An artist has completed a remarkable set of paintings to help restore a famous Clyde-built steamship that once carried passengers including the Queen Mother and King George V.
Billy Dobbie, 67, has spent the past two years producing 15 oil paintings of the iconic TS Queen Mary – the historic vessel undergoing a £6million restoration project in Glasgow. The paintings tell TS Queen Mary’s story, from her launch at Denny’s Yard in Dumbarton in 1933 to one of her last sailings on the Clyde in the 70s.
They will be the stars of an exhibition at The Lighthouse in Glasgow in January when they will be sold for thousands of pounds each to raise funds for the ship’s restoration. Limited-edition prints and other memorabilia including mugs, coasters, notepads and place mats will also be made to help boost the campaign.
Glasgow artist Billy recently presented a print of one of his paintings, The Leaving of Rothesay Bay, to the Princess Royal, the project’s royal patron. Other patrons include actors Robbie Coltrane and Sam Neill.
Billy said: “TS Queen Mary has been my favourite ship since I was a wee boy. My mum and dad would take me to Dunoon and back on her every summer. She’s had a special place in my heart ever since.
“She was known as the Glasgow Boat and would sail down to the Kyles of Bute but I’ve taken many trips on her, around Ailsa Craig, to Rothesay and all over the Clyde.
“Many people have fond memories of steamships and, for me, it was always the Queen Mary.
“I’ve enjoyed painting her story and it means a lot to me to be able to contribute to her restoration.”
The last turbine steamer to be built on the Clyde, TS Queen Mary is being restored in a berth next to the Glasgow Science Centre.
Friends of TS Queen Mary, the charity tasked with her restoration, has already raised over £3.8million towards the project. A campaign to carry out repairs was launched in December 2015 after being spearheaded by Coltrane and supported by the Sunday Mail.
Princess Anne, after whose great-grandmother the ship is named, recently announced it will sail again on the Clyde to boost tourism. It’s hoped she will be back in service in 2024.
Billy’s paintings include The Launch Party, Summer In Loch Long and Broomielaw Astern, while his final work was his own take on a portrait of the queen that was presented to the ship on behalf of Cunard in 1935.
Iain Sim, of Friends of TS Queen Mary, said: “Billy is one of Scotland’s leading maritime artists. We are delighted he has produced this remarkable set of paintings.”
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