Information
The Clyde is famous throughout the world for its shipbuilding. It has been called the cradle of steam navigation and is the birthplace of the countless liners, warships and cargo ships. David Hayman explores the stories of four ships, built on the river Clyde that helped forge links with countries throughout the Commonwealth of Nations. From iconic ships such as Cutty Sark and HMS Hood to the lesser-known CS Mackay-Bennett, a ship that laid the foundations of a Victorian communications revolution and played a crucial role in the world's worst maritime disaster. Also, David investigates the story of a paddle steamer called Robert E. Lee, and the controversial role Glasgow shipbuilders and captains played in the American Civil War. This four-part series travels the world to tell the fascinating story of ships built during the golden age of ship-building at Clydebank, Glasgow - a time when "Clydebuilt" was synonymous with "world class".
BBC Scotland Science Production MMXIII
2) CS Mackay-Bennett
The CS Mackay-Bennett was a Clydebuilt cable repair ship. She kept information flowing along a network of underwater cables that connected Britain with the Empire and the world. This was the Victorian internet of its day. It's also the story of a date with disaster. This ship and her crew recovered the bodies of those who died when the Titanic sank and in doing so they sparked a mystery that's taken over a century to solve.