Memories of Magheramorne from 1996

LFW has already touched upon the subject of the jetty at the former Blue Circle cement works at Magheramorne, about 25 minutes sailing time past Larne.

The origin of Magheramorne as a port goes back to 1794 when the proprietor of the Magheramorne estate began the quarrying of limestone for local consumption although it was to be another 10 years before he began to export his limestone and import coal.

The estate was sold in 1824 and the new owner expanded the operation by building new kilns and wharves. His venture seems to have been a success and by 1834, 342 vessels, of 13,936 tons, are recorded as trading to Magheramorne in the limestone and coal trades.

By 1839 no fewer than 902 vessels of 24,132 tons were engaged in the trade. Excluding Sundays this would mean that the harbour handled almost 3 ships every day. This is a bit deceptive by today’s standards in that the average tonnage of each ship would have been 27 – somewhat below the comparable figure for a coaster (or even a tug) in 2006.

In the early part of the 20^th century the British Portland Cement Company built a factory at Magheramorne, using the local limestone to make cement.

The factory, under a number of names, continued production on the site until 1989. By then it had become out of date. Rebuilding was considered too expensive and there was another factory at Cookstown, Co Tyrone which could continue to supply the local market with additional product imported as and when required.

Magheramorne was not the only harbour on Larne Lough. In addition to Larne there were the Bank Quays on the Bank Road. Later known simply as the Bank Quay it was owned by Howden Brothers Limited which, in turn, was owned by John Kelly Limited the Belfast shipowner and coal importer. Howdens engaged in the same trade as its parent. The Bank Quay handled occasional import cargoes for Kilwaughter Chemicals.

My introduction to Magheramorne came in the mid-80’s when the cement factory was still making cement. Ships of the Stephenson Clark fleet brought cement clinker and Ramsey Steamship Company and Glenlight boats loaded bagged and bulk cement.

The pattern continued after cessation of manufacturing on the site but bagged and bulk cement was now being imported rather than exported. There was also an occasional cargo of stone loaded out for the Channel Tunnel project and some imports of coal.

In 1995 with the decline in the coal market and the end of the working life of the cranes, the Bank Quay closed. This had a positive effect on Magheramorne in that the mineral cargoes handled for Kilwaughter Chemicals were diverted there. This was to bring a variety of non UK-flag vessels to Magheramorne for the first time although it was to be a few more years before the changes became completely apparent. The cargoes diverted included marble chips, china clay and silver sand.

Another closure was that of nearby Carrickfergus in April 1996. I had hoped that some of its cargoes (other than coal and liquids which had gone to Belfast) might end up at Magheramorne but (with one exception) that was not to be.

As sometimes happens, you see something but the passage of time is needed before you appreciate it or understand it in its historical setting. 1996 was like that. It was to be a vintage year and one never to be repeated although I did not know it at the time.

Arklow Mill opened Magheramorne's arrivals log for 1996 and is pictured here loading stone at the jetty on 13/1/96. Photo: Aubrey Dale (click to enlarge)

The next noted arrival was the Ronez (1982/870) on 27 February with bulk cement.

10 March produced the Danica Violet (DK 1986/1290) probably with marble chips - one of the “new” cargoes and on 18 March the Conformity brought china clay. Next was the Sanguity (1984/1892) on 25 March with bagged cement. March was rounded off with the Fosseland (BHS 1979/1059) on the last day of the month with an unidentified cargo. Four ships in one month was quite something!

6 April saw the Arklow Moor (1990/1524) to discharge what I was told was fish meal – a Carrickfergus cargo which was not repeated. 11 April brought the Bure (1969/347) with silver sand.

Bure loaded with a cargo of silver sand approaches Magheramorne jetty on the 11/4/96. Photo: Aubrey Dale (click to enlarge)

Next was the Birling on 4 May (1977/2795) with cement clinker. She berthed with assistance from the Maria McLoughlin. 11 May had the Rosethorn (1982/1213) with a part cargo of silver sand. The Ben Ellan (IoM 1981/538) brought bulk cement on 24 May and the Ben Vane also had bulk cement on the 30th.

	Birling seen arriving at Magheramorne on the 4/4/96 with a load of cement clinker. Photo: Aubrey Dale (click to enlarge)
	Ben Ellen at Magheramorne discharging bulk cement. Normally ships had to slide well up the jetty toward shore when discharging using the jetty's powder suction equipment. Photo: Aubrey Dale (click to enlarge)

6 June saw the Sociality (1986/1992) with bagged cement. The 14th had the Lancing (1976/1943) with cement clinker and the next day the Ben Maye (IoM 1979/548) brought bulk cement.

	The jetty's crane is busy working to discharge Sociality's cargo of bagged cement on 6/6/96. Photo: Aubrey Dale (click to enlarge)
	Lancing alongside Magheramorne in the process of discharging cement clinker on the 14/6/96. Photo: Aubrey Dale (click to enlarge)

August was another good month with four ships noted. First on the 1st was the Union Titan (BRB 1986/1543) with marble chips. The Bure returned on 7th with bagged sand. The Portland (1980/909) brought bagged cement on 11 August and the Ben Maye had bulk cement on 19th August.


Two of the four recorded arrivals in August 1996 seen alongside at Magheramorne. Left is Union Titan discharging marble chips on the 1/8/96, while on the right Portland is in with a cargo of bagged cement on 11/8/96. Photos: Aubrey Dale (click to enlarge)

September was even better. The 7th started with the Athinoula (Pa 1974/1454) with marble chips, the Rosethorn had bagged cement on the 15th. The Ben Maye departed on 19th after discharging bulk cement and was back on the 21st with more of the same. The 28th had the Daniel (NL 1996/1990) to discharge bagged cement.

	Rosethorn at Magheramorne on the 15/9/96 loaded with bagged cement. Photo: Aubrey Dale (click to enlarge)
	Ben Maye at Magheramorne with bulk cement on the 19/9/96, the first of two recorded cargoes of bulk cement she brought into Magheramorne in September 1996. Photo: Aubrey Dale (click to enlarge)
	Daniel at Magheramorne unloading bagged cement on 28/9/96. Photo: Aubrey Dale (click to enlarge)

October was quiet with only the Beate (DEU 1969/1223) and another cargo of marble chips.

November was slightly better with the Caravelle (NL 1972/999) with bulk cement and the return of the Ronez on 16th and the Ben Maye on 30th – both with bulk cement.

December, traditionally a quiet month for the building trade, produced five calls by four ships. The Ben Vane (IoM 1977/541) had bulk cement on the 7th and the Ben Maye had the same product on 14th. The following day the Candourity (1975/559) joined her with china clay – a tight squeeze given the length of the jetty. The Ronez had bulk cement on 22 December and returned on 28th to complete the year with yet more of the same.

	Caravelle at Magheramorne with bulk cement on the 16/11/96. Photo: Aubrey Dale (click to enlarge)
	Two for the price of one; Ben Maye on the right ahead of Candourity both at Magheramorne on the 15/12/96. Ben Maye on this occasion in with bulk cement and Candourity just arrived with china clay. Photo: Aubrey Dale (click to enlarge)