A SLENDER piece of ribbon marked a slice of Clydeside shipping history in December 1950.

The Clyde’s “ship of the year” - the largest ship to be launched on the river that year - was the 18,500-ton passenger motor-liner, Ruahine, which had been built at John Brown’s in Clydebank for the New Zealand Shipping Company.

It was launched by 81-year-old Mrs J.M. Dawes, who was repeating an honour she had carried out 41 years earlier, in 1909, when the previous Ruahine had been launched. To the new ship she presented a piece of ribbon bearing the name ‘Ruahine’, which had been given to her in 1909. She in turn was given a diamond brooch on behalf of John Brown’s.

Brown’s chairman, Lord Aberconway, said the new Ruahine was the 22nd vessel the company had built for New Zealand Shipping, 10 of which were still running. Early the following year, he added, the yard would lay down the keel for the 23rd. The Ruahine could carry refrigerated and general cargo as well as 250 “one-class” passengers, for whom the on-board facilities extended to a swimming pool.