Sunday Steamers at Dunoon

By on Mar 31, 2016 in Clyde River and Firth, Duchess of York, Dunoon, Heather Bell, Jeanie Deans, Lady of the Isles, Lord of the Isles, Victoria | 5 comments

The pier at Dunoon is one of the most important on the Clyde, the major approach to the Cowal peninsula and an important hub for the major tours. The original pier, dating from about 1835, was built by a joint stock company but the rights to the pier and the ferry belonged to the Hafton Estate. This original pier was replaced by a new structure in 1845 and again in 1865 but by the end of the century, the single berth was a major source of congestion for the expanding steamer services on the Firth. The Trustees of the Hafton Estate, who owned the pier had proposed extensions as early as 1880 and had offered the pier to the Burgh on a number of occasions. Agreement on a price was finally reached and the Burgh purchased the structure on 31st December 1895 for £27,000 with an immediate plan to extend and reconstruct the pier for a further £15,000 that was put into action.

GWW 11484 Dunoon Viceroy

Glasgow & South Western steamer Viceroy at Dunoon pier. (Washington Wilson)

Work on the pier extension began in January 1896 with two new berths to the south of the existing structure but progress was slow and it was not until the last day in May 1897 that the south berth was open for traffic, allowing extension of the old pier and construction of the central and north berths. The complete structure was finally readied for opening on June 3, 1898.

Meanwhile, Sunday steamer traffic on the Clyde had enjoyed a period of notoriety during the mid part of the century but by the mid 1880s when a prohibition was imposed on the sale of alcohol to excursionists it had all but ceased. Almost a decade later, it was a proposal by the Glasgow businessman, Andrew Dawson Reid, to provide Sunday steamer excursions that is the basis of this article. Andrew Reid saw a natural business opportunity where others saw an opportunity for drunkenness and desecration of the Sabbath. Mr Reid was associated with a number of companies and ran a number of steamers on the Clyde. Not all of these were involved in the Sunday trade, but all of them rotated through use on the Sabbath at one time or another.

The first notice of Sunday steamer use came early in 1897. In that year, Dawson Reid purchased the former Jeanie Deans, then running on Belfast Lough as Duchess of York. Reid also purchased the former Clyde steamer Victoria that returned from the Thames in the colours of the Victoria Steam Packet Co., roughly those of the Inveraray Company.

Victoria Thames 141

A rare view of Victoria on the Thames

Reid retained the Duchess of York for the season at Belfast but revealed his intention to sail the Victoria on the Clyde not only on weekdays, but also, that season, on Sundays. The following comments are interspersed with articles from Glasgow Herald and Scotsman newspapers.

“Proposed Sunday steamer for the Clyde.—At the monthly meeting of the Dunoon Commissioners held on Monday night—Provost Cooper presiding—a letter, was read from Mr Reid, secretary for the association which has been formed for the running of a Sunday steamer on the Firth of Clyde next summer, inquiring if the Board would open their pier on Sundays to allow the steamer to call. The Provost, in moving that the letter be remitted to the Piers Committee with powers, expressed the hope that the Board would strenuously oppose any steamer calling at Dunoon disturbing the peace of the Sabbath day. Mr Crosbie asked the Town-clerk if they as a public body could refuse to allow the steamer to call. Mr Clery replied that he had not gone into the question. After further discussion, the matter was remitted to the Piers Committee for consideration and report.” February 3, 1897

“The Clyde Sunday steamer. A petition signed by 1700 residenters in Dunoon, asking the Burgh Commissioners to use every effort to prevent the proposed Sunday steamer from calling at the pier, was presented at the monthly meeting of the. Board on Monday night, together with a letter from the Rev. Duncan Macgregor, who, as a townsman, expressed his profound satisfaction with the resistance they were making to the project, as he considered it would be a public calamity if their peaceful streets were invaded on Sunday by crowds of Glasgow pleasure seekers. On the recommendation of the Pier Committee, the Commissioners resolved to reply to the communication received from Mr Reid, secretary for the Sunday steamer, that they were not willing to open the pier on Sundays. Mr Crosbie dissented, and asked the opinion of the Town-clerk on the legality of the question. The reply given was to the effect that the Board could not close the pier against any steamer, but they could regulate the hours.” March 3, 1897

“Largs District.–Ex-Provost A. H. M‘Lean proposed to limit the hotel licenses to six days in view of the calling of Sunday steamers during the summer months. He anticipated very serious results from those calls, and held that the closing of the hotels would mitigate, the evil. Hotelkeepers present declined to accept six day-licenses, and the matter dropped. Renewals of transferred certificates were granted for a public-house and a grocery, and a new tenant got a license for the Brisbane Arms Hotel.” April 21 1897

Victoria Broomielaw

Victoria at the Broomielaw

“Extraordinary scene at Dunoon Pier. Sunday sailing on the Firth of Clyde. An extraordinary scene was witnessed last night at Dunoon pier in connection with the landing of passengers from the Sunday steamer Victoria, which made her first run down the Firth yesterday. Although her arrival on the downward journey was not attended by anything of a sensational character, in view of the decision arrived at by the Dunoon Commissioners not to allow the Sunday steamer to land passengers at the pier, public interest in the opening cruise of the Victoria was greatly heightened, the all-absorbing topic of conversation in Dunoon on Saturday being the question as to whether any attempt would be made to force a way through the pier gates. It was therefore not surprising that the steamer’s arrival at Dunoon should have been watched by such an enormous crowd of people, estimated at between three and four thousand, as that which lined the Esplanade from the Argyll Hotel as far as the Castle Hill. The exact time when the boat would arrive was not known, but shortly after twelve o’clock people began to flock in the direction of the pier, and by twenty minutes past twelve, when the Victoria was heading across the Firth for Dunoon, the thoroughfare along pier Road and beyond the pier had all the appearance of a Saturday afternoon in July. No such assemblage had ever been witnessed on a Sunday in the burgh before. It being sacrament Sunday, the services in some of the churches did not close until after the steamer had left, but a large number of those who had gone to church left at the close of the first part of the service, and hurrying along got to the pier just as the Victoria, was approaching. A strong westerly wind was blowing at the time. and with no one to catch the mooring ropes, it was quite apparent that the steamer would experience some difficulty in getting alongside. She came round, however, with a good sweep, slowed down, and when her signal elicited no response, she glided slowly along in front of the pier, but the wind proved too strong for her to come to a stop. As she moved out again it was thought an effort would be made to effect a landing at the new pier, whereupon a rush was made by the crowd for the Esplanade in front of the Castle gardens, but the steamer headed straight for Rothesay.

“The return visit of the Victoria was eagerly awaited by a large crowd, and when she was seen to run alongside the pier the excitement became intense. One of the crew was seen to jump on to the pier and catch the ropes, after which the boat’s gangway was thrown out, and twenty-one passengers landed, including three ladies, one of whom was a nun, who had travelled from London to attend a sick case. One gentleman who tried to get off the pier by climbing the rail near the collector’s office, with a view of walking along the new breast wall, and thereby gaining access to the pier road, was stopped by policemen in plain clothes. With no means of egress, the position of the belated passengers was an awkward one, the steamer having left the pier in continuation of the upward voyage. By this time an enormous crowd had gathered, whose sympathies seemed to be entirely with the passengers. The latter tried by all kind of entreaties to induce the police to open the gates, but it was if no avail. Even the pleading tones of the nun, who stated her case with much fervour, failed to effect her release. Some of the passengers, as a last resource, invited the police to arrest them and take them to the police office, but the only response they got was that they were prisoners already. The crowd who were watching the proceedings were loud in their denunciation at the action of the Commissioners but it was to a number of that maligned body that the passengers owed their ultimate release. Commissioner Millar, on his own responsibility, effected an entrance, and after making a futile attempt to open the gates succeeded in liberating the passengers through a window in one of the waiting-rooms, an action which was greeted with great cheering by the assembled bystanders. No attempt was made to destroy anything by the passengers and it is understood that a test case will arise out of the affair.”

“Another Account. Our Glasgow reporter telegraphs:—After the lapse of a considerable, number of years, the experiment of running a pleasure steamer on the Clyde on Sunday was resumed yesterday. Great interest was taken in the proceedings, not only in Glasgow, but in all the coast towns, the opposition shown by certain of the pier proprietors and the controversies which such action had raised having had the effect of attracting to the opening cruise more than usual attention. The objectors to the renewal of the Sunday traffic based their case chiefly on the alleged disorderly scenes which were formerly witnessed when the steamer, then generally known as the Sunday-breaker, ran on the Clyde. To meet this opposition the proprietors of the steamer Victoria, which has been acquired for this special purpose by a newly formed limited liability company, decided that no intoxicating liquors should be sold on board on Sundays, and it was under this regulation that the first trip took place yesterday. From the point of view both of the promoters and of the pleasure-seekers, it was highly successful. Some 600 passengers boarded the steamer at the Broomielaw. Although the hour–ten o’clock–was early, the quay was thronged with interested spectators, who must have numbered several thousands as they lined the quays for half a mile on both sides of the river. Amid slight cheers from well-wishers of the undertaking, the Victoria, under the command of Captain Kerr, late of Grangemouth, steamed down the river in beautiful weather. Calls were made at Partick, Govan, Bowling, and Greenock. Additional passengers were taken on board at each place. There was a large crowd, and the sympathies of those on shore seemed to be with the new venture. It was to the call at Dunoon, however, that the greatest interest attached, as it was in that burgh that the opposition had been strongest, and the Commissioners had decided that no facilities should be given for the landing of passengers. As the Victoria approached Dunoon, the shore and Castlehill were seen to be covered with thousands of spectators, but on the pier itself not a single individual was to be seen. The steamer came alongside the landing-stage, but repeated sounding of the whistle produced no response from the pier authorities, and as the wind and sea were too high to permit of the steamer being berthed unassisted, she had to leave. Those on board who had intended to visit Dunoon railed indignant protests, and the names and addresses of ticket-holders were taken by the steamer officials. From the shore the proceeding had been watched with the greatest interest, and some cheering was raised as the Victoria approached, and again when she steamed away. Whether this was an indication, of sympathy with or of aversion to the Sunday pleasure-seekers was doubtful, but a few of the latter gave expression to their feelings in no ambiguous way by booing. Rothesay Quay was also densely crowded, but the assemblage received the Victoria with apathy and the majority of the passengers landed, and spent about five hours on shore. The others accompanied the vessel on a sail round Bute. Many of the excursionists visited the local hotels, but some of the proprietors, by their prohibitive charges for refreshments, showed that they had no desire to encourage the Sunday visitors.

