Billy “Twin” Morran worked as a welder at Campbeltown Shipyard. Photo courtesy of Jan Nimmo
Billy Morran, locally known to Campbeltown folks as “Billy Twin”, served a three years apprenticeship, which he started in 1968, at Binder’s Engineering in Kinloch Road, Campbeltown, and then he served a further year in 1973 at Campbeltown Shipyard where he trained to be a welder. He worked at the yard from then until it closed. He worked alongside former miner, Campbell Maloney, Willie Paterson, David White and Gus McDonald, also a former miner.
One job that he remembers particularly well, is working on the Debra Rose (Yard No. 93), which was built in 1993 as a floating restaurant for a client in Clydebank. She was built in sections at the shipyard which, in turn, were towed by boat to Port Glasgow then put on low loaders and transported to Forth and the Clyde Canal.
Billy and Alan McGillvary welded the sections together again in situ. Platers, David White, Jan Mohammed, Willie Paterson, Danny Mitchell and Willie Sloss also came up to from Campbeltown to Clydebank to work on the Debra Rose.
We are grateful to Billy for sharing these wonderful photos of his time at Campbeltown Shipyard.
The launch of the Wanderer II BA66 (Yard no. 66) in 1984. L-R Billy and Margaret Morran, Dougie McKinnon and Melissa McCaig. Photo courtesy of Billy Morran.
Archie Johnstone (Engineer) and Ralph Hill (Welder) at Campbeltown Shipyard. Photo courtesy of Billy Morran.
Repair to a boat at the slip at Campbeltown Shipyard. Photo courtesy of Billy Morran.
Gus McDonald, ex-miner and welder, at Campbeltown Shipyard. Photo courtesy of Billy Morran.
The launch of the Brereton INS 97 (Yard no. 78) at Campbeltown Shipyard. Pete Stimson, plater and Billy Moran, in orange, welder. Photo courtesy of Billy Morran.
Four Campbeltown Shipyard Welders: L-R Willie Paterson, Gordon Wilson Jim Martin and Ian McCallum. Photo courtesy of Billy Morran.
Launch day at Campbeltown shipyard. Jan Mohammed, plater. Photo courtesy of Billy Morran.
Three Campbeltown Shipyard Welders: L-R ex-miner Campbell Maloney, Peter Cunningham and Billy Morran. Photo courtesy of Billy Morran.
Working on a boat at Campbeltown Shipyard. Jan Mohammed, a plater, is in the doorway to the wheelhouse and the man in the oilskins is plater Davey White. Photo courtesy of Billie Morran.
In the Campbeltown Shipyard Canteen on launch day: L-R Eddie Morran, Dick Potts, Davey Wilson, Harry McGuire, Pete Stimpson, Billy Morran and Dougie McKinnon. Photo courtesy of Billy Morran.
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