THE ARCHIVES

100 years ago

A German communique reports: “On the western bank of the Dvina the divisions fighting under the command of Lieutenant-General Count von Schmettow succeeded by a well-prepared and powerfully executed attack in breaking through the Russian positions north-west of Jacobstadt. The excellent work of our artillery and mine-throwers made a way for the infantry, which was supported well by the aviators under the leadership of Prince Friedrich Sigismund of Prussia.”

50 years ago

Sirens blared, fireboats sprayed farewell curtains of water, and sailors tossed their caps overboard to girls on tugs as the Queen Mary began her last scheduled Atlantic crossing yesterday. A dozen helicopters, 15 tugs and flotilla of about 30 smaller craft escorted the retiring Queen from New York harbour out past the Statue of Liberty. As the Queen Mary left her usual berth at Pier 92 hundreds of spectators cheered and waved wildly. A band on the quayside played a farewell music medley.

25 years ago

Final preparations are being made as the countdown begins to the last voyage of Captain Scott’s ship Discovery in the Tay on Saturday. The operation – involving several months of meticulous planning – will eventually be carried out by a flotilla of five tugs and three workboats. Discovery will be moved from her temporary berth at Victoria Dock, Dundee, to her new home alongside the new £6 million Discovery Point visitor centre, presently being built at Discovery Quay.

One year ago

One of Perth’s best-loved takeaways burned to the ground as its owners and staff looked on in horror. The flames that tore through Café Aladdins on the city’s Western Edge left the shop a ruin. Firefighters battled for more than two hours to extinguish the fierce blaze. They saved neighbouring businesses but could not prevent the takeaway’s destruction. Imran Mohammed, whose father owns the business, said it had been “a big, big tragedy” and that he had been “devastated”.