Work got underway this week to restore an iconic part of the industrial history of Irvine Bay.

Irvine Bay Regeneration Company and North Ayrshire Council are jointly funding the removal of a crane from the Harbourside at Irvine to the storage yard on the River Garnock at the Maritime Museum.

The crane was made in 1908 by William Morgan Crane makers in Kilwinning and used on Irvine Harbourside.

It is a significant industrial artifact and officially recognised for industrial heritage value. The rail mounted crane had a capacity of three tons.

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It has been taken from Irvine Harbourside to the Maritime Museum for restoration work.

Patrick Wiggins, Chief Executive of Irvine Bay, said: “The council is moving the crane into the Maritime Museum for volunteers and some apprentices to work on and restore, with a view to it eventually being replaced outside again.

“Not only is this an iconic part of our industrial heritage, it is also a project that will help in training skills for apprentices, and will, ultimately, see our stunning waterfront benefit from another attraction.”

The harbour apparently dates from the late 17th century, when the River Irvine changed its course. It was subsequently improved, most recently in the early 20th century when a timber quay was built, with rail-mounted cranes, possibly by the Ayrshire Dockyard Co, which took over the harbour in 1919. The wharf remained in use until the 1980s, and was improved in the 1990s by Irvine Development Corporation, who repaired the wharf as part of an extensive programme of harbourside improvements.

(GK/KMcA)