Lord of the Isles in her first season off Inveraray (George Washington Wilson)

In the middle of the 1870s, the ducal seat of Inveraray was poorly served by steamboats. David Hutcheson provided the flagship Iona on the important tourist link with Tarbert and Ardrishaig, but the upper part of Lochfyne was relegated to the slow Inveraray Castle and Mary Jane which were mainly concerned with goods traffic and spent a whole day on the one way journey, returning the next, reminiscent of the 1840s. Indeed both steamers on the route had been built in that decade.

Inveraray around 1865

In 1875, the Mary Jane was withdrawn and converted into the Glencoe for use as a tourist steamer on the west coast, leaving the Inveraray Castle to provide three sailings a week to Inveraray.

Inveraray Castle (Robertson Gourock)

The fastest route to Inveraray involved sailing to Lochgoilhead and then traveling by coach through Hell’s Glen to St Catherines where the little iron ferry, Fairy, had been in operation since 1865.

Fairy, the ferry to St Catherines

In 1876, the quay at Inveraray was rebuilt and the pier extended in anticipation of a tourist steamer service proposed by a new company, the Glasgow and Inveraray Steamboat Company. The new company was closely associated with the Lochgoil Company. Mr. M. T. Clark, general manager of the Lochgoil Company, also became general manager of the new company and both used the same funnel colours.

Engraving of Inverary from 1860s

The new company went to Messrs. D. & W. Henderson & Co. for a large saloon steamer, well appointed like the Iona, and fast enough to complete the long journey to and from Inveraray on a daily basis. During construction, in April, there was a strike of tradesmen on the upper-Clyde shipyards and later the shipyards locked the workers out. Construction of the new steamer slowed but was carried on by foremen and apprentices. She was launched, as Lord of the Isles, in a very incomplete state on May 30th, 1877 by the daughter of the Chairman of the Company. Alarmed at the slow rate of completion, the Inveraray Company went to court to force the shipyard to complete the steamer within the time stipulated in the contract. Indeed the Company wanted an interdict to allow them access to the shipyard to employ their own workmen to complete the job! However, the attempt failed as the time clause was not guaranteed.

Engraving of Lord of the Isles (Engineering)

Less well finished that she should have been, the Lord of the Isles made her trial trip on June 30th, 1877. Leaving Custom House Quay, Greenock—her berth during the season—about 8:20 a.m., she called at Princes Pier, Kirn and Dunoon, then crossed to Wemyss Bay, where a large party joined after leaving by the 8:10 train from Glasgow. The trip from Wemyss Bay lasted a little under four hours and Inverary was reached by 1:00 p.m. Shortly after 2:00 p.m. she left Inveraray when dinner was served sailing down Lochfyne and numerous toast proposed. She reached Wemyss Bay in time for the 5:50 train to Glasgow.

      

Engines of Lord of the Isles

Haystack boiler of Lord of the Isles

Lord of the Isles was 246 ft long, 24 ft broad with 8 ft 6 in depth. She had deck saloons with an alleyway on the main deck all around like the Iona and a promenade deck that ran nearly the whole length of the vessel and over 200 ft. Only the ticket office and the captain’s cabin encumber the promenade deck between the funnels. The engines were designed by Mr. H. R. Robson and were exposed to the full view of the public, enclosed by only a bronzed railing. On her trial trip coming down Loch Fyne, the paddles made 46 revolutions per minute resulting in a speed of 24 miles per hour and she quickly developed a reputation as one of the fastest steamers on the Clyde. Steam steering gear was installed on the flying bridge between the paddles and a telegraph connected with the engine room so that the master could control the vessel completely from the bridge.

Plan of Lord of the Isles

The first class passenger’s cabin was aft of the machinery and was 47 ft long by 16 ft wide at the fore end. It was furnished with spring sofas, tables for writing purposes, umbrella stands, racks, an electro-plate drinking fountain, mirrors, etc. The first class ladies cabin was aft of the first-class cabin similarly fitted up with water closets, lavatories and all other conveniences in connection. The second-class passenger’s accommodation was in the fore part of the ship and was 38 ft long by 15 ft wide at the after end and furnished similarly to the first-class cabin.

