Ardrossan Harbour in the 1980s
15 Dec 2009
15 Dec 2009
21 Feb 2010 | 4:57:09
Sam Auld says
I was an apprentice Engineer at the Harbour in the 70's I worked in the harbour workshops, on the dock side equipment and from time to time was allowed to work in the Engine room of the tug Ardneil.
I remember the skipper Neil Mailley(sorry if spelling is incorrect) his son Douglas (mate) Chief Engineer Duncan Deans (Dixie) John Houston,John Donnelly big Jock Neill, Fraser Crawford and Big Bobby Jack foreman Engineer,I also remember the steam dredger Sir William H Reaburn.
To the best of my memory her skipper was Capt Scott, Chief Engineer Bill Arnott and there was a crane man and two other deck hands.
I have many fond memories of my time at the harbour and Iam very grateful for the skills these people passed on to me.
I also remember on many occasions being part of the crew on the tug or the dredger as they went about their duties. I do visit the harbour from time to time and over the years showed my children where I was proud to have worked.
It is good to see life again in the harbour but I don't think these people will ever experience the history or camaraderie we experienced whilst working for the harbour company.
Sam Auld ( Engineer)
16 Dec 2009 | 9:40:13
Kenny Mac Dougall says
This video took me back. I remember well the sulphur boats coming into the town.
Glasgow Street at times had a nice yellow tinge to the road. The Arran ferry was a old cattle boat or so we all thought when every Friday the local lads and lassies would sail to Arran to party coming home on a Sunday afternoon.
The town even at that time was starting to go down hill and the locals were looking that the death of the harbour in stages by the then harbour company and finally Clydeport.
The Ardrossan tug the Ardneil was away in the 80s and I had many a memory of this boat taking me out to see as my father was working on her.
These time are rosy as life was hard but good and brought by ship many colourful folk into the town by sea.
Kenny MacDougall Secretary
Ardrossan Community council