Forecastle clock from Nobles Again, CN37?? Anyone help

[Kintyre Forum News]

Again from Tommy Ralston

"Can anyone tell me if this is the original forecastle clock that was on the late Jim Daniels' boat, Nobles Again, CN37, or is it a later addition?"

[Iain]

Hi Tommy !
Hope you get a reply..., but I get the impression that you’ve a wall in front of you.

I Googled every term in your phrase and found absolutely nothing..., so unless your post is being aimed at someone in particular, perhaps you should supply additional information.

Before and after my piping career in the Scots Guards, I was and still am an antique clock specialist. What I see here is a mechanical clock without an alarm mechanism..., probably 1950’ish. (the brass hand washer shows that it’s not been well looked after by the local watch repairer..., but who could blame him ?) The clock itself looks as if it’s been positioned into some sort of panelling and at some time or another, the glass bezel has been dislodged and some potential graffiti idiot has crayoned his first letter.
As a mantelpiece clock it wouldn’t fetch more than a few pounds..., but of course, its history could influence the price.

Something that intrigues me is the fact that “Nobles Again” is probably a Campbeltown fishing boat..., if so and as such..., how in the dickens does a fishing boat have a clock dial printed in its name. Bizarre ! If you have any details, I’d be pleased to learn more.

Thanks..., Iain.

[Tommy Ralston]

Hi, Iain,

I was given the clock in question, juat a week or so ago. The fellow who gave it to me was certain that it had come from the Nobles Again, and so am I! What I would like to know is whether or not it was the original.
The Nobles Again was a very well known Campbeltown ring net fishing boat that had been built by McGruer, a yacht builder who never, as far as I know, built another fishing boat.
The only people who might be able to answer my query will be getting on a bit now, and will be thin on the ground.
I would like the clock to go to the Heritage Museum in Campbeltown, so selling it is not an option!
A totally uneducated guess would have me say that you are spot on regards its build. It is cased in a very heavy metal and the name on the front looks quite professionally done. The hour markings are NOT so well painted on. I wondered if McGruers had bought the mechanism and had the case built, as might have befitted the builders rather than just have a common brass one. Yes, it would have to have had a hole cut into wherever it was mounted, to take the mechanism, which sticks out for mebbe 2 inches from the back.
The letter A that you spotted on the face, looks like it was done in pencil. Who, why and when that was done will never be answered, I fear.
Thanks for your comments,
Tommy

[Iain]

Hi Tommy ! I don’t think that Bitter End will sanction me for the following, but he sent me a private message:

“Hope you can open this link Iain http://www.trawlerpictures.net/index.ph ... w;id=22984 --- if not join the site and explore the 40's and 50's for the photographs of the Nobles Again -- Also check out Dunards gallery for CN boats . I think that Tommy is trying to find out if the clock came with the boat or was a later addition to it. Was a nice 'touch' whichever. ----many o them had 'wee touches' tae keep them unique frae their sisters ! ---- Happy huntin' »

I appreciated this info as it’s something I never thought that I’d be researching…, Campbeltown fishing boats ! Wow ! And as I said to Bitter End..., “Thanks..., I did get the feeling that Tommy was aiming the question at a specialist group. Sorry for the intervention !
I managed to open that URL..., very interesting. Brought back memories of going out fishing in one of them. (more or less as a tourist) I was ill for a week !! Lol !

Thanks again..., Iain.

[Iain]

That horizontal bar over 12-o’clock..., is bizarre ! There’s practically no mechanism behind that part of the dial..., which gives me the impression that the clock is not an original aspect of the boat. A boat builder, simply from pride, would never have allowed a clock dial to be sold disfigured. Everything leaving the shipyard would have been in perfect condition.
That means that this clock was added at a later date..., and the “bar” is probably a rivet holding a hidden strut to keep the movement in place.

What a wonderful trade ! If given the chance to go back to the age of 15..., and knowing what I know today; without doubt I’d be a designer and yacht builder..., with exports to Los Angeles and the KSA.

[Iain]

The "A"? Knowing how rough the fishing grounds can get, here's a kindly hypothesis !