Mr. David Sutherland (Bailie)

Dining saloons were below the main deck and were served by a galley. There was also a separate galley for the crew. The first class dining saloon seated 100. All round the sides were spring sofas covered by dark crimson morocco leather while the movable seats were revolving chairs. At the fore end was a steward’s pantry and on the opposite side, a bar. Ventillators rising to 9 ft above the promenade deck supplied ventilation to the dining saloons below. Water closets were fitted in the wings of the paddle boxes as was the second class lavatory for ladies. The floors of these spaces were tiled. Chief Steward, Mr. David Sutherland, was brought in from the Lochgoil Company, and developed a formidable reputation for his cuisine.

Lord of the Isles at Rothesay with Lancelot (Valentine)

Approaching Rothesay Pier on the return from Inveraray (George Washington Wilson)

When she entered service on July 2, she was an immediate success and attracted excursion traffic from the Iona. The close association between the Glasgow and Inveraray Company and the Lochgoil Company allowed a circular scenic excursion where passengers could be conveyed to Lochgoilhead and be transported by coach through Hell’s Glen to St Catherine’s where the small paddle steamer Fairy would convey them to Inveraray and the return to Greenock by the Lord of the Isles. The tour could also be completed in the opposite direction. The Lochgoil Company had introduced a new steamer, Windsor Castle, in 1875 and added another saloon steamer, Edinburgh Castle in 1879.

Connections to Oban and Dalmally by coach were also available, providing a competing route to the Iona’s connections through Ardrishaig and Crinan.

A letter to the Glasgow Herald in April 1877, had suggested that a new circular tourist route might be added by sailing to Dunoon or Kilmun and making the journey by Loch Eck to Strachur where connections with Lord of the Isles might be made at a new pier that was in the process of construction.

“Glasgow 11^th April, 1877

“Sir,—I have noticed references made in your paper to the new summer day’s excursion to Inveraray per Lord of the Isles, returning by coach from St. Catherines to Lochgoilhead; and though this is no doubt a most beautiful route, and one calculated to make many Glaswegians avail themselves of it, I would, through the medium of your columns, call the attention of the public, and especially the owners of the new steamer and the hotel-keepers of Dunoon, to another day’s excursion quite as fine as that to which reference has been made. I mean the round per Lord of the Isles to Inveraray and back by coach from Strachur, via Loch Eck, to Dunoon, which is one of the most beautiful driving routes in Scotland. It would be a double inducement for people to go by the Lord of the Isles if they knew that they would have a choice of two such coach roads as that through Hell’s Glen and the less wild but more beautiful one, embracing the scenery of Loch Eck, and it ought certainly to add to the other attractions of this second Iona. Hoping that this may meet the eye of those interested in this new enterprise, and cause such a coach to be started from Dunoon when the new steamer commences,—I am, &c., A Lover of Scenery

“P.S.—As I see there is to be a new pier at Strachur, the landing here by small boats will be avoided in future.”

The reply came in an article in the Herald on July 23, 1877.

“New Tourists’ Route to Inveraray via Loch Eck.

“When the proprietors of the new steamer Lord of the Isles intimated their intention of placing that vessel on the Greenock and Inveraray station via the Kyles of Bute, a correspondent in the Herald drew attention to the beautiful district by Kilmun, Loch Eck, and Strachur on Lochfyne, as a tourists’ route in connection with that steamer. The directors of the steamboat company at once took up the suggestion, and we understand tat at a meeting of the shareholders, held in Glasgow on Friday, it was unanimously agreed to give orders to build a saloon steamer capable of carrying about 150 passengers to ply on Loch Eck to connect with coaches which will be run between Dunoon, Kirn, Hunter’s Quay, Ardenadam, Kilmun, Strone, Blairmore, &c. The building of the steamer has been entrusted, we believe, to Messrs T. B. Seath & Co., Rutherglen, and the new vessel will be ready to take her station early next spring. The steamers will have a saloon extending nearly from bow to stern, and will be otherwise fitted up in the most approved style for the comfort of passengers.

