Cleaning the Clyde

on Feb 11, 2017

The rapid growth of industry and population that occurred in Glasgow in the mid-Victorian years had a devastating effect on the river Clyde. The infrastructure for handling industrial and human waste was limited to gravitation, ending in the river, and the river itself became an open sewer. The problem was studied throughout the 1850s and 1860s but it was a major Parliamentary report by Sir John Hawkshaw in 1876 that focused attention on potentially workable solutions. At the time, Glasgow had a new supply of excellent water from Loch Katrine that supplied 36 million gallons of water annually. Hawkshaw suggested a new system of intercepting sewers that would convey effluent to areas on the margins of the city where it could be treated. There was a suitable location on both sides of the Clyde below Whiteinch where the effluent could be treated with alum, lime and charcoal to precipitate...

Loch Awe

on Feb 3, 2017

A letter to the editor of the Morning Journal on September 9, 1858 was headed— “Loch Awe and Steamboat Proprietors” “Sir,—Loch-Awe, as I understand, is the longest fresh-water loch in Scotland; in extent is ‘about thirty miles long, and from one to two broad.’ It starts at the south end, about eight miles north of the west end of the Crinan Canal, and then runs in a northerly direction—through a sequestered district, rich in beautiful scenery—until it reches Glenorchy at the north, at a point leading northeasterly by way of Tyndrum and Taymouth; west by Bonawe and Oban; and east by Tyndrum and Lochlomond. Loch Awe at present—so far as a public conveyance or coach is concerned—can only be reached in the summer months, by coach from Inverary via Kilchrennan (i.e., crossing Loch-Awe about twelve miles from the north end of the loch), and then passing on by Bonawe to Oban. In summer there...

Firth of Clyde Steam Packet Co. Ltd.

on Jan 15, 2017

The history of the steamer Ivanhoe has featured in earlier articles, up to the point when she was laid up in 1906 by the Caledonian Steam Packet Co. Ltd. As the new century progressed, the pollution that characterized the upper Clyde began to be ameliorated and there was renewed interest in sailing from the heart of Glasgow. Shipyards on the Clyde were also experiencing full order books and sailing “doon the water” allowed the denizens of the city to see the latest developments that would make the Clyde known throughout the world. It was to accommodate this need that Captain Cameron brought out the Meg Merrilies and the Lady Rowena, and in 1911, the Ivanhoe was brought out of retirement. Ivanhoe in her 1911 color scheme The Firth of Clyde Steam Packet Co. Ltd. was registered on 16th February 1911 with a nominal capital of £6,000 and purchased, for £4,000 from the Caledonian...

John Williamson’s Up-river Revival

on Jan 15, 2017

In 1900, the Glasgow, Rothesay, and Kyles of Bute Steamers of John Williamson provided a summer service to Campbeltown in connection with the Glasgow and Southwestern Railway Co. with their newer vessel, Strathmore, and maintained the year-round Rothesay and Kyles of Bute connection with their veteran, Benmore. The introduction of the turbine steamer, King Edward, the following year, relieved Strathmore except at the very beginning and end of the season, and allowed Williamson to develop the Rothesay trade. This article covers the development of this trade in the years leading up to the first world war. Strathmore leaving Rothesay Strathmore leaving Princes Pier Strathmore passing Scotstoun Benmore passing Scotstoun on her way down river (Robertson, Glasgow) Glasgow Herald, June 20, 1901 Strathmore passing the cruiser Cumberland at Govan Strathmore waiting for her afternoon departure...

Steamers on Loch Tay

on Jan 8, 2017

The possibility of a steamboat service on Loch Tay, one of the natural passages between the east and west highlands, was first broached in 1855, at a time when road communications in the west were developing to expand the tourist trade. “At last, steam will flutter its pennon across the base of Ben Lawer—a company having arranged to start a small steamer to ply on Loch Tay during the summer months. The vessel will be an iron one, and is being constructed in England; its parts, of course, requiring to be put together on the loch. It will perform two trips from either end of the lake in the day.”—Caledonian Mercury, Thursday May 3, 1855 Loch Tay Although the promise of a steamboat on Loch Tay as well as one on Lochearn was mentioned in the following year in connection with coach service between Crieff and Killin, it did not make an appearance. Almost a quarter century passed before...

A New Lord of the Isles — 1891

on Dec 28, 2016

By the beginning of the 1890s, the general standard of facilities offered on-board the new railway steamers meant that the privately owned vessels were largely outclassed. This prompted the Glasgow and Inveraray Steam Packet Co. (Ltd.) to approach Messrs D. & W. Henderson & Co. with a view to replacing their aging tourist steamer, Lord of the Isles. The old steamer, built in 1877, had opened up the tourist traffic to Inveraray from where Oban and Loch Awe could be reached by coach. It had also popularized the Loch Eck tour, connecting Dunoon and Strachur by a combination of coaches and the steamer Fairy Queen on Loch Eck. This provided a round trip that encompassed spectacular scenery on the Loch Eck route and the route by water through the Kyles of Bute and up Loch Fyne and could be performed in either direction. The old Lord of the Isles (Adamson) The old Lord of the Isles...

To Dark Lochgoil

on Dec 22, 2016

The importance of the Lochgoil route to Inverary and the Highlands was recognized from the beginnings of steamboat traffic on the Clyde and the early developments will be documented in a separate article. The Lochgoil & Lochlong Steamboat Company dated from 1825. From the beginning, the company adopted a bold and attractive colour-scheme for its funnels: red with a black top surmounting alternating white-black-white bands. The Lochgoilhead mail contract provided a subsidy that ensured year-round service. The Company and its steamers had a reputation for being well run and sailed through some of the most dramatic scenery on the sea-lochs of the Clyde. After leaving Greenock, Blairmore, Cove, Ardentinny, Coulport, Portincaple, Carrick Castle (in the photograph above by Annan), Douglas Pier and Lochgoilhead were the places where calls were made, initially by ferry but later, piers...

Cruising on Scotland’s Lake

on Nov 28, 2016

The Lake of Menteith is Scotland’s only major body of water that is called a lake. Situated close to Aberfoyle and the seat of the Earls of Menteith, it features large in the history of the country. In contrast to the rugged grandeur of the highland lochs, it is more pastoral in nature. The following description is taken from the guide to the Lake of Menteith from Buchanan’s Guide to Strathendrick, published by J. & C. Buchanan, Balfron, in 1902. Map of the Lake of Menteith The Lake of Menteith is about equally distant (between 3 and 4 miles) from three railway stations, Port of Menteith, Aberfoyle, and Gartmore. The walk from Port of Menteith Station is exceedingly pleasant. On the right, amid grand old trees, is Cardross House, the seat of Mr. H. D. Erskine a representative of an old and noble family. Hall-way between the Station and the Lake is a grassy knoll upon the left side...