“The return voyage was started from Rothesay at six o’clock. As the company on board included several passengers whose arrangements necessitated their landing at Dunoon, it was decided to make another call there. Particularly urgent was the case of a Sister of Mercy, who had travelled all night from the South of England in order to visit a sick friend, and who in the forenoon had been among the disappointed. The crowd at Dunoon was somewhat smaller than in the earlier part of the day, but it rapidly augmented when it was seen that the Victoria was heading for the pier, and the onlookers included several of the burgh Commissioners. The weather had now greatly moderated, and with little difficulty the vessel was able to get close enough to the pier to allow at member of the crew jumping ashore and securing the ropes. Those on board would have given vent to their feelings of triumph, but, at the request of the officers, they desisted. About twenty people landed, but the pier gates were closed they seemed only half-way through their troubles. They, however assured the captain that they would take the risks of their position, and the Victoria accordingly steamed off. When the crowd on the shore saw the visitors landed, they made a rush at the outer gate and easily effected an entrance. The inner door, however remained barred, and two policemen prevented any attempt to tamper with it. Promptly on landing a man and a boy had climbed the fence, and thus made their way into the town. The others, who included several ladies, remained on the quay, and when lost to the view of those on board the Victoria they were still parleying with the doorkeepers. Another large crowd met the excursionists at Princes Pier, Greenock, where most of them disembarked in order to travel home by train. The company on board was of a very cosmopolitan character, comprising representatives of all sections of the community, of both sexes, and of all ages, and, favoured as they were by fine weather and excellent arrangements on board the Victoria to promote their comfort, they seemed to enjoy themselves heartily, and that without the slightest breach of order or decorum. The arrangements were superintended by Major Jerry, the chairman, and Mr A. D. Reid, the general manager of the Company. An orchestra, under Mr Edward Freeman of the Royalty Theatre, discoursed selections of music during the day.” May 10, 1897

Victoria Dunoon 816

Victoria approaching the south berth of Dunoon Pier in 1897

“The Dunoon Pier Action.—Provost Cooper, in the course of a conversation yesterday morning, stated that he considered that the steamer had committed contravention of the regulations of the Clyde Pilot Board by coming into the pier without getting the signal, and he had no doubt they would be reported for it. On his attention being drawn to a rumour which had got abroad that the Burgh Commissioners in closing the pier gates were acting contrary to the opinion given by the Town-clerk some time ago, the Provost said tee Board passed a resolution deciding not to open the pier for the Sunday steamer, and, having done that, they could not, as a matter of consistency, do otherwise than instruct their piermaster to keep the gates closed. In spite of the demonstration which took place last night, he was quite certain that the Board’s action met with the support of a great majority of the community. So far as he personally was concerned, he considered the Board had acted properly, and he did not regret anything he had done. So far as he knew, there would be no change in their action next Sunday. The conduct of Mr Miller, who was on the pier, has created a strong feeling among a number of his colleagues, especially as he was an assenter to the resolution passed deciding to close the gates.—Treasurer Anderson, convener of the Pier Committee, said there was no use of the Board making resolutions if they did not intend to carry them out, and while holding strongly to the opinion that the pier gates should be closed against the Sunday steamer, he mentioned that the presence of a sister of mercy on board the steamer on her way to visit a sick friend raised the question of the advisableness of running a steamer on Sundays in connection with the London train. If that were done by any of the railway companies, he thought the Board would be quite agreeable to open the pier.” May 11, 1897

“Dunoon and the Sunday Steamer. Is anticipation of another disturbance being created at Dunoon pier by the landing of passengers from the Sunday steamer, a tremendous crowd of people assembled in front of the gates and along the esplanade and Castlehill yesterday. At midday the number of spectators was even greater than that on the previous Sunday. The whole population seemed to be in a ferment, and numerous wild rumours were current regarding what was likely to take place. These rumours gave rise to considerable uneasiness among a section of the community, while, on the other hand, the Burgh Commissioners heard of the expected levelling of the pier gates by passengers and similar threats with the utmost equanimity, being of opinion that any disturbances of that kind would only strengthen their position in the eyes of the public. Hopes were entertained that the Victoria would not call again until the Board of Trade had given its decision in the inquiry regarding the proposed pier by-laws, but on Friday the steamer was advertised to call at Dunoon as usual, so the pier authorities took every precaution that no opportunity would be afforded passengers of getting off the pier after they did land from the steamer. All the gangways, gates, doors, &c., were made lockfast, while the waiting-room windows were securely fastened. To complete the arrangements, all the police throughout the district were called in, and the Chief Constable for Argyleshire journeyed from Lochgilphead on Saturday for the purpose of watching the proceedings, and also that he might be in a position to instruct the force in the case of any emergency that might arise. The arrival of the Victoria on the downward run was awaited with eagerness by a large crowd, who commenced to gather in the vicinity of the pier about twelve o’clock. Every available corner of vantage was taken up at once, and just as the congregations from the churches were dispersing, the steamer was sighted off Gourock. Owing to a thick haze which hung over the Firth it was difficult for a while to tell whether or not the boat was heading for Dunoon, but the lapse of a few minutes settled all doubts on the question, as the so-called Sunday breaker emerged from the haze with her bow facing Dunoon pier. She took the side berth of the quay, and in coming alongside damaged one of her paddle-boxes by striking the comer of the pier. A hearty cheer, accompanied by waving of handkerchiefs, went up from the passengers as the steamer came in, and it was responded to by a number of those on shore; but it was noticed that the crowd was not to enthusiastically in sympathy with the landing of passengers at Dunoon as they were on Sunday last. A man. having jumped off the paddle-box to the pier and secured the ropes, the first individual to cross the gangway was Mr Graeme Hunter, the “boss union smasher,” who had intimated to the Town-clerk that he intended coming down by the Sunday steamer along with some friends. He was followed by between forty and fifty other passengers, who all walked to the head of the pier penny in hand and knocked, at the door. claiming a right to get through. No attempt was made to scale the railing. but a long “palaver” took place between Superintendent Fraser, who was stationed on the new breast wall to the right of the old gangway, and Mr Graeme Hunter. The latter, who is connected with the district, acted as spokesman for the passengers, and in the first place he asked if they were to be allowed out.

“The Superintendent–I have no power in the matter. I am simply here doing my duty.

“Mr Graeme Hunter–What are your instructions?

“The Superintendent–To preserve the peace.

“Mr Graeme Hunter–We have no intention of disturbing the peace. We have a very respectable company on board to-day, but look out for next Sunday (the latter remark evidently having reference to a prospective visit of the Glasgow Socialists.) Mr Hunter also stated that the Burgh Commisioners were acting illegally in closing the pier gates against the Sunday steamer, and the burgh would have to answer for it in the law courts.

“The steamer’s bell then rang, and the passengers, who had been very orderly throughout, returned on board, Mr Graeme Hunter thanking the Superintendent, and requesting him to take a verbal message to the Town-clerk. Thus the affair passed off without the semblance of a disturbance and every one seemed pleased with, the dignified course pursued by the passengers.

“When the Victoria, called in the evening about a hundred passengers landed on the pier and paraded up and down for about a quarter of an hour, several climbing the rail and walking along the new breast wall, but they all with one exception returned when the ball rang. Mr Graeme Hunter came to the head of the pier and asked for the Town-clerk or any of the Magistrates, but on being informed that none of them were present he went back to the steamer without making further remark. The crowd in the evening numbered only a hundred or two, the steamer calling nearly an hour earlier than was expected.” May 17, 1897

sc PC Robert McMillan Dunoon

PC Robert M‘Millan, Dunoon

“Dunoon ministers and the Sunday steamer.—A number of the local ministers, with others interested, met on Tuesday night in the Lesser Burgh Hall to consider what steps should be taken with a view to strengthening the hands of the Burgh Commissioners in their efforts to prevent the landing of passengers at the pier from the Sunday steamer. The Rev. Dr Cameron, parish minister, presided. As a result of the meeting, it was agreed to petition the Board of Trade in support of the act of the Commissioners. The petitioners authorised the Rev. Dr Cameron and the Rev. Robert M‘Morran to appear personally or by counsel on their behalf before the representative of the Board of Trade at the forthcoming inquiry.” 20th May 1897

“The Sunday Steamer To Dunoon. The public intimation made yesterday by the directors of the Sunday Steamer Company to the effect that the Victoria will not call at Dunoon Pier on Sunday first, as they do not wish to be a party to the excitement occasioned by the action of the Dunoon authorities in keeping the pier closed has given great satisfaction in Dunoon.” 21st May 1897

“Board of Trade Enquiry June 1, 1897

“Board of Trade Inquiry at Dunoon. Vice-Admiral Sir George Nares, K.C.B., F.R.S., one of the professional officers of the Board of Trade yesterday held an inquiry at Dunoon regarding the new by-laws for the regulation of the pier submitted by the local Commissioners to the Board of Trade’s confirmation. Objections had been lodged by the Clyde Steamers (Limited) to the fifth by-law, which proposed to prohibit the landing of passengers on Sundays, under penalty of £5 for each; and by the Dunoon Merchants’ Association against the eighth clause which dealt with the use of vehicles for the carriage of goods on the pier. The latter-objection, however, had been withdrawn, but, locally, keen interest was manifested in the Board of Trade’s attitude towards the Commissioners’ proposal to prevent Sunday passenger traffic. The Burgh Hall, in which the inquiry was held, was crowded. Provost Cooper and the other Commissioners were present, and on their behalf Sir A. S. D. Thomson, advocate, Edinburgh appeared. He was instructed by Mr J. Valrose Clery, the Town-clerk. Mr Angus Campbell and Mr John M‘Farlane, writers, Glasgow, appeared for the Clyde Steamers (Limited) and certain passengers by the steamer Victoria.

