The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
THE ARCHIVES
100 years ago
A handsome steamer, the Cortes, was launched from the yard of the Caledon Shipbuilding and Engineering Company Ltd, Dundee last evening. The time-honoured ceremony of striking the chisel was carried out by Mrs Blyth, and, as the mallet came in contact, ribbons became severed and the vessel slid gracefully to the water, the entire proceedings being carried out without the slightest hitch. As one official expressed it: “It was a beautiful launch. The Cortes is the fifth vessel to be launched by the company this year.
50 years ago
The United States destroyer Frank E. Evans was cut in two and the forward section sank following collision with the Royal Australian Navy’s aircraft carrier Melbourne during exercises in the South China Seas. First reports said more than 70 US sailors were missing and 197 of the Evans’ crew had been rescued. The Pentagon said the last reported strength of the 2,200-ton American warship was 273 officers and men. The rescued men were all snatched from the aft section which had been secured alongside the 25,000 ton carrier.
25 years ago
Twenty-nine people, including men in charge of the secret war against the IRA in Ulster were killed when an RAF Chinook helicopter crashed in thick fog on a hillside in the Mull of Kintyre. Senior army personnel and at least six Special Branch officers as well as Northern Ireland Office officials died in the crash, 10 miles from Campbeltown. The 25 passengers were on their way from RAF Aldergrove in Belfast to a major conference with other British intelligence men at Fort George, Inverness.
One year ago
Tannadice legend Paul Sturrock has taken on a new role in a revamp of Dundee United’s scouting network. The former Scotland international, who had previously been responsible for scouting in England as well as club adviser, has become the new chief scout. Former under-20s coach Dave Bowman has been appointed to the new position of scout in Scotland. Craig Easton has been named United’s new reserve team manager after moving back to Tannadice from Raith Rovers.