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
