WE STILL BUILD SHIPS - A Short History of Shipbuilding on the Upper Clyde
Вставка
- Опубліковано 16 лют 2022
- From the discovery of ancient wooden canoes to the building of great warships on the River Clyde in Glasgow, this concise history looks at the growth of shipbuilding on the Upper Clyde. It was really only when the River Clyde was narrowed and deepened in the late 18th and early 19th centuries that shipbuilding took off in Glasgow. Up until then the city's merchants had to get their goods to and from Port Glasgow in order to trade, and there was no great incentive to build boats or ships near the centre of Glasgow. The bulk of the ships needed for trade were built further down river in the Firth of Clyde in places like Dumbarton and Greenock. While attempting to give a complete picture of the progression of shipbuilding on the upper Clyde, we also look briefly at a few individual shipyards, like the Stobcross shipyard owned by John Barclay, later to become part of Barclay, Curle & Co who went on to move to the Clydeholm Shipyard at Whiteinch. We also look at the Meadowside Shipyard at the mouth of the River Kelvin, and chance upon the discovery of an old iron thing used to tie ships up and whose name we forget. We look at the Daphne disaster of 1883, and at other shipyards in Govan, a number of whom were taken over by Harland & Wolff. We feel that the depth of water in the River Clyde has been a significant factor in the progression of shipbuilding and trade; by 1900 there were ten dredgers struggling to keep the river deep enough. But at the end of the day, although managing to build and launch something like 30,000 ships, Clyde shipyards have struggled over the years. At various times the shipyards have attempted to help themselves through lean times by amalgamating yards to make the whole industry more competitive. Many shipyards have been lost along the way. The whole industry almost completely died in the early 1970s when Edward Heath and the Conservative Government refused to give Upper Clyde Shipbuilders a helping hand; but a work-in by workers who completed ships under construction led to two shipyards being saved. It's been a rocky old road, but along the way we have built and launched some of the finest ships in the world.
I forgot to mention in the end credits the website Grace's Guide, which is concerned with British Industrial History. During research for this video Grace's Guide was invaluable, and I highly recommend it.
Yet another inspiring and nostalgic short film from you Ed Burns! When my family moved to the high flats at Broomhill, in the late 1960's, our kitchen window had amazing views to the south of Glasgow. My dad and myself were the most frequent 'hingers' at that 'windae', observing the activities on the River Clyde. I remember the dredgers going up and down the river, and that there were always boats being built and fitted out. The sights and sounds of it were seared into my young mind. Like the Fairfield horn and the sounds of riviting that often went on through the night. Not to mention the joyful cacophany of the boat's horns every New Year.
Later, in around the year 1999, or 2000, ( I can't quite recall the year ), I watched a ship launch from the Govan side of the river. The vast granary building at Meadowside still stood across the waters. I have one or two photos from that day. It was pretty exciting when the men loosed the chains that were holding the huge vessel in it's place on the slipway. You could hear the metal clanging as they hammered out divets ( or whatever it was they did ) then, a few seconds later, they came running up the slipway like bats out of hell, and, in slow motion, the ship began to move. Boy was that something to see. All I could think of was how brave those men were, risking their lives to launch a ship. Because they had to get out of the way of these massive chains that were loose and being dragged down toward the river. So your video brought back memories, and the music at the end was fantastic. Thanks.
Cheers Eilean. I vaguely recall a few big ship launches at John Brown's, and just as you say those huge chains were pretty awesome.
So much is lost ,memories and men the iron men of the Clyde, thanks Ed
Well done Ed another great informative and well done video immensely enjoyable Ed take care
Thanks John.
Thanks Ed, I really enjoyed that. An all round great production with some of the best music I think I've heard you compose. It staggers me that you do it all on your own, truly an extraordinary accomplishment. Your passion for Glasgow and its history is very apparent.
Thanks for that. After all that research I think I need a good long adventure of a hike. Take care.
That is called a “bollard” at the dock side to tie off ships.
Enjoyed this a lot. My dad built fishing ships on the gulf coast of Alabama 😊
Thanks for the info.
Bravo. A veritable tour de force. What a lot of work and in such a relatively short time. Brilliant and thanks once again for extending my understanding of one aspect of Glasgow’s history.
Thank you. Managed to miss out my footage of the slipways at Meadowside, but all in all I think we got there in the end.
I agree the shipyard office recreation just serves to show what was lost.
Wow. That shot at 19 minutes from the air shows in one slip how much impact the ships had on the Clyde. To think that what was once the worlds no place for amazing iron and metal ships is now spatters with shopping centres student housing and concert halls such as the secc and museum. This was fantastic to watch. Jan 2023. May this stay forever as a good history lesson for any Glaswegian.
another very well researched and produced video Ed. It's true shipbuilding was a huge loss to the Clyde. Even on the lower Clyde, almost all of the yards are now gone. Fergusons is really the only yard remaining and based on recent events, perhaps the skills have been lost to be successful when it comes to shipbuilding. Bae systems seem to have got it right. I know a few people who work in those places and they seem to have brilliant training and things get done right. as a side note when they stopped dredging the Clyde. It's around about that time that flooding seemed to get a lot worse. Perhaps very much related. Once again, brilliant video.
Thanks. That's an interesting point re the dredging/flooding. I'm unsure exactly how it turned out that my main focus seems to have been on the depth of the water. In the end I was juggling too many facts and struggling to put it all together in a mildly interesting way. Managed to miss out some footage of the Meadowside slipways, but all in all I'm happy with the end result. Take care.
