Published: Tuesday, 24th June, 2008 09:30
Denny's ferry is sailing at 70
By Matt Meade
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A DENNY-built ferry is set to mark its 70th birthday next month, but its sailing days could soon be over due to Brussels bureaucrats.
The Second Snark, which has been in operation since July 27 1938, was first used to ferry workers to trial new Clyde-built ships.
It now operates as a tour boat on the Clyde, ferrying passengers from Greenock and Helensburgh up to the scenic areas of Lochgoilhead and Loch Long.
However, owner Hamish Munro has revealed the vessel may have to be retired.
He told the Reporter: “It’s testament to the workmanship of those who built it at Denny’s that it is still in use today.
“Clyde-built ships always operate to a high standard — I don’t think any of the workers who helped build the ship would have expected it to last this long.
“But we do have to consider options for her retirement soon.
“Legislation from Brussels becoming what it is, her operations may be coming to an end.
“We do hope to be able to preserve her though, undercover and inland, as a fine example of a Clyde built ship.”
Balloch ship enthusiast Bruce Biddulph, 44, has paid tribute to the longevity of the Second Snark.
Bruce, who runs a website on maritime matters, www.clydesite.co.uk, praised the Denny boat, which carries up to 120 passengers.
He said: “The Snark was built by the Denny’s and was used as the yard tender to ferry workers to trial new Clyde-built ships.
“The Denny family owned it and eventually used it as their own private yacht, so it is fitted to a very high degree.
“When you go on the ship now, it’s like stepping back in time.
“The wheelhouse contains the original fittings and is framed by brass, it’s also exceptionally smooth to travel on — you forget she’s so old.
“Today’s wheelhouse’s are computerised and quite bare, so it’s a treat to sail on it.”
Bruce has a fascination for ships despite having a lifelong fear of them.
He said: “As a boy I used to be fascinated by the ships that sailed along the Clyde.
“I used to force myself to go down to the shipyards and stand beside the ships to try and overcome my fear — sometimes I felt I would pass-out.”
He is an authority on the Snark and told the Reporter how she moved from the Clyde to the Forth in 1963 to spend six years being used as a test bed for research into ship stabilizers, which control the rolling of ships.
It returned west after the Munro family bought it in May 1969.
Their company, Clydebank Marine Service Limited, currently operate the 75 foot long passenger ferry.
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