“Sir George Nares having stated the circumstances of the inquiry:—

“Mr Campbell took exception, to any inquiry whatever being entered upon, inasmuch as his clients contended they had certain legal rights under the statute creating the present Dunoon pier, which could not be over-ridden by by-laws even sanctioned by the Board of Trade. They contended that the by-laws were “ultra vires” of the Commissioners, that under the statute his clients had a right to this as a public pier, which was not subject to cavil or dispute at the instance of the Dunoon Commissioners. Even were they absolute proprietors, that right, seeing the pier had been sanctioned as a public pier By the Board of Trade would remain; but inasmuch as they were only trustees, carrying out the terms of a statute or a Provisional Order, the Commissioners were bound by the expressed as well as the implied terms of the statute, so that there could be little or no doubt about the legal position of the matter. Mr Campbell proceeded to argue by quotation from the Piers and Harbour Confirmation Act, 1895, that the Commissioners were bound to keep the pier open at all times. The restrictions which ware provided under section 51 were to be restrictions which should not interfere with the use of the pier for embarking and landing of passengers at all times. It was an anomalous, not to say ridiculous and preposterous position, of certain faddists in Dunoon, on this question to imagine for one moment that the well-being, peace, and harmony of their burgh was to be preserved by closing the pier.

“Sir George Nares said he had not come to try anything of that kind. Mr Campbell must keep within the strict letter of the legal case, which need not be stated at too great length, as the Board of Trade could not decide it.

“Mr Campbell said the Board of Trade could, by refusing to sanction the by-law, decide the question. Continuing he said that from the Broomielaw to Rothesay nearly all the piers were open. He referred also to the case of the Calder and Hebble Navigation Company v. Pilling and others (Meeson & Welby’s Reports, Exchequer volume 8, 1845); in which it was held to be beyond the power of a company to close a certain canal on Sundays. He alluded also to the well-known case of Sir James Colquhoun v. Paton and others (Shaw and Dunlop Court of Session Reports, volume 16, 206), in which it was held that it lay with a private proprietor to say whether a pier should be open or not.

“Sir George Nares called the attention of counsel to clause 13 of the Piers and Harbours Act, 1861, which provided that, subject to the provisions of the principal Act, a pier or harbour should, on payment of rates, be open to all parties for the shipping of goods and the landing of passengers, and such passengers should have unobstructed ingress, passage, and egress into, along, and through the same. That was the principal clause on which the Board of Trade acted in sanctioning by-laws for this kind of piers.

“Mr Campbell said the clause confirmed his argument.

“Mr Thomson said that the inquiry having been ordered, must be held, and Mr Campbell’s argument would come most properly after the inquiry had been held and the whole circumstances of the case laid before the Board of Trade. The clauses of the Act on which Mr. Campbell had founded were not in point. The by-law, even when confirmed by the Board of Trade, would not have the effect of overriding any of the provisions of the Provisional Order or of the relative confirming Act. They must be read together. The first case to which Mr Campbell had referred was not analogous. A canal company passed a by-law, not really for the regulation of the canal traffic, but for the employees–pro salute animarum, as the Bench put it. One of the results of the present inquiry would be to show that the Dunoon Commissioners had patrimonial and practical reasons for passing the by-law. They were not there as Sabbatarians any more than as teetotalers but as the administrators of public property. Therefore the case of Calder and Hebble did not apply.

“Mr Campbell quoted from the decision in the case as follows:— “If the Company are empowered to stop the navigation of the canal on Sundays, they have equal right to do so on Good Friday or on any day in Lent, or on Wednesdays and Fridays, and if the majority of the proprietors were Jews, they might stop it on Saturdays.” (Laughter.)

“Sir George Nares–Can the promoters, give one any reference, to by-laws in connection with any of the other Clyde piers in which there is anything like the same clause; and to the general practice in the navigation of the Clyde?

“Mr Thomson referred him to clauses in the Glasgow and Greenock regulations providing that horses and cattle should not be landed between certain hours on Sundays, and that cargo should not be landed on these days.

“Mr Campbell—Horses and cattle?

“Mr Thomson said it was merely, a question of degree, not of principle. He would show that on none of the Clyde piers were passengers landed on Sundays as a matter, of fact. (Oh, oh.)

“Sir George Nares said the sanction of the clause would depend a great deal with the Board of Trade on the custom on the Clyde generally, leaving the legal aspect to be decided by a Court. He took it that up to the present the barriers at Dunoon pier had been closed from twelve o’clock on. Saturday night to twelve o’clock on Sunday night, and that the custom at the pier was that no steamers landed there except on very special occasions.

“An answer, in the affirmative was given.

“Sir George Nares said if parties were agreed on that, he thought he need not give them the trouble of putting anybody in the witness box.

“Mr Campbell frankly admitted that for a great many years no steamers had been plying on the Firth of Clyde on Sundays.

“Sir George Nares said he came down specially on the Saturday, and watched during the Sunday, but saw no steamer pass either up or down.

“Mr Campbell assured him that one passed both up and down, and had unrestrioted access to the following piers:—Broomielaw, Partick, Govan, Renfrew, Bowling, Princes. Pier (Greenock), Old Greenock, Rothesay, Largs, Millport, and Helensburgh. He admitted that they had never exercised the right to call until within the last few weeks and that Dunoon protested against their calling, and it was for the Board of Trade, on looking to the list to say whether an exception was to be granted in favour of Dunoon.

“Sir George Nares supposed it was thoroughly understood that if the Commissioners had not got the power to close the piers, the by-law would not give them it.

“Mr Thomson said that would be for the Courts of Law to decide.

“Sir George Nares–Suppose the Board of Trade leave the pier in the same position as now ,with whatever legal rights there are to close the barriers. I take it that the pier authorities want the other by-laws passed?

“Mr Thomson replied in the affirmative. The Commissioners desired to lead evidence to justify their action in framing the by-law. They wished to submit the special circumstances of the burgh, which made it necessary, as they thought, to frame such a by-law.

“Sir George Nares said if he allowed that it would put the Board of Trade and the Government of the country in the, position of taking sides on what might become a legal question.

“Mr Thomson thought not. The Commissioners merely wanted the Board of Trade to consider the mercantile question of expediency.

“Sir George Nares did not think he could allow that. He could not accept it that Dunoon was different from any of the other rising watering-place on the Clyde.

“Mr Thomson said he wished to show why the Magistrates had framed the by-law. Their position in the matter was so reasonable that the Board of Trade as reasonable persons would confirm it.

“Sir George Nares—I cannot accept that. (Applause in Court which was suppressed.)

“Mr Thomson said it was difficult to see what the inquiry was held for unless to inquire at the place as to the circumstances of the place. He thought that was the purpose of the inquiry.

“Sir George Nares said he would accept evidence to show that Dunoon was specially situated and different from any other part of the Clyde.

“Mr Thomson said the pier was burgh property, and was vested in the Magistrates, who were bound to regulate its use in the interests of the community.

“Sir George Nares—Not more so than the proprietors of the other piers.

“Mr Thomson said he was going to show that the proprietors of all the other piers closed them on Sundays, and that as a matter of fact sice,1882 there had been no Sunday steamer plying on the Clyde. There had been no communication with the outside world on Sundays, so that the passing of the by-law would entail no hardship on Dunoon.—The Magistrates were apprehensive that a horde of drunken Glasgow excursionists——

“Sir George Nares—I can’t have a word of that. That would happen at Hunters Quay and elsewhere as well as Dunoon.

“Mr Thomson—But it would affect the two places very differently on the Sundays.

“Sir George Nares–I can’t hep it. You have argued that you can close your pier apart from this by-law, altogether, and the Board of Trade leave you in that position. If section 5 were struck out, you would still have your legal remedy.

“Mr Campbell—No legal right would be affected.

“Mr Thomson said he could not accede to that. It was possible that nothing could be found in the public statutes to justify the Magistrates apart from the by-law, and they desired to put their right beyond question.

“Sir George Nares—In fact, to get more legal rights than at present.

“Mr Thomson—No to get the sanction of the Board of Trade to their legal rights. We may have a legal right to close this pier. Independently of the by-law, but we think that the framing of the by-law and its confirmation by the Board of Trade will put our right beyond dispute.

“Sir George Nares —Not, beyond dispute.

“Mr Thomson —Prima facie beyond question , so that if any person feels himself aggrieved by the position we take up, he can apply to the Supreme Court for declarator that he has a right to use the pier notwithstanding the by-law.

“Sir George Nares —Under shelter of the Board of Trade sanction?

“Mr Thomson —The Board of Trade sanction really comes to very little (Laughter.) The Court has reduced by-laws confirmed by the Board of Trade more than once.

“Mr Thomson said the Magistrates apprehended the utter ruin of the burgh if Sunday excursionists were allowed to come and they were prepared to show the effect it had had on other places. If the traffic was introduced. The amenity of Dunoon would be utterly destroyed, and it had nothing to depend on for its existence except its amenity. It was purely a summer seaside resort, and the Commissioners had been at great expense in encouraging the visitors who would be driven away by the Sunday traffic. He thought if the Board of Trade once understood that circumstances they, would have no difficulty in confirming what the Magistrates had done.

“Sir George Nares said that the Board of Trade did not prevent the closing of the pier to Sunday traffic by striking out clause 5.

“Mr Thomson said that whether the Board of Trade confirmed or rejected they would not impair the legal rights of parties one way or other.

“Sir George Nares —No evidence you can bring the forum will alter that.

“Mr Thomson — We are going to lead evidence to show that it is desirable to pass the by-law in the interests of the pier and of the community.

“Sir George Nares — So far as that goes I cannot say.

“Mr Thomson —That is tantamount to saying there shall be no inquiry.

“Sir George Nares —So you may think.

“Mr Thomson—Will you not allow me to tender that evidence as to Sunday traffic on the Clyde?

“Sir George Nares—No.

“Mr. Thomson then desired to address the Court on behalf of the Magistrates to show the grounds upon which they framed the by-law. He held that the clause was desirable on its merits. The Commissioners had borrowed £47,000 on the security of the income of the pier and of the burgh rates. The interests of the town were likely to be jeopardized if the amenity of the town was not upheld; its assessable rental would fall, the income from the pier would decrease, and the ruin of the burgh would be imminent. The Magistrates had framed the by-law as reasonable business men, having regard simply to the interests of the burgh property which was vested in them. They did not wish to exclude any class of the community; .they wished to secure the amenity of the burgh, as an accessory to the welfare the pier. That was the position they wished to support by evidence. The Commissioners had the support of the community. (A voice, “Question.”) He should like to prove that from time immemorial the Dunoon and other piers had been closed on Sundays,

“Sir George Nares had no objection to that.

