Daniel Adamson

By on Dec 11, 2014 in Chancellor, Clyde River and Firth, Daniel Adamson, Manchester Ship Canal, Shandon, Ships and Steamers | 0 comments

When, in 1862, the Dumbarton Steamboat Company sold their two-funneled Chancellor to run the blockade for the Confederates in the American Civil War, sailings to Arrochar were left in the hands of the Lochgoil Steamboat Company. The important tourist connections with the steamers on Loch Lomond at Tarbet were neglected and as a result, there was an opportunity for the Loch Lomond Company to provide its own steamboat to complete the popular circular tour. A new company was formed, the Loch Long Steam Boat Company, and the new Chancellor was ordered from Blackwood and Gordon. She was 171 tons with a length of 163 ft and breadth almost 19 ft and her single diagonal engine provided 80 hp, giving her a comfortable speed for the tourist traffic. She was designed as a saloon steamboat with deck saloons the full width of the hull and the alleyways created by carrying the sponsons from stem to stern, a design tried in the Loch Lomond steamer Prince Consort two years earlier.

Prince Consort590

Prince Consort of 1862

In 1867, the Loch Long Company was amalgamated into the Loch Lomond Company and the steamer was advertised under the name of the “Loch Long and Loch Lomond Steam Boat Company. She had a black hull and a red-topped funnel and was a smart looking and popular vessel as recounted in the following tourist literature of an excursion from Dunoon in 1868.

Chancellor 1864

Chancellor of 1864

Dunoon 1868 Steamers

Advertisements from Colegate’s Guide to Dunoon in 1868

“Loch Long

“By Chancellor, at 11 a.m., returning at about 4 p.m.

“This most favourite of all the excursions from Dunoon is made by means of the saloon-decked steamer, Chancellor, a vessel provided with every comfort. It touches first at Hunter’s Quay, then, crossing the mouth of Holy Loch, enters Loch Long, calling at Blairmore, where there is a good pier, charge 1d. The next station is Ardentinny, where passengers disembark in small boats, (charge 2d.) and where there is a small and comfortable inn. Leaving Ardentinny we obtain a view of Glenfinnart House. Proceeding northwards, the steamer halts, if required, at Portincaple Ferry (small boat), opposite the mouth of Loch Goil, a view of which, and of Carrick Castle, is obtained from this point. From Portincaple, or farther on from Arddarroch, the road may be gained which crosses to Garelochhead by Whistlefield, another inn of the same name as that at Loch Eck. It is in sailing upwards from this part of the loch that the fine view is obtained of the “Cobbler and his Wife,” which forms such an interesting feature in the scenery, the distinctness of the features being, however, very dependent on the light which happens to be thrown upon the rocks at the time.

“Nothing can be more beautiful or striking than the scenery of Loch Long. As the steamer glides along, we could almost imagine that it was a panorama of Highland scenery that was being presented to the eye; and this effect is not a little heightened by the comfort with which it is viewed from the saloon deck of the steamer. It is difficult to single out any particular parts more beautiful than another; but if it were required to do so, probably those just before crossing to Ardentinny, and where the loch becomes narrow beyond Loch Goil, might be selected.

“The steamer arrives at Arrochar at 12.30, and returns to Dunoon and Greenock at 2.30, an interval sufficient to visit, either on foot or omnibus (which will be found waiting), Tarbet, on Loch Lomond, from which an excellent view of Benlomond is obtained. The charge for the drive by ‘bus is 6d. each; and as there is often a little hurry in the crossing, those who are not good pedestrians are recommended to avail themselves of it.

There is a charge of 1d. at the pier of Arrochar, both going and coming. Those who are not able to walk far, may enjoy an agreeable ramble about the head of Loch Long, without fear of being made too late for the steamer’s return, as due notice is given of its departure by ringing the steamer’s bell three times.

“On a clear day the peak of Ben Lomond may be seen from the steamer.”

 

The popularity of the route resulted in the ordering of a new Chancellor in 1880 and the old steamer was sold to the fleet of Hugh Keith and Alexander Campbell. She was renamed Shandon, and for her new owners, she sailed mainly to Garelochhead.

AD Shandon

Shandon

When the Keith and Campbell partnership failed in 1885, she was taken over by Captain Buchanan, remaining on the same route. On the opening of the Manchester Ship Canal, the prospect of running excursion services on the Canal was entertained and a number of Clyde steamers were sent south.

Eagle MSC 736

Eagle on the Manchester Ship Canal

Daniel Adamson Manchester Ship Canal295

Daniel Adamson on the Manchester Ship Canal

Daniel Adamson 061

Daniel Adamson on the Manchester Ship Canal

Daniel Adamson MSC 924

Daniel Adamson

The Eagle and the Shandon were sold to the Ship Canal Passenger Steamer Co. (1893) Ltd. The latter was renamed Daniel Adamson after the engineer who had been a major proponent of the project but who had died in 1890.

The service on the canal did not attract the anticipated patronage and the steamers were withdrawn. The Eagle remained on the Mersey and was sold to the breakers in 1899.

Daniel Adamson 734    Daniel Adamson Annan019

Daniel Adamson at the Broomielaw in 1896

However, the Daniel Adamson returned to the Clyde for a brief period of service in 1896 before she also went to the breakers.

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.