Great video
Always been interested in Clyde built , hms hood is a stand from John brown, my uncle died went down on her in the Denmark straits.
Great job Ed fantastic history lesson great photographs and maps look forward to seeing more take care
Thanks 👍
Super video…my Dad was in destroyers during the Second World War…one of them called Fame. Think it was Vickers that built it but not 100% sure.🏴
Brilliant documentary, you must put some hefty work into it....Clydebuilt.
Thank you. I struggled a bit trying to make sense of it all with this video, but we got there in the end.
Thank you for producing this, I feel like my generation and even those before me were robbed as a result of the yard closures. I would love to have seen a world with all that work going on, I suspect the decent peoples of Glasgow would also. James.
So much industry lost. Cheers James.
Hi Eddy, this video/documentary is a truly fascinating insight into the history of shipbuilding on the Clyde. The old pictures, paintings and maps are amazing, and you have certainly brought that history to life in this production.
I really enjoyed the music as well, and considering everything is produced by one person, I have to say, well done sir!
It is appropriate too that it was presented by a proud Glaswegian!
By the way, I’m pretty sure that the post you were sitting on is called a bollard.
Take care Eddy and best regards, Rob.
Thanks Rob. Bollard sounds about right.
Its a shame we didn't keep and preserve the Carrick which used to berth next to the Clutha. It would be a nice touch if there was a few old ships lined along the clydeside used for commercial purposes of somekind. Glasgow must be the only City in Europe who's water front is neglected never mind used as a city focus point!!
I'm filled with optimism when I see the Meadowside Ship building offices recreated, to me it's a respectful nod to the history of the location, unlike modern housing designs which look like plastic replicas. I couldn't help noticing that the number of windows was different.
Yes, I think you're right. They didn't have to build it like that.
Love it Ed, great video once again!!
Thanks.
Not to critisise anybody but like glasgow shipbuilding on the Tyne and wear... not a lot left to remember the history shame cranes and a yard had not been saved ....cracking vids sir....
Many thanks.
Always very interesting watching your excellent videos 📹 thanks 😊
Cheers Billy. 👍
Hi Ed,
Nice video. I didn’t realise there were so many shipyards along the Clyde, amazing. My dad worked in John Browns till it closed. He wore out a pair of shoes trying to find work until an offer here in Norwich came up, we’ve been here ever since. It always saddens me to see what we lost but I still have good memories of the way it was.
Ian.
Cheers Ian. Many of the shipyards have gone, but we'll always have memories.
Another fantastic video ! I really enjoy your content mate, this episode compliments your last one so well. I appreciate how much work you put in to make this type of show. Keep em coming .
Thank you Martin. There was so much to consider when making this one that it wasn't until I was well into the editing that I had any idea of what was actually going on. You can plan these 'till the cows come home, but sometimes they take on a life of their own and lead you in a direction you both weren't aware of or hadn't intended. But we got there in the end.
Very interesting Ed. Great video as always.
Thanks 👍
Great video.
Many thanks Alastair.
Great video eddy. I agree i remember the shipyard offices that you are talking about. It was a beautiful building and i think the student accomodation building has been made in the same style that now sits in its place to placate the angry people in glasgow when the old building was demolished. The item that you are sitting on is a mooring or cleat that the ships tie up to. An event that you might want to see soon is on sunday april 17th. Yorkhill sick kids are running the easter egg bike run which crosses the squinty bridge. Il be there along with alot of fellow bikers and friends. Gie us a wave if you see us passing👍
Cheers Andy. Put the bike run event in my diary. Thank you.
Another fantastic production, and well researched Ed. I have taken photos from inside the former Scotway / Henderson shipyard house. From it's basement floors all the way up to the loft. There were lot's of interesting artefacts, all gone now with that Fire.
Thanks Zeno. These shipyard offices were very grand affairs, and we've lost too many.
@@EdExploresScotland Agreed
Can only think of bollard. There may be a specific term? Great research again.
Thanks Robert. Someone suggested 'cleat'. I'm not convinced. Must be a proper name out there somewhere, and if not I'll have to make one up, maybe something like STU, or ShipTierUpperrer.
@@EdExploresScotland Haha well I believe "bollard" is the correct and original use of the term. Might be more appropriate to call it a 'mooring bollard' nowadays with the much expanded use of the term.
Many thanks.
Thanks Ed for this very interesting video. I grew up around the yards while they were in decline and was at the QE2 launch 😊. I have been reading up on the history of some of the yards so this helped put some perspective to it for me. I wonder if you would be interested in looking into the Scottish Sailboat yards such as Fife‘s ‘s who were among the best in the world in their day.
Many thanks for your topic suggestion. I somehow get the feeling that I was also at the launch of the QE2, and the fact that I can't actually remember is rather strange. I do recall being at a few launches at John Brown's, but the only real memories I am left with is of men knocking lumps out of wooden stocks to encourage some movement of a ship that wasn't too happy to enter the water, and of huge chains being dragged into the water to slow the ship's movement down.
@@EdExploresScotland I remember it mainly because I got the tickets in exchange for a report for a magazine, had a good day but then got writers block and missed the deadline - that was my detour into journalism over 😀.
Hi Ed enjoyed the video read Clydebuilt the story of George Reith general manager of the Clyde Navagation Trust in 1864 written by his Great Grandaughter
Cheers Tom. Looks like an interesting read.
YOU TIE THE SHIP TO THE
CAPSTAIN