The Northern Constitution 25th March 1967
BID TO SAVE HISTORIC
'OLD LADY' FROM
THE SCRAPYARD
'OLD LADY' FROM
THE SCRAPYARD
The Appeal for funds to bring a piece of Ulster's history back to it's native shore is gaining momentum. But the organisers say, much more money is still needed.
The plan is to bring back to Ulster the Mountjoy II, the historic ship which broke a Royal Navy blockade to land arms for the Ulster Volunteer Force in 1914.
Target of the appeal is £10,000. Of this £4,000 will be used to purchase the ship where she lies in Sidney, Nova Scotia. The remainder of the money is needed to do some necessary repairs and return her to a permanent berth in Ulster.
The appeal was launched by Whitehead engineer Mr.Samuel Campbell.
Target of the appeal is £10,000. Of this £4,000 will be used to purchase the ship where she lies in Sidney, Nova Scotia. The remainder of the money is needed to do some necessary repairs and return her to a permanent berth in Ulster.
The appeal was launched by Whitehead engineer Mr.Samuel Campbell.
ful, the historic 81-year-old ship will be saved from the scrapyard.
She is at present known as the ''Clyde Valley'' and was operated along the Newfoundland and Nova Scotia coast as a freighter.
She has been tied up since January, 1966, when, following an accident the owners decided to ''retire'' her and bought a replacement.
She is at present known as the ''Clyde Valley'' and was operated along the Newfoundland and Nova Scotia coast as a freighter.
She has been tied up since January, 1966, when, following an accident the owners decided to ''retire'' her and bought a replacement.
Mr. Harold L. Lake, director of the company, says: ''However because of the history of this old vessel and a certain amount of sentimental attachment, I am somewhat reluctant to sell her to a scrap dealer.''
Already the company has offered to make a substantial contribution to the appeal fund.
This week, too, Mr. Campbell recieved contributions from as far away as Jamaica and Nova Scotia.
The ship carried the name Mountjoy for only a short- but historicly important- time in her career. That was when on the night of April 24, 1914, she sailed the U.V.F. guns into Larne harbour.
Said the Rev. John Faulkner, one of the men who have volunteered to sail the Mountjoy to Ulster: ''To many this (the Mountjoy) is the name by which she will always be known. It is for this exploit that she deserves an honoured place in the history of Ulster, for she is part of it.''
Already the company has offered to make a substantial contribution to the appeal fund.
This week, too, Mr. Campbell recieved contributions from as far away as Jamaica and Nova Scotia.
The ship carried the name Mountjoy for only a short- but historicly important- time in her career. That was when on the night of April 24, 1914, she sailed the U.V.F. guns into Larne harbour.
Said the Rev. John Faulkner, one of the men who have volunteered to sail the Mountjoy to Ulster: ''To many this (the Mountjoy) is the name by which she will always be known. It is for this exploit that she deserves an honoured place in the history of Ulster, for she is part of it.''
''I feel that this ship should be brought back to Ulster, and i am asking Ulster people at home and abroad to assist me in the formidable task.'' he said.
He has approached Ulster Societies in Canada, Australia and New Zealand for help.
Mr. Campbell, who is a native of Kiltinney, Macosquin, near Coleraine, hopes to bring the ship back this summer.
It will then be presented to the Ulster Folk Museum, and is expected to have a permanent berth at Larne- where the ''guns for Ulster'' were landed- or in the Transport Museum at Cultra, County Down.
If the appeal for funds is success-
He has approached Ulster Societies in Canada, Australia and New Zealand for help.
Mr. Campbell, who is a native of Kiltinney, Macosquin, near Coleraine, hopes to bring the ship back this summer.
It will then be presented to the Ulster Folk Museum, and is expected to have a permanent berth at Larne- where the ''guns for Ulster'' were landed- or in the Transport Museum at Cultra, County Down.
If the appeal for funds is success-
FORMIDABLE
But Mr. Campbell scoffs at suggestions that she would be unable to make the crossing from Canada.
''These rumours are completely unfounded.'' he said. ''we have a cunsultants report that makes it quite clear she is in seaworthy shape.''
And the owners, in a letter to Mr. Campbell, state: ''The 'Clyde Valley' was working perfectly on charter to the Canadian National Railways right up to the time we tied her up in January, 1966'' In the writers opinion, she is still a sound ship and is still good for many years to come.
''Her engine and machinery in every respect are in good condition.''
''She also has radio-telephone radar and the up-to-date navigational aids.''
The owners, the Lake Shipping
''These rumours are completely unfounded.'' he said. ''we have a cunsultants report that makes it quite clear she is in seaworthy shape.''
And the owners, in a letter to Mr. Campbell, state: ''The 'Clyde Valley' was working perfectly on charter to the Canadian National Railways right up to the time we tied her up in January, 1966'' In the writers opinion, she is still a sound ship and is still good for many years to come.
''Her engine and machinery in every respect are in good condition.''
''She also has radio-telephone radar and the up-to-date navigational aids.''
The owners, the Lake Shipping
STILL SOUND
The 174ft. steamship was built in Belfast in 1866 and launched as the ss. Balneil. Later the name was changes to Londoner.
Some time after the First World War she appeared on the Canadian eastern seaboard, when her name was changed to the Clyde Valley. Diesel engines replaced her original boilers.
It is just over three months since Mr. Campbell found that the Mountjoy was still afloat and immeadiately launched the fund.
He says: '' I know that Ulster men and women will respond to this appeal for the return of a piece of Ulster History.''
He adds that the contributions should be sent to the Clyde Valley Preservation fund, Northern Bank, Whitehead, County Antrim.
Some time after the First World War she appeared on the Canadian eastern seaboard, when her name was changed to the Clyde Valley. Diesel engines replaced her original boilers.
It is just over three months since Mr. Campbell found that the Mountjoy was still afloat and immeadiately launched the fund.
He says: '' I know that Ulster men and women will respond to this appeal for the return of a piece of Ulster History.''
He adds that the contributions should be sent to the Clyde Valley Preservation fund, Northern Bank, Whitehead, County Antrim.
NAME CHANGED
As she is today - the old 'gun runner' pictured off Newfoundland
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RELUCTANT
Company of St John's, Newfoundland, add that the scrap value is given as 12,000 Canadian dollars.
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