Ships Captain Ardrossan.

Hugh Stevely · Post by **Hugh Stevely** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 5:14 pm

I am looking for any info on James Cunningham who was a Seaman then a Ships Master at Ardrossan 1882 until 1890 - then a Ships Pilot out of Ardrossan 1890-1901- could be the Company he was sailing for was Nobel Explosives now i think ICI.
James was born in Ireland about 1858 and died 1904 in Ayr -- James was one of the youngest masters to take a Ship out of Ardrossan at that time.
Any info would be a great help.
Thanks Hugh.

Russell · Post by **Russell** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 7:48 pm

Hi Hugh

The best sources might be the locals in the town itself.

Try http://www.threetowners.com/

If they can't give you a direct answer they will probably know someone who can.
Ardrossan has a huge breakwater with treacherous rocks all round on quite an expose shore.

Russell

Hugh Stevely · Post by **Hugh Stevely** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 8:35 pm

Hi Russell many thanks for getting back to me i will try that link it has been good finding info in the past for Family Members.

Ok on the Breakwater and the rocks i was just looking at a chart it would have been a bit bad in a Gale-Force-Wind.

Cheers Hugh.

Russell · Post by **Russell** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 8:42 pm

It is Hugh

Even the CalMac ferry with side thrusters can have a bit of fun maneouvering into the harbour.

Great area for sailing though.

Russell

Hugh Stevely · Post by **Hugh Stevely** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 9:45 pm

Hi Russell.

Ok on that i posted a message on the link you give me -TalkingScot is doing well thats great.

Would love to sail in-to Ardrossan on my vessell one day you never know.
Cheers Hugh.

Post by **emanday** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 9:58 pm

Russell wrote:...snipped...

Even the CalMac ferry with side thrusters can have a bit of fun maneouvering into the harbour.

...snipped

Spent may a happy hour sitting on Oban pier watching the CalMac Isle of Mull and their other big ferries coming in, and even going around each other as one came in and the other went out. I've seen car drivers who couldn't park a mini as neatly as these guys could. Brought them in right up against the pier without as much as a "bump" . A treat to watch

Russell · Post by **Russell** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 11:44 pm

Hi Mary

The best bit of boat handling is the Orkney ferry coming in to John o Groats when theres a blow on.
It's a tight fit on a calm day yet they manage it even when the ferry is heaving all over the place.
Love Oban though and Ullapool

Russell

Post by **emanday** » Fri Aug 11, 2006 12:07 am

Hi Russell,

My best day watching the ferries was the day the Isle of Mull was going out and the even bigger Clansman was coming in. Very occasionally they "met in the middle" so to speak.

A Canadian couple hadn't seen that the Isle of Mull was already in and, when they spied the Clansman turning towards the bay the wife stated that "it can't be coming in here can it; the bay is too small". Hubby, wishing to appear knowledgable, laughed at her even thinking such a thing.

Imagine their shock when the "Mull" moved into their line of sight as it pulled away from the pier and it curved out one way while the Clansman curved inside its course and manouvered into the pier. Talk about giant dodgems!

I hope they didn't notice the amused grins on the faces of the people around them, mine included

Hugh Stevely · Post by **Hugh Stevely** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 10:14 am

He was born in County Down Ireland. His ship ran a ground on the Scilly Islands about 1902 and he was paralysed. He died two years later in 1904 at a hospital in Ayr.

A sad end.

alla mycket bäst Orraverybest Hugh.

Russell · Post by **Russell** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 11:40 pm

Hi Hugh

Thanks for getting back to us on this one. It's good to know the outcome of a bit of research even if it was a sad one for him.

Russell

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