senior and junior trophies in a Classics competition organised by the Western District of the Association of Teachers of Classics in Glasgow University at the week-end. More than 200 scholars took part.

The relevant results were: -

Senior Latin – 3rd place – J. Wright,
Intermediate Latin Verse – 1st Anne Stirton,
Senior Greek – 1st place – Elisabeth Millar, and
Intermediate Greek – 1st Shelagh Young, all Ardrossan Academy.

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GLASGOW HERALD
11 FEBRUARY 1860

SHIPPING NEWS

Milford, February 7 – The screw steamer EMILY, from Ardrossan to Bordeaux, which put in her previous to 31st ultimo with damage to rudder, has discharged part of her cargo.

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GLASGOW HERALD
11 FEBRUARY 1902

MUNICIPAL MEETING – ARDROSSAN

Provost Young presiding.

A proposal was made to extinguish each alternate street lamp after 11 p.m. at night. Several members protested and characterised the motion as retrograde and an incentive to crime.

After prolonged discussion, the motion was defeated by five votes to three.

The leakage in connection with gas has been excessive for a considerable time back, and it was agreed to adopt special measures to discover the cause.

There was also a proposal to purchase bunting for display during the celebration of the King’s Coronation and the matter was remitted to a committee to arrange.