“Loch Eck is pretty extensively known as being a large inland loch running for about eight miles between high mountain chains which rise about three miles above Kilmun, and terminate near Glensheillish, the estate of Mr R. W. Robertson, Greenock. On the eastern shores of the Loch three piers or jetties are to be erected, one at each end of the loch and the third about the centre, near the well-known inn at Whistlefield. By this route pleasure-seekers will be able to leave Glasgow at a reasonable hour, and proceed by steamer to Holy Loch, where coaches will be in waiting to drive tourists to the foot of Loch Eck, through a district of great natural beauty, which is being greatly improved by the enterprising proprietor of Benmore and Bernice, Mr Duncan, of London.

“After passing the romantic glen of Glenmessen to the left, the coach road approaches the river Eck, and penetrating farther into the interior mountain groups of picturesque grandeur loom into view. At the foot of Benmore is situated the mansion, gardens, and policies of the hospitable proprietor of the estates. The drive from Kilmun to the foot of the loch will be accomplished in little over half an hour, and the time occupied in sailing the loch is expected to be about 45 minutes. The mountain scenery which rises on either side of the loch is of the most imposing and attractive character, and when seen under favourable circumstances is sure to captivate the lover of nature. Half-way up the loch Whistlefield is reached, where the traveler has the option of leaving the steamer and proceeding over the hills to Glenfinnart and Ardentinny on Lochlong, after a delightful drive of about five miles; or, continuing with the boat, he may proceed to the head of Loch Eck, where a landing is made opposite Glensheillish, where coaches will be in waiting to convey passengers to Strachur through a charming district of country, extending to about six miles, amid which flows the river Chur. At Strachur, a pretty village on Lochfyne, it is proposed to erect a new pier at Creggans for the convenience of the passenger traffic, which is likely to be developed. Already every house in the village is let this season. The whole time proposed to be occupied on the journey from Glasgow to Strachur will be abour four hours. At the latter place the Lord of the Isles may be rejoined, and proceeding down Lochfyne, through the Kyles of Bute to Wemyss Bay or Greenock, thence by rail to Glasgow or Edinburgh. Of course, the journey can be reversed, passengers first proceeding with the Lord of the Isles to Inveraray, and return by Loch Eck.”

Fairy Queen on Loch Eck (Valentine)

The Lord of the Isles had an engine failure at Dunoon on a Saturday at the beginning of September and the Lochgoil steamer, Windsor Castle, had to substitute for her while repairs were carried out. At the end of her first season, the Lord of the Isles was taken back by her builders to complete the finishing of the internal appointments and overhaul her engines and boilers. An annoying vibration that had been noticed was remedied successfully by strengthening the bracing on the hull. Her funnels that were originally rather squat were lengthened by 3 feet.

Newspaper advert 1878 (Glasgow Herald)

Lord of the Isles leaving Greenock (George Washington Wilson)

Lord of the Isles sailing in Rothesay Bay (Adamson)

At Inveraray—drying a sail used sailing up Loch Fyne (George Washington Wilson)

Approaching Rothesay Pier (George Washington Wilson)

Success followed, and Lord of the Isles continued as a most successful tourist steamer on the Inveraray route despite the addition of the magnificent Columba in 1878 on the Ardrishaig route. The addition of the Loch Eck tour proved a particularly popular move.

Map of the Lord of the Isles Routes from Official Guide, 1890

The Inveraray Company were keen to incorporate any attraction that improved the popularity of their business. In the mid-1880s the quarry at Crarae was engaged in producing granite sets for the roads of Glasgow and production involved a number of monster blasts bringing down the rock-face with explosives. By arrangement, these were timed to take place when the Lord of the Isles was passing and were advertised as a spectacle. On this occasion, the steamer would call at the pier at Crarae to allow passengers to inspect the aftermath of blast and join the Lord of the Isles on her return from Inveraray. This decision had disastrous and fatal consequences.

