Film – Clyde Shipping 1938

Here is a film of shipping activity on the River Clyde in 1938. There are scenes of excursion steamers heading “Doon the Watter” and into the Firth, the launch of a new vessel, a ship being coaled, cargo being loaded by the giant Stobcross crane and a passenger liner leaving for Canada.

A Scottish Films Production

This film begins with the relatively new turbine steamer Queen Mary II packed to capacity and leaving the Bridge Wharf for a trip “Doon the Watter”. Further down the quayside, one of the new two-funnelled paddle steamers, Juno or Jupiter, completed the year before, is moored. As we enter the Firth there are views of the turbine steamer Glen Sannox and the paddle steamer Duchess of Fife, a favorite on the Clyde that would last for fifty years. Passengers are shown enjoying themselves with on board activities or simply relaxing and taking in the beautiful scenery.

We are coming out of the Great Depression and this film tells of work on the Clyde, of the building of ships and activity in the docks where vessels are being readied for sea. Railway locomotives built in Glasgow are loaded onto a freighter by one of the heavy lift cranes and there is a scene of coaling activity at Rothesay Dock. As a ship moves downriver on its outward journey, its progress is delayed by the launch of the T. S. Canton from Alexander Stephen’s shipyard, an event which took place on 14th April, 1938. Clyde Shipping Company tugs are in attendance, ready to escort the new vessel to the fitting out facility at Shieldhall where she will be completed for service with the P. & O. Line. The way is now clear for traffic and there is a fine view of the Anchor Donaldson liner Athenia passing Yorkhill Quay where one of the three-funnelled Anchor liners, either the T.S.S. Caledonia or Transylvania, is moored.

As the Athenia heads out into the open sea en route to Canada, the clouds of war were gathering in Europe and this fine vessel would become the first British ship to be lost, torpedoed as she was outward bound on September 3, 1939, the day when Great Britain declared war on Germany.

Thanks to robbeale for uploading this video to YouTube.

Tagged as: Alexander Stephen, Anchor Donaldson Line, Anchor Line, Clyde Shipping Company tugs, Doon the Watter, Finnieston crane, P. S. Duchess of Fife, P. S. Juno, P. S. Jupiter, Rothesay Dock, S. S. Athenia, Stobcross crane, T. S. Canton, T. S. S. Caledonia, T. S. S. Glen Sannox, T. S. S. Queen Mary II, T. S. S. Transylvania, Yorkhill Quay