City of Glasgow College students involved in restoration of historic ship TS Queen Mary
City of Glasgow College students are set to play a vital role in the restoration of the historic steamship TS Queen Mary, which is currently undergoing a transformational project. Over 300 cadets have already been involved in the restoration, but efforts to restore the vessel to full seagoing condition have now taken a significant step forward following a recent donation of over £1 million from an anonymous benefactor.
Initially intended to be restored as a static heritage centre, the recent donation has enabled the ship's restoration vision to be expanded to reinstate the vessel to its full seagoing glory, which will eventually see the TS Queen Mary cruising the Firth of Clyde and islands of Scotland, just as it did in its heyday.
City of Glasgow College has been an integral part of the restoration project for several years, providing training opportunities for the volunteers and apprentices who worked on the project. These opportunities included courses on woodworking, engineering, electrical systems, and other skills necessary for the restoration.
The college also provided access to its state-of-the-art facilities, including the marine engineering workshop, which facilitated the repair and fabrication of parts for the ship. In addition, the college was involved in the restoration of the ship's wheelhouse and bridge, where its art, design, and media department played a crucial role in recreating the intricate details of the original wheelhouse.
In the future, hospitality students at City of Glasgow College will have the opportunity to receive training on board the TS Queen Mary.
Iain Sim, chair of Friends of TS Queen Mary, said:
“One of the things that came out of working with City of Glasgow College was what an incredible experiential learning platform the vessel is and can be for young people. The ship is a unique part of our heritage, and it is our aim to restore the ship to its former glory for future generations to enjoy.”
Video courtesy of The Scotsman