Evening Times - Jan 19, 2007
Docks have gone but the future could be great
By Iain Lundy
He is the man who knows the Clyde better than anyone.
George Parsonage, of the Glasgow Humane Society, has rowed the city stretch of river daily for more than quarter of a century and is credited with saving more than 1500 lives.
He has vivid memories of the Clyde's past ... and no discussion on its future would be complete without his input.
"There were so many ships at Queen's Dock they were triple-berthed. The change is unbelievable," he said.
"Even recently, when a Greek tanker was moored at General Terminus Quay beside the Kingston Bridge, the deck was almost as high as the bridge itself.
"Now about 20 or 30ft of water area has been lost.
"I don't understand why we have done away with all the docks. If you go to London they have a big docklands area ... all we have left is the canting basin at Prince's Dock.
"About 50% of the river has disappeared in terms of water area lost. If you go to Paris you can drive along the main road and see the river, what we are doing is hiding our river from people.
"There is also more water coming into the river from the new developments. In a 20-yard stretch I counted six new inflows. In the past that was arable land and the water made its way slowly into the river, now it's all concentrated and flows in immediately.
"I see the river rise and fall very fast. I don't like interfering with nature and I just hope we know what we are doing.
"I remember when it was stunning to see all the ships, some had propellers that were bigger than our wee boat. Tugs were everywhere and steamers were going to America and down the Clyde.
"Now it is equally as fantastic to see the different skyline. The Glasgow Harbour development I think is excellent and the Clyde Arc (Squinty Bridge) is a gorgeous bridge.
"It is all change and it has the potential to be beautiful. I just think we have to be very careful with it."