Blog at the Ballast

In preparation for tomorrow's theme on all things Engineering, I thought this week's Friday photo would be a nice opportunity to show some of Bill's collection of shipyard and engine works photographs. 

This image is of the only diesel engine designed and built by Kincaids. This was fitted for the mv Kindiesel built by Ardrossan Dockyard, Yard no 361 in 1936. 

This photo is from the John G Kincaid & Co Ltd Collection, held by Glasgow City Archives. 

This Kincaids engine (K23) was fitted for Clan McDonald by Greenock Dockyard company. It was common for different parts which make up a ship, like the engine, to be made by another company and fitted at another shipyard. Each yard would have given the engine its own number for reference. 

This photo is from the John G Kincaid & Co Ltd Collection, held by Glasgow City Archives. 

This photograph of reduction gears for a steam turbine comes from the John G Kincaid & Co Ltd collection, held by Glasgow City Archives. 

This image shows at least 7 steam engines, mainly triple expansion engines in the E-shop at East Hamilton street works. This was taken c.1920 and is from the John G Kincaid & Co Ltd Collection held at Glasgow City Archives. 

You can view more here on our Flick page. Keep an eye out for tomorrows #Ballast30 on Engineering and our procedures for sorting through engine plans and drawings! 

This week I have been focusing on box listing Clyde Port Authority and Clyde Navigation Trust material from Glasgow City Archives. This has brought up some interesting findings, in particular volumes of 'Transactions of the Institution of Naval Architects' and a beautiful set of watercolour plans of the Harbour of Glasgow from Clyde Navigation c.1875 and 1840. 

 Transactions of the Institutions of Naval Architects. 1927 and 1928. 

 Clyde Navigation. Plan of the Harbour of Glasgow. 1875. Watercolour on paper (with support). 

Clyde Navigation. Plan of the Harbour of Glasgow. 1840. Watercolour on paper (with support). 

Clyde Navigation. Plan of the Harbour of Glasgow, 1800. Watercolour on paper (with support). 

Box listing provides us with an overview of material we have been temporarily given to process whilst allowing us to make an assessment on the condition of the collection and the most appropriate method of storage. Box listing also allows us to identfy material that is significant for research and any material that may need special access restrictions, for example material which is covered by Data Protection. Understanding what we have is beneficial to the Trust, the archive, researchers and the collection itself. 

If you haven't already have a look over on our Twitter and our #Ballast30 initiative where we're uploading a fact every day all about the Trust! 

Logging and paper making Newfoundland, Canada. The lower right photo shows rolls of paper being loaded onto the SS Tritonia. Photograph Album TD49/262.

The company acquired other lines and developed subsidiary companies. Though after the Second World War they continued their passenger and cargo lines, decline was beginning to set in due to the increased passenger air transport and the containerisation of cargo. Ultimately the Line went into liquidation in 1967. 

TSS Saturnia postcard Photograph Album TD49/263

Menu from the TSS Saturnia 1913 Photograph Album TD49/263