In the aftermath of the First World War, the Caledonian Steam Packet Company’s Caledonia resumed the role she had had since 1909 as the Holy Loch steamer for the pooled sailings for the Caledonian and G&SW fleet. From the time of her re-entry into service in November 1920 and on into LMS days following amalgamation on January 1, 1923, she was on this service summer and winter except for her annual overhaul when generally Marchioness of Breadalbane was her deputy.

Caledonia at Princes Pier before 1923

Caledonia was the first of the ferry-class paddle steamers built for the Caledonian Steam Packet Company in 1889 and at just over thirty years old she was still a useful member of the fleet and well suited to the Holy Loch run where maneuverability at the piers was more important than speed.

Caledonia around 1921 with her fore windows boarded for the winter (Robertson)

The amalgamation of the Caledonian and Glasgow and South Western Railway fleets in 1923 under the control of the London, Midland & Scottish Railway led to the addition of a red band and black top to the funnel of the Caledonian steamer. The new funnel coloring was referred to as the “tartan” lum.

Caledonia in 1923 with her “tartan” funnel colouring approaching Gourock on the Holy Loch service (Robertson)

Caledonia at Princes Pier in 1923

Caledonia‘s summer days began early, leaving Kilmun at 7:10 for Ardnadam, Strone, Blairmore, Cove, Kilcreggan, and Princes Pier, returning to Gourock then direct to Strone, Ardnadam and Kilmun. The second sailing involved an immediate departure for Ardnadam, Hunter’s Quay, Kirn and Dunoon, then back to Hunter’s Quay, Blairmore, Cove and Kilcreggan before making for the Renfrewshire shore, calling at Gourock and Princes Pier. Almost at once, at 10:58, she was on her way again, to Kilcreggan, Cove, Blairmore, Strone, Ardnadam and Kilmun, then, leaving at 12:00 across to Hunter’s Quay, Kirn and Dunoon before sailing direct to Gourock and an opportunity to bunker for the day.

Caledonia again in 1923 at Ardnadam

In the afternoon Caledonia sailed from Princes Pier at 2:00, returning from Kilmun at 3:00 in time for the 4:50 express run from Princes Pier to Kilcreggan, Cove and Blairmore, returning direct to Gourock. An evening Holy Loch run left Gourock just after 6:00 and sailing by Kilcreggan, Cove, Bairmore, Strone, Ardnadam and returning from Kilmun at 7:15. Finally, she returned to Kilmun at 8:35 and berthed overnight.

    

Caledonia at Kilcreggan in 1925 (Valentine)

In 1925, the combined L.M.S. and Caledonian Steam Packet Co. fleet adopted the uniform yellow funnel colour with a black top that Caledonia would carry for the rest of her career.

Caledonia again at Kilcreggan in 1925 meeting passengers from the afternoon express (Valentine)

Caledonia at Princes Pier in 1929 (Valentine)

Winter service was much less extensive that that offered during the summer. The relatively sheltered waters of the upper Firth could however experience some sever stormy conditions. The steamer was winter-boarded with coverings over her glass windows and just small ports to allow some light and visibility to the passenger accommodation.

Caledonia winter-boarded at Blairmore

Caledonia at Strone with winter-boarding on forward part of her fore-saloon

The Holy Loch service did not run on Sundays but in the 1920s, the Caledonian Steam Packet Co. began to offer limited service on Sundays to Dunoon and Rothesay. Normally the steamer employed was a Duchess but sometimes, particularly at the beginning and the end of the season, Caledonia would be employed.

Caledonia leaving Blairmore for Cove in 1929 (Valentine)

In October 1930 Caledonia had a major mishap, scraping over the Gantocks when her pilot was distracted by the new electric pier lights at Dunoon. Passengers were unloaded at Dunoon and she proceeded to Lamont’s where repairs ran into December.

Caledonia’s last season was 1933. She was a firm favourite of the Holy Loch residents and devotees. Although some of the accommodation could have been more comfortable, Caledonia was a reliable ship and carried out her duties with a punctuality that would be missed.

Caledonia crossing to Strone with Juno heading up Loch Long

 

Caledonia approaching Ardnadam in 1933 (Valentine)

These distant postcard shots were taken in her final summer when the Holy Loch was dotted with a number of laid-up ships.

Caledonia heading for Kilmun in 1933 with the White Star Albertic at the head of the loch (Valentine)

 The Albertic was built as the München and claimed as war reparations by the allies.  She had had a varied career, eventually ending on the immigrant routes between Britain and Canada under the ownership of the White Star company. She had been laid up in the Holy Loch in August of 1930 and was sold for scrapping in 1934.

    

Albertic on the Holy Loch

For Caledonia, in November there was a celebratory dance on her last call at Kilmun. In December she was towed to Barrow for scrapping.

Caledonia approaching Gourock towards the end of her career (Adamson)

For the 1934 season, Marchioness of Breadalbane was brought up the Firth from the Millport station to take over the Holy Loch route. She was in poor condition and received much negative comment until she too was sold at the end of the season to be replaced by the new Marchioness of Lorne.

Marchioness of Breadalbane at Cove in 1934 (Valentine)