Arran gets a good view of TS Queen Mary coming home
A 1930s steam ship that gave its name to the ocean liner Queen Mary has returned to the Clyde.
TS Queen Mary, one of the oldest Clyde-built steamers, arrived at Greenock on Sunday afternoon after being towed from the Port of Tilbury in Essex. Watchers on Arran got a good view of the grand old lady as she was towed up the Firth of Clyde last Sunday.
The 250ft ship has been languishing at the docks for years after falling into disrepair.
A charity backed by Robbie Coltrane is raising funds to restore the ship and berth her permanently in Glasgow. Friends of TS Queen
Mary has raised more than £300,000 to make her seaworthy and make the return journey possible, but a further £2m will be needed to complete the restoration.
Built in 1933 at Dumbarton, The TS Queen Mary was one of the last steamships to be launched from the famous Clyde dockyards. She sailed passengers ‘doon the watter’ from Glasgow to destinations including Arran, Dunoon, Rothesay and Millport.
At the outbreak of World War Two, the steamer known as TS Queen Mary II at the time - became a lifeline for Scotland’s island communities.
While other vessels were commandeered to sweep for mines or to protect Scotland’s skies from German bombers, she helped maintain a vital passenger and freight service between the mainland and the islands.
In 2008 she was sold to a private owner but plans to restore her failed and she fell into disrepair.
Friends of TS Queen Mary was formed in 2012 in a bid to safeguard the future of ship.