“Mr William Garson, W.S., Edinburgh; of Skene, Edwards, & Garson, law agents to the; proprietors of the estate of Hafton was then called. He stated that the Hafton estate had been the property of the Hunter family for several generations. All the piers from the time of their erection had been kept closed on Sundays. That was done, not from Sabbatarian motives but because the proprietors considered that the advent of Sunday excursionists, would drive away feuars and injure the estate. An attempt was made to effect an entrance many years ago but the Court of Session granted interdict and the effort was given up. Mr Garson gave evidence also as to the rights of ferry. The ferry boats were in charge of the trustees of the Hafton estate and there was a dispute with the Board of Trade on the foreshores. Dunoon pier and the adjoining foreshore was conveyed to the Dunoon Commissioners about two years ago.

“Mr Thomson, continuing his argument, said that Dunoon occupied an exceptional position in respect that its rates were liable for the pier expenditure. He held that by section 83 of the Act of 1847, powers ware given to the Commissioners to regulate the hours at which the pier should be open. The Magistrates were quite willing to sanction any case of expediency or necessity. He concluded, by formally tendering, in view of any action at law, evidence to show the expediency of framing and confirming the by-law in question.

“Sir George Nares said he should report the whole circumstance to the Board of Trade, from whom the Commissioners would hear before long.

“The proceedings then terminated.” June 1, 1897.

GH June 3 1897 Victoria

Glasgow Herald June 3, 1897

“The Glasgow Sunday Steamer.—John M‘Lachlan, master of the Clyde Sunday steamer, Victoria, was at Glasgow yesterday fined half a guinea for allowing black smoke to be emitted from the funnel to such an extent last Sunday morning as to become a nuisance. He was also charged with showing insufficient lights on the return journey in the evening. It was explained that the electric light had failed, and there were no ordinary lamps aboard.—Bailie Sinclair said the managers of the steamer must provide ordinary lamps to be used in cases of emergency. On the present occasion he deemed an admonition sufficient for the second offense.” June 10, 1897

“Helensburgh Police Commissioners last night considered an application from the managers of the Clyde Sunday steamers for landing facilities at the pier on Sundays. It was decided by a majority to refuse to allow passengers to be landed on Sunday.” June 15, 1897

“The Clyde Sunday steamer.—Never in the history of Dunoon has such a concourse of people assembled to witness an event of any description as that which thronged the vicinity of Dunoon pier yesterday. During the latter part of last week speculation was rife as to what course the Burgh Commissioners would adopt in the event of the passengers by the Sunday steamer forcing an entrance, as it had been freely rumoured that the steamer would land passengers. When it became known, that the Commissioners were to follow out their old policy, and keep the gates closed, it was anticipated that there would be something of a “scene” on the arrival of the steamer on Sunday. The steamer usually passes Dunoon somewhere between, half-past twelve and one o’clock, and as early as twelve large numbers began to assemble in the Castle gardens and on the Castle hill, while all along the road from the Castle rocks to the Argyll Hotel crowds of spectators were stationed. As the -time drew near for the arrival of the steamer, fresh contingents were arriving in a constant stream, and by half-past twelve every place of vantage was occupied, there being altogether over 10,000 present. As the steamer was over an hour behind her time, everyone’s eyes were turned in the direction of Gourock pier to catch a glimpse of her coming round the point. They were at length, rewarded by seeing a column of smoke rising in the distance, and in a few minutes more the steamer appeared. This caused a flutter of excitement which seemed to increase the nearer the vessel approached. As the steamer came alongside the pier, Mr Graeme Hunter and one of the crew landed and made the hawsers fast. There was a faint, attempt made at cheering by the passengers and several of the spectators. When the first passengers landed on the pier several of them at once made for the place of egress, but they were recalled. The meaning of this was made plain when, a few minutes later, all who had landed, about 150 in number, made for the entrance of the pier in a body, and from their bearing they evidently meant business. Reaching the exit gate, a few jumped the railing which separates the finished part of the gangway, and leaped the barricades, on to the road. The remainder, however, at once set about bursting open the gate, which is but a temporary structure. At this stage the scene was a, rowdy and disgraceful one. A crowd of young men endeavoured to burst one of the pates from the outside while those on the pier were engaged at the same work. The efforts of those from the outside proved futile, but it was finally forced from the inside, the passengers coming through without interference from any one. Mr Graeme Hunter took a prominent part in the proceedings, and while the others were endeavouring to force the one gate, he with another young man were trying to force the other, breaking two of the centre boards, but before they got any further the other party succeeded in forcing their way through. While this scene was going on, the police, who were there to preserve the peace only received, some rough handling from those on the outside, and at length they were compelled to draw their batons in self defence. In conversation with Inspector Fraser, Mr Graeme Hunter informed him that he had come expressly from London to carry the matter through and that he would hold himself responsible for the whole affair. They were prepared to repeat the same every Sunday. The gates were made fast after the down, run, but were again forced open in the evening when over 100 passengers returned on board. The pier was crowded while hundreds were on the Castlehill and esplanade.” July 19 1897

“In spite of the sanctioning by the Board of Trade of the Dunoon Commissioners’ by-law prohibiting the landing of passengers on the pier on Sunday, the steamer Victoria called there yesterday again, and three passengers landed and went up to the gates demanding egress. The request was refused, but afterwards a large number of passengers were landed by means of a steam launch. The crowd managed to get access to the pier, and some confusion prevailed for a time, but no mischief was done. On the return voyage, however, the gates of the old pier were broken down, and the crowd again took possession along with the embarking passengers. It is understood that this action of the steamer authorities is for the purpose of having the question of the legality of the by-law tested in a Court of law.” July 26, 1897

SV Victoria

Victoria in Rothesay Bay

“Sunday sailing on the Clyde. Alarming occurrence at Dunoon. The pier gates again broken open.—The proceedings at Dunoon in connection with the landing of passengers from the Sunday steamer, which have formerly been regarded as a source of amusement to visitors yesterday assumed an exceedingly grave character, and what seemed little short of a miracle averted what might have been a grim tragedy in the presence of about four thousand spectators who lined the Esplanade and the Castle Hill. The steamer Victoria proceeded as usual to land her passengers by means of ferry-boats at Sinclair’s boating station, but owing to a strong westerly breeze which was blowing, the task was attended with considerable difficulty, the steamer being carried so far out into the firth by the strong current whenever her engines were stopped that the distance to be traversed by the boats was in some cases nearly a quarter of a mile. Two journeys were completed without mishap, but while one of the ferry boats was preparing to start the third journey it capsized and the occupants, numbering either nine or ten, were thrown into the water. The accident occurred a good distance out from the shore, and as the ferry boat at the time was taking on passengers ,on the lee side of the Victoria, and both were drifting rapidly out, only, a few of the spectators were aware that a thing had happened until it was seen that, life-belts were being thrown into the water, while an ordinary small boat was also observed being hurriedly lowered in the direction of the steamer. There was great commotion on board–women screaming, and passengers rushing wildly to one side. The majority of those in the water, however, showed a good deal of coolness, and were rescued without much difficulty. In one instance, however, loss of life was very narrowly averted, all efforts made to get one young man out being unsuccessful for a time. It was only with the greatest difficulty that his head could be kept above water, but do what they could, they failed repeatedly to lift him up. After an elapse of about ten minutes it was discovered that his vest was caught in one of the rowlocks of the boat, which was then upturned, and the only way to free, him was to right the boat. This was done, and the young man was lifted on board in an almost unconscious state. Restoratives were applied, and he gradually came round, although he was suffering from severe nervous shock. After all those who were seen struggling in the water were rescued, a rumour got afloat that some one was missing, but this proved to be unfounded, although one of the immersed is reported to have said there may have been another in the water for all he knew. The accident was caused by the passengers rushing too rapidly into the boat, which caused, it to tip under the sponson, and it is almost unaccountable how some of the occupants were not drawn under by the suction of the steamer, as she was drifting at such a rate. After this alarming affair, the rest of the passengers wishing to land at Dunoon, point blank refused to go into the ferry-boats, in spite of the appeals made to them by the steamboat officials. One gentleman told them he would not take £50 and land in a ferry-boat, and amid all this protestation a demand was made that they should be landed at the pier, the cry being, “Storm the pier.” The management of the steamer had no alternative than to obey the demand, and as the Victoria came alongside the quay the people on shore made a rush for the entrance gate, which was guarded by four policemen. After some delay, the mooring, ropes were made secure and a gangway thrown to the pier, amid cheering by the passengers and spectators, and about fifty passengers landed, including several ladies. The first dozen or so to reach the gate scrambled, over the top of the pay-box and dropped down on the Esplanade in front of the policemen, who did not interfere wit , them, each passenger being cheered as he appeared on the top of the temporary structure. The next batch to come did not see the fun of doing any climbing in the matter, and as a, barrow happened to be lying handy, this was seized by an indignant youth, who hurled it with tremendous force against one of the gates, which however, withstood the ramming. Three irate passengers withdrew the one-wheeled rammer for the second attack, and with a combined rush burst the gate open, smashing the wheel off the barrow. The three men then gave their names and addresses to the police, and marched off, followed by the rest of the passengers. The gate which had been forced open was fastened up again after the crowd dispersed, and it was fully expected that the same scene would be repeated when the steamer called in the evening. It seems the passengers were informed on landing that they would be lifted at Kirn, but they did not feel inclined to face the ordeal of embarking in ferry-boats. So they made their-way to Dunoon pier again as the steamer returned, and gaining admittance by climbing the rail, they went on board the Victoria quietly, without creating any disturbance. whatever. The police in order to keep down any rowdyism, kindly advised the passengers to go on to the pier by rail, instead of bursting open the gate–an act which the spectators did not fail to appreciate. Altogether over a hundred passengers were landed, while a number of English tourists embarked and went on to Rothesay, others refusing to go after the ferry-boat capsized. The management of the Clyde Sunday steamer Victoria supply the following information regarding the capsizing of one of the steamer’s boats while landing passengers at Dunoon yesterday:–The steamer Victoria left the Broomielaw with a large complement of passengers, including a great number of American and English tourists, with their baggage. All went well until Dunoon was reached about 1.30, when the steamer slowed up opposite the Castle Rocks for the purpose of landing the passengers. The steamer’s boats were lowered, and three boatloads were safely landed, but when the fourth one was preparing to leave it suddenly upset, owing to the passengers moving to one side. The passengers, to the number of six, and two of the crew who were in charge, were thrown into the water. The passengers were David Douglas, acting manager of the Royal Princess Theatre; William Winthrope, 415 Sauchiehall Street; John Smith, of the same address; William Grant, Whiteinch; William Gemmell, Paisley; and George Priestley, Paisley. Mr Priestley was the last to be taken on board, as he had got fast to the small boat. By the time he was rescued he was in a very exhausted condition. Dr Dewar, of Blythswood Drive, who happened to be on board as a passenger to Rothesay, attended to him in the private cabin of the steamer for an hour before he was brought to a conscious state. Mr Andrew D. Reid, the general manager of the Company, gave orders to the “captain” to take the ship alongside the pier, in order that three of the immersed passengers might get landed at Dunoon and receive medical “treatment.” A Large number of other passengers wishing to go ashore took advantage of the opportunity and landed at the pier and went over the barricades. They were assisted in their efforts by the police, who showed great kindness to the belated passengers, a great number of whom were ladies. Two of the passengers who were in the capsized, boat intend taking action against the Dunoon Commissioners.” August 23, 1897

