Up on a Crane Kilted

[cessna152towser]

I had some time to spare in Glasgow on the day before my meet up with Forrester Modern so I took an excursion on the M.V.Cruiser from Glasgow harbour, exploring some of the heritage of the River Clyde.

There is still some shipbuilding activity. Here the Scarborough nears completion for the Trinidad and Tobago Navy.

Renfrew, on left and Yoker on right. There was formerly a vehicle ferry here and the slipway can still be seen on the left. New tunnels and bridges made the ferry redundant but a small pedestrian ferry still operates.

Our destination was the Titan crane, which is about all that remains of John Brown's shipyard at Clydebank. Here, about seven miles down river from Glasgow harbour, the Clyde widens out so there was space to launch larger ships. The Cunard liners Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Elizabeth II were built here.
Nowadays the crane has been made into a tourist attraction by the addition of a lift (elevator) and additional safety grilles.

Up on the deck of the crane.

Looking west towards the open sea.

Looking north along the crane jib.

Inside the cable drum housing.

From up here, M.V.Cruiser looks a tiny ship, yet she can carry 250 passengers. Shortly we would embark to sail back to Glasgow taking the river arm which goes off to the top left, which is the River Clyde towards Glasgow. On the right is the River Cart which has flowed through Paisley before joining the Clyde here.

Sailing into Glasgow harbour with the Millenium Footbridge raised to allow passage of M.V.Cruiser.
That's all folks.