Archaeology Notes

Event ID 784509

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/784509

NS37NW 17.00 3077 7520

NS37NW 17.01 30340 75460 to 30690 75280 repair quay

For associated tanker cleaning installation and pier (centred NS 30400 75690), see NS37NW 18.02.

Graving Dock [NAT]

OS 1:10,000 map (1991).

Visible on vertical air photographs (OS 88/041/060-62, flown 1988).

(Undated) information in NMRS.

This dry dock, the adjacent New Repair Quay (NS37NW 17.01, to the NW) and the associated tanker cleaning installation (NS37NW 18.02) form an extensive and co-ordinated repair facility, apparently specialised to the requirements of tankers and owned and operated by the Firth of Clyde Dry Dock Co Ltd.

The dock is of rectangular plan, aligned NNW-SSE, and entered through a flap-type gate at the NW. The following principal measurements apply:

Length from gate to head of lock: 1000ft (304.8m)

Clear width at entrance: 145ft (44.2m)

Draft on cill HWOST: 37ft (11.3m).

Keel- and automatic bilge blocks are provided, as is a heel block, but there are no side shores

The repair quay measures 1300ft (396.2m) in length, and is dredged to 27ft (8.2m) at LWOST.

A variety of cranes (of up 61t capacity) serve both facilities. Also available are tank cleaning and gas freeing facilities, and a plating and machine shop.

The tanker cleaning installation (NS37NW 18.02) is situated on the Garvel Embankment that forms the outer arm of the Great Harbour. The jetty and moorings are designed to accept tankers of up to 150,000 tons dwt; a hose handling structure and a gas-freeing unit are incorporated.

[Illustrations include location plan and cross-section of dry dock: the date of opening of the facility is unstated, but was apparently about 1960].

Firth of Clyde Dry Dock Co Ltd [c. 1960].

During the 1950's, the rapid increase in the size of ships being built on the Clyde required the provision of a dry dock in the 1000ft [305m] class, a site in the lower reaches of the estuary being seen as most suitable. To allow the making of a contribution by the Clyde [Navigation] Trust, legislation was proposed to extend the geographic remit of the Trust. In the event, this proved unnecessary, a private concern (the Firth of Clyde Drydock Co) being fotmed in 1960. Despite strong pressure to develop a site near Battery Park [name: NS 251 775], the comampany secured ground near Greenock's eastern boundary with Port Glasgow, and the Clyde's long-awaited dry dock was opened in August 1964. With dimensions of 100ft [305m] by 145ft [44.2m] and a depth of 50ft [15.2m], the Greenock dry dock was able to accommodate vessels of up to 150,000 tons dwt.

J Riddell 2000.