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Watch our video coverage of the commemorative final sailing of the Renfrew Rose.

Last sailing for Renfrew Rose

April 6, 2010 14:16 UKAudio/Video
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Locals and regular passengers bid a fond farewell to the Renfrew Rose as she embarks on her final commemorative sailing, and Silvers Marine intoduce the new Clydelink vessel which is taking over the Renfrew-Yoker service.

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It’s ‘out with the old and in with the new’ as the Renfrew Rose retires and Silvers Marine’s new Clyde Link service begins. Pictured on the new vessel is SPT Chair Jon Findlay. The Renfrew Rose. The very first sailing of this service dates back to when the town of Renfrew was made a Royal Burgh in 1396. The ferry originally operated from King's Inch, which is now the site of the Braehead Shopping Centre, but moved around 200 years ago. It’s ‘all hands on deck’ as loyal passengers and local politicians bid a fond farewell to the current vessel, the Renfrew Rose. Passengers who have sailed on the Renfrew Ferry throughout the years enjoyed a commemorative last sailing on the Clyde. Passengers jump at the chance of a free trial run on the new Clyde Link service. Silvers Marine will ensure the historic Renfrew to Yoker link – which has been maintained for more than 500 years – will continue. The Renfrew Rose and its sister ship the Yoker Swan began operating on the Clyde in 1984. They were built by William McCridle and Son in Ardrossan. Crowds gathered in Renfrew to say goodbye to the SPT ferries. For the last 26 years the vessels have made the short 200 metre crossing between Yoker and Renfrew as often as passengers required on 361 days a year. The Renfrew to Yoker passenger route, is one of the last remaining on the Clyde. In the 1960s there were many others, mainly serving the then dominant shipyards. These crossings were eventually replaced by bridges and tunnels. There was a special welcome for the oldest passenger - 93 year old Renfrew man Alex Morrison who has used the ferry all his days. Alex has taken more than 1,000 photographs of the vessels. SPT Chair Jon Findlay (left) with charge hand and boat master John Malinowski, who took the helm for the first and last sailings of the ferry. In his time with SPT John has sailed more than 250,000 miles – the distance to the moon and back. Yoker Swan by A Devine
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