There have been many arguments by engineers throughout the years for and against a weir on this part of the Clyde,which is a short walk upriver from the famous Bromielaw.
The first tidal weir was completed in 1901,it lasted until 1941 when its foundations gave way. The present steel weir was completed in 1949 [Engineer FGM Stoney] the weir carries large diameter pipes across the Clyde,but its main purpose is to maintain upstream water levels.
A parade of barges to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the re opening of the Forth and Clyde canal,the barges are seen here leaving from Speirs Wharf Glasgow on the 24 Sep 2011
Having departed the BAE systems shipyard at 0700 on Friday the 21 October,Defender sailed down the Clyde on a grim dull rainy day to start her first set of sea trials.