| Industry | Shipping |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1889 |
| Defunct | 1973 |
| Fate | Taken over |
| Successor | Caledonian MacBrayne |
Area served | Clyde and West of Scotland |
The Caledonian Steam Packet Company provided a scheduled shipping service, carrying freight and passengers, on the west coast of Scotland. Formed in 1889 to complement the services of the Caledonian Railway, the company expanded by taking over rival ferry companies. In 1973, they were merged with MacBraynes as Caledonian MacBrayne.
Rival railway companies, the Caledonian Railway (CR), the North British Railway (NBR) and the Glasgow and South Western Railway (GSWR) at first used the services of various early private operators of Clyde steamers. The CR failed to attract private ship owners to their new extension from Greenock to the fishing village of Gourock. [1] They had purchased the harbour at Gourock, which had advantages of a faster line from Glasgow, bypassing the Glasgow and South Western Railway Prince's Pier at Greenock, and being closer to the Clyde resorts. The CR began operating steamers on its own account in 1889.
The Caledonian Steam Packet Company (CSP) was formed as a packet company in May 1889, [2] with Captain James Williamson as secretary and manager. [3] Nominally an independent company, they bought the ships needed to operate steamer services to and from Gourock. On withdrawal of the Wemyss Bay Steamboat Company in 1890, CSP took over services to Rothesay, Largs and Millport. [4] In June 1890, they established a service to Arran from the Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Railway railhead at Ardrossan. In the years that followed, there was significant investment in piers and ships. [1]
After years of fierce competition between all the fleets, the CR and GSWR amalgamated with several other railways at the start of 1923 to form the London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS) and their fleets amalgamated into the Caledonian Steam Packet Company, their funnels being painted yellow with a black top. At the same time the NBR (and its shipping fleet) also amalgamated with other railways to create the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER), which built the PS Waverley in 1947.
In 1935, Williamson-Buchanan Steamers was taken over by the Caledonian Steam Packet Company.
In 1945, the Caledonian Steam Packet Company took responsibility for the Kyleakin to Kyle of Lochalsh ferry.
With nationalisation in 1948, the LMS and LNER fleets were amalgamated as Clyde Shipping Services, [5] under the control of the British Transport Commission.
In 1957 a reorganisation restored the Caledonian Steam Packet Company name, [5] and in 1965 a red lion was added to each side of the black-topped yellow funnels. The headquarters remained at Gourock pierhead.
At the end of December 1968 management of the Caledonian Steam Packet Company passed to the Scottish Transport Group, which gained control of David MacBrayne's the following June. The MacBrayne service from Gourock to Ardrishaig ended on 30 September 1969, leaving the Clyde services entirely to the Caledonian Steam Packet Company.
On 1 January 1973 the Caledonian Steam Packet Co. acquired most of the ships and routes of David MacBrayne Ltd and commenced joint Clyde and West Highland operations under the new name of Caledonian MacBrayne, with a combined headquarters at Gourock. [6]
 |
| Type | Name | Built | Tonnage (GRT) | Operated | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PS | Meg Merrilies | Barclay, Curle & Co., Glasgow, 1883 | 244 | 1889-1902 | ex Capt. Robert Campbell Sold for service in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, scrapped in 1921. | |
| PS | Caledonia (I) | Rankin & Blackmore, Greenock, 1889 | 244 | 1889-1933 | Scrapped in Barrow-in-Furness in 1933. | |