Victoria at the Broomielaw

“Sunday sailing on the Clyde.—By a clever ruse the management of the steamer Victoria succeeded in landing 64 passengers on the Kirn shore yesterday by means of the ship’s boats manned by the crew without encountering either the police or a crowd of people, much to the disappointment of a great concourse of townspeople and visitors, numbering about 8000; who had assembled in the vicinity of Dunoon in the expectation of witnessing another disturbance. As a repetition of these scenes was feared by the pier authorities, representations were made by them to the Chief Constable of Argyleshire in the beginning of last week for sufficient police protection, and as the result of a consultation between that official and the Sheriff, extra men were drafted into the town late on Saturday night. This was construed by the towns-people as presaging a serious disturbance should any attempt be made by passengers to force an entrance into the town, and consequently great excitement prevailed. Every preparation had been made for a stubborn resistance in the event of invasion being attempted by storming the pier gates being guarded by a strong force of the Argyleshire constabulary under the personal superintendence of Captain Fraser, Chief Constable. All these precautions, however, turned out to be quite unnecessary, as the steamer never looked at Dunoon pier after she had landed her passengers, among whom were a number of English tourists, on the Kirn shore. The proceedings were of the most orderly character, and in marked, contrast to the unseemly scenes of the last two Sundays. Several thousands of people thronged the Kirn shore in the evening when the Victoria called to take up her passengers, but there was no demonstration of any kind.” August 2, 1897

“Exciting Scene at Dunoon pier. The large crowd of people who assembled at Dunoon pier yesterday afternoon in a perfect downpour of rain to watch the arrival of the Sunday steamer witnessed a plucky rescue of a lad who fell over the breastwall into the water. The new portion of the esplanade to the north side of the pier, part of which has been railed, was lined with spectators, a number also standing on an unprotected part of the breastwall close to the head of the old gangway. James Smith, aged twelve years, who resides at Cluny Cottage, Clyde Street, was among the latter, and just while every one was endeavouring catch a glimpse of the small boats engaged in landing passengers from the Victoria near Kirn pier, he slipped over into the water. As the tide was very high at the time, them was nothing for, the lad to catch hold of, so he struck out manfully in an attempt to swim to a slipway some fifty yards off, but he soon began, to show signs of distress, and cried out for help. In an instant a young man named James Gilchrist, a clerk belonging to Partick, was over the rail, and divesting himself of his jacket, he plunged in, and swimming towards the lad, held him up until a small boat arrived. Smith was very much, exhausted when lifted into the boat, and although he had had a narrow escape with his life, the crowd could not help bursting into a fit of laughter when the lad, after coming round, commenced to roar because his father “wad gie him a bating when he got hame.” Gilchrist’s plucky rescue was loudly cheered by the spectators. Eighty-five passengers were landed by means of ferry boats from the Victoria, and as there was a heavy sea on, the task was not without a considerable amount of risk. The steamer lay off Kirn pier for nearly an hour while this process of disembarkation was taking place, after which she went straight on to Rothesay.” August 16, 1897

“Dunoon Commissioners and the Sunday steamers.—Three of the Dunoon Commissioners have sent a requisition to Provost Cooper desiring to have the Sunday steamer question, re-opened at to-night’s meeting, so that the Board may at once apply for interdict against passengers landing at the pier. It is not expected that a large enough majority will be got to suspend the standing orders, which, is the only way to have the Board’s decision reconsidered.” August 26, 1897

GH September 18 1897 Victoria

Glasgow Herald, September 18, 1897

“The Clyde Sunday steamer had boisterous weather to contend with yesterday, August 29, 1897, and it was found impossible to land passengers at Dunoon or vicinity on the down voyage. On the upward voyage at night, however, the steamer drew up at the pier and landed and embarked a number of passengers, who got access through the new pier works, the barricades not being interfered with.” 30 August 1897

“Sunday sailing on the Clyde was closed yesterday, October 10, 1897, and as the venture has been a pecuniary success, the directors intend to greatly extend their operations next season, and to that end a new steamer is to be built.” October 11, 1897

“Clyde Sunday Sailing. Proposed extension next season. The Clyde Sunday sailing season closed yesterday, when the Victoria made her final cruise. Starting shortly after eleven o’clock in the forenoon from the Broomielaw, the vessel steamed down the Firth through mingled rain and sunshine to Rothesay, which was reached about half-past two o’clock in the afternoon. There a number of passengers landed. It was intended that the vessel should thereafter have cruised round the Cumbrae, but that idea, as well as a suggested alternative of a sail up Loch Goil was abandoned owing to the stormy character of the weather. After remaining at Rothesay until a little after four o’clock, the Victoria proceeded direct to the Broomielaw, reaching her destination shortly after half-past seven. The company on board yesterday numbered several hundreds, and in spite of the cold the sail was very enjoyable. During ths voyage a concert of sacred music was provided by the Empire Theatre orchestra, under the leadership of Mr William Moore. In reply to a “Scotsman” reporter, Mr Andrew D. Reid, the general manager of the Clyde Sunday Steamer Company, stated at the close of the cruise that the venture had been a pecuniary success, and next year the Company proposed to greatly extend their operations. They intended opening up Arran and the Loch Fyne ports, and also inaugurating a Campboltown run. A new steamer was to be built on the lines of the South-Western Company’s Glen Sannox and the Victoria might be retained as well, in which, case she would probably be re-engined and re-boilered, and very much altered generally. The retention or otherwise of the Victoria was, however, a matter which was still under consideration, and the directors might possibly elect to dispense with her altogether. Up till the present time the capital of the Company had been all privately subscribed, but the directors intended issuing an extension shortly to the amount of £20,000 which would be open to the public, and they believed fee shares would readily be taken up by investors. October 11, 1897

As it happened, there was no new steamer but the Duchess of York was moved from Belfast to take up the Sunday sailings. She had a most unusual livery at first with grey hull, grey funnel and two narrow red bands separated with a white band.

Duchess York

Duchess of York (Adamson) 

“Clyde Sunday Sailing.—The Sunday Steamers Company (Limited) has arranged to commence the Sunday sailings on the Clyde for the summer on Sunday, and the opening cruise will be from Princes Pier Greenock to Rothesay. The steamer engaged will be the Duchess of York, which replaces the Victoria of last season. The Duchess of York was formerly known as the Jeanie Deans, the vessel having been re-named after the Duchess by Her Royal Highness’s consent. Captain P. M‘Lean will haves charge of the steamboat which will run, in connection with the morning and evening trains to and from Grecnock. An application has been, made to the Dunoon Commissioners to open the Dunoon pier on Sundays, and the matter, will come up at a meeting of the Commissioners next week.” June 10, 1898

GH 15 June 1898 Duchess York inaugural cruise

Glasgow Herald, June 15, 1898

GH Duchess York June 17 1898

Glasgow Herald, June 18, 1898

As the season began the contentious call at Dunoon was dropped, and more emphasis was placed on other destinations where the piers were open on Sundays.

GH June 17 1899

Glasgow Herald, June 17, 1899

GH 1898 July 2 Duchess York

Glasgow Herald, July 2, 1898

Sunday sailings continued in 1899, again with no scheduled calls at Dunoon.

Duchess of York

GH June 15, 1899 Duchess York Sunday

Glasgow Herald, June 15, 1899

July 7 1899 GH Duchess York

Glasgow Herald, July 7, 1899

GH July 26, 1899 Duchess York

Glasgow Herald, July 26, 1899

GH July 29 1899 Duchess York

Glasgow Herald, July 29, 1899

September 2 1899 GH Duchess York

Glasgow Herald, September 2, 1899

The new pier at Dunoon had some exciting incidents with normal traffic, not just the steamers on Sundays.

“Exciting Scenes at Dunoon Pier.—There was quite a series of exciting incidents at Dunoon pier last night a connection with the departure of the thousands of Glasgow and Edinburgh excursionists who visited the town yesterday; but the most exciting was that which occurred when the steamer Lord of the Isles called on her return journey. The pier was crowded with people awaiting her arrival, and as she came in with a fairly large complement of passengers, it was quite evident that all those intending to join her could not be taken on board. With an exceptionally low tide the gang-ways stood at a very steep incline, and with the pressure of the crowd from behind, people were rushed down at a rapid rate. One elderly woman slipped and fell, alighting on her head at the foot of the gangway. She was stupifed with the blow and had to be attended to on board. In order to prevent overcrowding, the captain very judiciously ordered the gangways to be taken off, an act which led to an angry altercation between the passengers left on the pier and the officials of the steamer. Wives were parted from husbands, while friends were left behind. Some of the older youths, jumped, from the pier to the paddle-box while the steamer, was moving off, a most dangerous proceeding, and but for the assistance they got from those standing on the top, some of them would undoubtedly have fallen into the water.” April 17, 1900

Duchess of York did not sail in 1900, but in the middle of the summer, the steamer Heather Bell was chartered from her owners in the south coast of England to run during the Glasgow Fair, including on Sundays.

