Marking 65 years since the first convoy vessel arrived at the Clyde Anchorage Emergency Port, this powerful touring exhibition from the Maritime Heritage Trust explores how World War II transformed coastal communities across the UK.
The Clyde’s Secret Wartime Story
Discover the remarkable but largely forgotten story of how the Admiralty transformed the deep, sheltered waters of the Firth of Clyde into a vital emergency port during WWII. When London’s docks faced bombing disruptions and Glasgow and Greenock were under strain, 600 dockworkers and 400 vessels were relocated to create this crucial lifeline for wartime Britain.
Opening on 12 September 1940, the Clyde Anchorage Emergency Port operated independently throughout the war, handling Atlantic convoy ships and distributing vital supplies across the UK. The port’s remarkable efficiency saw Scruttons handle 1,885 vessels, 2 million tons of cargo, and 10 million individual packages without suffering a single bomb hit.
What You’ll See
Through historic photographs, maps, documents and archival material, the exhibition reveals:
- How coastal areas adapted to wartime demands
- The training of women for shipbuilding roles
- Challenges faced by small shipyards under government control
- The long post war process of returning requisitioned land
- Arthur Burgess’s wartime paintings documenting the port operations
Exhibition Highlights
The First Arrival: Learn about the British India Line’s SS Nardana, the first convoy vessel to unload at the new port on 14 September 1940 – exactly 65 years before this exhibition opens.
International Cooperation: Discover how around 50 Dutch motor coasters, escaped from German occupation, joined the operation with their crews.
Strategic Locations: Explore how Fairlie Pier, Craigendoran, Troon, Ayr, Irvine and Largs all played crucial roles in the port’s success.