Sealink-Holyhead: St Columba

Glasgow Days

The St Columba begins her 17 miles stern first passage down the Clyde, seen here passing Renfrew. © Kenny Whyte

The St Columba first visited Glasgow in March 1979, becoming the second largest passenger/car ferry ever to sail so far up the Clyde. Arriving alongside at Yorkhill Basin to await a vacant dydock, she entered No. 3 Dry Dock of Clyde Dock Engineering Ltd on 3 March.

The St Columba at Yorkhill Basin. © Paul Strathdee

Awaiting drydock. © Paul Strathdee

Refit complete, the St Columba moved to nearby St Stephen's Basin,the former Alex Stephen / Harland & Wolff Basin which Clyde Dock Engineering took over, before finally leaving the Clyde on 1 April 1979. She sailed out of the basin using her after bridge and bow rudder. The Clyde Pilot was very impressed and as there was a very strong breeze he advised the Holyhead master, Capt Len Evans, to 'keep going'! And keep going she did, 17 miles stern first before swinging at Greenock and proceeding ahead.

Stern first "doon the watter"! © Paul Strathdee

Holyhead-bound along the Clyde. © Paul Strathdee

The St Columba returned to Glasgow in 1980. On that occasion, she arrived on Tues 8 January, being all fast at 1300hrs. The ship picked up the Glasgow pilot at Greenock, and entered the channel at Tail of the Bank. This time they apparently went up stern first due to limited swinging area near the KGV Dock.

It was January 1986 before she returned to the Clyde again when she sailed north to have her certificates renewed. She refitted in May of that year in Bremerhaven.