Advertisement 1886 (Glasgow Herald)

“Extraordinary Disaster on Lochfyneside

“Effects of After Damp In Crarae Quarry. Seven Persons Killed and Many Injured. A most extraordinary fatality occurred in Crarae Quarry, near Furnace, on Lochfyneside, in connection with a monster blast fired in celebration of the jubilee of the Statute Labour Committee of the Glasgow Town Council. It unfortunately involved the death of seven persons, two of them members of the Corporation, and the injury of many others, four of them seriously. On the invitation of Messrs William Sim & Co., the lessees of the quarry, which belongs to the Duke of Argyll, the members of the committee and other city-gentlemen proceeded to the quarry. Tho owners of the Lord of the Isles advertised a popular trip in connection with the event, and many patronised it. The party, which numbered about 1500 persons, left Greenock on board steamer, and trains were run in connection from various Glasgow stations. The Glasgow and South-Western train, which left St Enoch’s Station at 8.30, was very heavily freighted, and there were several first-classcarriages reserved for the Statute Labour Committee of the Town Council, in honour of whose jubilee the monster blast was to take place. Amongst the members of Town Council and others present were ex-Bailie Laing, convenor of the Statute Labour Committee; Bailie Crawford, sub-convener; Bailies Thomson, M‘Laren, and Shaw, ex-Bailie Young, Preceptor Wilson, Councillors Dr Wilson, J. H. Martin, Cumming, Simons, Duncan, Caldwell, M‘Lennan, Paton, and Brechin; Messrs John Young, Inspector of Cleansing; John White, Assistant Master of Works and other Corporation officials; Mr J. Maitland, H.M. Inspector of Factories; Messrs Morrison, Mason, and Faill, all well known Glasgow contractors; Mr Garchia, and others. When Greenock was reached it was found that the steamer was crowded with passengers, and the number of those on board was largely augmented on the arrival of the Glasgow train. Amongst the passengers were a considerable number of Englishmen, who, having been in the neighbourhood on a holiday embraced the opportunity offered of viewing the blast. When the steamer left Greenock the weather was cold and dull, and gave little promise of a good day. At intermediate ports other passengers, including Mr John Jex Long, a well-known match manufacturer in the East End of Glasgow, joined the Lord of the Isles, the steamer’s complement. On the steamer reaching Rothesay Bay the weather seemed inclined to break down, and prophets prognosticated a bad day; but while the passage through the Kyles of Bute was being made the atmospheric conditions improved, and, in spite of a drizzling rain, passengers enjoyed a beautiful run up Loch Fyne, When, shortly after one o’clock, the steamer approached the Furnace Quarries the atmosphere was extremely heavy, and the summits of the surrounding heights were enshrouded in mist. The quarry lies on the western side of the loch, and the view of it obtained by the Lord of the Isles’ passengers presented a bare face of grey granite rising to a height of about 150 feet. Closer observation showed, that this gigantic wall of rock forms one side of a vast amphitheatre, out of which thousands upon thousands of tons of valuable stone have been excavated, and the entrance to which is a narrow passage pierced through a rocky screen on the side next the shore. A tramway runs from the floor of the quarry to a pier opposite the entrance to facilitate the shipment of granite and other material; but in view of the projected blast, the tramway had been lifted, and a barrier of huge boulders had been placed along the side of the way in order to keep the rock dislodged by the blast within bounds. On the verge of the loch in front of the quarry, there is a collection of cottages occupied by quarrymen, fishermen, and others employed in the district; and the inhabitants, who, in case of danger, had been warned out until the blast had taken place, having removed from their houses themselves and anything on which they laid special store, stood on eminences at a safe distance from the quarry in order to witness the effect of the explosion of the seven tons of gunpower which were to be used in the monster blast. It was nearly half-past one o’clock when the Lord of the Isles was brought to a standstill, opposite the quarry, about 600 yards from the shore. Captain Downie, the master of the steamer, having sounded the steam whistle—that being the appointed signal tor the blast to take place—the electric appliances on shore by means of which the explosion was to be effected were set in operation, and almost instantaneously a great mass of rock was seen to shiver into fragments. There was a loud crash, but the sound of the explosion which reached the ears of those on board the steamer was not so terrific as the immensity of the blast had led them to expect. At the time the atmosphere was quite clear, and the result of the blast was seen to admirable advantage. After the explosion huge sulphurous clouds hung over the quarry, and as there was no wind they were not borne away, but seemed just gradually to dissolve into the air, wreaths of the smoke hanging over the edge of the precipice for a considerable period. The Lord of the Isles then steamed to the Crarae pier, in order that the members of the Corporation and others interested in the experiment might land to witness the results of the blast. Just as the steamer reached, the pier, a drizziling rain began to fall, but the atmosphere was warm, and otherwise pleasant. A large number of men, women, and children, variously estimated at from 150 to 200, went ashore. The entrance to the quarry, which is about five minutes’ walk from the pier, is reached by a nicely wooded road, along which the people filed chatting and laughing in the best of spirits, little dreaming of the terrible fate by which some of them were in a few minutes to be overtaken. It was observed that in addition to the smell of gunpowder there was a disagreeable odour, which in some members of the party produced a choking sensation; but no particular attention was paid to it. The pass leading to the interior of the