Bowling basin..Glasgow

Mikeymutt · Feb 1, 2018

Whilst up in Scotland we were wondering what to do for the afternoon.so the girlfriend said do you fancy going to Bowling harbour for a few hours to look at the old boats in a ssmall place called bowling on the edge of glasgow.so off we went for a relaxing stroll.it was not really that relaxing as the tide was in a fair bit and fighting the overgrowth on the wall and the mud near the boats and the rotten wood was treacherous.but I fully enjoyed seeing these.the Erskine bridge in the background makes a stunning back drop.the harbour was used for ship building for years but work ceased there in the early eighties.there is still a canal area that flows in the clyde and boats still moor up in the renovated areas.

wolfism · Feb 1, 2018

Interesting place, from what I recall there were shipbuilding sheds on the dockside (many years ago) but it's good there are still some hulks sitting in the basin.

Mikeymutt · Feb 1, 2018

wolfism said:
Interesting place, from what I recall there were shipbuilding sheds on the dockside (many years ago) but it's good there are still some hulks sitting in the basin.

Yeah it was a bit different.i enjoyed them.yeah there was fed to buildings there you can see the old pads and still rubble up near the pier.quite sad really.like most of the Clyde ship building days from what it use to be

Scattergun · Feb 1, 2018

wolfism said:
Interesting place, from what I recall there were shipbuilding sheds on the dockside (many years ago) but it's good there are still some hulks sitting in the basin.

A good set there Mikey. You're recollections are correct Wolfie. It was the site of Scott & Sons of Bowling. Established in 1851 after merging with McGill Bros who set up shop at the turn of that century, eventually joining Scott's Shipbuilding & Engineering Co of Greenock fame. I visited a few times in my youth as the train from my neck of the woods passes right by it and I remember the old sheds well. I come from a seafaring background so the place had always intrigued me, as did much of the Clyde's shipbuilding heritage.

I'm sure the prefab sheds went up in the mid 60's but the yard ceased production in '79 so they had a very short working life. The yard specialised in coasters, trawlers and tugs (some of which are still going) as well as repairs and refitting. The old basin was originally for fitting out. A few still remain including Harland & Wolff's at the old graving docks and John Browns at Clydebank.

Mikeymutt · Feb 1, 2018

Scattergun said:
A good set there Mikey. You're recollections are correct Wolfie. It was the site of Scott & Sons of Bowling. Established in 1851 after merging with McGill Bros who set up shop at the turn of that century, eventually joining Scott's Shipbuilding & Engineering Co of Greenock fame. I visited a few times in my youth as the train from my neck of the woods passes right by it and I remember the old sheds well. I come from a seafaring background so the place had always intrigued me, as did much of the Clyde's shipbuilding heritage.

I'm sure the prefab sheds went up in the mid 60's but the yard ceased production in '79 so they had a very short working life. The yard specialised in coasters, trawlers and tugs as well as repairs and refitting. The old basin was originally for fitting out. A few still remain including Harland & Wolff's at the old graving docks and John Browns at Clydebank.

Thank you scattergun..I did read a fair bit of that on the net.even though I first ever went to Scotland eighteen months ago.i have took a big interest in the docks there trying to imagine what they were like in the older days when they were thriving.i can imagine the docks from Glasgow to greenoock were alive with industry and mills and railway yards and taverns everywhere but can imagine they were rough but with a strong community spirit..I was shocked how many times a train whizzed past me whilst there.there is still a disused viaduct there but never got chance to get up it due to a storm coming in

Scattergun · Feb 1, 2018

At one time it was one of the busiest waterways in the world. Next time you're visiting take a Clyde river tour, it's an interesting jaunt.

BikinGlynn · Feb 2, 2018

Loving the "small piece of hull" still tethered with a rope!
Some great pics there, reminds me of Fleetwood, where I had a quick look last year!

Mearing · Feb 2, 2018

Thanks for that Mikey, I owned and lived on a boat for almost forty years and it's always sad to see how they mostly end up.
Fortunately mine ended up in a museum still afloat being of interest as she was built in 1898. Incidentally I'm surprised to see that the craft in picture 21 still has its propeller,

Dirus_Strictus · Feb 2, 2018

Your best set yet Mikey. Superb! - But then I love maritime dereliction and this is also a favourite spot of mine for over 60 years. Like Scattergun, I had seafaring relatives and as a boy was taken to visit them many times when their ship docked back in the UK.

degenerate · Feb 2, 2018

Love it Mikey! Love anything to do with boats

fluffy5518 · Feb 2, 2018

Wowser !! Lovely stuff Mr Mutt - decay at its best !!

HughieD · Feb 2, 2018

Absolutely superb Mikey. Reminds me of the place in Plymouth I went to last year. Only more to see here.

Mikeymutt · Feb 2, 2018

Thank you all it's the first time I have photographed old boats.and I remember your report hughie and it's what inspired me to do one

Walfrid88 · Feb 6, 2018

Very interesting place and great photos

prettyvacant71 · Feb 7, 2018

Beautiful images mikey, boat wrecks always seem to remind me of skeletal beached whales washed up on the shore...with their seaweed covered curved wood resembling bleached ribs...ok enough of that arty **** lol, wonderful scenery too! For one minute I though you and your gf were gona pop outa that pipe...a bit of a squeeze but bet it crossed your mind :witless:

killie_steve · Feb 14, 2018

Nice photos mate. Driven past this loads of times, need to have a gander sometime

doncontrols · Feb 19, 2018

Great pics, must see if I can get up there sometime. The larger vessel was the Subro Venture as built, and was later renamed Sulby River under new owners and carried cargo to the Isle of Man from Glasson Dock in Lancashire, and Bangor in Northern Ireland. I spent a couple of years on her, but she was dead slow, occasionally going backwards with the tide despite the engine being flat out (6 cyl Kelvin). Sometime after I left, an agricultural trailer (I think) broke loose in the hold in rough weather and punched a hole in the side of the ship with its towbar. The boys were fortunate to be able to beach it on the IOM before she sank. Sad to see here like this - should have just cut her up. But that wouldn't make for good photos!

Bowling basin..Glasgow

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