Flying Swift was 1st vessel launched after shipyard takeover

The siblings were Peter, Daniel, Louis and Robert Ferguson who had left the family shipbuilding firm of Fleming & Ferguson, Paisley.

Built for the Clyde Shipping Company, the first vessel constructed by the brothers in the Newark yard was the tug Flying Swift, launched on October 26, 1903.

On that day, the Greenock Telegraph stated: 'A special interest attaches to the launch this afternoon from the yard of Messrs Ferguson Brothers, being the first vessel completed by the new firm since they began business as shipbuilders in Port Glasgow.

'Named Flying Swift, the tug steamer is the first of two that were ordered some time ago by the Clyde Shipping Company.'

The following day’s report read: 'In the Flying Swift, successfully launched by Messrs Ferguson Brothers yesterday afternoon, the Clyde Shipping Company have got a valuable addition to their fleet of tugs.

'The naming ceremony was performed by Mrs Allan Swan, wife of the Greenock agent of the company, and a large number witnessed the launch.

'At the cake and wine banquet Mr Louis Ferguson presided, and proposed success to the vessel, Mr Cuthbert, of the Clyde Shipping Company replying.

'The toast of the builders was proposed by Mr Kidston junior, of Finlaystone, who congratulated Messrs Ferguson Brothers on the success of their first launch and wished them a prosperous career. The chairman briefly acknowledged the toast.

'The health of Mrs Swan was heartily proposed on the call of Mr Robert Ferguson, who presented the lady with a turquoise and gold bracelet, Mr Swan suitably responding.'

Ferguson’s second vessel was the sister ship, the Flying Linnet (yard number 154), launched on February 1, 1904.

I am grateful to Michael Conway for supplying the Flying Swift image. Michael served a steelworker apprenticeship in Ferguson’s and is now a member of the team of estimators at BAE Systems, Scotstoun. He was brought up in Port Glasgow but now lives in Renfrew.