New Shipyard shop

As the new website continues now at www.theloftsman.com

The Blog on the new website will be the main source of news from now on and this new Blog will be even better with all the news on Leith Built Ships and so much more, such as the new shipyard shop about to open over there.

New Shipyard shop

Will be opening soon, we have been working on this new concept for a wee while now, with the advent of the virus pandemic this has presented some more unexpected challenges. No more than anyone else has had to contend with but challenges just the same.

All under the logo

They Once Were Shipbuilders

(You will be able to fill in the location with your own preference)

My own particular preference was of course the Henry Robb Shipyard at Leith.

The aim of the shop is to present the customer with unique purchases that you will not find elsewhere. This will be a shop that will be a testament to a lost industry that touched so many people.

The Shipyard Shop will feature many fresh designs which cover an old concept, the concept of building ships.

Powerful industrial images now almost gone, but the memory lingers on, images that now sit very well on every day things from caps, hats to t-shirts to wall coverings.

We are sure that once the Shipyard Shop opens you will find what you are looking for, in a way that no other shop can, as we are also from the industry, an industry that employed so many people not only on this small island nation of ours but all around the World.

We will feature superb museum quality ship models covering many of the greatest ships ever to grace the seven seas.

We feature the Ship Beautiful above otherwise known as RMS Aquitania

Thes are not kits but fully assembled models shipped in sturdy containers to your door and ready to display. Some have LED lighting inside for a tremendous night-time effect.

Many of our original designs can be personalised so that you can input your own personal favourite, so please keep a look out for this happening, keep checking back here on the Blog, and on the main website.

Thanks to all and keep safe during these trying times.

They Once Were Shipbuilders

*LEITH*

We hope you like the small taster of some of the many products that we shall soon be able to offer on the “Brand New” Shipyard Shop.

Bear with us as I am sure we shall open this pretty soon.

Why not have a look at some of my Amazon stuff on the Blog while we wait on the shop opening, below you will find a really neat 3 in 1 Document Camera from Amazon.

OKIOCAM T Plus: The Unique 3-In-1 Document Camera

SA WOLRAAD WOLTEMADE

We could not resist showing this great photograph taken by D. Shackleton and sent into the Leith Shipyards website by L. Pollard.
 Same photographer took the almost identical shot of her sister ship the SA JOHN ROSS which had been built at a local South African shipyard and was launched a bit after the Leith built SA WOLRAAD WOLTEMADE which just looked right.

SA WOLRAAD WOLTEMADE Z-TUG

SA JOHN ROSS Z-TUG

They show the two mighty ships arriving at Cape Town for the first time ready to go about there work.

Don’t know about you but I know which ship looks the better and leave you to choose your own preferred picture.

Container Ship "El Faro" missing in hurricane.

As if it needed any reaffirmation of just how dangerous a life at sea can be we bring you the story of an American registered Container ship which is reported missing of the Bahamas as Hurricane Joaquin continued on it destructive way.

El Faro in this BBC Picture

The US Coast Guard says it has resumed its search for a cargo ship with 33 crew that vanished in Bahamian waters during Hurricane Joaquin.

The 224-metre (735ft) El Faro, with 28 Americans and five Poles on board, was last heard from on Thursday and was reported to be taking on water.

The ship - which was travelling from Florida to Puerto Rico - was also believed to be listing at 15 degrees.

For more on the story see the BBC website.

Our thoughts go out to the crew and there families at this time.

Fairfields Shipyards

The launch of HMS DRAGON in this posed picture

Another fine use for some of the shipbuilding heritage and history in Scotland has arrived with the opening of the former head offices and old drawing office of the Fairfields shipbuilding company.

The Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company opened its new Govan yard in 1864 and was named after the once agricultural land it occupied.
Fairfields would become the greatest shipyard in a city that was responsible for 20 per cent of global production by 1913.

At its peak, the industry on the Clyde employed 100,000 staff at more than 40 yards.



While shipbuilding of course continues at the Govan yard on a somewhat smaller scale the The A-listed former Fairfields head offices and drawing rooms, which had lain empty for several years, were bought in 2009 by social enterprise Govan Workplace.

The refurbished buildings now provide office space for local businesses and is home to the Fairfield Heritage centre.

Surely a better use than turning it into another shopping centre?

Read more: http://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/heritage/in-pictures-fairfields-the-home-of-scottish-shipbuilding-1-3896110#ixzz3mz3l8Msf

J. Bolson & Son Ltd, shipyard

We like to bring you the old and the new in shipbuilding and like to feature some of the perhaps less known of the shipyards, which all formed the mighty shipbuilding industry that used to be prevalent in the British Isles.

