"Divis" in graving dock, Belfast - 1976
"Divis" was a "banana boat" built by the long vanished Belfast yard of Workman Clark in 1928 for the Belfast Corporation as a sludge boat. In July 1976, she was in one of the graving docks off the Clarendon Dock for annual maintenance by Ulster Bank customer A W Hamilton & Co Limited and, thanks to Company Secretary Joe Mackie, I paid her a short visit. Unfortunately, she proved difficult to photograph, being higher than the dock, and the Harbour Police were none too happy (although soon pacified by Mr Mackie), so climbing a passing pole was out of the question. However, it's better than nothing - and in a few years, "Divis" was gone. Despite being probably the last active Workman Clark vessel in the world, preservation attempts came to nothing (there was no money, as usual) and she eventually sank at her moorings.
Today, this area is a public park surrounded by high-rise offices - and the Harbour Police are long gone.
A W Hamilton & Co Ltd had been a customer of Ulster Bank's York Street branch from 1914. A quick search suggests the company still exists, but I doubt the miserable shower who run Ulster Bank bothered to mark the centenary.
All photographs are my copyright and must not be used without permission. Unauthorised use will result in my invoicing you £1,500 per photograph and, if necessary, taking legal action for recovery.
"Divis" in graving dock, Belfast - 1976
"Divis" was a "banana boat" built by the long vanished Belfast yard of Workman Clark in 1928 for the Belfast Corporation as a sludge boat. In July 1976, she was in one of the graving docks off the Clarendon Dock for annual maintenance by Ulster Bank customer A W Hamilton & Co Limited and, thanks to Company Secretary Joe Mackie, I paid her a short visit. Unfortunately, she proved difficult to photograph, being higher than the dock, and the Harbour Police were none too happy (although soon pacified by Mr Mackie), so climbing a passing pole was out of the question. However, it's better than nothing - and in a few years, "Divis" was gone. Despite being probably the last active Workman Clark vessel in the world, preservation attempts came to nothing (there was no money, as usual) and she eventually sank at her moorings.
Today, this area is a public park surrounded by high-rise offices - and the Harbour Police are long gone.
A W Hamilton & Co Ltd had been a customer of Ulster Bank's York Street branch from 1914. A quick search suggests the company still exists, but I doubt the miserable shower who run Ulster Bank bothered to mark the centenary.
All photographs are my copyright and must not be used without permission. Unauthorised use will result in my invoicing you £1,500 per photograph and, if necessary, taking legal action for recovery.