Notes: Traffic on the Clyde Coast, serving numerous resorts
amid outstanding scenery, was a good source of revenue. The
Glasgow and South Western Railway developed a fleet of passenger
steamers on the Firth of Clyde. These provided a service including
the Isles of Arran, Bute and Cumbrae and places on the mainland
between Greenock and Stranraer.
Greenock Albert Harbour was opened on 23rd December 1869 by
the Greenock and Ayrshire Railway to cater for this traffic
with fast connecting trains running to and from Glasgow Bridge
Street via Kilmacolm in competition with the Caledonian Railway.
In 1872 The Greenock and Ayrshire Railway absorbed by Glasgow
and South Western Railway. The station was renamed Greenock
Princes Pier in 1875 and a much grander station was built 100
yards to the north to compete with the Caledonian Railways Gourock
station, opening on 25th May 1894. However by 1908 this traffic
was recognised as insufficient for the intense resources provided
by the railway companies and pooling arrangements were set up
to share the use of steamers. Several steamers served in the
First World War; Mars, Neptune and Minerva
were casualties of this conflict, and never returned.
Regular passenger services to Greenock Princes Pier from Kilmacolm
ended on 2nd February 1959 but was used by boat trains until
30th November 1965. The station was closed to freight on 29th
September 1966. The station was demolished in 1967 and the site
incorporated within the Clydeport Container Terminal
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