GH Heather Bell July 13 1900

Glasgow Herald, July 13, 1900

GH July 28 1900 Heather Bell

Glasgow Herald, July 28, 1900

“Clyde Sunday Sailing Exciting scenes at Dunoon.—The resumption of Sunday sailing on the Clyde, which was inaugurated for the season yesterday by the steamer Heather Bell, was attended at Dunoon by a repetition, on a small scale of the exciting scenes that gave this popular watering place such notoriety three years ago, when the local Commissioners in the face of much opposition, refused to open their pier or to grant facilities for the landing or embarking of passengers on Sundays. The intimation, made a few days ago, that Sunday sailings were to be resumed came as a great surprise to the people of Dunoon, and especially to the Commissioners. Yesterday at noon the townspeople flocked in thousands along the pier esplanade awaiting the arrival of the steamer, and expected to witness a repetition of the lively proceedings which characterised former attempts to effect a loading at Dunoon on Sunday. As the temper of yesterday’s crowd was not one that could be played with there were all the elements which go to create a disturbance. The crowd waited patiently until two o’clock. The Heather Bell, carrying a fairly large complement of passengers, came alongside the pier, and one of the crew on board jumped off the paddle-box and fixed a gangway, amid slight cheering. Three or four youths jumped off the paddle-box before the gangway was thrown across, and they were followed by one or two others, including a. little girl of about fourteen years, who was put off by the gangway. The steamer immediately proceeded on her journey to Largs and Rothesay, without receiving any farther attention from the spectators, who were too eager to watch how the half-dozen passengers landed would fare in their efforts to get over the lockfast gates. After surveying the whole pier, the travellers got off in the direction of the goods entrance, and an indiscriminate rush was made by the crowd towards the spiked gates, where every point of vantage along the Castle Gardens wall was seized in order to get a good view of the proceedings. One of the passengers climbed over the dangerous looking spiked wall adjoining the entrance gate. and having gained a firm footing on the coping, he remained there until another youth lifted the girl over into his arms, the crowd cheering vociferously as she cleared the spikes. The others followed without meeting with any mishap, and although there was a good sprinkling of the police present, no attempt was made by them to prevent the passengers from climbing over. Had they interfered in any way a serious disturbance might have resulted, for the sympathy of the crowd seemed to be entirely in favour of the Sunday steamer . As the special bylaw passed by the Board of Trade, which prohibits the landing or embarking of passengers at this pier between the hours of twelve midnight on Saturday and twelve midnight on Sunday, under a penalty of £5 per passenger, has again been violated it will be interesting to watch what steps will be taken by the Burgh Commissioners to enforce the by-law. The responsibility for the infringement lies with the captain of the steamer, and if a prosecution takes place it must be against him. The Heather Bell did not call at Dunoon on the return journey but passed on the other side of the firth, to the great disappointment, of the spectators, who had again assembled to see her call at the pier.” July 16, 1900

“The Sunday steamer at Dunoon.—The scene which was witnessed at the landing of passengers from the Sunday steamer, Heather Bell, at Dunoon Pier on Glasgow Fair Sunday was repeated yesterday on a smaller scale, only one passenger being put ashore, and without the aid of a gangway. The steamer glided slowly alongside the pier, and as she came to a standstill opposite the signal box, a young man jumped from her paddle box on to the pier, gave his fellow-passengers a farewell wave of the hand, and immediately set off for the north gangway on the goods entrance, while the Heather Bell proceeded on her voyage to Largs and Rothesay. The arrival of the steamer at Dunoon was watched by about a couple of thousand spectators who lined up along the esplanade as they came out of church in anticipation of an exciting scene. The solitary youth who came ashore did not face the crowd that surrounded the entrance to the pier. He hailed a party of men in a rowing boat, who went into the slip at north end and took him on board, and afterwards landed him in the East Bay.” July 23, 1900

“The Clyde Sunday Steamer. The landing of passengers from the Sunday steamer at Dunoon pier yesterday was attended with much more excitement than was created on any of the previous visits this season, the proceedings having a greater resemblance to the scenes of rowdyism witnessed three years ago, when on several occasions the police had to interfere. Some change in the program of Sunday sailing on the Clyde, which, as intimated to the Burgh Commissioners of Dunoon on the Saturday morning by Mr A. Dawson Reid, the local secretary to the South Coast and Continental Service (Limited), the company which has this year taken up the Sunday sailings, and by public advertisement, was to the effect that instead of carrying passengers to Largs and Millport as formerly, the run would in future only be to Dunoon and Rothesay with intermediate calls at Bowling and Princes Pier, increased the excitement among visitors and townspeople, who flocked in thousands to the pier yesterday in expectation of seeing some lively proceedings. As, early as eleven o’clock, two hours before the steamer called, crowds of people lined the Esplanade from the Castle Hill round to the Argyle Hotel, and by half past one the assembly had assumed immense proportions, the spectators numbering between five and six thousand. In case any attempt might be made by the people outside to assist passengers in forcing their way through the pier gates, which remained closed as usual, a number of policemen, acting under instructions from Superintendent Fraser, lined up in front, but this did not prevent the crowd from closing in towards both entrances, so much so in fact that had any disturbance broken out in consequence would have had very little chance of quelling it. When it was seen that the gates were guarded a portion of the spectators good humouredly bantered the guardians of the peace, but one or two youths did their best to incite the crowd to jostle them. The police, however, showed a good deal of tact, and their admirable conduct was the means of preventing any serious friction between them and the crowd. It was not until two o’clock that the Heather Bell, carrying a large number of passengers steamed alongside the pier, and as one of the crew jumped from the paddlebox on to the pier in order to secure the mooring ropes, a loud cheer went up from those on board while the greatest excitement prevailed amongst the spectators on shore, who rushed about in a most excited way, endeavouring to get a good view of what they anticipated would be a sensational development. In all, thirteen passengers, including two elderly ladies, were landed by means of the pier gangways which had been secured, and the majority of them at once made their way to the old entrance, and proceeded to climb over the dangerous looking spikes which top the walls adjoining the gateway, five of them in succession managed to scale the wall without any mishap, but the sixth and seventh were not so fortunate, one of them getting his hand rather badly cut by one of the spikes, while the other had his clothing torn. The young man who received the injury to his hand, after coming over the wall went back again on to the pier, possibly with the view of giving the police an opportunity of taking him in charge for entering a lockfast place, as it had been hinted they were likely to adopt that course in the event or passengers endeavouring to rejoin the steamer, but the police took no notice of him, and when their attention was drawn to the alleged contravention, the reply was that the passengers might go back and forward at their will. The police would not interfere so long as they did not do any damage. From this it may be inferred that the Argyllshire authorities have made up their minds that the whole question must be fought by the Commissioners themselves, and that if a settlement of the dispute is to be arrived at, they must be prepared to enforce their by-law which prohibits the landing of passengers on Sunday. The two ladies wore taken off the pier by a sailing boat, which afterwards proceeded towards Hunter’s Quay, and even they were compelled to climb over the gate leading down to the slip at the north end of the pier, which had evidently been purposely locked by the pier officials on Saturday night. The other passengers managed to get off all right, with the exception of one individual, who arrived with a big drum and tympani, and who, it transpired, had travelled from Belfast during the night in order to join the orchestra attached to Mr W. T. Rushbury’s theatrical company, which opens its autumn tour in Dunoon this week. Being an elderly person, and having recently suffered from, a dislocated shoulder, he would not face the ordeal of climbing the gateway, but whiled away the time by strolling up and down the pier until the crowd dispersed, when a boy, out of sympathy for the imprisoned traveller, pluckily ran across the top of the breakwater, which affords a much easier means of access to the pier, and brought the belated passenger ashore, the drums being left under the verandah of the pier waiting-rooms. He was not aware when he boarded the steamer that there was any difficulty in getting ashore at Dunoon, but on the way down the river he got a hint of the matter by reading a newspaper cutting which had been posted up on the window of the booking-office, and was to the effect that the magistrates had wired to the secretary of the Steamboat Company that the pier gate would be closed as usual

“The procedings throughout were of the liveliest description, and there was much more noise than formerly, the crowd indulging in vociferous cheering at times, especially when a passenger succeeded in negotiating the spiked railing. The steamer called about six o’clock on the return journey, and took eleven passengers on board, but there was no demonstration, the boat arriving much earlier than was expected. Since the Sunday sailings were resumed, the Press representatives have had great difficulty in getting their messages away on the Sunday evenings, these having to be sent from the Kirn Post Office; but matters reached a climax yesterday, when the Press men were informed that no messages would be accepted either at Dunoon or Kirn. When approached on the matter yesterday evening, Mr Smith, the postmaster at Dunoon, stated that while he had no objection to accepting ordinary Press work on Sundays, he distinctly objected to take in any messages relating to the Sunday steamer, as he maintained that the steamer’s sailings should be unnoticed, as well as the doings of the crowds which gathered at the pier. It was only by the courtesy of the postmaster at Innellan that the Press representatives were able to get away their messages last night.” July 30 1900

“There was again a good deal or excitement at Dunoon yesterday in connection with the visit of the Sunday steamer at the pier. A large crowd, numbering 5000 or 6000, assembled in the neighbourhood of the pier, and when the passengers landed, and, of course, found the gates locked, it was abundantly evident that the sympathies of the crowd were with them, and against the Commissioners’ excluding law, as they clambered over the spiked fence at the pier end. One lady was taken off by a boat and landed at another place. The steamer called again on the up voyage, and picked up her passengers. The police refrained from interfering.” July 30, 1900

Heather Bell‘s tenure on the Clyde was short lived and she returned south in early September.

September 10 1900 GH Heather Bell

Glasgow Herald, September 10, 1900

The following year, 1901, Duchess of York returned to the fray with at call at at Dunoon, but in the early part of the season, there was continued opposition.

