End of the Pier

Boats and shipping of all sorts have been the lifeblood of the River Clyde throughout the centuries.
The era of the Clyde steamer began in August 1812 with the very first successful commercial steamboat service in Europe, when Henry Bell's Comet began a passenger service on the River Clyde between Glasgow and Greenock.
By 1900 there were over three hundred Clyde steamers operating, and the industry was still in full swing by the early 1960s. Then, competition from new forms of holiday travel brought the era almost to a close, but the Paddle Steamer "Waverley" continues to provide excursions.
Ferry crossing points on the Clyde, such as Erskine Ferry, were made redundant by the construction of modern bridges.
The jobs that these services once provided also became redundant, and their employees faded into obscurity as did their ships and ferries.
This soundtrack was composed as an elegy for their passing. It was made using only 8DIO Soundpaint instruments.
For more "Clutha Project" tracks by enlimila, check out
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[@alexbain9762]

Many, many thanks. Been there, done that, can't do again as it's all gone, but that's life. 😎

[@enlimila]

Thank you for dropping by Alex :)

[@stephenwilson5043]

??? most of it you can still do on the Waverley.

[@enlimila]

​@@stephenwilson5043Thanks for taking time to watch and comment Stephen. I agree you can get a flavour of what it was like by going on the Waverley, but the excitement of the crowds, the variety of ships (each with it's own characteristics), the quality of the catering on board etc, can't really be reproduced, sadly.

[@jimmcintosh9045]

So wish i had a camera in the mid sixties before Clyde Steamers began to disappear.. Now i take photos of Calmac and lots of Waverley ofcourse!

[@enlimila]

When you are young, you don't realise that things will change or fade and disappear. You always expect there will be another chance to get that photo, visit that place, have that conversation. By the time you realise what's going on it's often too late. I had photos from when I lived in Kilcreggan as a young man, and my parents had lots of photos from when we went on trips "Doon the Watter" but I don't know where they've all gone to. Must make time to look for them. Thank you so much for watching/listening and taking time to comment. :)