Speaker John Rankin

Fri, May 15th 2015 at 12:00 am - 2:00 am

John's talk SS Great Britain

V.P. Peter Mehta, President David Paterson, Past President Dr John Rankin and J.V.P. Alan Rankin

Rotary club of Stirling  meeting of 15/5/15
President David Paterson welcomed members to the meeting. There were no visitors. Assistant District Governor Alistair Spowage will be at our meeting next week.
Colin Bayes reminded us that our team will be in Pitlochry next Monday to contest the final of the Gavel competition. The spring golf outing at Aberdour last Wednesday was won by John Rankin. Derek Robertson informed us that Stirling station is in line for an award from Keep Scotland Beautiful, helped no doubt by our gardening efforts.
Continuing last week's nautical theme, John Rankin spoke about the SS Great Britain, Isambard Kingdom Brunel's innovative masterpiece.
Constructed in Bristol five miles up the river Avon in a purpose built dry dock, it was floated out in 1843. The largest vessel of it's time, the first iron ship driven by a screw propeller, the shaft one piece 68 feet long, it was the marvel of the age.  The ship cost £117,000,
£40,000 over budget. It's fifteen day maiden voyage to New York did not take place until 1845 as several locks had to be widened before it could pass through to the sea.  Despite the ship's innovative design, it had a chequered history, run aground in Dundrum Bay due to a navigational error, not as fast as the sailing ships of the day, it's engines and propeller were soon replaced as new technology overtook it, and it eventually ended up on the run to Australia. The voyage took 64 days helped along by it's sails, essential over such a long distance.
Initially a passenger vessel, it reverted to cargo in 1882, and after a major fire it was sold to the Falkland Islands as a coal store, where it remained until it was eventually scuttled in 1937.  It has now been retrieved made seaworthy and towed back to Bristol and it's original dry dock.The process of restoration has been extensive and continues even now.
The vote of thanks was given by Alan Rankin.
Next week, Speaker's host Derek Anderson, Visitor's host Don McLeod.
For more information visit our web site. www.stirling.rotary1010.org Ian Richardson

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