Watchtowers

[volantra]

Im doing a public art project at college at the moment on the clyde due to the current developments taking place. Im researching the hidden past of peoples stories of friends relatives leaving or coming home up the clyde and the older stories way back when the merchants ships sailed up the clyde im very keen on the history behind the watchtowers in the city centre or of any other viewpoints anyone knows of?

after having searched the internet for hours i cant seem to find anything in relation to the watchtowers situated in the town there is definetly one in merchant city that i know of but i cant seem to find any information on there use.

[Ronnie]

Hi Volantra
What dates are you looking at? Don't forget that before the Clyde was dredged, the Atlantic vessels only got as far as Greenock or Port Glasgow, so the "watchtowers" in Glasgow would not have been able to see them. I'm not aware of any watchtowers in Glasgow for checking the horizon for shipping ... let me know more precisely what you are looking for and I might be able to help.
Best wishes
R

[scallopboy]

The old granary used to have a Clyde Port Authority control room in it (I was there as a wain). I remember you got a fantastic view down the Clyde. I don't know if this counts as a "watch tower" as I guess it was all radio controlled by the 70's.

[Sharon]

Think there might have been one at Queens Dock too...

[dazed_and_confused]

....there is definetly one in merchant city that i know of...

Does this watchtower still exist? I've never noticed one in the Merchant city before. Where is/was it?

[Sharon]

Think there might have been one at Queens Dock too...

Ah, there was a "control tower" at Queens Dock. Though Im still not certain what you mean by watchtowers? ... same thing?

[dazed_and_confused]

Ah, there was a "control tower" at Queens Dock.

Is the building at the end of the dock with the tower the one you mean? Always thought it was for the harbour master or something.

[retired tiger]

That tower is at the old pumping station which provided hydraulic power for the dock machinery.

[retired tiger]

Is this the kind of thing you meant?

[Schiehallion]

There was a tower on the Sailors' Home in the Broomielaw.



Another view of it..



View from the tower..

[Socceroo]

Amazing photographs again Schiehallion. Looking at the last one i now am beginning to like the new Broomielaw Skyline.

Where do you get all the pics? You got a secret tunnel into the Mitchell?

[Schiehallion]

Amazing photographs again Schiehallion. Looking at the last one i now am beginning to like the new Broomielaw Skyline.

Where do you get all the pics? You got a secret tunnel into the Mitchell?

Wish I did have! I've got about 1500 old Glasgow photos on my drive - pick them up all over the place, Mitchell, old postcards, Scran, scans from books, calenders etc. Old Glasgow's my passion.

[Fossil]

Amazing photographs again Schiehallion. Looking at the last one i now am beginning to like the new Broomielaw Skyline.

Where do you get all the pics? You got a secret tunnel into the Mitchell?

Wish I did have! I've got about 1500 old Glasgow photos on my drive - pick them up all over the place, Mitchell, old postcards, Scran, scans from books, calenders etc. Old Glasgow's my passion.

get some past present posted Schiehallion

Fossil

[Schiehallion]

Amazing photographs again Schiehallion. Looking at the last one i now am beginning to like the new Broomielaw Skyline.

Where do you get all the pics? You got a secret tunnel into the Mitchell?

Wish I did have! I've got about 1500 old Glasgow photos on my drive - pick them up all over the place, Mitchell, old postcards, Scran, scans from books, calenders etc. Old Glasgow's my passion.

get some past present posted Schiehallion

Fossil

You know I stuck a few on last week?

Hoping to get a few more this Sunday.

[volantra]

thank you all verry much for all your replies they are very interesting some of the pics will have to investigate more into some of the viewing posts.

if anyone has any information on people leaving or coming home that would be aprieciative also. Dont meen to sound nosie the project is going to be directly conected with feelings and how it feels sitting in these watchtowers whatching people leave and how they are left standing above the city while the one they are watching is on a journey. Mainly focusing on atmosphere, feelings and thought.