quarry is between 20 and 30 yards in length, and very narrow, the rocks rising to a considerable height on each side. Among the first to enter were the members of the Statute Labour Committee, who reached the floor of the quarry about twenty minutes after the explosion had taken place. Looking into the quarry they found that the blast had brought down an enormous quantity of material. Although to some of those on board the steamer it had appeared that the whole face of the rock had, been reduced to atoms, this was not by any means the case. The broken pieces of rock varied in size from that of a piece of road metal to that of boulders of from 2 to 3 tons weight. The representatives of the leading Scottish newspapers were also early in the quarry, the party consisting of Sir John Harvey, of the Scotsman; Mr Alexander Stewart, of the Glasgow Herald; Mr J. G. Temple, of the Daily Mail; Mr Christopher Young, of the Scottish News; and Mr Thomas Paterson, of the Evening Citizen. To these gentlemen Mr Faill, a GIasgow contractor, who has an interest in the concern, was explaining that the blast had been a most successful one, and that in his opinion more granite had been brought down than the quantity anticipated, which was 51,850 tons. The same explanation was being given to the members of the Corporation party by other gentlemen interested in the quarry. During this time the choking smell which had been previously felt became more pronounced, and ‘produced a most disagreeable effect upon the party, who altogether numbered about fifty. It was observed that from the floor of the quarry a heavy smoke of a lightest grey tinge was oozing. The majority of the party thought that the smell simply resulted from the discharge of the gunpowder, although others were of opinion that they detected an odour other than that of gunpowder. After they had been in the place about three minutes, a workman belonging to the quarry appeared on the scene, and evidently desired them to withdraw, shouting and gesticulating in rather an excited fashion. The members of the party were at a loss to account for his conduct, and most of them came to the conclusion that some gunpowder remained undischarged. While the matter was being discussed Dr Wilson, one of the members of the Glasgow Town Council, suddenly cried, “We are in a trap; run,” he having, inhaled what he believed he recognised as a whiff of sulphuretted gas. As matter of fact, the fumes were those of carbonic acid gas and carbonic oxide, which are evolved from the combustion of blasting gunpowder. On this he turned and ran, as did the others near him. Hardly had he given the warning before a dog, which had been gambolling in front of the party, dropped down and lay perfectly motionless. The same instant a little boy fell and two men who went for the purpose of lifting him speedily shared same fate. Immediately there was a general rush towards the pass leading through the rocky screen to the shore, but the after-damp overpowered the majority of those who attempted to make their escape. In the stampede, men, women, and children were struck down by the deadly vapour, and tumbled in all sorts of positions. In falling many of them came in contact with the sharp edges of the rock, and were badly cut. As they rushed along those who attempted to render assistance to this one and the next who fell were themselves over-powered in turn. In all about fifty individuals were overcome by the gas. Its deleterious effects were not confined to the quarry itself, but extended apparently a considerable distance beyond the entrance, because many who became less or more helpless fell after traversing the passage, and after reaching spots along the loch side at least one hundred yards distant from the quarry floor. One of the first to become insensible was Mr Wilson, who fell violently against one of a series of trestles supporting barrels for holding water necessary for pumping operations. Li railing, his head and face were rather badly contused, and he might have been left where he fell, exposed to the after-damp, had not Mr Morrison observed him, lifted him on his back, and rushed with him beyond the confines of the amphitheatre. Bailie Crawford, the sub-convener of the Committee, was also an earl y victim to the deadly effects of the gas, and although, he fell some distance from the quarry, he remained unconscious for some time, Councillor Cumming fell almost at the same time and place, and was also insensible for a considerable period. Another member of the Corporation who suffered in the same way, although inside the place, was Mr James H. Martin, son of the well-known East End representative in the Town Council. The mishap to Mr Martin was observed by Mr John White, the assistant master of works, who gallantly rushed to his rescue in spite of warning cries from many quarters, and succeeded in carrying out his inanimate form. The same official bravely returned to the rescue of one of the employees in his department, Mr Macdonald. It may be mentioned, as showing the extraordinarily powerful character of the after-damp, that on emerging his hat had a covering of something resembling mildew. The inspector of the cleansing department, Mr John Young, fell violently against the jagged stones, inflicting an enormous gash across one of his cheeks. Dr Taylor, Port Glasgow, had a similar misfortune, for in falling after he had been overcome by the damp, he struck the sharp edge of a stone, and sustained a severe wound across the bridge of the nose. Another of those who fell close by, from the same cause, was Mr John Jex Long. The representatives of the press, being among those furthest into the quarry, likewise fell early victims to the deadly influence of the gas, and three out of the five immediately became unconscious. Mr Harvey and Mr Young fell together among the broken stones; and Mr Temple fell into a pool of water. Mr Harvey was rescued by Mr John Mayer, P.O.S., Glasgow, and by his fellow-reporter, Mr Paterson, who, with Mr Stewart, had succeeded in getting beyond the reach of the deadly vapour where its influence was strongest; Mr Temple was got out by Councillor Simmons, Glasgow, and by his partner, Mr