Campaign to preserve Glasgow's maritime history heats up

Govan graving docks was built in stages from 1869-1894 by the Clyde Navigation Trust to cater for the huge demand for ship repair services. Picture: John Devlin/TSPL

Govan graving docks is a short distance from Glasgow Science Centre and the headquarters of BBC Scotland, yet few people venture to this largely forgotten relic of the city’s industrial past.

The huge site, comprising three dry docks and associated piers, was built in stages from 1869. Its walls are lined with massive whinstone setts, topped by handcarved granite blocks.

It was ordered by the Clyde Navigation Trust to satisfy the then huge demand for ship repair services.

The term graving refers to the now obsolete process of coating the bottom of boats with pitch. At its peak, more than 500 men were employed to prepare ships for another gruelling season of crossing the oceans.

The Buildings at Risk Register describes it as an “outstanding complex, unique in Scotland,” but its future remains uncertain.

The graving docks closed in 1988 and were effectively abandoned. The site is now owned by New City Vision, a property developer, and a planning application to build housing across it is expected in the coming months.

Although the Clyde remains a working river - with BAE operating two yards at nearby Fairfield and Scotstoun - there is concern that too much of the waterway’s heritage has already been lost.

The upper Clyde was still busy with shipping in May 1958, as this picture looking west shows. Vasara is docked at General Terminus Quay, with the Finnieston crane visible in the distance. Picture: TSPL

A campaign group, the Clyde Docks Preservation Trust, was established last year. Its members believe the Govan site should be preserved as a maritime heritage park.

“It’s Glasgow’s last remaining historic dock complex, so to cover it with bland waterfront flats you see elsewhere would be unfortunate,” said trust founder Iain McGillivray.

“It’s the unique maritime architecture of the docks that makes them special.

“I first became interested in the site as a photographer. I had always known there was a derelict dock there, but it was only when I saw an aerial image on Google Earth that I realised the scale of the place, and that it was worth closer inspection.”

A 1997 picture of naval architect Alex McNicol, who worked at the Govan docks and later campaigned for their preservation. Picture: Donald MacLeod/TSPL

In pictures: Fairfields, the home of Scottish shipbuilding

McGillivray has started an online petition calling for Glasgow City Council and other stakeholders to support the renovation of the graving docks as a shipbuilding heritage park.

More than 8,000 people have added their names since it was launched last month.

He believes the continuing popularity of traditional Clyde-built passenger boats such as the Waverley, and the recent public interest in the restoration of the Queen Mary, point to a future for the site.

The MV Bamora is towed west along the Clyde shortly after being launched at the Harland & Wolff shipyard in September 1960. The yard was adjacent to the graving docks. Picture: TSPL

“We envisage historic boats being able to use the docks again,” he added.

Who would fund the necessary restoration works - estimated at several million - is another matter.

Across the Clyde from the graving docks stands the award-winning Riverside Museum, built on the site of the former Pointhouse shipyard.

Glasgow City Council purposefully chose the location as a nod to the Clyde’s industrial past and as a way of encouraging more people back to the river.

The zinc-clad building, designed by the late Zaha Hadid, was inspired by the large warehouses that once lined the waterway.

“We are committed to maintaining and celebrating our maritime heritage as any visit to the Riverside Museum would show,” a council spokesman said.

The graving docks were abandoned in 1988 and are now among the last remnants of Glasgow's martime industry. Picture: John Devlin/TSPL

“Indeed the fact that this museum - which contains many pieces showing Glasgow’s huge contribution to maritime activities - is located on the banks of the Clyde is testament to the role the river continues to play in the life of the city.

“We have played a significant part in maintaining key heritage sites and structures on the waterfront, not to mention the huge successes on sites such as The SSE Hydro and Pacific Quay and all the regeneration activity that has followed through their creation.

“Organisations owning land on the banks of the river are also committed to developing their own sites.”