Ian Jack writes that thanks to Bell's efforts, the Comet was recognised as the first commercially successful steamship in Europe, enabling Bell to claim his title as the father of steam navigation, and thus a leading figure among the Britons, and particularly Scotsmen, who shaped the modern world.
Helensburgh Heritage
Wednesday
Jun 19th
Home 
Heritage
Heritage
Heritage
We remember Dickens and the Titanic. So why have we forgotten Henry Bell?
A VERY interesting article on Henry Bell and the Comet was published in the Guardian on Saturday July 28 2012.
Last Updated ( Saturday, 13 October 2012 17:20 )
Hotelier's escape ended in Vienna cafe
A HELENSBURGH hotel manager was involved in one of the best-planned escapes from a German Prisoner of War Camp in World War Two.
The late Norman Drummond was the urbane, charming and highly regarded manager of the town’s Queen’s Hotel from 1947 until the hotel closed early in the 1980s, and during that era it was the area’s top hotel.
Last Updated ( Tuesday, 14 August 2012 17:44 )
Whistlefield is historic village
WHISTLEFIELD Station was at one time the hub of what is an historic village, and it even had a royal visit.
Local historian Alistair McIntyre has a particular interest in the village, as in his childhood he lived nearby in Glen Douglas in a similar railway cottage to the one beside the station from 1951-6.
Last Updated ( Friday, 20 July 2012 13:09 )
Centenary medal discovered
A SOUVENIR of the Comet centenary celebrations turned up in Aberdeen in the summer of 2012, the bicentenary year.
Robert Campbell got in touch with Helensburgh Heritage Trust chairman Stewart Noble to say that he had a medal celebrating the Comet and Henry Bell Centenary, and he asked if there were any plans to produce a bicentenary medal.
Gaps in hotel history
MUCH is known about a popular Helensburgh institution, the Queen’s Hotel in East Clyde Street, but there is a significant gap in the list of owners.
Henry Bell, the town’s first Provost, is believed to have opened the seafront hotel — then named the Baths Inn — with his wife Margaret in 1807, a year after he acquired the land.
Last Updated ( Sunday, 15 July 2012 09:53 )
Villagers chaired VC hero
THE villagers of Cardross turned out in force at the station in 1918 to honour a Victoria Cross-winning hero of World War One.
Lieutenant Reginald Graham was the first of six members of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders to be awarded the highest honour for gallantry in that conflict.
Last Updated ( Monday, 09 July 2012 17:17 )
Soldier died after nine days in France
A 19 year-old Helensburgh man was sent to France during World War One . . . and nine days later he was dead.
Last Updated ( Thursday, 21 June 2012 15:23 )
Page 8 of 73
Trust Photo Gallery
View this photo and over 1,400 more at the Heritage Trust Photo Gallery. Visit the gallery.
First Winter Talk
The first 2013-14 winter talk is on Wednesday September 25 at 7.30pm at Helensburgh Lawn Tennis Club, when Joe Brown will talk about the historic Ferry Inn at Rosneath. Non-members are most welcome.
Winter Talks 2013-14
- Wednesday September 25 2013 — Joe Brown: The Ferry Inn, Rosneath
- Wednesday October 30 — AGM at 7pm; David Norman: Loch Goil — noises off
- Wednesday November 27 — Mark Nixon: The 1884 Reform Act Agitation in Helensburgh and Dunbartonshire
- Wednesday January 29 2014 — John Birch: The Training Ships Cumberland and Empress
- Wednesday February 26 — James Donald: Alexander Donald of Geilston — Friend of Thomas Jefferson
- Wednesday March 26 — Ian Evans: Helensburgh's Postal History
All meetings are in the upstairs meeting room at Helensburgh Tennis Club, Suffolk Street, at 7.30pm
Heritage Trust Menu
Charity Number
HELENSBURGH HERITAGE TRUST
Scottish Charity
SC024603