A future for seafaring’s past?

A Craigie regular whose background lies in the Courier Country shipping sector has entered the debate on the future of a 1:48 scale replica of a passenger-cum-cargo vessel built at Dundee’s Caledon yard in 1938.

The correspondent, who wishes to conceal his identity, writes: “When I read Captain John Watson’s views on the possible return of the Glenearn ship model from Chatham Dockyard, to say the least I was rather disappointed and I initially felt that cold water was being poured on the proposal.

“Having been interested in Dundee harbour and its shipping and shipbuilding industry from the early 1950s as a young lad at secondary school, I later became an avid reader of articles on the subject by the former Courier shipping correspondent, the late John Ingram.

“A Saturday evening was not complete until I had read his weekly local shipping contribution to the Evening Telegraph. His in-depth knowledge of the port of Dundee and the navigable reaches of the River Tay was legendary.

“I continued reading through Capt Watson’s comments to the final paragraph. In it he suggests a maritime museum or similar facility near the dry dock in the vicinity of Victoria Dock.

“This struck a chord. The news story in the same edition of The Courier detailed the planned development by the retail

giant Marks & Spencer who, it was reported, intend to vacate their foodhall in the Gallagher Retail Park which has the potential to house such an attraction.

“This extensive modern property already has a historical maritime link with the internal overhead crane still in situ. Close to the V&A, the Mcmanus Galleries, RRS Discovery, the Unicorn, North Carr light vessel and the planned Eden-type project, this could consolidate the city of Dundee on the international tourist map.

“After all, Aberdeen has an excellent maritime museum in the harbour area. Having visited Belfast and its Titanic Quarter a few weeks ago, how about a maritime quarter in Dundee?

“Within such a venue Dundee could create a future for its maritime past. Ships built and owned in the city sailed the seven seas transporting global trade for many decades during both peace and war.”