In 1900, the Glasgow, Rothesay, and Kyles of Bute Steamers of John Williamson provided a summer service to Campbeltown in connection with the Glasgow and Southwestern Railway Co. with their newer vessel, Strathmore, and maintained the year-round Rothesay and Kyles of Bute connection with their veteran, Benmore. The introduction of the turbine steamer, King Edward, the following year, relieved Strathmore except at the very beginning and end of the season, and allowed Williamson to develop the Rothesay trade. This article covers the development of this trade in the years leading up to the first world war.
Strathmore leaving Rothesay
Strathmore leaving Princes Pier
Strathmore passing Scotstoun
Benmore passing Scotstoun on her way down river (Robertson, Glasgow)
Glasgow Herald, June 20, 1901
Strathmore passing the cruiser Cumberland at Govan
Strathmore waiting for her afternoon departure with Iona at the Broomielaw
An 8:15 a.m. morning departure from Rothesay placed Strathmore at the Broomielaw for the 2:00 p.m. sailing to Rothesay, calling at Partick, Govan, Greenock, Kirn, Dunoon, Innellan and Rothesay. On Saturdays, Strathmore returned to Greenock, leaving Rothesay at 7:30 p.m. to connect with the train to Glasgow.
Glasgow Herald, June 27, 1901
Glasgow Herald, August 30, 1901
A small steamer, Alert, sailed from the Broomielaw at 6:00 a.m. three days a week with the cargo run to the Kyles of Bute and Ormidale, but eventually, this role fell to Benmore.
Glasgow Herald, July 9, 1903
By 1903 at the height of the season, Strathmore left Rothesay at 8:10 a.m., and Benmore provided a trailing service, presumably working with goods, at 8:15 a.m. The Glasgow departures were at 1:15 for Strathmore and the usual 2:00 p.m. for Benmore.
Benmore and Buchanan’s Isle of Cumbrae at the Broomielaw around 1904
Glasgow Herald, July 4, 1907
Benmore leaving Dunoon
Benmore off Dunoon (Stengel)
The normal berth for Williamson’s steamers overnight at Rothesay was on the shoreward side of the pier extension.
Rothesay with Benmore at the inner berth with Iona and Mars at the front of the pier
Strathmore at the inner berth
In 1904, Captain Williamson repurchased Kylemore, the sister ship to Strathmore that had been sailing on the South Coast as Britannia, but almost immediately sold the ship to the Glasgow and Southwestern Railway, who renamed her Vulcan. However, in March 1908, Strathmore was sold to the Admiralty to be renamed Harlequin, and a month later, Kylemore joined the white-funnel fleet.
H.M.S. Harlequin, ex Strathmore (Cribb)
Kylemore off Scotstoun (Robertson, Glasgow)
Glasgow Herald, June 26, 1908
As the state of the upper-river improved with the introduction of new sewage works, the popularity of sailing from the Broomielaw increased. Various excursion possibilities appeared combining the resources of both the Williamson fleet and those of Buchanan Steamers.
Kylemore at Rothesay, early morning (Judges)
Kylemore on her way up-river off Scotstoun
Glasgow Herald, July 7, 1910
Glasgow Herald, July 6, 1911
Kylemore at Princes Pier
In 1912, Messrs John Williamson & Co. went to Messrs Murdoch and Murray of Port Glasgow for a new vessel. Queen Empress was 210 feet in length by 25½ feet in the beam and was an improvement on Kylemore, gaining immediate popularity. Her bridge was placed forward of the funnel in the fashion of the Caledonian steamers.
The new Queen Empress (Robertson, Gourock)
Glasgow Herald, June 27, 1912
Glasgow Herald, Jun 6, 1913
The new steamer took up the principal Rothesay sailing, leaving Glasgow at 1:30 p.m. with Kylemore an hour later. Queen Empress was also useful in the excursion trade in the years leading up to the first world war.
Glasgow Herald, July 17, 1914
Queen Empress at Campbeltown
At this time, John Williamson also managed Lord of the Isles that was employed mainly on the Round Bute Cruise so that a number of excursions were possible. Management of the veteran Ivanhoe was added in 1914 when taken over by Turbine Steamers. Their stories are featured in separate articles.
Glasgow Herald, May 27, 1915
In the meantime, Benmore sailed mainly on the cargo runs. She retained a high standard and was an essential year-round fixture on the Clyde.
Benmore in Rothesay Bay
Benmore approaching Dunoon
Benmore in Glasgow Harbour
Unloading cattle from Benmore at Kirn
A wintry scene from Benmore leaving Kirn