Garchia; while a number of others were removed to places of safety by the above-mentioned gentleman Tidby others around. Mr Paterson and Mr Stewart did not entirely escape the effects of the choke-damp, but, as indicated above, they came by no serious injury. Mr Paterson, when he saw the people beginning to fall, at once realised the cause, and, taking in the situation, he applied ha handkerchief to his nose and mouth, and refrained as far as possible from inhaling the vitiated atmosphere until he was clear of the quarry. Among the fifty persons who were overcome by the gas were a considerable number of lads and a few women. The women soon recovered; but some little time elapsed before the lads came round, so great an effect had the vapours had upon them. All the above were got out of the quarry in a comparatively brief space of time. Some, indeed, of those who went down before the influence of the gas were able themselves to rise in the course of a few minutes, but the effects of the vapours did not leave them even after they had reached the purer air outside, and they went about for a time in a semi-stupified state. In the general stampede, a good many of those who fell furthest in were left lying, and as the fumes continued to spread over the place, some time elapsed before anybody would venture in. Ultimately, however, a rescue party of quarrymen was mustered, and they proceeded into the floor and found half a dozen persons in an apparently dying condition. Four of the bodies, as they were brought out, were recognised respectively as those of Mr Peter Stevenson, philosophical instrument maker, Edinburgh; Councillor Duncan, Glasgow; Mr Matthew Waddell, restaurateur, Glasgow; and James Shaw, son of a Glasgow Bailie; but there were two others which were not at the time known to the general company, but which afterwards proved to be those of Mr John Small, a retired blacksmith at Dalry, and of Mr Matthew O. Steel, a Belfast jeweller. When they were rescued there appeared to be slight traces of life left in all the six bodies, but the signs of animation gradually disappeared, and in spite of all the available medical aid, death supervened in a short time. Ex-Bailie Young, a gentleman well known in Glasgow, had been taken out some little time previously, and was lying very ill on the roadside close to the entrance to the quarry. The scene just then was heartrending in the extreme there were the dead bodies lying together m me spot, and near by were the large number of the injured, some of them lying absolutely motionless, others writhing in convulsions (with two three people holding each down), and nearly-air with pallid cheeks, blanched lips and upturned eyes. The cries of friends of the dead and injured were pitiful to hear, and several women went into hysterics. The moment it was known that the catastrophe had occurred the villagers turned out in large numbers, and the quarrymen and their wives, did every thing that could be done to relieve the sufferers— bringing water, vinegar, and what spirits were to be got about the place. It is stated however, that several fishermen stood looking on with their hands in their pockets, and that it was only when they were upbraided with their behaviour that a number of them assisted in removing the wounded out of the reach of danger. On Dr Wilson and Dr Taylor recovering from their stupor, they at once proceeded to attend to their fellow-sufferers by the accident. One of the effects which the carbonic gas had upon them, as also apparently on the other victims, was to paralyse the tongue; and it was some time before they recovered the faculty of speech. They first directed their attention to those who had been laid out as dead, and in each ot these cases they found that life was extinct. The whole of the bodies, save one, showed that death was the direct result of suffocation by the poisonous gas. The exception was that of an elderly gentleman, who in his gaspings for breath had sucked into his throat a set of artificial teeth which, had choked him. It would appear that there were other medical men present, among whom were Dr Clark, Bothwell District Asylum; Dr Campbell, Furnace; Dr Nelson, Dr H. Fisher, House Surgeon of the Glasgow Royal Infirmary; and Dr William Shaw, Govan. The two last-mentioned gentlemen accompanied the boat to Inveraray and tendered their services immediately on its return to Crarae. After the medical men and those who assisted them had done what they could for the injured, preparations were made for removing the dead and injured to Crarae Pier. This duty was a very melancholy one, several of the injured being in violent convulsions. The dead were placed in a small shed by the side of the pier. On the pier the work of attending to the sufferers was taken part in by several young ladies in a very kindly way. When the Lord of the Isles returned from her further trip up tho loch those on board were filled with horror on learning what had taken place in their brief absence. Many were moved to tears, and several women went into hysterics as the injured and the dead were carried on board. The dead were taken to the forecabin, and the injured to the aft, with the exception of ex-Bailie Young and Councillor Martin, whose cases were so bad that it was considered expedient to treat those separately they were, therefore, taken to the cabin, where they were under the charge of Dr Wilson. Drs Fisher and Shaw specially attended to the two reporters, to Mr M‘Donald, and to a Mrs Todd, who was suffering terribly from hysteria. As a rule the passengers on board were exceedingly collected, and quickly did what they could to assist the medical men, Captain Downie, and the officecrs and men of the vessel also deserve great credit for their exertions; the scene in the forecabin was pathetic and distressing, in the extreme. At the fore part a semi-circle was formed by the six dead bodies while in the after part two of the injured lay on either side unconscious. The treatment of the injured was continued all the way down the loch and on indeed to Greenock. At the first stopping place—Tignabruaich—telegrams were dispatched to the relatives and friends of the dead and injured.

