The map above shows the docks and shipyards operating in the 1930's along the River Clyde in and around Glasgow.
1850's map showing Windmillcroft, the site of the Kingston Dock, and the 3 adjacent ferry crossings
Going downsteam from east to west the ferries were:
This view of the Broomielaw and the busy activity on the Clyde comes from an engraving published in 1829.
A terrible accident occurred on 30th November 1864 when a ferry operated by rowing boat overturned in mid-channel after setting out from Clyde Street, Anderston.
The Glasgow Herald of 2nd December 1864 was highly critical of the authorities, describing the catastrophe as “a sad and agonising commentary on the manner in which these ferries have been conducted. Looking at the sad result, we may now express surprise that calamities of this kind have not been of more frequent occurrence.”
Once you reached the end of the Broomielaw there was no need to use ferries to cross the river as this view of Glasgow Bridge shows. The bridge opened for traffic on 2nd January 1772 on the site of the present day Jamaica Bridge. In the distance you can see the Stockwell Bridge, which was later replaced by the Victoria Bridge.
The River Clyde upstream from the Glasgow Bridge had a much different character to that shown in the previous engravings. This view, looking over the river to Carlton Place, shows horses and other livestock drinking and grazing. You can also see ladies doing their washing and hanging it up at the riverbank. There are a few small boats in midstream.
By 1900, when this photograph was taken at the Broomielaw, the river was full of passenger steamers, with not a sail in sight. These steamers travelled to destinations far and wide on the Firth of Clyde as well as short distances down the river.
The article below regarding the Clyde Ferries was published in 1899, around the same time as the photograph above.
The Cluthas only lasted another 4 years after the above article was published.
Map showing site of Whiteinch ferry and adjacent Clutha landing stages along the Clyde.
The Finnieston vehicular ferry and the Clutha landing stage at Stobcross had adjacent stops at Finnieston Quay beside the north rotunda.
1850's map showing the crossing points of the Govan Ferry and the adjacent Clutha landing stages where the River Kelvin joins the Clyde.
Aerial photograph of the site of the Govan Ferry shows that on the south side of the river the projecting Clutha landing stage and the inlet for the ferry terminus can still be seen.
The nearest dock to the city centre was the small Kingston Dock which opened in 1867 on the site of Windmill Croft.
It closed in 1966, during the construction of the Kingston Bridge when the site was infilled to allow for redevelopment.
Queen's Dock at Stobcross operated from 1880 providing nearly two miles of additional wharf accommodation to the growing port.
This huge dock was used by the Clan Line for ships bound for South Africa, by the City Line whose vessels visited the ports along the coast of India and by the Donaldson Line which specialised in trade with North America.
On the other side of the river Princes's Dock was completed in 1897, adding another two miles of new wharves to the harbour.
The ships of the Canadian Pacific Company, the Anchor-Donaldson Line and many others were berthed at Prince's Dock.
West of the confluence with the River Kelvin, Merklands Quay came into operation in 1907 for the transporation of livestock.
The adjacent Meadowside Quay opened in 1912 for the movement of grain from the North American prairies using huge elevators on the quayside.
In 1907 Rothesay Dock was constructed at Clydebank for the coal trade.
Yorkhill Dock was completed in 1910, providing berths for the Anchor Line for its New York passenger liners.
The King George V Dock was completed in 1931, around the time when the above map was created. It is currently the only working dock in this stretch of the Clyde.
York Street Ferry (York Street to West Street)
Clyde Street Ferry (Clyde Street, Anderston, to Springfield Quay)
Hyde Park Ferry (Hydepark Street to Springfield Quay)
Stobcross Ferry (Finnieston Quay to Mavisbank Quay)
Finnieston Ferry (Finnieston Quay to Mavisbank Quay)
Kelvinhaugh Ferry (Yorkhill Quay to Princes Dock)
Govan Ferry (Ferry Road, Partick, to Water Row, Govan)
Meadowside Ferry (Meadowside Street, Partick to Holm Street, Govan)
Whiteinch Ferry (James Street, Whiteinch to Holmfauld Road, Linthouse)
Renfrew Ferry (Yoker to Renfrew)
Erskine Ferry (Dunbartonshire to Renfrewshire)
The vantage point is on the south bank of the river, looking upstream towards the city.
The small open boat in the foreground would have been used for cross-river travel. You can just make out a lady with an umbrella in the boat. On the quayside, you can get a glimpse of passengers waiting to board.
27 men were packed into the ferryboat, which was being steered by the passengers while the ferryman collected the fares.
Bad steering caused the swell of a passing steamer to come over the broadside of the rowing boat.
The boat capsized throwing all the occupants into the freezing water. Only 8 were saved, the remaining 19 were drowned.
The ferryman of the Hyde Park Ferry rescued two men who had managed to cling on the upturned boat as it flowed downstream.
The subsequent protest about the inadequacies of cross-river transportation was responsible for the introduction of steam ferries in 1865.
Between the bridges on the south side of the river you can see Carlton Place and the tall spire of Gorbals Parish Church.
The bridges provided a barrier for the navigation of larger ships any further upstream.
The railway bridge in the background had been completed in 1879, providing access to the newly built Glasgow Central Station.
The ferries going up and down the river, rather than across, were called “Cluthas”.
The original ferry terminus on the north side of the river is outlined in the surrounding water. A later inlet seems to have been created after the widening of the river channel.
Both rivers, the Clyde and the Kelvin, seem to have been widened upstream from the confluence.
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All original artwork, photography and text © Gerald Blaikie 2002-2012 Contact: admin@scotcities.com
Unauthorised reproduction of any image on this website is not permitted.