| PS | Galatea | Caird & Co., Greenock, 1889 | 331 | 1889-1906 | Scrapped in Palermo in 1911. | |
| PS | Madge Wildfire | McKnight, Ayr, 1886 | 220 | 1890-1911 | ex Capt. Robert Campbell Scrapped at Troon in 1946. | |
| PS | Marchioness of Bredalbane | John Reid & Co., Port Glasgow, 1890 | 246 | 1890-1935 | Sold for scrap in 1935, but saved for use as an excursion steamer in Great Yarmouth. Scrapped in 1937 in Germany. | |
| PS | Marchioness of Bute | John Reid & Co., Port Glasgow, 1890 | 246 | 1890-1908 | Sold to Tay Pleasure Steamers in 1908. Scrapped at Inverkeithing in 1923. | |
| PS | Duchess of Hamilton (I) | Wm. Denny & Bros., Dumbarton, 1890 | 533 | 1890-1914 | She served as a minesweeper during World War I. She struck a mine in the Thames Estuary, laid by German submarine UC-3, and sank on 29 November 1915. | |
| PS | Marchioness of Lorne (I) | Russell & Co., Port Glasgow, 1891 | 295 | 1891-1914 | Returned after World War I, but not re-commissioned, lay at Bowling Harbour until scrapped in 1923. | |
| PS | Duchess of Rothesay | J. & G. Thomson, Clydebank, 1895 | 338 | 1895-1939 | Scrapped in the Netherlands after World War II. | |
| PS | Duchess of Montrose (I) | John Brown & Co., Clydebank, 1902 | 321 | 1902-1914 | Sunk whilst serving as minesweeper, 1917 | |
| PS | Duchess of Fife | Fairfield Shipbuilding & Eng. Co., Govan, 1903 | 336 | 1903-1953 | Scrapped at Port Glasgow in 1953. | |
| TS | Duchess of Argyll | Wm. Denny & Bros., Dumbarton, 1906 | 593 | 1906-1952 | Sold to Admiralty for use as a test vessel in Portland. Scrapped at Newhaven in 1970. | |
| PS | Ivanhoe | D. & W. Henderson & Co., Glasgow, 1880 | 282 | 1897-1911 1916-1919 (charter) | ex Firth of Clyde Steam Packet Co. Scrapped at Dumbarton in 1919. | |
| SS | Queen of the Lake | Ailsa Shipbuilding Co., Ayr, 1907 | 152 | 1922-1949 | Scrapped at Kenmore in 1950. | |
| SS | Countess of Breadalbane (I) | Abercorn Shipbuilding Co, Paisley, 1882 | 95 | 1922-1936 | Scrapped at Loch Awe in 1936. | |
| SS | Lady of the Lake | Anderson & Lyall, Govan, 1882 | 68 | 1922-1929 | Scrapped at Kenmore in 1929. | |
| SS | Sybilla | 1882 | 1922-1929 | Scrapped | ||
| PS | Prince Edward | A. & J. Inglis, Glasgow, 1911 | 304 | 1923-1955 | Scrapped at Balloch in 1955. | |
| TS | Atlanta | John Brown & Co., Clydebank, 1906 | 486 | 1923-1937 | Scrapped at Ghent in 1946. | |
| PS | Juno (I) | Clydebank Shipbuilding & Engineering Co, 1898 | 592 | 1923-1932 | Scrapped at Alloa in 1932. | |
| PS | Glen Sannox (I) | James & George Thomson, Clydebank, 1892 | 610 | 1923-1925 | Scrapped at Port Glasgow in 1925. | |
| TS | Duchess of Montrose (II) | Wm. Denny & Bros., Dumbarton, 1930 | 806 | 1930-1965 | Scrapped at Ghent in 1965. | |
| TS | Duchess of Hamilton (II) | Harland & Wolff, Govan, 1932 | 801 | 1932-1971 | Scrapped at Troon in 1974. | |
| PS | Caledonia (II) | Wm. Denny & Bros., Dumbarton, 1934 | 624 | 1934-1969 | Sold for use as a floating pub in central London. Suffered fire damage beyond repair on 27 April 1980 and scrapped in Sittingbourne as a result. [11] | |
| PS | Eagle III | A. & J. Inglis/Napier and Miller, 1909 | 432 | 1935-1946 | Acquired from Williamson-Buchanan Steamers in 1935, requisitioned by the Admiralty in 1939, returned in 1945 but not returned to service, scrapped in 1946. [12] | |
| PS | Marchioness of Lorne | Fairfield Shipbuilding & Eng. Co., Govan, 1935 | 449 | 1935-1955 | ||
| MV | Wee Cumbrae | Wm. Denny & Bros., Dumbarton, 1936 | 36 | 1935-1953 | ||
| MV | Arran Mail | Wm. Denny & Bros., Dumbarton, 1936 | 137 | 1936-1951 | ||
| MV | Countess of Breadalbane | Wm. Denny & Bros., Dumbarton, 1936 | 106 | 1936-1971 | ||
| TS | Marchioness of Graham | Fairfield Shipbuilding & Eng. Co., Govan, 1936 | 585 | 1936-1958 | ||
| PS | Jupiter | Fairfield Shipbuilding & Eng. Co., Govan, 1937 | 642 | 1937-1960 | ||
