Glenlee Restoration
Apr. 21st, 2011 10:47 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
anteros_lmcA rather nice little film of the restoration of Glasgow's tall ship Glenlee, whose shrouds, masts and cables feature in some of my icons. The music is dire but there are some lovely aerial shots of the ship being towed up the Clyde. I can almost imagine a couple of lieutenants standing on her cross trees! ;)
ETA And here's a picture of Clyde shipping in the river's hey day. This is the North Quay of the Queens Dock in 1913. The picture is taken from the fascinating collection Doon the Watter on the Glasgow History website.
ETA And here's a picture of Clyde shipping in the river's hey day. This is the North Quay of the Queens Dock in 1913. The picture is taken from the fascinating collection Doon the Watter on the Glasgow History website.
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Date: 2011-04-21 10:24 pm (UTC)It may be the tugboats that lumped my throat. I do adore tug-boats. Even air-craft carriers use them you know. So to me they mean homecoming.
Is the city in the film Glasgow? It looks like it has a still living waterfront. Although none are as busy as they were once... Cities like Baltimore have given up on waterfront industry, and just made condo's and shopping/dining there, which is a shame.
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Date: 2011-04-21 11:28 pm (UTC)You still see a lot of tugs at work further down the Clyde where there's more shipping. There was a terrible, terrible accident four years ago when one ran aground and capsized in appalling freezing fog with the loss of three lives. I remember that night vividly.
I think you are right in your assessment of the lads view of refitting! The colourful little flags on you can see fluttering on Glenlee's rigging are all sponsored by individuals to raise money for the ship's maintenance. They cost £50 each and I keep meaning to donate one in the name of Lt A. Kennedy :}
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Date: 2011-04-21 10:33 pm (UTC)I suppose I was as much interested in the technical details and how much had changed from the beginning of the 19th century (Hornblower's era) until GLENLEE was built.
Dave
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Date: 2011-04-21 11:06 pm (UTC)Glenlee has a fascinating history. She was purchased by the Spanish Navy in 1922 and used as a cadet training ship under the name Galatea. During this time she accommodated 300 - 400 cadets, which I find almost impossible to believe having been on board. There is an unusual cast iron tank forward in the orlop what was installed by the Spanish and appears to have been used to hold wine or oil. Galatea was eventually laid up in 1970 at El Ferrol so there is a tenuous connection with Hornblower!
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Date: 2011-04-22 06:46 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-04-22 11:14 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-04-22 02:46 pm (UTC)Last weekend, we replaced two of her main mooring lines. I was in charge of the project, so, I can definitely relate to how the captains/first officers of old had to deal with contractors, etc. when fitting out!
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Date: 2011-04-22 07:34 pm (UTC)Well done overseeing the mooring line replacements. I do hope your contractors weren't as corrupt as the old naval dockyards seem to have been!
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Date: 2011-04-23 05:12 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-04-23 10:44 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-04-22 11:08 pm (UTC)Dave
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Date: 2011-04-23 05:33 am (UTC)Glenlee has a bald-headed/jubilee rig (no royals).
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Date: 2011-04-23 06:00 pm (UTC)I certainly don't claim to be an expert on any of this, but I believe I'm fairly knowledgable. At least I can equate a particular look that a vessel might have with a particular period of history. Always bothers me when movies and documentaries don't seem to care. I've seen so many things set in the time of the American Revolution, the Napoleonic Wars, or the WAR of 1812, where the vessels used seem to be from the later part of the 19th century. To me it would be like filming scenes of a WWI aerial dog fight using Spitfires, Messerschmitts, and Mustangs. I suppose the average viewer wouldn't know the difference regarding the ships, and possibly in several years wouldn't know the difference regarding the aircraft.
Sorry for the rant
Dave
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Date: 2011-04-24 05:52 am (UTC)The art department folk from the new Pirates movie contacted us about our binnacle, while they were here filming. They didn't use it, but it would have been kind of funny if they had.
I've heard people calling our freeing ports, gun ports. Small kids call her a pirate ship. Or people think she's a whaler. :(
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Date: 2011-04-23 05:39 am (UTC)http://www.thesquarerigger.com/glenlee.html
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Date: 2011-04-23 05:52 pm (UTC)Thanks,
Dave
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Date: 2011-04-22 11:43 am (UTC)Wait... is it the Indy theme music? :P
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Date: 2011-04-22 07:35 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-04-22 01:31 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-04-22 07:41 pm (UTC)I am being elbowed out of the way
*gasp* He's not being "unscrupulous" is he?!
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Date: 2011-04-22 07:55 pm (UTC)He is thinking of being unscrupulous - but I think only for the benefit of haunting certain respected maritime historians *points to icon*
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Date: 2011-04-22 08:09 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-04-22 01:43 pm (UTC)The Glenlee looks a fine vessel- I find it difficult still to think these ships are metal - though these days I know that one of my grandsons - one of Emma's boys - wrote a good bit about iron ship about twenty years before this trading vessel.
And as for refitting - every captain's nightmare and every young scamp of a lietenant and middies' dream - frolicking ashore having delivered yet another letter from a harrassed captain practically having to beg for what he can get depsite his requsition form all present and correct
It might be signed Nepean per pro Spencer et al - but if you thinnk that sways a port admiral's heart ...it took me three attempts to get the Indy remasted after the Droits de l'homme - they appear to think one can chace and capture the enemy and never lose a spar
harrumph! Still - your assessment of the relative attitudes to rrefitting of my lieuteants sounds correct - that William Bush sets a fine example I gather -but it was young Kennedy who always returned from dockside with the largest and most enigmatic smile.He had ever a talent for strategic evaluation that young man...
I am told I need to go and pour something chilled in the beverage line now, so I as always ma'am, yours fondly, EP
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Date: 2011-04-22 07:48 pm (UTC)It is always the very greatest pleasure to hear from you! I am most gratified you enjoyed seeing Glenlee, she is a very fine vessel indeed. She also happens to be a refugee from El Ferrol, where she languished uncared for for too many years. As you can see she now receives the care and attention she so richly deserves. I am sure your young lieutenants would approve!
I remain as every, dear sir, your fondest
Madam
A