This small to medium shipyard was based in the south of England on the Dorset coast in the town of Poole, a place perhaps better known today for it’s very wealthy residents in there very expensive house’s.

This old yard had a pretty long history of building fine ships and in fact the yard also built the very first U.K. built offshore supply ship Yard No 552 and named as NORTH SHORE along with many other types of ship.

The LADY BRIGID Yard No 555 was sister ship to the first U.K. built offshore supply ship NORTH SHORE built at the J. Bolson & Son Ltd, shipyard in Poole, England

The smaller yards such as Henry Robb Ltd and J. Bolson & Son Ltd, were dotted all around the coast of the British Isles and contributed to the shipbuilding industry in Britain being at the very top of the tonnage list of ships built in the world for many years.

These shipyards also employed many people and along with the long list of suppliers required for the building of a ship from engine makers right down to suppliers of linen to the small corner newsagents shop (remember them) all put cash into the country.

The Bulk Carrier MV CHICHESTER CITY Yard No 571 ready for launch 1968

We are pleased to feature many original photographs from the shipyard from the 1960’s all sent into the Leith Shipyards website by an ex-Draughtsman (John King) who was employed at the Bolson shipyards for many years until closure.

This particular draughtsman in fact ended up in his own business still in the maritime world and was in fact the last owner of the MV CRESSWEL Ship No 474 and launched from the Leith Shipyards of Henry Robb Ltd in 1959 

Many more exclusive and original photographs can be found on the ship photo’s pages on the website.

Part of this old shipyard is now the well know yacht makers “Sunseeker”

Aircraft carrier section leaves Clyde shipyard

Lowe Block 04 Prince of Wales

A massive 11,200-tonne section of an aircraft carrier built on the Clyde has begun its journey around the coast of Scotland to Rosyth for final assembly.

The section, called Lower Block 04, is the largest part of the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales.

It is 20 metres high, 80 metres long and comprises a fifth of the overall vessel.

We like to bring you news of new and old shipbuilding matters, for more on this story and some very good photographs please see the rest on the BBC website.

Largest aircraft carrier section floated

Another of the many "Super Blocks" which once joined together will form the second of the Royal Navies new "Aircraft Carrier Force" was successfully floated out at Govan Shipyard in Glasgow last week.

Block 04 of the CVF "Prince of Wales" in Glasgow


The interesting thing for me in the photograph above from the BBC/Scotland website is the massive "Aft" poppet arrangement, built under the after lower hull to support the huge weight of the hull until she is joined together and floats.

 An 11,200 tonne aircraft carrier section has taken to the water for the first time on the Clyde.

Lower Block 04 is the largest hull section of HMS Prince of Wales.

For more from the BBC website see here

BRITISH COAST VIDEO

The MV BRITISH COAST Maiden voyage

The MV BRITISH COAST Model on her maiden voyage seen here in the U-Tube Video.

http://youtu.be/ydxOHD289nU

For more photographs visit the website at www.leithshipyards.com

The BRITISH COAST Sails once more

The model of the Leith Built MV BRITISH COAST has now been put to the test in the water by her maker Steve, and she passed with flying colours.

Steve Heward seen here guiding his model of the Leith Built MV BRITISH COAST
We will have lots more photographs and video on the website soon at www.leithshipyards.com 

China ship capsize

'Race against time' in Yangtze rescue

As ever yet another stark reminder of the perils of being on the water, inshore or deep sea.

For more on this sad tale see the BBC link

HMS NESS - Model

Pleased to show the model of HMS NESS which has just been completed by Andy Forrest, and sent into the website where we shall feature many more photographs of the model.

Built and launched at the Leith Shipyards of Henry Robb Ltd, the "River Class" Frigate was launched in July 1942 (Ship No 326) as the first of Six such ships built at the yard during times when the Nation needed as many ships as possible to help in the battle against the U-Boats, a battle at one time which could have meant the end for the British Isles but for such ships and the men of the Merchant Marine who sacrificed so much to keep the country supplied so they could continue the fight against the enemy.

The model is shown in her wartime camouflage colours.  Camouflage is the 3 colour Western approaches scheme and reflects the Ness shortly after commissioning.

Keep checking the website for the many up-dates on this project.

Another picture of the Ship Model below showing some of her Aft end details,

HMS NESS Aft end details

Three Queens River Dance

Interesting video to mark Cunards 175th anniversary, just a pity that none of the ships where built in the U.K.?

