Clyde River Steamer Club

Beautiful from all angles: Marchioness of Graham at Ardrossan Harbour on 30 June 1957, the day after Richard Orr joined her as assistant purser. She is pictured taking on coal at Jerry’s Wharf — copyright photo Richard Orr

At CRSC’s November 2016 meeting at Jurys Inn, Glasgow, Richard Orr gave an illustrated talk about a steamer that enjoyed a relatively brief Clyde career and has featured little in the Club’s annals, but is still fondly remembered by those who knew her — especially Richard himself. Report by Stuart Craig.

Richard Orr’s friendly, hirsute face is regularly seen near the front row at our winter meetings. His appearances at the lectern, just a touch further forward, are much rarer. In fact, as he stood up to deliver his presentation on Wednesday 9 November, he reminded us (some of us) that he had not risen to speak at a CRSC meeting since 1964, and that the subject then was the same as tonight — Marchioness of Graham. This is not strictly true (he has given talks about his beloved Queen Mary, as well as two presidential addresses) but it is certainly the case that this little turbine has not received sufficient attention from the Club over the years.

Richard Orr (right) with fellow assistant purser Dick Raines on Marchioness of Graham in 1957

Marchioness of Graham offloading passengers at Gourock after the Up-River Cruise on 7 August 1957

Richard, who was assistant purser aboard Marchioness of Graham in 1957 (her last year of Clyde service), delivered a wonderfully anecdotal account of his summer months aboard her. Fortunately for the 70-odd in the audience, he had the presence of mind back in those black-and-white days to record his stint on camera. His talk was thus amply illustrated by unique images of the steamer, her colourful crew and fleet cohorts.

Marchioness of Graham was launched at Fairfields in Govan in March 1936. She was due to be called Glen Cloy but as that appellation was in use elsewhere she was named after Lady Mary Hamilton of Arran instead.

Looking onto Talisman from the ‘Graham’, dual-berthed at Fairlie (Captain John Forster far right) — copyright Richard Orr

Bowing out of Ardrossan, stern-first, on 2 September 1957 before being laid up and sold — copyright photo Richard Orr

Richard’s laid-back and humorous account demonstrated how much he loved his spell on the ‘Graham’, despite his seven-shilling weekly salary. Rarely looking at his notes he described the steamer’s day-to-day workload as Arran steamer, Ayr cruise ship and occasional tender as the audience were taken on a cruise around the Firth from Gourock to Whiting Bay and many points between. As Robert Cleary mentioned in his vote of thanks, it was “as if we were aboard the ship ourselves.”

Apart from the fascinating pictures, Richard’s tales of his long shifts aboard, and the motley crew in particular, were very funny. From the skipper whose moods swung with the phases of the moon to the dapper chief steward whose smart turn-out barely disguised his inebriation, Richard gave it to us warts and all. He revealed that one of his favourite pastimes when off-duty was shining up any brass that he could find on deck. Well he certainly gave us a very polished and lustrous presentation. Come back and speak to us again, Richard. Don’t leave it another 52 years!

The next CRSC meeting is on Wednesday 14 December at Jurys Inn, Glasgow, and will be a presentation by CMAL’s John Salton and Ramsay Muirhead.

Richard Orr (right) with CRSC President Iain Morgan

Richard with his book and model

Marchioness of Graham lies at the west end of Rothesay pier on 30 August 1957 during a visit for Smart’s Circus, with Countess of Breadalbane in the ‘Kylemore berth’ — copyright photo Richard Orr

At Campbeltown on 15 August 1957, with the funnels of Duchess of Hamilton visible behind — copyright Richard Orr

Robertson of Gourock’s celebrated portrait of Marchioness of Graham on trials in 1936