Scottish Turbine Steamer TS Queen Mary to Make Surprise Return to Firth of Clyde With Excursion Cruises

4th April 2022

"Doon the watter" Plans to sail again on the Firth of Clyde of the local 1933 shipyard built (Denny's of Dunbarton) TS Queen Mary were announced with summer cruises by 2024. AFLOAT adds the 'pocket liner' launched to carry mail and passengers from the River Clyde to the west coast, was the largest turbine steamer built for such service spent also with Caledonian MacBrayne. The ship is the last of its type and is listed on the UK’s National Historic Ship register, as a ship of national pre-eminence as also is the Scottish operator's half-sister, the 1947 Clyde-built PS Waverley, the world's only ocean-going paddle steamer. Sold in the 1970's, the preserved streamer visited Irish east coast ports by making excursions up to the early 2000's. Credit: National Historic Ships UK

The veteran vessel turbine steamer, TS Queen Mary will once again sail on the Clyde, Scotland, according to the National Historic Ship UK, as it is hoped to be in service offering cruises by the summer of 2024

UK royal family member, Princess Anne made the announcement during a visit to Pacific Quay in Glasgow, three years to the day since she became the ship's Royal Patron.

The announcement reflects a change of plan by the Friends of TS Queen Mary (charity), which is tasked with its restoration. Originally, it was planned that TS Queen Mary would be permanently berthed at Pacific Quay next to Glasgow Science Centre and have a heritage and maritime training focus.

Now it has been decided that TS Queen Mary is to sail again, supporting the post-pandemic recovery and providing a boost to Scotland’s tourism and Clyde coast resorts such as Rothesay and Dunoon, which were once familiar destinations.

Since restoration work began, Friends of TS Queen Mary have raised and invested £3.8 million of cash and in-kind support in the project. Many supporters have given generously of their time and resources, and a number of celebrities also have pledged their support, including actor and author Robbie Coltrane OBE, who remains Patron of the charity.

During the restoration TS Queen Mary has forged strong links with City of Glasgow College which, among its many courses, offers Nautical Studies and Marine Engineering qualifications. Its cadets have already been making use of the vessel and will continue to do so when she sets sail again. This has enabled the creation of the TS Queen Mary Skills and Training Academy and the first UK cadet ship.

Iain Sim, Chairman of the Friends of Queen Mary, said the announcement that TS Queen Mary will resume cruising once again after 47 years was a “landmark day” in the proud history of a beloved ship.

He continued: “It is entirely fitting that this announcement should be made by HRH The Princess Royal given the strong family connection TS Queen Mary has – not just to her great grandmother Queen Mary after whom the ship is named – but to the wider Royal Family. While TS Queen Mary’s incredible history can only be understood looking backwards, her legacy must be lived looking forward.”

Published in Historic Boats

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Jehan Ashmore

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Jehan Ashmore is a marine correspondent, researcher and photographer, specialising in Irish ports, shipping and the ferry sector serving the UK and directly to mainland Europe. Jehan also occasionally writes a column, 'Maritime' Dalkey for the (Dalkey Community Council Newsletter) in addition to contributing to UK marine periodicals.

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