Ailsa Shipbuilding Company was founded in 1885 and based at Troon, where it specialized in smaller vessels. Its varied work included cargo ships, ferries, an Italian Navy gunboat, and the 1904 steam yacht Warrior. The firm became almost a minesweeper specialist for the Royal Navy. The Racecourse class grew from Scotland's small-ship industry and the yard experience behind it.
Notable Point · 2:08:11-2:09:36
Ailsa Shipbuilding turns small-ship experience into minesweepers
The Troon yard's experience with cargo ships, ferries, gunboats, and yachts helps explain its role in the Royal Navy's paddle-minesweeper program.