Awe the very best for 2017

Let's wish for a fair wind and calm waters ahead for all our many readers in 2017

"Happy New Year"

Classic Ships - RMS AQUITANIA

As we approach the new year of 2017 we continue with a look back the way at some of the classic ships built not only at Leith but all over the world, as shipbuilding is a truly global industry now.

RMS AQUITANIA

It is debatable if we could feature a finer vessel in this classic ship series than the Liner that was to be known as "The Ship Beautiful" the RMS AQUITANIA built and launched at the John Brown Shipbuilding yard on the Clyde in Scotland.

If ever a ship deserved her given title it was the grand old AQUITANIA a vessel that was to serve through two world wars and survive is a real testament to the shipbuilding skills on the River Clyde.

The AQUITANIA on the stocks at John Browns at Clydebank almost ready to launch in 1913

RMS AQUITANIA was ordered by the Cunard Line and designed by Leonard Peskett. and built by John Brown & Company in Clydebank, Scotland.

She was launched on 21 April 1913 and sailed on her maiden voyage to New York on 30 May 1914.

The RMS AQUITANIA was the third in Cunard Line's "grand trio" of express liners, preceded by RMS Mauretania and RMS Lusitania, and was the last surviving four-funnelled ocean liner.

Widely considered one of the most attractive ships of her time, AQUITANIA earned the nickname "The Ship Beautiful".

In her 36 years of service, AQUITANIA survived military duty in both world wars and was returned to passenger service after both the First World War and the Second World War.

AQUITANIA held the record for the longest service career of any 20th-century express liner until broken by Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2) in 2004, became the longest serving Cunard Line vessel.

You will find a great many more classic ships photographs at the website, the collection is being added to continuously, so why not check it out. 

SCOT II - Model build begins

The building of the model for the SCOT II ice-breaking tug is now underway and being put together by Steve, working to original shipyard drawings and ships lines.
The model starts off being assembled upside down and then at a later stage she will be turned right way up to continue the build of the model.

SCOT II Model build begins

SCOT II - Stern

It is hoped that the actual restoration of the hull and build of the old original SCOT II Ship No 184 originally built at the Leith shipyards of Henry Robb in 1931 will begin again to progress by this autumn and the Blog and website will of course be first with any news on this.

Even Sherlock Holmes is Celebrating

Nothing to do with ships but everything to do with where the ships used to be built.

A little bit of History was created at the weekend with Hibernian Football Club persevering for over 114 years to break the curse that has hung over the club, by winning the Scottish Cup and there were some famous supporters celebrating including the top detective Sherlock Holmes (Who just may need to investigate the claims made by the beaten side) as seen below sporting the colours of the original "Greens"

 

Sherlock Holmes was given the job of finding someone in Edinburgh/Leith who did not think that Hibernian deserved to win the Scottish Cup, and despite the great sleuths best efforts he is still looking.

 

Sherlock began his searching in Edinburgh (BBC photograph)

 

His search took him up and down Leith Walk

Sherlock Holmes even enlisted the help of the local constabulary and there horses but still no luck in finding anyone with half a brain who thinks that Hibernian did not deserve fully to win the Scottish Cup 2016 

His full day search took him from the High Street in Edinburgh down to Princes Street (BBC photograph below)

 This was perhaps going to be the only case in the famous detectives whole career that he was unable to solve, he even tried asking the people down at Leith Links (The original home of Golf)

 If you think you can help Sherlock please do, the great man is almost at a loss to explain the lack of people who think that Hibernian do not deserve to be the new proud owners of the Scottish Cup (The oldest original cup in Association Football)

So who was the beaten opponents of the Hibernian Football Club, well I am afraid that we cannot really answer this question as the team in question seem to continually change there name, all we can say for certain is that they where/are a team from Glasgow.

We Persevered

Sunshine on Leith

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36361133

Replica "TITANIC" may yet be built?

Would you fancy a cruise on a replica ship, if so then what better than a replica TITANIC
Complete with all the modern aids to safety at sea of course, although still maned by humans and expected to make a profit (A bit like the replica of the BOUNTY?)

The rendering as seen above keeps pretty much with the original look of the ship although reports say that she will be some 4 metres wider than the original (Dont know how this will effect her stability, may even make it better) and she will of course have her full compliment of lifeboats as per SOLAS requirements.
I for one am all for replica ships being built, would just prefer if it was being built in Europe or in the States rather than China, as there pedigree with shipbuilding still leaves a bit to be desired shall we say.
Slated for a launch date some time in 2018 after being delayed or put back a couple of years it will be interesting and full on publicity should it happen.