| PS | Juno | Fairfield Shipbuilding & Eng. Co., Govan, 1937 | 642 | 1937-1939 | Bombed and sunk whilst serving as HMS Helvellyn, 20 March 1941 | |
| MV | Ashton | Wm. Denny & Bros., Dumbarton, 1938 | 38 | 1938-1965 | ||
| MV | Leven | Wm. Denny & Bros., Dumbarton, 1938 | 38 | 1938-1966 | ||
| PS | Glen Rosa (I) | J. & G. Thomson, Clydebank, 1893 | 306 | 1938-1939 | ex London, Midland and Scottish Railway | |
| TS | Glen Sannox (II) | Wm. Denny & Bros., Dumbarton, 1925 | 664 | 1938-1954 | ex London, Midland and Scottish Railway. Scrapped at Ghent in 1954. | |
| PS | Mercury | Fairfield Shipbuilding & Eng. Co., Govan, 1934 | 621 | 1938-1939 | ex London, Midland and Scottish Railway. She struck a mine and sank in the Irish Sea whilst serving as a minesweeper, 24 December 1940 | |
| TS | King Edward | Wm. Denny & Bros., Dumbarton, 1901 | 551 | 1943-1952 | ex Williamson-Buchanan Steamers | |
| TS | Queen Mary II | Wm. Denny & Bros., Dumbarton, 1933 | 870 later 1,014 | 1943-1973 | ex Williamson-Buchanan Steamers, to CalMac in 1973  | |
| MV | Skye | J Miller & Sons, St Monance, 1922 | 8 | align="center" | 1945-1950 | |
| MV | Kyleakin (I) | Webster & Bickerton Ltd, Goole, 1928 | 7 | 1945-1951 | ||
| MV | Moil | H. McLean & Sons, Renfrew, 1936 | 15 | 1945-1954 | ||
| MV | Cuillin | Wm. Denny & Bros., Dumbarton, 1942 | 24 | 1945-1954 | ||
| PS | Queen-Empress | Murdoch & Murray, Port Glasgow, 1912 | 411 | 1946 | De-requisitioned 1946 and returned to CSP (as successors to Williamson-Buchanan Steamers) but not recommissioned | |
| PS | Princess May | A. & J. Inglis, Glasgow, 1899 | 256 | 1948-1953 | Scrapped at Balloch in 1953. | |
| PS | Lucy Ashton | T. B. Seath & Co., Rutherglen, 1888 | 224 | 1948-1949 | Scrapped at Faslane in 1951. | |
| SS | Arran (I) | Ardrossan Dockyard Ltd, Ardrossan, 1933 | 208 | 1949-1958 | Renamed SS Kildonan (I) in 1952. Scrapped at Port Glasgow in 1958. | |
| SS | Minard | Scott & Sons, Bowling, Glasgow, 1925 | 241 | 1949-1955 | Scrapped at Port Glasgow in 1955. | |
| SS | Ardyne | Scott & Sons, Bowling, Glasgow, 1928 | 242 | 1949-1955 | Scrapped at Troon in 1955. | |
| MV | Coruisk (I) | Yorkshire Yacht Building Co., Bridlington, 1947 | 19 | 1950-1954 | ||
| PS | Jeanie Deans | Fairfield Shipbuilding & Eng. Co., Govan, 1931 | 814 (as modified) | 1951-1965 | ex British Transport Commission. Scrapped at Antwerp in 1968. | |
| DE PV | DEPV Talisman | A. & J. Inglis, Glasgow, 1935 | 544 | 1951-1967 | ex British Transport Commission | |
| PS | Waverley | A. & J. Inglis, Glasgow, 1946 | 693 | 1951-1973 | ex British Transport Commission, to CalMac in 1973 | |
| MV | Lochalsh (I) | Wm. Denny & Bros., Dumbarton, 1951 | 24 | 1951-1958 | ||
| MV | Portree (I) | Wm. Denny & Bros., Dumbarton, 1951 | 53 | 1952-1967 | ||
| PS | Maid of the Loch | A. & J. Inglis, Glasgow, 1953 | 555 | 1953-1973 | to CalMac in 1973  | |
| MV | Arran (II) | Wm. Denny & Bros., Dumbarton, 1953 | 568 | 1953-1973 | to CalMac in 1973 | |
| MV | Maid of Argyll | A. & J. Inglis, Glasgow, 1953 | 508 | 1953-1973 | to CalMac in 1973 | |
| MV | Maid of Ashton | Yarrow & Co., Scotstoun, 1953 | 508 | 1953-1973 |  | |
| MV | Maid of Cumbrae | Ardrossan Dockyard, 1953 | 508 | 1953-1973 | ||
| MV | Maid of Skelmorlie | A. & J. Inglis, Glasgow, 1953 | 508 | 1953-1973 | ||
| MV | Bute (VI) | Ailsa Shipbuilding Co., Troon, 1954 | 569 | 1954-1973 | to CalMac in 1973 | |
| MV | Cowal (II) | Ailsa Shipbuilding Co., Troon, 1954 | 569 | 1954-1973 | to CalMac in 1973 | |
| MV | Broadford (I) | Wm. Denny & Bros., Dumbarton, 1954 | 57 | 1954-1973 | to CalMac in 1973 | |
| MV | Glen Sannox (III) | Ailsa Shipbuilding Co., Troon, 1957 | 1,107 | 1957-1973 | to CalMac in 1973. Grounded in 2000 off Saudi Arabia in this position. | |