Duchess of York 2

Duchess of York

“Sunday sailing on the Clyde. Sunday sailing was resumed for the season on the Firth of Clyde yesterday by the steamer Duchess of York in splendid weather, when the opening run was attended by the usual exciting scenes at Dunoon pier, the gates of which still remain closed against the Sunday tripper. Dunoon had been congratulating itself that the last had been heard of the Sabbath breaker, when the unwelcome announcement was made a few days ago that for the convenience of visitors to the Glasgow Exhibition Sunday sailing would be commenced shortly and continued throughout the season, and this was backed up with a communication from the secretary of Reid (Limited), in whose name the steamer is being run this summer to the Town-clerk on Saturday morning intimating that the Duchess of York would call at Dunoon, and requesting the pier authorities to instruct the piermaster to open the gates for the convenience of passengers. This letter was submitted to a meeting of the Magistrates held on Saturday forenoon, with the usual result that the Town-clerk was instructed to inform the steamboat owners that the pier would be closed.

“In view of the determined attitude of the pier authorities to resist all attempts to establish a Sunday steamer service, yesterday’s proceedings were looked forward to with a considerable degree of public interest, the general expectation being that there would be a renewal of the exciting scenes which have characterised the Sunday life of Dunoon every season since the commencement of the Sunday sailings four yrars ago. A great crowd of people awaited the arrival of the steamer, which came alongside the pier about halt-past one, and amid scenes of excitement among the spectators on the esplanade, who rushed hither and thither in the most unseemly manner in order to get a good view of the proceedings, fourteen passengers, including two ladies, were landed by means of the steamer’s own gangway, the pier gangways having been made secure the previous night before the officials left. A policeman was stationed in front of each entrance gate, while members of the force were scattered throughout the crowd merely for the purpose of maintaining order and evidently with no instructions to interfere in any way with passengers seeking exit from the pier. Amid slight cheering by the younger portion of the crowd the fourteen passengers who landed marched up to the principal entrance gates, and finding them locked made a thorough examination of the structure with a view to obtaining some escape from their temporary imprisonment. Two young men mounted the parapet wall, and running the gauntlet along the dangerous looking ledge of the northern wing, managed to reach terra firma, but the others deemed the under taking too risky, and they beat a retreat to try to discover a more comfortable mode of exit. Four of the party made for the goods entrance, and with the assistance of some of the spectators outside the gates succeeded in scaling the spiked railing which surmounts the barricade. The passengers who had thus freed themselves got a couple of rowing boats and went round to the slip on the north end of the quay for the purpose of lifting their friends in misfortune, but here another difficulty came in the way. The iron gate leading from the gangway to the slip was locked, while the pier boat had been swung out of the davits, whether intentionally or not we are unable to say, and placed across the steps of the slip half-way down. The male passengers could have negotiated, these obstacles without fear of accident, but it was different with the ladies. With the aid of a few herring boxes piled on top of one another the ladies were got over the gangway rail in safety, although one of them stumbled through the slipping of the uppermost box, the incident creating great amusement among the spectators. They all reached the boats and were landed on the West Bay shore, with the exception of two men, who remained imprisoned on the pier for over five hours, until the steamer called on the return journey at seven o’clock, and took them all on board again, there being no demonstration by those, on shore.

“Considerable indignation was expressed by many of the spectators at the obstinacy of the pier authorities, one irate visitor remarking that Glasgow people should boycott Dunoon, and then the inhabitants would be glad to see a steamer coming on Sundays. With the combined inaction of the authorities and the evident disinclination of the Magistrates to enforce the prohibitive by-law which carries with it . penalty of £5 for every passenger embarking or disembarking between the hours of midnight on Saturday and midnight on Sunday there is every likelihood, says our Dunoon correspondent, of a recurrence of yesterdays scenes every Sunday during the season. The steamer carried a large complement of, passengers, but there was no demonstration by those on board when she called at Dunoon. The behaviour of those who landed there was all that could he desired, although two or three of them engaged in larking with one another while waiting the return of the Duchess of York.” May 27, 1901

“Sunday Sailing on the Clyde. A new phase in the Dunoon comedy was entered upon yesterday, when the officials on board the steamer Duchess of York undertook not only to land passengers at Dunoon, but guaranteed them a safe exit over the spiked gateway by means of double set of steps brought down by the steamer for the special purpose. All sorts of rumours had been current on Saturday night as to probable sensational developments in connection with Sunday’s proceedings—one being that the students of Glasgow University intended to finish their week’s festivities by making an organized raid on Dunoon; another that the Magistrates—who, by the way, are not likely to enforce their prohibitive bye-law, although the Town council have remitted the matter to them—contemplated having the spikes of the gateway smeared with coal tar as an effectual means of putting an end to the liberties which were being taken with their property by the acrobatic performances of the passengers in making their way into the town. These rumours intensified public interest to a great extent, with the result that one of the largest crowds ever seen since these Sunday steamer scenes commenced four years ago gathered on the pier esplanade yesterday for the purpose of watching the proceedings. Whenever the churches emptied, both townspeople and visitors flocked towards the pier—many cycling in from the surrounding district, and by one o’clock when the Duchess of York appeared in sight off Gourock Point, there would be between four and five thousand people lining the esplanade from Pier Road to the Castle Rocks, while the Castle Hill was densely crowded. The local police were on duty as usual, but with instructions not to interfere in any way with passengers embarking or disembarking, and even members of the Town Council were unable to resist the attractiveness of these Sunday scenes. Long before the steamer reached Dunoon, three venturesome youths showed their utter contempt for such paltray obstacles as spiked rails by scaling the parapet which has received so much attention from the Magistrates of late, and calmly walking down the principal gangway to the front of the pier with the intention of boarding the steamer. This proceeding led to a general rush of spectators towards the entrance gates until the roadway was entirely blocked. There was no sign of demonstration anywhere as the Duchess of York came alongside the pier, but whenever the steps, by means of which passengers were to be transported over the entrance gates, were seen shouldered by members of the crew, a great burst of cheering took place among the crowd on shore, which was redoubled a few minutes later when the steps were successfully placed on either side of the gateway at the goods entrance, and the secretary of the steamboat company (Mr A. Dawson Reid) and the purser took up their position on each side, and assisted the twenty-four passengers who came off at Dunoon to get ashore. Some of the spectators lent a willing hand in getting the steps properly placed, and although several policemen were stationed only a few feet away, no attempt was made to interfere. As the passengers filed, one after another over the steps the crowd showed their approval of the proceeding by loud cheering which was again renewed when several people made their way on to the pier for the purpose of joining the steamer and having a sail down the Firth. On the return journey in the evening passengers were taken on board at Dunoon by the same means—the proceedings being again watched by an enormous crowd of spectators. As a farther means of silencing remonstrance against the repetition of these scenes Sunday after Sunday, the postmaster of Dunoon, who accuses the Press correspondents of organising the present agitation against the policy of the pier authorities in refusing either to open the pier or enforce their prohibitive by-law, yesterday assumed the role of Press censor, and declined on principle to accept any message relating to the Sunday steamer, his action being based upon some clause in the Post Office regulations which is alleged to entitle him to a discretionary power in the accepting or refusing of Press messages on Sundays. The usual notification was given to the secretary of the Department in Edinburgh on Saturday, but instead of ordering the customary arrangements to be made that official replied that the Department, did not compel the postmaster of Dunoon to make special arrangements for the transmission of Press telegrams on Sundays, but if the Postmaster agreed to do so they would offer no objection. Needless to say, the Postmaster was only too glad to take advantage of that technicality, and declined to make the necessary arrangements. It was only through the courtesy of Mr A. Dawson Reid, of the Duchess of York, that the Press correspondents were enabled to get their messages away. This action on the part of the postmaster has created a good deal of indignation throughout the district.” June 17, 1901

“Fortifying Dunoon Pier against Sunday Passengers—The southern parapet wall at the entrance to Dunoon pier, which has afforded a means of exit to Sunday passengers, was yesterday, at the request of the pier authorities, effectively fortified, a line of formidable-looking galvanised spikes about nine inches in length having been laid from the outer corner of the abutment right round to the esplanade railing, completely shutting off all chance of escape by that way. Passengers arriving by the Sunday steamer will now be left with the only other alternative of risking their lives by climbing over the dangerous-looking spikes which, surmount the gateway leading to the goods gangway, or getting ashore by, means of small boats, but that is attended with a certain amount of danger, as the boatslip at the north end of the pier is also effectively blocked. In view of this not unlooked for development, next Sunday’s proceedings are being looked forward to with greater interest than ever, as there is certain to be a repetition, on a larger, scale of the exciting scenes which have made Dunoon so notorious in recent years. No notice of these Sunday proceedings has yet been taken, either by the police or the pier authorities, and in the meantime there does not appear to be any likelihood of any steps being taken by either to prevent a recurrence of these scenes.” June 6 1901

DS Ivanhoe Dunoon 2

Polo match at Dunoon Pier showing a crowded scene and the infamous spikes. The steamer is the Caledonian’s Ivanhoe.

“Sunday Sailing on the Clyde—There was no abatement of public interest yesterday in connection with the landing of passengers at Dunoon pier from the steamer Duchess of York. The proceedings were again, watched by a large crowd of people, who lined the esplanade notwithstanding the unpropitious nature of the weather, rain falling heavily the most of the day. Towards one o’clock the usual movement from; all parts of the town took place towards the pier to await the arrival of the steamer, and the scene presented was simply a. repetition of what has taken place there every Sunday since the sailings began, and the little bit of Sunday excitement promises to lose nothing in popularity with the introduction of the scaling ladders. The usual crowd was there, although, smaller in proportion than that of tile previous Sunday, for which the wretched state of the weather was accountable, and the police were there, occupying their customary posts in front of both entrances, but still with no apparent intention of interfering: in any way in what they regard as a dispute between two parties, and one which can only be settled in the Courts of law. There was no demonstration of any kind when the Duchess of York came alongside, but there was the usual rush towards the goods entrance, where the latest innovation, the scaling ladders, were introduced . The police officials stationed outside kept the crowd back a sufficient distance to enable the steamboat people to place the steps properly; and after this had been done passengers trooped along from the steamer in quite a crowd, with the result that the goods entrance was soon blocked, their means of exit over the parapet wall being necessarily slow. A slight cheer was raised when the first, passenger made his appearance on the top of the steps, and this was followed by a good deal of laughter, as a youth’s waterproof got fixed on the spikes, and he had to go back ere he could be released. Altogether about fifty passengers—men , women, and children entered the town in this way, while many of those who went on to Rothesay in the steamer came off at Dunoon pier to watch the proceedings, and then rejoined after the performance at the goods entrance was over. It was noticed that a police officer counted the passengers as they came over the steps—a, fact which has given rise to some speculation as to future developments in connection with this repeated infringement of the prohibitive by-law, which carries with it a penalty of £5 for every passenger landed or embarked on Sunday. Six or seven passengers joined the steamer in the run down the firth, and on the return journey nearly all those who had landed at Dunoon, re-embarked by means of the scaling ladders, the proceedings being again watched by a large crowd of spectators. With the Magistrates still inclined to continue the present policy of inaction, these proceedings are likely to be repeated every Sunday till the close of the season. The police report the affair to headquarters every week, but it is more a matter of form than anything else, for the authorities have made up their minds not to interfere.” 24 June 1901

