Blog at the Ballast

Today's photo is the Mercury, built by Napier Shanks & Bell, Yoker in 1892.She was a paddle steamer for the Glasgow and South Western Railway until it was taken over by LMS Railway Company and was based at Greenock for the Rothesay and Kyles of Bute trade.Specification details available from clydebuilt database here and there is another picture of her on flickr here....

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This week's photo is of the puffer Moonlight by W J Yarwood & Sons, Northwich, to the order of Ross & Marshall Limited, Greenock. There is a detailed description of the building of a model of this particular puffer here on the website of the North Cheshire Marine Fine Scale Association. ...

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The Centre for Maritime Historical Studies at the University of Exeter is organizing a one day conference called Seas, Seamen and Shipping to be held on 4th June at the SS Great Britain (10am-5pm). The Centre for Maritime Historical Studies was the first of its kind in a British university. It seeks to promote research into economic, social, political, naval and environmental aspects...

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Today's photo is a paddlesteamer the Marchioness of Breadalbane. She was built by J Reid & Co, Port Glasgow in 1890.Specification details available from clydebuilt database here.The ship is named obviously after the Marchioness of Breadalbane who was Lady Alma Imogen Carlotta Leonore Graham and married to the Marquess of Breadalbane, Gavin Campbell. ...

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In 2009 the Ballast Trust was approached by the Inverclyde Community Development Trust, who were involved, along with Ferguson Shipbuilders, in the refurbishment of the Replica paddle steamer “COMET”. They were seeking information about the building of the replica in 1962. A few variations of the replica’s history had been gathered in from people in Inverclyde District who had been involved, in some...

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The Ballast Trust is working with ProjectScotland to create a volunteering opportunity for a young person to give them an opportunity to an understanding of archives as a career and the role of an archivist. The placement can be viewed on their website by searching here using our postcode PA5 8AB.It will provide suitable experience with which to be accepted for further training...

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Today's photo is of the M. A. James a schooner built in 1900.  I have chosen it however for the 3 small boys in the top right corner of the picture who look pretty excited. She was built in Portmadoc, North Wales by David Williams as a three masted topsail schooner for work in the slate and general cargo trade. ...

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