By chance, I found myself watching David Dimbleby puttering about on a boat through the west coast of Scotland for his Britain and the Sea Trade programme. Thinking about it, I’m amazed my Mum never called to yell ‘Quick Scotland is on BBC right now AND THEY’RE SHOWING GLASGOW’ before hanging up. Being from Glasgow, having a brother and Dad who are both engineers and an Uncle who is a Ship’s Captain, you’d think I’d know all about the shipbuilding industry and maybe have a few basic sea tales. I don’t. I enjoyed the show though, and especially learning about David Kirkaldy who was an engineer and draughtsman from Dundee with skillz. He was awarded a medal for some of his astounding drawings at the Paris Exhibition in 1855 while his most famous one of the steamship Persia, was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1861.

This is what the man himself looked like.

I’d probably have both on my wall and that’s the funny thing. I did not expect this story to be ‘shopable’ and yet the top image is available as a poster from Surface View. Dad’s Christmas right there. I’ll leave you to enjoy one of Kirkaldy’s prep drawings for Persia, also available to buy in a notebook from the Royal Maritime Museum.

You can read more about David Kirkaldy here.