“Sunday Sailing on the Clyde—There was no abatement of public interest yesterday in connection with the landing of passengers at Dunoon Pier from the steamer Duchess of York. The proceedings were again watched by a large crowd of people who lined the esplanade notwithstsmding the unpropitions nature of the weather, rain falling heavily the most of the day. Towards one o’clock the usual movement from all parts of the town took place towards the pier to await the arrival of the steamer, and the scene presented was simply a repetition of what has taken place there every Sunday since the sailings began, and the little bit of Sunday excitement promises to lose nothing in popularity with the introduction of the scaling ladders. The usual crowd was there, although, smaller in proportion than that of tee previous Sunday, for which the wretched state of the weather was accountable, and the polio were there, occupying their customary posts in front of both entrances, but still with no apparent intention of interfering in any way in what they regard as a dispute between two parties, and one which can only be settled in the Courts of law. There was no demonstration of any kind when the Duchess of York came alongside, but there was the usual rush towards the goods entrance, where the latest innovation, the scaling ladders, were introduced. The police officials stationed outside kept the crowd back a sufficient distance to enable the steamboat people to place the steps properly, and when this had been done passengers trooped along from the steamer in quite a crowd, with the result that the goods entrance was soon blocked, their means of exit over the parapet wall being necessarily slow. A slight cheer was raised when the first, passenger made his appearance on the top of the steps, and this was followed by a good deal of laughter as a youth’s waterproof got fixed on the spikes, and he had to go back ere he could be released. Altogether about fifty passengers—men , women, and children—entered the town in this way, while many of those who went on to Rothesay in the steamer came off at Dunoon Pier to watch the proceedings, and then rejoined after the performance at the good entrance was over. It was noticed that a police officer counted the passengers as they came over the steps—a, fact which has given rise to some speculation as to future developments in connection with this repeated infringement of the prohibitive by-law, which carries with it a penalty of £5 for every passenger landed or embarked on Sunday. Six or seven passengers joined the steamer in the ran down the firth, and on the return journey nearly all those who had landed at Dunoon, re-embarked by means of the scaling ladders, the proceedings being again watched by a large crowd of spectators. With the Magistrates still inclined to continue the present policy of inaction, these proceedings are likely to be repeated every Sunday till the close of the season. The police report the affair to headquarters every week, but it is more a matter of form than anything else, for the authorities have made up their minds not to interfere.” June 24, 1901

In July, there was a new development with the addition of a coach connection to the Loch Eck tour.

GH July 20 1901 Duchess York

Glasgow Herald, July 20, 1901

GH July 27 1901 Duchess York

Glasgow Herald, July 27, 1901

“Sunday sailing on the Clyde.—The inauguration of a coaching tour to Loch Eck, in connection with the Sunday steamer, which took place yesterday, greatly intensified public interest in regard to the proceedings at Dunoon pier, and the result was that the crowd of people who awaited the arrival of the steamer Duchess of York yesterday was of much greater proportions than that of many previous Sunday. Ideal summer weather prevailed, and for a time the place had more the appearance of some great gala than anything else. Shortly after one o’clock the Duchess of York, crowded from stem to stem with passengers, appeared in sight, Seventy-eight passengers, many of whom carried parcels and portmanteaus, were landed in the town, over the pier gates, quietly and orderly, but with the usual amount of good-natured chaff from the crowd outside. Four or five passengers joined the steamer at Dunoon. Twenty-four of the passengers who landed took advantage of the coach run to Loch Eck, and before the coach started several heated arguments took place round about as to the propriety of Sunday pleasure sailing or driving.” July 1, 1901

“Glasgow Fair Saturday.—There is no holiday more generally observed in Glasgow than Fair Saturday, when, all the works and factories are closed, and the city assumes an abnormally quiet aspect. The weather on Saturday was warm and summer-like, and although the sky was overcast with clouds, the day was free from rain. The suburbs of the city were almost deserted, a great many of the residents having left on the previous evening. There was considerable stir at the various railway stations in the early part of the forenoon, but as the day advanced the bustle gradually diminished. The exodus from the city was estimated even to exceed that of immediately previous years. The traffic at Queen Street Station of the North British Railway Company was exceptionally heavy both on Friday night and Saturday forenoon, most of the trains for Edinburgh and the north having to be duplicated. The late train for the north from Buchanan Street Station of the Caledonian Railway had to be run in four portions on Friday night, and on Saturday the traffic was again heavy. There were great crowds at the Central Station on Saturday morning, large numbers leaving for the coast resorts and for the South. St Enoch Station was also crowded throughout the forenoon, seven special trains leaving for Ayr and Girvan. The heaviest bookings from this station were for Largs, and several special trains were run for London and the South. The steamers leaving the Broomielaw had scarcely the number of passengers of former years as holiday-makers are more inclined to take the first part of the journey to the coast resorts by train.”

“Dunoon and the Sunday steamer.—The usual proceedings took place at Dunoon pier on Sunday in connection with the landing of passengers from the Sunday steamer, but nothing of an exciting nature occurred. The Magistrates have forwarded their memorial for the opinion to counsel regarding the pier by-laws to Mr Asher, K.C., Dean of Faculty, and Sir William Finlay, advocate, but it is not expected that any opinion will be given for some considerable time.” 20th August 1901

“The Sunday steamer at Dunoon—The Town Council of Dunoon has just received the opinion of counsel on the question of the legality of their much-discussed pier bye-law, which prohibits, under a penalty of £5 per passenger embarked or disembarked, any steamer calling at Dunoon between the hours of twelve midnight on Saturday and twelve midnight on Sunday. A memorial on the subject was presented to Mr Asher; Dean of Faculty, and Sir Robert Finlay, K.C., several months ago, and they have now given an opinion which is unfavourable to the Council’s contention. Counsel point out that the bye-law is ultra vires of the powers granted in the Provisional Order for Dunoon pier. The question was considered at a private meeting of the Council, and after a good deal of discussion it was remitted to the pier Committee to confer with the railway companies as to the running of steamers at certain hours on Sundays in connection with trains from Glasgow, so that the Council might be enabled to make application to the Board of Trade for power to open the pier during certain hours only. It was stated that there will be no fewer than four Sunday excursion steamers sailing on the Clyde next season.” Tues December 17, 1901

Isle Arran Dunoon

Buchanan’s Isle of Arran at Dunoon

In the following summer of 1902, established companies such as Buchanan Steamers were running excursions on Sundays. The taboo was broken and the shopkeepers and hoteliers of the Clyde resorts found and extra source of income.

July 19 1902

Glasgow Herald, July 19, 1902

Andrew Reid continued to run the Duchess of York during the week and on Sundays.

Lady of the Isles

Lady of the Isles

Duchess of York was laid up  and replaced by Lady of the Isles in the early summer of 1903. The Lady of the Isles was another Clyde exile, Lord of the Isles of 1877, that returned to sail in the Sunday trade. She suffered mechanical failure in August and was laid up till the following year when she was broken up. Meanwhile, Mr Dawson Reid’s time had passed and he went out of business.

GH July 18 1903 Buchanan

Glasgow Herald, July 18, 1903

Duchess of York, laid up for the the 1903 season was sold to Captain Buchanan the following year when she was renamed Isle of Cumbrae.

5 Comments

  1. Iain MacLeod

    April 25, 2016

    Post a Reply

    This website is a wonderful asset but Andrew Reid (‘Dawson’ was little more than an affectation) never ran more than one steamer at a time. Duchess of York did not return from Londonderry to the Clyde until 1898, her first sailing of the season being on Saturday 18 June. A week or so later, Victoria left the Clyde, having been laid up at Bowling. Duchess of York did not call at Dunoon in 1898 or 1899 and was laid up during 1900. Reid was local manager for the visit of Heather Bell in 1900. Duchess of York did make Sunday calls at Dunoon again in 1901 – and by 1902 the pier was legitimately open for calls by Duchess of York and any other steamer which cared to visit. Duchess of York was laid up in 1903 but Lady of the Isles started running for Reid on 28 June that year. However, his acquisition of her had involved fraud, for which he was eventually tried, convicted and imprisoned. By 1907 he had begun a new life as a teacher in Egypt.

    • Iain MacLeod

      April 25, 2016

      Post a Reply

      Clarification: Duchess of York did not call at Dunoon *on Sundays* in 1898 or 1899: sorry

      • valeman

        April 25, 2016

        Post a Reply

        Iain: I much appreciate your comments on the article and clarification on Andrew Reid. I actually wrote this before your definitive study on the man and his operations was published a couple of years ago — an article I thoroughly enjoyed by the way — and frankly, to avoid inadvertent plagiarism I did not re-examine it in the light of your researches before I hit the post button. I have no excuses and will edit the piece to make sure it is a bit more correct. This is one reason I dread writing about the more modern times that have been covered in detail by experts (I certainly do not include myself in that category). I’ve also more recently dug into the newspaper record and was actually surprised to find that there are indeed no reports of Reid using more than one steamer at a time. I’ll shortly add the advertisements to this article and hopefully it will be a bit more complete. In the meantime, I hope you will accept my best wishes. Graham

  2. Roberto Pierotti

    August 12, 2018

    Post a Reply

    Hi Sirs, thanks for the web page, I rely like to know the histories about that time, “Temperance age”. I am passionate for beer and I wondering what kind of beer style they used to drink on that Sundays trip, any idea about that?
    Cheers.

    • valeman

      August 13, 2018

      Post a Reply

      Hi Roberto: The beers of that time would have been ales (scotch ales), porters, and stouts mainly. Lagers had not been widely introduced. Of course the biggest problem for the temperance movement was whisky.

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