Scottish question time!

[Deleted member 36384]

The Vital Spark May Have Been Scrapped At Bowling Basin

.... I saw the McMillan Vital Spark, many years ago, rotting sadly into the sea at Troon where she had been abandoned...

I was told that she ended up in the outer basin at Bowling. She was being renovated and sat on an obstruction at low tide and filled with water when the tide came in. For many years she could (or at least a Puffer) could be seen from the train if the tide was right. I further heard, years later, that someone wanted to restore her again but I would have thought that she was long past that fate.

The last time I was at Bowling (about 2 years ago) I had a look around but the outer basing had been cleared up as part of the Canal renovation. Come to think of it, the Bowling Basing rejuvenation project may have been where I came across the comments about restoring her and the eventual scrapping of all the hulks in the basin.

 

[agurney]

I was told that she ended up in the outer basin at Bowling. She was being renovated and sat on an obstruction at low tide and filled with water when the tide came in. For many years she could (or at least a Puffer) could be seen from the train if the tide was right. I further heard, years later, that someone wanted to restore her again but I would have thought that she was long past that fate.

The last time I was at Bowling (about 2 years ago) I had a look around but the outer basing had been cleared up as part of the Canal renovation. Come to think of it, the Bowling Basing rejuvenation project may have been where I came across the comments about restoring her and the eventual scrapping of all the hulks in the basin.

You might find more information here: http://www.inveraraypier.com/clydepuffers01/

Alisdair

 

[Quandary]

There are three puffers around here just now and a fourth operational one left Crinan last summer for Kent (or somewhere, it was England anyway) .
Vic?? ,currently claiming the name Maggie is at the top of Crinan Boatyards slip which has been specially widened; after lying derelict in the Canal for a few years, she was towed back to Crinan for major restoration, including replating, looks like a very big job, she is owned by an Islay group.
Vic 32 (which does not pretend to be anything else) is wintering on the slip behind her, fully restored she operates steam holidays from Crinan or Corpach during the summer. Her owner also owns the steamboat 'Duke of Normandy' at Crinan basin. Recommended holiday, but bring your boiler suit.
A third Vic now claiming the name 'Vital Spark' lies outside the Arctic Penguin at Inveraray Pier and is normally part of the museum attraction there.
The skipper of Vic 32 tells a tale of buying a toilet fitting in Portree, the shopkeeper asked,
'who shall I make the invoice out to';
' just put down the Duke of Normandy';
'certainly Your Grace' he responded.

 

[agurney]

Aye man, roared Claymore its the tune the dammed tune ahm aifter!!!

Done, pick up your copy from http://www.agurney.com/crinan.pdf.
If you find it useful, then a quid in your local RNLI honesty box will do nicely.

Alisdair

 

[saltwater_gypsy]

Done, pick up your copy from http://www.agurney.com/crinan.pdf.
If you find it useful, then a quid in your local RNLI honesty box will do nicely.

Alisdair

"Ach man" said Claymore " I knew all along that you could do it!"
"Now then all together , and you Alisdair, you musical genius, you can lead off"
A happy smile spread over Claymore's grizzly features as the song began.
He even began to think about supporting the RNLI with a small donation.