Newsflash...
July 2010
The cyclepath/towpath between Rutherglen and Dalmarnock Bridges has been opened to the public again weeks ahead of schedule.
<<END OF NEWSFLASH>>
George's Newsletter
We are pleased to be able to say that the society is consolidating their work on prevention throughout the waterways of Glasgow. This was one of the initial ideas of the humane society and it is very rewarding to stop accidents before there is a need for rescue and recovery.
Recent Achievements
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Recently Officers and lifeguards have been involved in searching the River Clyde at Erskine for missing persons. A Clydeport Harbour Master Launch had been put at the Society’s disposal and regular searches carried out as far downriver as 1 mile past Bowling. These searches have recently been concluded which hopefully has brought closure to the families concerned.
Historic Boat to move to Museum
The Bennie, Rowing/outboard (max 5hp) designed and built by B Parsonage approx 14ft Called after Mr Benjamin Parsonage BEM Officer Glasgow Humane Society 1928-1979.
This is the fastest rowing boat that allows the lifting of a 20stone person
over the gunwale of the boat without capsizes. The boat can be rowed double
scull without anyone sitting in the stern and will still not dive in the
bow. The boat can be rowed backwards as fast as forward (except into a
headwind due to the square stern). The height of the rowlocks and the
distance and height of the seats to the rowlocks are carefully thought out
as is the height of the seat from the footboard and the distance of the seat
from the footboard. The boat has a box gunwale for strength and ease of
cleaning (the box gunwale is not capped).
The keel, bow and stern as well as the gunwale edge have steel runners. The
bow stern and seats have steel strengtheners. The boat was designed and
built by B Parsonage in 1954. It was drawn out in chalk on the floor of the
shed. The planks are of Larch with a Mahogany gunwale plank. The ribs or
timbers are of small leaf Elm and are held by copper nails and rooves
riveted. B Parsonage built several boats to this design all of, which (with
this exception) have been lost during floods. One of these types was built
during the Second World War and permission to do so had to be given by the
Admiralty. Papers referring to this are in the GHS records.
This Boat will next year be on display in the new Maritime Museum A video is being made by Culture and Sport Glasgow showing the rescue qualities of this boat and a "special" day is being arranged by the Society when the boat will be lifted for the last time from the water.
During its lifetime of service the Bennie hardly ever came out of the water, even for an annual overhaul. It was so perfect for it's purpose that no other boat was deemed good enough to take it's place, even temporarily.
This has been rectified by the building of two wooden boats on the same design called the George and the Christopher. Both boats have been in service for some years and the George is at present involved in a major clean up after which it will be re launched to take the place of the Bennie.
A mould has been made of the Bennie and two fiberglass boats called the Stephanie and the Ann have been made. Thus the Society has prepared for the future ensuring that future Officers will have available a craft of the unique design of the Bennie.
It will be a proud yet sad day for the Parsonage Family and the Society when the Bennie leaves it's beloved Clyde for the last time but we think being in the Museum will be a fitting tribute to the work carried out from this craft and to the number of persons pulled alive from a watery grave, over its gunnals.
Hopefully we will carry a report of how the Museums Dept are to skillfully dry out this craft and carefully prepare it life out of water.
Newspaper Archive
Articles found in the media which relate to The Glasgow Humane Society.
News Media Archive
Articles found on Radio / Television which relate to The Glasgow Humane Society.
AGM
The 2010 AGM took place in Glasgow City Council City Chambers on June 18 2010.