Mr. William McPhee was a chief engineer at sea until he retired to America and began a career as an author writing books mainly about the sea and ships. He is a very well known author world wide and has many books to his name. In 1910 he was on a ship that tied up in the Queens dock Glasgow at the foot of Finniestoun Street in full view of the Barclay & Curle fitting out basin. At the time there was an ex Blue Anchor Line ship at the berth which was the Geelong being converted from carrying 450 steerage class passengers to a larger capacity of 700. At the time a young cousin of Mr. McPhee was an apprentice in the engine shops of Barclay & Curle, his cousin told him he had worked on the Waratahs engines and was on board for the sea trials. He said " everyone in the yard knew she was extremely tender and it took very little to make her list."
What we do know is that during the engines trials Mr. Hodder the chief engineer ordered a section of the main steam line be replaced as he was not happy with it.
Chief engineer William McPhee.
Barclay& Curle fitting out berth.
