The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Ice rink in days gone by
Both of the photographs on the page today have been supplied by Broughty Ferry reader Jim Howie. The one on the right shows Dundee Ice Rink.
Jim says: “Regarding the recent piece about Dundee Ice Rink, here is a 1938 postcard of the finished rink, possibly taken from the railway bridge that crossed the Kingsway carrying the line to Blairgowrie.”
The photograph at the foot of the column shows autographs from the Dundee Tigers ice hockey team circa 1950.
“The name second from the top – Harry Morland – reminded me that the jersey he wore for the Tigers is on display in Toronto’s Ice Hockey Hall of Fame,” comments Jim, adding: “May I just point out that Premier land was not in William Street but in William Lane which was between Victoria Road and King Street.”
Don’t miss this opportunity
David Middleton, mechanical engineer and author of the book Caledon Ships, has been in touch with his view on the Glenearn model ship.
“The opportunity to have the TSMV Glenearn ship model in Dundee should surely not be missed,” he comments. “This city should highlight the achievements of its people and display them for all to see and enjoy. Glasgow has many such ships on public display including in Strathclyde University’s library.
“Glenearn was a prototype of a new class of ship for the Glen Line, that company being a member of the Alfred Holt Group of Birkenhead. Choosing Caledon Shipyard to develop and detail the design was based on it being a top-quality UK yard in which Holt had had an interest since 1916.
“The Caledon design team would have worked closely with Harry Flett, Holt’s chief naval architect, to produce the detail design which would be built in Dundee.
“This was no ordinary cargo ship but a veritable ‘racehorse’ being capable of 18 knots. It had a crew of 83 and first class stateroom accommodation for 12 passengers. Its cruising speed and build quality led to it being earmarked by the Admiralty for naval support service in the Second World War.
“The design of escort aircraft carrier HMS Activity was based on Glenearn which was to have been TSMV Telemachus for Holt’s Blue Funnel line. It has been reported that HMS Activity reached 21 knots on its trials.
“In addition to being important in merchant ship development, it was an elegant vessel which gave great service in civil and military terms.
“The model would be an artefact of importance to Dundee and of interest to the city’s population. Having Glenearn’s model on display would mark the fact that such a ship and shipyard existed and that Dundee people played their part in Glenearn’s design and manufacture.
“Aesthetically it is also a magnificent thing to behold – which I did many times on passing through the Caledon headquarters.
“The ideal place for such a display would, I agree, be a Dundee Maritime Museum placed somewhere in the harbour area. Until that comes about surely a caring berth could be found in the city.”
Hilarious scenes
“The Hollywood true life feature film which had a Dundee connection and was mentioned in the weekend quiz is an interesting tale,” writes Fraser Elder.
“The 1958 Warner Brothers movie Darby’s Rangers was the story about the formation of an elite US Army group formed by Major William Orlando Darby, portrayed by James Garner of TV Maverick fame.
“In a top secret mission, Darby’s group was shipped to Scotland for serious training by British Commandos in rough terrains in central Scotland. Dundee was their first dropping off point. Unfortunately, while the history of the US Special Forces was portrayed accurately, the film in general was not shot in Scottish locations – Dundee’s Tay Bridge Station and surrounding city streets and pubs were created on back lots in Hollywood!
“In several hilarious scenes, which I recall brought the house down in Green’s Playhouse, Darby’s troops were involved in a brawl near the station (The Star & Garter or the Club Bar perhaps) with kilted accordion buskers and pipers. They all then became the best of pals and, after reaching higher standards than Commandos, went off to win the war.”
Dundee’s ‘Mr Boxing’
“I have been reading the story of Dundee’s ‘Mr Boxing’,” says an Angus reader. “He was George ‘Lucky’ Grant and Norman Watson has written an interesting account of his life. He was the first and last Dundonian to promote a world title boxing fight.
“Apparently, he was known as ‘Lucky’ because he always seemed to be blessed by good fortune and built up a successful chain of betting shops.
“The book was printed in 2013 by Robertson Printers of Forfar.”