During the Second World War, the Royal Navy’s vitally important Anti-submarine Experimental Establishment was secretly moved from Portland in Dorset to the Ayrshire village of Fairlie, to escape German bombing on the south coast.
Over the next six years, it occupied the boatyard of yacht builder William Fife on the Firth of Clyde. During this time, hundreds of scientists, officers, and local men and women carrying out highly confidential world-leading research on the acoustic detection of submarines by asdic, now known as sonar, were based at Fairlie.
During the war, experiments were conducted to find new ways to sink German U-boats, which disrupted the peace of the quiet village. Winston Churchill emphasized the significance of the work carried out at Fairlie, stating that it was critical to winning the Battle of the Atlantic and ultimately the war. The research continued to be important for anti-submarine warfare long after the war and remains relevant even today.
Fairlie’s role in the war was not revealed until recently. This book, highly illustrated and using previously unpublished material, tells the complete story of the establishment at Fairlie for the first time. It describes the impact it had on local people and their relationship with the naval officers and scientists who worked there.
Born in Giffnock, John Riddell became interested in the Clyde, shipping and engineering from a young age. He worked as a civil engineer before becoming a senior lecturer and reader in water engineering at the University of Strathclyde. He has lived in Fairlie since 1972, and in retirement has continued to pursue his interest in the Clyde, ships and local history.
Author: John Riddell | Publisher: Birlinn Ltd | Published: 4 August 2022 | Length: 256 pages | ISBN: 0007204434 | Publishers page