Click on the highlighted link to watch the video

Model of the SCOT II

Pleased to announce that the start of a model build is now under way and at approx 1/25th scale being made by "ace" model maker Steve we shall have some photographs to record this feat in its entirety as the model progresses. (Keep checking the Leith Shipyards website)

The model is being built to original drawings and will be based on her original steam engine condition (pre-1960's) as she was intended before her conversion to diesel power in the 1960's by the Leith Shipyard of Henry Robb Ltd.
The SCOT II was launched at Leith as Ship No 184 in 1931
The only Leith built ship on the British Historic Register, and it is hoped that the actual vessel will also be restored to her former glory in the fullness of time.

SCOT II ice breaking historical ship

Good news for Glasgow’s two Shipyards

It has just been announced that instead of closing one of the two remaining main shipyards in Scotland, that BEA will now make a large investment that shall ensure the future of the two yards for a good few years to come.

The Govan shipyard will be expanded under the £100m investment plan

For more on this story see the BBC website

Historic Ship SCOT II

SCOT II Steelwork

Just as an example of what was and what is now with regard to the condition that the old historic ship is now in and just looking at some of the photographs taken at her last survey before the waterways sold her on, would make any old shipbuilder just shake his head while containing the many expletives that would want to burst forth.
Just what the F**k were they thinking!

SCOT II Ship No 184 almost un-recognisable 

Difficult to put into words, what can be said about this conversion attempt circa 2005

It has to be said that her steelwork was still in pretty good condition after some 75 years the majority of the time spent in fresh water. As the photograph below shows taken as part of her last survey in 2005/6

SCOT II Steelwork circa 2005/6

All that changed when she was sold and she ended up sunk in the salt water of Ardyne Point where she sank and was under water  for 10 months just a few years later.

SCOT II Steelwork circa 2010

Her steelwork is still in pretty good condition but for how much longer without the proper care that she needs sooner rather than later.

With any luck she will not have too much longer to wait before some serious work can be carried out on her to begin her proper restoration.

Keep checking the Blog and website for regular updates, and once the work begins for real we shall be following the progress on the website and on the Blog.

Ship Photographs

To help anyone who has ship photographs that they wish to see on the Blog and website, please send email in first instance to the website email.  info@leithshipyards.com

 

From here you will receive instructions of how your photographs and stories will be shown on the website at www.leithshipyards.com

 

The interest shown in the Blog and the website is much appreciated and much more than could ever have been imagined.

ST HELEN awaits new owners

The last of the Leith built Ships ST HELEN Ship No 535 launched in 1983 is at present laid up and waiting on her new owners sprucing her up and she will then go to the warmer waters of the Mediterranean to join her sister ST CATHERINE  while she sits on the mud at Hythe twice a day she will be fine once her new owners Delcomar go to work with the paint and soon she will be ready for her welcome new role in the sunshine.

ST HELEN laid up at Hythe at low tide while she awaits her new owners to take her to Italy
(photo by Doug Coulson)

Model of the BRITISH COAST finished

After some 2 years of painstaking work and no little amounts of skill and patience we are pleased to tell you that the scale model of a ship designed and built at the Leith Shipyards of Henry Robb Ltd as Ship No 198 and originally launched in 1933 has now been completed.
The model has been built by Steve a Brit who is now ensconced in the middle of Canada many miles away from any sea.
Such is the detail in this model right down to her ropes and wires that we feel the model could well be shown in a museum and not look out of place.

You can see much more of this fine model and her build process on the main website at

www.leithshipyards.com

ST HELEN Retired

The final ship launched from the Leith Shipyards ST HELEN Ship No 535 has now been retired from British waters by her owners WightLink.

Retirement cake for the passenger ferry ST HELEN

St Helen retired after the 11:30 sailing from Fishbourne on Thursday March 26th after performing a final unscheduled round trip for invited guests, ex-staff and enthusiasts.

Amongst our guests were children from St Helen's primary school who were invited because her first passengers in 1983 were children of that very same school.

 

Her final traffic was led onboard by a 1983 Rover SD1 police car with it's blue lights flashing.

 

A buffet and cake was enjoyed onboard and she was given a salute of numerous blasts by St Clare as she left Fishbourne.

For more on the story visit ST HELEN

 

BRITISH COAST-Ship Model

The build of the BRITISH COAST model ship continues with a launch date approaching soon and as you can see from these photographs the model of this famous old Leith built Ship is looking very good with lots of work, time and attention to detail going into the making of the model, the finished vessel will be put into the water as a real working model.
You will see many more photographs of the building of this fine model on the website and we would encourage any other model making enthusiasts out there to send in your pictures of your particular model build, especially if it has a connection to a Leith Shipyard.

The BRITISH COAST almost near completion and looking very good in the late winter sunshine.

The Starboard light is detailed and it works as well

A lot of her original woodwork is replicated here as well to show her open bridge and decking

This photograph shows her builders name plate as Henry Robb Shipbuilders, Leith