An Early History—Steamboat Traffic on the Clyde—Article I

on Oct 14, 2022

The first comprehensive history of Clyde steamers was Captain James Williamson’s “The Clyde Passenger Steamer,” published by James Maclehose & Sons, Glasgow, in 1904, and has been followed by many others, brief and extensive. However, there are a few other early attempts that are generally overlooked. In May and June of 1872, a series of eight articles appeared in the Glasgow Herald, and a few days later in the Greenock Telegraph, relating some anecdotes and remembrances of Clyde steamers—a history that is not generally recognized. The articles are anonymous and unillustrated. Over the next few weeks, I will present these articles together with some relevant illustrations. “Steamboat Traffic on the Clyde “Article I “The history of the steamboat traffic of the Clyde has yet to be written.  Why it has remained unwritten so long it were hard to say...

Three turbine steamers

on Aug 18, 2022

Another day on Bute, this time featuring three turbine steamers photographed on colour transparency film. I don’t know whether this was 1951 or perhaps 1952, but the photographs feature the Clyde in the early post World War II days of British Railways and David MacBrayne steamers, before motor vessels began to displace them. The first picture is the turbine steamer, the Marchioness of Graham, one of the three turbine steamers photographed that day. She looks well as she approaches Rothesay, perhaps on an excursion from Ayr. Marchioness of Graham The sequence continues on the way from Rothesay, showing yachts anchored in Port Bannatyne Bay. A peaceful scene The destination, Rhubodach, in reached with a view of a yacht sailing down the Kyles in light winds. Sailing in the Kyles The Rhubodach-Colintravie ferry, is on the Bute shore loading a Meikle and M‘Kellar removal van and a car....

A few days on Bute

on Aug 9, 2022

It is not often that I find a collection of photographs that gives insight into a visit of two or three days to a single location where Clyde Steamers play an important part of the views. In this case, a small collection from a trip to Bute around 1951, mainly featuring Rothesay Pier, where the comings and goings of the daily traffic provide a fascinating picture of the Clyde a year or so before the advent of motor vessels. Saint Columba in Rothesay Bay on her way to Ardrishaig Gingerly approaching Rothesay Pier. This was originally captioned as leaving the pier by as Jim Galt has nicely pointed out it is taken from Albert Pier and he provided the reason for the slow approach Saint Columba at Rothesay Pier At Rhubodach where the bell has summoned the ferry and a motor yacht passes Saint Columba passing up the Kyles Back at Rothesay Pier, Jupiter disgorges her passengers More visitors...

Lochlomond Steamboat Company—Early Years

on Jul 19, 2022

The Lochlomond Steamboat Company formed from an amalgamation of the New Lochlomond Steamboat Company, owners of the steamer Water Witch, and the assets of Messers Napier and M‘Murrich, owners of the steamer Lochlomond, in 1845. The agreement between the companies is presented below. It was drawn up in 1844 but the legal issues to obtain agreement with all the parties took several months. The basic agreement split the 80 shares of the new company equally between the original owners of the Water Witch (40 shares) and Messers Napier (20 shares) and M‘Murrich (20 shares). John M‘Murrich was in ill-health and 15 of his shares were sold to three new shareholders Duncan Mitchell (5 shares), James M‘Kinlay (5 shares), and William M‘Niven (5 shares). This also diluted the power of the Napier faction. Much of the information quoted comes from “Lochlomond Steamboat Companies,” by Donald Macleod...

Irvine Harbour

on Jun 11, 2022

The port of Irvine is a natural harbour on the south bank of the river Irvine, extending inward from near the confluence of the river with the Garnock to where it takes a meander from the town to the north. It was a very important trading center from the late middle-ages and indeed was considered the third port of Scotland at one time. The rights to the river frontage were contested for many years but in 1573 came into the possession of the Corporation of Irvine and the port was run by the town council. Irvine Harbour around 1890 (Washington Wilson) In 1815, with the arrival of the steamboat age, Irvine was a call made by the Greenock, on her weekly sojourn to Ayr. The return journey was made the following day. The Greenock was sold off the river the following year. “Steam Boat Greenock, Anderson & M‘Cowan, Captains, Sails every lawful day, to and from Glasgow to Greenock, and...

Lost in fog

on May 13, 2022

On Sunday, November 14, 1909, a stubborn anticyclone settled in to dominate the weather pattern over the West of Scotland and Northern Ireland over the following week. On Monday morning, November 15, the weather forecast for Glasgow predicted light to moderate north-easterly breezes; cloudy to fair or fair, with local rain, hail, or sleet, nothing particularly out of the ordinary for mid-November. It was a cold morning, and inland there was widespread frost. The Campbeltown steamer Kinloch sailed from the Kintyre port at 3:30 p.m. for Carradale, Pirnmill, Lochranza, Gourock, Greenock, and Glasgow. There was only one steamer on the service at this time of the year, and she was expected to return from Glasgow the following morning at 6 a.m., connecting with the 7:55 am. train from St Enoch at Prince’s Pier and with the 8:35 a.m. train from Central at Gourock Quay. On her inward journey...