Comet Replica to be Refurbished by Local Shipyard

Anyone who has driven through Port Glasgow over the years will not have failed to notice the replica of the Henry Bell's pioneer paddle steamer COMET on display in front of the town hall.

The replica vessel was built by apprentices from Port Glasgow shipbuilders Lithgows and was launched on Sat 1st Sept 1962. Unfortunately the years have taken their toll and the vessel is now in a poor state of repair.

Fortunately, thanks to a partnership between Ferguson Shipbuilders (whose yard is close to where the original COMET of 1812 was built), Inverclyde Council and an organisation called The Trust, the replica will be refurbished at Ferguson Shipbuilders Newark Shipyard.

More on this story can be found on the Inverclyde Now website .

Information on the original COMET and the replica can be found on the Clydebuilt Database by following the links below:

COMET 1812

COMET 1962

The photo at the head of the page - taken by Bobby Sinclair - shows the COMET replica in steam passing the entrance to the Kingston Dock during the 1960s.

Lets hope that the vessel can be returned to steam for the 200th Anniversary of the original - the link to our own Waverley is obvious!

Good luck to all involved.

Pathe New clip of the launch of the replica Comet in 1962

STEAMSHIP ANNIVERSARY

Gavin Stewart

Obituary - David Hunter Morrison

It is with great regret and sadness that we have to record the death of another stalwart supporter of the preserved excursion vessels PS Waverley and MV Balmoral.

David Morrison had served in recent years as a director of Waverley Excursions bringing in his considerable business experience from his days as the Financial Director of the Belhaven Brewery Company in Dunbar, Scotland. David was a weel-kent face on the ships in their travels around the UK coastline. His marraige to Suzanne took place aboard the Waverley at Tighnabruaich pier just a few years ago.

The funeral is at 3pm on Friday 12th February at Mortonhall Crematorium in Edinburgh.

David is survived by his wife Suzanne, his children Joanna and Scott, his stepchildren Louise, Philip and David and his granddaughter Beth, his sister Elizabeth and his mother Ruth to all of whom we extend our sincere condolences.

Stuart Cameron

Waverley In Ayr Harbour

We received an email from branch member Jim McIntosh which included an photo of a print he had purchased from the Waverley Gallery in Prestwick of Waverley in Ayr Harbour. This print has been created from a photograph by Stuart Redmond who has used a technique which makes the photo look like a painting.

I think you'll agree it makes for a very evocative scene!

30"x14" framed prints retail for £75 but a larger version goes for £120.

Thanks to Jim for sending us the email.