Clyde Steamers in World War 1

on Feb 14, 2015

The declaration of a state of war on August 4th, 1914 had little immediate effect on the Clyde and the river traffic. The construction of warships had been a feature of the shipyards for the previous six or seven years as Britain built up its fleet of Dreadnought battleships, but for the steamships that served the summer resorts, there was little impact until the following spring. In early February 1915, a number of Clyde steamers were taken by the Government to transport troops across the English Channel. Among them were the large paddle steamers Duchess of Hamilton, Duchess of Montrose, and Glen Sannox, and the turbine steamers, Duchess of Argyll, Queen Alexandra and King Edward. Painted black, they quickly established an important link for the army. The Glen Sannox was found unsuitable and returned to the Clyde, but the turbines in particular had a long and distinguished service...

Excursions

on Jan 20, 2015

The rapid extension of the railway network in the late 1840s and early 1850s brought forth the works excursion. For the first time it was possible for an employer to close a works for the day and for the operators, en masse, to board a train and steamer connection for a few hours respite from the daily toil. Refreshed by sea breezes and healthy fare, the workers returned with feelings of gratitude to provide another year of service to the generous employer. Dalmonach Works in 1851 Such was the situation in the Vale of Leven where the railway connection between Balloch and Bowling on the Clyde opened in 1851, the year of the Great Exhibition at Crystal Palace. The Dalmonach Works of James Black & Co. had created a stir at the Exhibition and their order book was full. They began to organize an annual trip, making use of the railway. The annual trip in 1853 was on Saturday August...

The Siege of Millport

on Jan 6, 2015

In June, 1906, the Clyde steamer ferry services to Millport on the Isle of Cumbrae were shared between the Glasgow and South Western Railway, operating out of Fairlie Pier and the Caledonian Steam Packet Company, operating out of Wemyss Bay.  The Caledonian connected with Largs, Keppel, Millport and some services went on to Kilchattan Bay and Rothesay on Bute.  The Fairlie connection from the Glasgow and South Western was similar providing the shortest ferry crossing but also with connections to the Bute Piers.  The Piers at Keppel and Millport had recently been purchased by the Millport Town Council and a considerable improvement made at Millport.  As a consequence, the Town Council increased the annual payments to be made by the steamer companies.  The steamer companies’ responses were predictable and the resulting stand-off that took place at the end of June and the beginning...

Collision in the Gareloch

on Nov 26, 2014

On 8th January 1912 the Lucy Ashton was sailing from Craigendoran to Garelochhead in a snowstorm when she ran into the stern of the Allan liner Siberian which was moored between Rahane and Mambeg. She was travelling at speed when the accident occurred and stove in her bow both above and below the waterline. The vessel was able to make Garelochhead and disembark her passengers. She then returned to the Siberian to see if assistance was required. The skipper was Roderick McDonald who had a reputation for driving the little steamer hard. The Siberian was laid up at the time.  Apparently, the moorings of the Siberian had dragged her anchor in the storm and moved her into the track normally taken by the steamer. Siberian in Service The following account is from a contemporary newspaper: “During the severe snowstorm in the Gareloch on Monday night the North British steamer Lucy Ashton,...