Ailsa Shipbuilding Company
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Ailsa Shipbuilding Company was a shipbuilding company based in Troon, Scotland. The company was founded in 1885 by Archibland Kennedy, the 3rd Marquess of Ailsa.
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[edit] Spirit of the Scotia
The Ailsa yard fitted out the polar exploration ship Scotia for the Scottish National Antarctic Expedition of 1902-04. The Scotia sailed from Troon for the South Atlantic on 30 October 1902. [1]
[edit] Paddle steamers
The company built paddle steamers for various companies around the UK, including the New Medway Shipping Companies boats including PS Medway Queen.
[edit] Wartime Service
During the First World War, the shipyard built the Royal Navy's first paddle minesweeper of the Bird class.[2] During the Second World War, Ailsa built vessels for the Navy, including several Bangor class minesweepers.
[edit] Later Years
Brian Donohoe, Member of Parliament for Ayrshire Central was an apprentice fitter and turner at the Ailsa shipyard from 1965, before becoming a draughtsman in 1969. In 1977, Ailsa was nationalised into the British Shipbuilders Corporation. In 1981, the assets of Ailsa and those of Ferguson Brothers were merged to form Ferguson-Ailsa, Limited. This grouping was split and privatised in 1986, the Ailsa yard being acquired by Perth Corporation as Ailsa & Perth, Limited. Ailsa stopped large-scale shipbuilding in 1988 and finally closed as a shipbuilder in 2003. The company's papers are archived at Glasgow University. The yard has recently been used for ship repair work and the fabrication of large concrete sections for a pier improvement programme in Grimsay, Western Isles[3]
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[edit] External links
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