The ship they used
as a gun-runner
as a gun-runner
George Houghton takes
a look at a rusting
bit of Northern
Ireland's history
a look at a rusting
bit of Northern
Ireland's history
A ship with a chequered past, the 'Clyde Valley', once used as a gun-runner to carry arms for the original Ulster Volunteer Force, slipped quietly into Lancaster waters last week on her final voyage before being broken up.
Still proudly flying the pennant of Northern Ireland, the 'Clyde Valley' was towed from Belfast to arrive during the night at Marsh Point near Carlisle Bridge.
Built in 1886, and originally a steamer, it was one of the first iron ships registered with Lloyds. Today, it lies on the muddy bank of the Lune, it's propeller rusted and covered in moss, metals tarnished and woodwork rotting, it's once busy decks silent and deserted.
Among a small group of spectators along the bank on Saturday was Mr. Harry Hardy, of Liburnum Grove, Marsh. He used to load corn for local
Still proudly flying the pennant of Northern Ireland, the 'Clyde Valley' was towed from Belfast to arrive during the night at Marsh Point near Carlisle Bridge.
Built in 1886, and originally a steamer, it was one of the first iron ships registered with Lloyds. Today, it lies on the muddy bank of the Lune, it's propeller rusted and covered in moss, metals tarnished and woodwork rotting, it's once busy decks silent and deserted.
Among a small group of spectators along the bank on Saturday was Mr. Harry Hardy, of Liburnum Grove, Marsh. He used to load corn for local
merchants when Lord Ashton had ambitions to own cargo ships in the Lancaster port, then considared a worthy competitor of Liverpool.
Now 68, Harry could still remember some of the ships names on which he worked and recalled the 'Clyde Valley' being used to carry weapons.
In 1914 the ''Clyde Valley'' carried about 30,000 German rifles to arm Sir Edward Carson's original Ulster Volunteer Force.
Now 68, Harry could still remember some of the ships names on which he worked and recalled the 'Clyde Valley' being used to carry weapons.
In 1914 the ''Clyde Valley'' carried about 30,000 German rifles to arm Sir Edward Carson's original Ulster Volunteer Force.
The man now most deeply involved in the ship's last chapter is Mr. C. B. Nutter, who's company R. Taylor and sons of Bury, exporters and scrap merchants have recieved the contract to break it up. ''About six years ago,'' said Mr. Nutter, ''the Rev. Ian Paisley brought it from Canada.''
His plans were to make her a memorial to the protestant cause but he did not get enough support, and it was taken to Carrick Fergus. It has remained there untill it was granted it's last certificate of seaworthiness to be towed to Lancaster.
Loyalists dressed the ship in bunting before it was towed out of Carrick Harbour.
By the end of the year the 'Clyde Vally' will be no more, it's parts widely distributed, the rest of it just chunks of scrap.
His plans were to make her a memorial to the protestant cause but he did not get enough support, and it was taken to Carrick Fergus. It has remained there untill it was granted it's last certificate of seaworthiness to be towed to Lancaster.
Loyalists dressed the ship in bunting before it was towed out of Carrick Harbour.
By the end of the year the 'Clyde Vally' will be no more, it's parts widely distributed, the rest of it just chunks of scrap.
Copyright The Lancaster Gardian, Reproduced here with their kind permission.
Thanks to the Lancaster Library Reference and Information Service for Tracking down the clipping.
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Thanks to the Lancaster Library Reference and Information Service for Tracking down the clipping.
Right click and "Save As" to Download Original Scan - Download Problems?
The Lancaster Guardian 30th August 1974
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