Some of your readers, and perhaps some Scottish political "movers and shakers" might like to be aware of the impending fate of one of the most stylish passenger vessels ever designed and built on the River Clyde, the t.s.s.s. OLYMPIA 17,362 g.r.t.

Completed in 1953 by the former iconic shipyard of Alexander Stephen & Sons Ltd,Linthouse, Glasgow for the Greek Line Ltd, the vessel is still in existence, and being earmarked for preservation by the Greek government, as a symbol of the maritime heritage of that country. The fact that the ship was the first completely new post-war liner built to serve the Greek Line, coupled with her enduring appeal to passengers worldwide, seems to have triggered a "posterity value", making her worthy of static exhibition, probably in Pireaus.

As the inexorable march of time, useful life expiry, and more vigilant safety systems combine to consign the ever decreasing number of former Clyde-built ships on their final voyage to the ship breakers, surely the political will, and budget, for historical artefacts exists for Scotland to emulate Greece and preserve a vessel designed and built on the River Clyde. Excluding naval vessels, perhaps the most prestigious liner still in existence is the former Clydebank-built t.s.m.v. KUNGSHOLM 26,678 g.r.t., much modified, and with several new identities. Launched in 1966 she is approaching the end of her economic life and would be a considerable example of the craftsmanship and skill-sets which once made the shipbuilding industry of Clydeside world-renowned. Moored adjacent to the new maritime museum at Pointhouse, this vessel would become a tourist attraction comparable with the former royal yacht BRITANNIA, also built by John Brown & Co (Clydebank) Ltd.

George C O'Hara, C.Eng.,
Prestwick,
South Ayrshire.