The disaster from the Graphic

“It was hoped that the Lord of the Isles might go onto Glasgow, but it was found out that she only coaled for Greenock, and would be unable to go farther up the river. A telegram accordingly sent to the Greenock Hospital, that they might make provision for the injured. Word of the catastrophe had preceded the vessel to Rothesay, where a large crowd of people awaited her arrival to hear further news. In the crowd was a son of Councillor Duncan’s, who had come down to the favourite watering-place to stay over Snnday. He went to the pier to give his father a wave in passing, and he heard the melancholy news of his death. At Innellan, Mr John Jex Long had sufficiently recovered to be able to leave the ship, and others had been more or less affected also went ashore at several of the coast towns between Rothesay and Greenock. At Greenock the news sent by telegram from Tignabruaich spread like wildfire. It was at first thought that the accident had occurred among the men engaged in firing the blast; but later reports from people who arrived from some of coast towns put the matter in its true light. The absence of precise particulars tended to raise the feeling of excitement and uneasiness which prevailed, and as the time for the arrival of the Lord of the Isles drew near, a great course of people assembled on the pier. The steamer arrived between seven and eight. Eager was everybody to glean the exact state of matters that, during the removal of the injured from the steamer to the two police ambulance wagons in waiting, it was all the handful of gentlemen, under Captain Orr, could do to keep back the crowd. The painfully delirious condition of the unfortunate passengers caused universal pity. Notwithstanding the disagreeable weather which prevailed, the streets in the vicinity of the Infirmary were thronged till a late hour by persons anxious to lean how the passengers were progressing. The patients lodged in the Hospital were ex-Bailie Young, who, unfortunately, died this morning; Councillor James H. Martin, John Harvey, Christopher Young, and Mrs Todd.”

In 1890, the Lord of the Isles was purchased by the Victoria Steamboat Association for service on the Thames and was replaced on the Clyde by a new steamer of the same name. In 1896, her name was changed to Jupiter but in 1904 returned to her native river as Lady of the Isles.

Lord of the Isles on the Thames

At Chelmsford with collapsing mast and funnels

Lord of the Isles at St Paul’s Wharf