Yacht Glengour 1934
Glengour's designer was
W G McBryde MINA of Glasgow
Back in the 1930's this prestigious marine designer published a little blue hardback book entitled "Forty Designs of Motor and Sailing Yachts".
Introducing his craft to prospective owners, McBryde confirmed that vessels had been built from all the designs shown with one or two exceptions.
Glengour was raised from Plate 14, described as a TWIN-SCREW "FIFTY-FIFTY" CRUISER. Performing well under sail alone but comfortable steaming along under twin screws at close to 8 knots.
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There was a near "sister ship" on Plate 12, but her sail area was cut down to about 2/3rds of Glengour's 671 sq ft and she was more of a motor sailer.
Plate 14 Glengour
The wee Blue Book was the Glossy Brochure of its day. Companies advertising on the back pages invited enquiries by Telegram...!
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Very much the Gentleman's Yacht of the 1930's, the vessel is designed for ease and comfort in our changeable climate.
The spacious aft cabin forms the Owner's Stateroom.
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​The full width saloon has fine mahogany panelled furniture - a cabinet and sideboard ideal for champagne and cocktails; a full height wardrobe for the occasional dinner jacket...! ​
Plate 14 Glengour
"Considering this craft as a sailing yacht, her sail spread is not too large, but it is very efficient and one that is exceptionally easy to handle. She is able to go to windward, and remarkably fast for a vessel of this type. Her firm bilges give good stability.
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The hull is a good compromise and excellent accommodation for four persons has been planned. Wheel steering is arranged in the companion deckhouse, and a tiller aft for use when under sail."
W G McBryde
McBryde's Blue Book:
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DIMENSIONS AND DATA​
Length overall .. .. .. 39ft. 3in
Beam .. .. .. .. .. 10ft.
Draft .. .. .. .. .. 4ft. 11in.
Engines (twin) each .. 14/16 h.p.
Speed .. .. .. .. .. 7 3/4 knots
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CLYDE BUILT in 1934
GLENGOUR was originally named Gleniffer by commissioning owner Douglas Fulton after the family name behind her original petrol-paraffin marine engines. Since replaced by much daintier 23.5 hp Yanmar marine diesel engines. The boat was renamed GLENGOUR by the 2nd owner in 1936 as the engineering family retained the name Gleniffer for future vessels.
James Adam & Sons Yacht & Boat Builders, Gourock
The firm was founded back in 1871 by James Adam, yacht and boat builder, while still a comparatively young man. From small beginnings in Shore Street, a move to the Cove Yard was necessitated by the coming of the railway to Gourock. There he constructed the patent slipway with carriage allowing the design and handling of deep keel boats. The firm went on to flourish and attracted the big Clyde designers including G L Watson, Alfred Milne and McBryde. For many years they made a successful speciality of salvage work.​​
In Glengour's time Adams was run by James's sons - John M Adam JP MINA and William L Adam
John Adam, like his father, was an ex-Provost of Gourock. As a young man he was associated with Scotts Shipbuilding & Engineering Co of Greenock where he reportedly did excellent work. Entering his father's business he utilised his design and management skills. Not only a successful designer and builder, but an excellent steersman.
William L Adam was a man of wide practical experience. During The First World War he saw much service in the Dardenelles, and later in H. M. Ships. He ran the handling and launching of vessels at the Cove Yard with an excellent safety record. Glengour was listed as their 135th build and William would no doubt have been in attendance on launch day in June 1934. The Gourock Times of 29th June reported the launch took place the previous week.
The Gourock Times 30th March 1934 :-
"Messrs James Adam & Sons' Staff Entertained."
Their double spread on a "supper and smoking concert" hosted by Adams for guests and over 50 staff members in a busy year for the yard provides a window to a Bygone Era. Even five rounds of applause and an enthusiastic honouring of the "toast of the Chairman" merited mention.
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​Proceedings opened with a toast to King George V and were rounded off with "Auld Lang Syne". Employees contributed to a programme of recitations, songs and community singing, with someone presiding at the piano "to great acceptance". The yarn by the firm's junior apprentice was reportedly "one of the tit-bits of the evening"!
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​There was a Presentation by the workers of a handsome canteen of cutlery to William's daughter Jean on the occasion of her forthcoming marriage. Supper followed. Then Speeches.
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John Adam talked of the yard's reputation for good work turned out expeditiously and the need to maintain this for the continuance of new construction.
William Adam appreciated his father's early endeavours leading to a successful yard which, he was pleased to say, had some of the best tradesmen on the Clyde whose work was a credit to themselves as well as to the firm.​​
The Foreman Carpenter, again speaking on behalf of his fellow workers, assured the partners that everyone was whole-hearted in their endeavours to do their very best for the yard and hoped new orders would continue to come in.
The Toastmaster concluded that the new boats being constructed at the Cove Yard from the board of the best designers would be a credit to the firm...
...Could anyone have imagined that Glengour, then under final fit out prior to launch would still be in fine fettle 90 years later!
With thanks to the Archivist at The Watt Library in Greenock who helped locate this little gem in 2003.
James Adam & Sons - the Workforce
With thanks to ROSS AHLFELD for this iconic photograph, believed to have been taken just after the War.
The AHLFELD family had a long-running connection with Adams and Ross points out some of his family members:​
Front Row: "Sitting centre wearing wellie boots my Grandfather, Robey Ahlfeld. On his right in the white boiler suit is his brother my Great Uncle Herman Ahlfeld junior, Third from right is my Great Grandfather Herman Ahlfeld. Back Row: Second from right my Great Uncle Jimmy Ahlfeld."
The [Updates] Tab at the end page has more Names for Faces....
Grateful thanks also to Ross's Dad, RONNIE AHLFELD who keeps the story alive:
"Robey was my father. Also a keen sailor it was his job to take the yachts and boats for sea trials, although he was a time served boat builder / joiner. I was often taken to the yard on Saturday mornings where my Dad taught me to row. The yard had an employed diver to check vessels below the waterline and I would try on the rather scary divers suit helmets.
My Grandfather Herman was the Foreman. I have no doubt that both he and my dad worked at the yard in 1934 [in Glengour's time]. My Dad was born in 1916 and worked there until the late 1950's. Herman, my Grandfather, was recommended for an honour during the War as he had, in his own time, learned the new processes and technology required to build special boats for War Service."
Ronnie inherited a family affinity with wooden boats ...things of beauty... and has always been enthralled by the real craftsmanship required to build them. Ross outlines how, long after closure of the yard, their boat building tradition continued through his organisation, Inverclyde Community Development Trust. One of the last master boatbuilders, the late John Glover, who served his apprenticeship at Adams in the late 70's worked with young trainees in 2010 through the Trust to build two St Ayles Skiffs - still seen out rowing on the Clyde today.​
Herman Ahlfeld, the Yard Foreman for more than 25 years, deserves a final exceptional mention. So highly thought of in his day, Herman is the only person in Gourock Cemetery with two headstones. One from his family and one raised in his memory by Staff and Fellow-Workers at James Adam & Sons, Gourock.