Photograph of the Thrift built in 1931
The Northern Co-operative Society Ltd, known to generations of Aberdonians as the Co-op, was headquartered in Aberdeen, supplying the City and Aberdeenshire with every consumable you could ever want. Established in 1861, the first shop was a grocery at 51 Gallowgate; By 1992, a year before its closure, the business employed 2,000 people.
Coal was the principal means of heating in the 19th and 20th century. Such was the demand that the Co-op bought its first collier (a ship carrying coal), called the Thrift, in 1904. The aim was to increase profits by buying direct from coal mines in Fife. In 1931, a replacement vessel, also called the Thrift, was ordered from Hall Russell shipbuilders in Aberdeen.
Thrift Photograph – Launch ceremony of the Thrift in 1931
On 17 August, 1931, the Thrift was sent on her way by dignitaries from the Northern Co-operative Society Ltd. After a short speech, a bottle (usually wine decorated with two colourful rosettes) was smashed against the bow by pulling a lever on the launching platform. This triggered a release of the vessel when workers knocked away wedges under the keel. As the hesitant hull glided down the slipway, slowly at first, it quickly gathered speed and slid into the water to cheers from the assembled crowd. A photograph of the launch is on display in the Maritime Museum, along with the actual rosettes used. The rosettes were gifted to the Museum by James McHardy, my wife’s cousin.
Thrift Rosettes – The rosettes used at the launch ceremony of the Thrift
Once in service, coal was unloaded from the Thrift and transported by road to the main depot on the corner of Stell Road and Palmerston Road, and piled high using a conveyor belt. Sometimes the coal would combust spontaneously due to the Perspex windows in the roof allowing heat to build up. Coal was also a common cause of fires in wooden sailing ships at sea, often resulting in disaster.
On 5 September, 1968, the Thrift delivered its final cargo of 600 tons of coal from Methil in Fife. The ship was broken up soon after in Blyth, England.
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For over 20 years dedicated volunteers have been researching ships built in Aberdeen, Ahead of Volunteer Week, 2-8 June, we’d like to thank them for all their time, passion and enthusiasm. Find out more about Aberdeen-built Ships.
The Maritime Museum is open daily and admission is free. A new exhibition – Tales of the Tall Ships – is now open.
