In Know Your Largs this week, we look back to the incredible epic voyage from Largs to New York involving entrepreneur John Clark which encountered a hurricane and a sinking ship.

The thrilling rescue in the mid-Atlantic was recalled in 1927 when the 'News' reported on the obituary of Donald Beaton, who was a member of Clark"s heralded crew in the steam yacht 'Mohican'.

We said: 'Quite a shadow was cast over the finish of the festivities of the holiday fortnight of the tragic death of an elderly Clyde professional Donald Beaton.

'Mr Beaton was a prominent member of the fine crew with which John Clark of Curling Hall, Largs, manned the Mohican when she was in the front ranks of the "show ships" of the pleasure navy between forty and fifty years ago.

'Being a skilful as well as a powerful oarsman, Beaton was appointed captain of the gig and lifeboat of the Mohican and justifiably proud he was too of his post.

'In rare stead, too, did his skill and stamina and staunchness stand him when at length came the hour of stern testing.' In 1887, Mr Clark (pictured) with a party of friends sailed from Largs to New York in the 'Mohican' for the purpose of being present at the races between the 'Thistle' and 'Volunteer' in the America"s Cup.

In mid ocean, a large vessel on the point of sinking was spotted -a Canadian yacht 'Lillian'.

The yacht had emerged from the worst of a hurricane on the high waters, and the crew of the Mohican rushed to her aid.

After four hours of strenuous efforts in the still howling gales and fierce seas, Bean, with a volunteer crew, transferred safely to the 'Mohican' by means of her own lifeboat, the sinking ship"s company - twenty officers and seamen, the captain"s wife, and a noble dog of Canadian breed, were all rescued.

Writer John Meikle recalled: 'The gratitude of the rescued ones was deep and sincere, while the pride of John Clark and his friends in the noble work of Don Beaton and his mates was quite heart-warming.

'I have heard one of the company of the "Mohican" saying the sight of John Clark and the captain of "Lillian" grasping each other"s hands in silence, simply because the hearts of both were too full to permit of speaking, would have made a fitting tribute or a noble picture.' Aptly enough, the surviving dog was given the new name "Cyclone" on board the "Mohican" and quickly responded to his new name during the remainder of the trip!

Mr John Clark was commodore of Largs Sailing Club, and practically financed it in its early days.

He was a member of the illustrious Clark family of Paisley, who were mill owners, famous for developing Paisley"s thread manufacturing industry. He served his apprenticeship with Robert Guthrie and Co, shawl manufacturers, before joining the family thread manufacturing business, J and J Clark and Co. in 1860.

The Clark family discovered a technique in which to produce spooled cotton thread and were the prime movers in its manufacture. From their thread mill in Seedhill, Paisley, John was extremely influential in the rapid growth and expansion of the business.

As well as J and J Clark and Co, the extended Clark family owned three more thread manufacturing companies. During the 1860s, John was instrumental in bringing his mill, and other mills close to it in Seedhill, together under the new name of Clark and Co. They named their large complex the Clark mills, and under John"s guidance, profits rose to £40,000 in 1871.

As well as J and J Clark and Co, the extended Clark family owned three more thread manufacturing companies. During the 1860s, John was instrumental in bringing his mill, and the other mills close to it in Seedhill, together under the new name of Clark and Co. They named their large complex The Anchor Mills. Under John"s leadership, profits increased to £40,000 in 1871.

Construction then began on the 'Atlantic Mill', which would contain 60,000 thread-producing twisting spindles, followed by the 'Pacific Mill' which increased the firm"s capacity to 230,000 spindles. Together they employed more than 3,000 people.

During the late 1870s John"s brother, Alexander Clark, died in America. Clark and Co took controlling interest of his American mills and continued to expand in America. John became known for his business acumen and direct management style.

The Clark"s main competitors were J and P Coats, another Paisley thread manufacturing family firm. In the late 1880s the two firms cooperated to counter the trend for price-cutting that was reducing profits. After John"s death in 1894 the two Paisley firms merged. As for the Mohican, the 750 ton boat was sold to the German Navy during the 1890s, an item which was reported in the New York Times.

In Largs, the home of his summer residence, "Curling Hall", he paid for the building of the hospital and gave £30,000 to a new United Presbyterian Church. To the south of Largs, at West Kilbride, he largely funded the Paisley Convalescence Home.

Sailing was John Clark"s relaxation. In 1889 he became the Commodore of the Royal Clyde Yacht Club and remained in that position until his death. His yachts, the Vanduara and the Mohican were both used to successfully compete in races and organised the yachting regattas to co-incide with the Paisley holiday. His achievements and generosity to the town resulted were recognised in a street being named after him in Largs with his full name - John Clark Street.