I THINK the time has come to put on record the truth regarding the legendary bowler hat belonging to John Rannie of John Brown's Yard, which R Johnston (Letters, Decmber 20) believed to be purloined during the working up of the Queen Elizabeth. In the late 1960s I was completing two TV documentaries, Contract 736, which received an honours award from the the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in the US and The Ship From the Clyde – the former covering the building and launch of the QE2. The latter, taking the ship through to completion.
John Rannie introduced me to "the hat" in his office at Clydebank. It was kept in its own mahogany box, and worn only on special occasions, mainly launches. John was clearly proud of the number of ships he had sent down the slip-ways while waving that hat.
The QE2 had the misfortune to develop turbine blade problems, both during its trials in the Irish sea when we had to call for the tugs. And later during its first voyage to the Canaries. Upon QE2s return to Southampton, it became clear that Cunard, John Brown's, and others were starting to squabble regarding responsibility. I was in the outer area of a suite, aboard the ship, waiting to see JR, who was in the inner room with senior representatives of the "warring" factions.
It was clear that the discussions were heated. Suddenly, JR emerged took off the bowler, saying "Well, I'll not be needing that again" and threw the hat into a small cloakroom. I said "Do you mind if I take it? You'll know where it is." JR said: "It's yours, you're welcome to it, Ted". And he was gone. The hat is in a secure place.
Ted Williamson,
Humbie Road, Eaglesham.
REGARDING the recent correspondence on hats: some years ago when crossing the busy Clydebank road walking the Bowling to Twechar stretch on the Forth and Clyde and wearing my green Aussie hat, no corks, I got the call from a group of youths: “Haw, big man. Gonnae gie’s yer hat? Ah’m gaun tae Corfu on Monday.”
Glasgow banter. Can you beat it?
R Russell Smith,
96 Milton Road, Kilbirnie.
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