Volume Eight - Pre-Victorian to the present day - more aspects - Peter Campbell - A Gallant Pioneer

		The 'St Columba' was built at the yard of Thomas Royden at Liverpool as a general cargo ship and was launched in 1880, her owners being the well known shipping line of Rankin, Gilmour & Company. The Saint Line originated from this company and continued trading from the early part of the 19th century until 1962. In the history of the company 62 ships were lost, some as wartime casualties being torpedoed, some scuttled, occasional collisions occurred with other shipping, and some simply foundered in bad weather as occurred in the sad loss of the 'St. Columba'. [214]

In the days prior to wireless or any other form of long distance communication, the loss of a ship was first suspected when it became overdue at a particular port. Only when wreckage was found would it be possible to surmise the most likely fate of a ship. It must have been a long wait for the relatives to be informed of their loved ones especially when, as in the case of the 'St. Columba', there is no record of the recovery of bodies or personal belongings. The position of the wreck also seems to be unknown.

An amazing statistic is that during the period 1883-84, 121 British ships were lost together with the lives of 2,245.

I wholly support any initiative to remember the crew of the 'St Columba' and perhaps the countless other unsung mariners lost in similar circumstances. In particular, Peter Campbell, should be honoured for the vision and determination he, and his friends, showed in the formation of a club which has brought countless hours of joy and sadness, but most importantly, great entertainment to generations of Rangers F.C. and sports fans alike. Let's just think of Peter and all his friends for a moment and remind ourselves that it's because of them, the 'Teddy Bears' are alive!