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Title: I CAME TO A RIVER

Reference number: 4588

Date: 1977, October

Director: filmed by Mr Tom Urie

Sound: sound

Original format: std. 8mm

Colour: col

Fiction: non-fiction

Running time: 25.47 mins

Description: This film records various methods of transportation across the Clyde River, starting with bridges and tunnels but concentrating on ferry boat. It features footage of the Finnieston, Govan, and Erskine ferries in operation then broadens to include the Dunoon, Cumbrae, and Ardrossan ferries in the Firth of Clyde. The commentary mourns the passing of the old styles of transportation, but acknowledges that change is inevitable and welcome.

The Finnieston Ferry featured in this film ceased operation in Spring 1977 and could carry 132 passengers.

Shotlist: [SHOTLISTED FROM CONTROL TRACK, BETA SP]

[col] title gvs flowing river, title (00:01:28:11) shot of cows crossing river, near small corrugated iron bridge near source of Clyde (00:01:44:20) shot of Roman Bridge at Motherwell (00:01:54:13) shot of footbridge at Blantyre (00:01:57:11) road bridge near Uddingston (00:02:04:09) gvs various bridge of the Clyde, Glasgow City Centre (00:02:26:10) shot of Kingston Bridge, including moving shots taken from car as it crosses over (very sparse traffic) (00:02:41:23) shot of Erskine Bridge (00:02:47:14) crane at Finnieston, shot of derelict Rotunda where tunnel was situated (00:03:17:06) c/u lift shaft in one of the towers (00:03:24:09) pedestrian entrance to tunnel (still open when film was made) and shot of water main pipe (00:03:42:24) shot taken from moving car as it approaches Clyde Tunnel and drives through (00:04:03:13) [b&w] still photograph ferry (00:04:22:01) [col] shot of Finnieston Ferry crossing and landing (00:05:41:15) gvs same, of Govan Ferry (00:05:47:03) [b&w] still photograph Finnieston Ferry loaded with horses and carts in days gone by (00:06:14:08) [col] shot of redundant ferry terminal, Finnieston (00:06:29:14) gvs one of these old ferries 'Vehicular Ferryboat No. 4' at Renfrew Dock (00:06:57:23) gvs steam driven Erskine Ferry on Renfrew Route ('SS Flying Fox' written on side of ferry), includes shot of ice cream van driving aboard, also foot passengers boarding (00:07:53:13) passengers disembark 'Granny Kempock' ferry at Gourock (00:08:31:03) Gourock - Dunoon ferry sailing on Firth of Clyde (00:09:34:11) shots from on board ferry as it turns full circle (00:10:06:12) vehicles, including caravan and coach, unload at Dunoon via side ramp (00:10:51:03) ferry reverses and offloads using stern ramp at Gourock (00:11:30:21) gvs 'Maid of Cumbrae' car ferry on Gourock to Dunoon route (00:11:55:21) m/s roll on roll off car ferries 'Sound of Shuna' (and Sound of Sanda (?)) (00:12:49:02) leaving MacInroy's Point, followed by views and arrival at Hunter's Quay (00:13:47:10) lift loading car ferry 'Bute' unloading (00:15:02:21) lift loading car ferry 'Cowal' leaving Rothesay on her last run, Summer 1977 (00:15:14:15) shot of lift loading car ferry 'Arran' taking gas tanker to Rothesay (00:15:46:16) car ferry 'Glen Sannox' unloading at Rothesay (00:17:45:19) passenger only ferry 'Keppel' on Largs to Millport route (00:18:33:14) 'Coruisk' is loaded at Cumbrae slip (Tattie Pier?), gvs 'Isle of Cumbrae' loading, unloading and sailing (00:20:35:17) unidentified ferry operating at Lochranza, Mull of Kintyre during summer (00:21:17:21) unidentified ferry running from Colintraive (00:21:54:02) 'Caledonia' unloading at Ardrossan (00:22:54:20) gvs 'Clansman' loading, unloading and sailing at Ardrossan, includes shots of bow thruster in action (00:24:34:22) brief shot cargo vessel 'Loch Carron' sailing (00:24:43:16) brief shot turbine ship 'Duchess of Hamilton' sailing (00:24:52:08) 'Talisman' at pier, gvs Gourock - Dunoon ferry, various shots of modern ships [with rather nostalgic commentary to finish] (00:25:38:24) The End (00:25:47:00)