The captain..., knowing that the bezel comes off very easily..., just might have asked his wife or girlfriend to have inscribed her first-name initial..., providing some comfort during the long absences from home. Just a thought ! If you know all the captains’ names and using the genealogy section, you might just be able to confirm such a theory.

With old antique clocks..., the clockmakers and watchmakers do the same thing ! I and hundreds like me inscribed their names on the back plate..., plus a date providing a repair guarantee period. "For eternity"! Perhaps your clock has the same type of inscription ?

[Tommy Ralston]

Thanks for your interest, Iain. The 'bar' above the 12 o'clock houses the lever that controls the 'fast' and 'slow' control for the clock mechanism. There is nothing added to the clock by the yard at all, but it would be unusual if there was. The clocks that builders fitted were usually circular brass ones but remember, McGruers were not fishing boat builders.
My hope is that someone, somewhere will remember, but ...!
TR

[Tommy Ralston]

Back again, Iain!
The only other thing I can tell you about the clock is that it has the following on the backplate of the mechanical works.
'Coventry' - 'Astral' - 'No.122' and 'Made in England'. There is also a symbol of a key engraved on it.
TR

[Iain]

Hi Tommy !
I should have noticed that that was a regulation hole ! It’s a pity there’s no hand-written repair info as that could have led you to a local repairer. Come to that, Campbeltown must have a few watchmakers..., why not ask them ? (but if the clockmaker works as a sub-contractor, the shop won’t give you his name) I’m sure someone on the site here could give that info..., and that would also save you some money if ever you want it repaired. (I could explain how to repair it if need be !)

Personally, I believe you’ll get more success by investigating the boats' owners, Jim Daniel’s family and family photos of the cabin.

Good luck !

[TheNoblesOwner]

Hi Tommy, I've just been informed by my nephew William Brown, that you are inquiring about a clock from the Nobles Again.
I gave this clock to a guy who visited the boat as he said he owned another boat very similar. He told me he was setting up a museum, I can't recall all the information, but he was English but was living in Tarbet.
I handed the clock over in good faith, and confirm it came form the Nobles Again. I believe the clocks were installed in 1970, by Mcgruers who converted the vessel.
I still own the vessel, and she currently lies on a mooring in the Garelochhead close to Faslane. I have 2 other clocks the same, which have been re-installed on to her last year following much repair work.
Regards Dougie Young - Helensburgh

[TheNoblesOwner]

http://www.flickr.com/people/thenoblesagain

Pics of the Nobles Again

[Tommy Ralston]

Hi, Dougie,
Sorry I haven't replied before now to your most interesting post re the 'Nobles Again', CN37, clock, which answered my question perfectly.
I had wanted to know if this had been the original as fitted when she was new, but sadly this is not the case. It was sent to me by Chris Malkin (who got it from you). He owns the Shemaron, which is the ex Wistaria, BA64 of Maidens, Ayrshire, and was also originally a ring-netter. He now keeps her in Campbeltown and continues the restoration work.
My father skippered the Nobles Again for Jim Daniels in her latter days as a fishing boat.
I can remember her when she was new - a beautiful boat that had been fitted with extras which were completely unknown in other ringers of that era. I could be wrong, but I believe that she was originally fitted with a Gleniffer diesel.
I still have the clock and intend, if you have no objection, to offer it to the Museum in Campbeltown. The photos of the Nobles Again do you great credit. She looks lovely and one in particular,0064, shows her lines around the stern to perfection.
Well done!
Tommy Ralston.

[TheNoblesOwner]

Tommy - thanks for the reply. I certainly have no issues with you giving the clock to the museum. And thanks for saying how well the Nobles appears. Unfortunately she has some issues, just like many of these boats, there is water seepage going down to the deck -plates and she needs some work. I've had lots of work done over the years as you can imagine. You don't actually own a boat like this, you're just a custodian - I'm putting her up for sale when I get the deck plates fixed. So, if you know of anyone interested in buying a head ache , let me know.

Regards and a happy new year.

[johnnyd]

If it is, and you have it ,where did you get it?