| MV | Lochalsh (II) | Ailsa Shipbuilding Co., Troon, 1957 | 60 | 1957-1972 | Converted and renamed MV Scalpay (II) in 1972, to MacBrayne's in 1972, then to CalMac in 1973. | |
| MV | Kyleakin (II) | Ailsa Shipbuilding Co., Troon, 1960 | 60 | 1960-1973 | Converted and renamed MV Largs in 1972, to CalMac in 1973 | |
| TS | Caledonian Princess | Wm. Denny & Bros., Dumbarton, 1961 | 3,629 | 1961-1968 | to British Rail (Sealink) | |
| MV | Portree (II) | James Lamont & Co, Port Glasgow, 1965 | 63 | 1965-1973 | to CalMac in 1973 | |
| MV | Broadford (II) | James Lamont & Co, Port Glasgow, 1966 | 64 | 1967-1973 | to CalMac in 1973 | |
| MV | Keppel | J Samuel White, Southampton, 1961 | 214 | 1967-1973 | ex British Railways (Eastern Region) MV Rose, to CalMac in 1973 | |
| MV | Eilean Dhu | Unknown, 1940 | 28 | 1969-1970 | ||
| MV | Dhuirnish | James Noble Ltd, Fraserburgh, 1957 | 29 | 1969-1971 | ||
| MV | Eilean Buidhe | Dickie of Tarbert Ltd, Tarbert Loch Fyne, 1963 | 34 | 1969-1971 | ||
| MV | Coruisk (II) | Ailsa Shipbuilding Company, Troon, 1969 | 60 | 1969-1973 | to CalMac in 1973 | |
| ACV | HM2 - 011 | Hovermarine Transport Ltd, Southampton, 1970 | 12 | 1970-1972 | Experimental hovercraft. | |
| MV | Caledonia | A/S Langesunds Mek Versted, Norway, 1966 | 1,157 | 1970-1973 | ex Stena Line MV Stena Baltica, to CalMac in 1973. Scrapped in Turkey in 2005. | |
| MV | Kyleakin (III) | Newport Shipbuilding & Engineering Co., Wales, 1970 | 225 | 1970-1973 | to CalMac in 1973 | |
| MV | Lochalsh (III) | Newport Shipbuilding & Engineering Co., Wales, 1971 | 225 | 1971-1973 | to CalMac in 1973 | |
| MV | Kilbrannan | James Lamont & Co, Port Glasgow, 1972 | 65 | 1972-1973 | to CalMac in 1973 |
Caledonian MacBrayne, usually shortened to CalMac, is the major operator of passenger and vehicle ferries, and ferry services, between the mainland of Scotland and 22 of the major islands on Scotland's west coast. Since 2006, the company's official name has been CalMac Ferries Ltd, although it still operates as Caledonian MacBrayne. In 2006, it became a subsidiary of holding company David MacBrayne, which is owned by the Scottish Government.
PS Waverley is the last seagoing passenger-carrying paddle steamer in the world. Built in 1946, she sailed from Craigendoran on the Firth of Clyde to Arrochar on Loch Long until 1973. Bought by the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society (PSPS), she has been restored to her 1947 appearance and now operates passenger excursions around the British coast.
TS Queen Mary is a Clyde steamer launched in 1933 at the William Denny shipyard, Dumbarton, for Williamson-Buchanan Steamers. She is currently being restored as a museum ship, in Glasgow.
The Inverclyde Line is a railway line running from Glasgow Central station through Paisley and a series of stations to the south of the River Clyde and the Firth of Clyde, terminating at Gourock and Wemyss Bay, where it connects to Caledonian MacBrayne ferry services. The line has been in operation since the 1840s between Glasgow and Greenock and was the first passenger service to follow the River Clyde to the coast. The line was electrified in 1967.
Gourock railway station is a terminus of the Inverclyde Line, located at Gourock pierhead, Scotland, and serves the town as well as the ferry services it was originally provided for.
The Glasgow, Paisley and Greenock Railway (GP&GR) was an early Scottish railway, opened in 1841, providing train services between Greenock and Glasgow. At the time the River Clyde was not accessible to sea-going ships, and the intention was to compete with river boats that brought goods to and from the city. In fact passenger traffic proved surprisingly buoyant, and connecting steamer services to island resorts in the Firth of Clyde provided a very great source of business.
The Greenock and Wemyss Bay Railway was a railway owned by the Caledonian Railway, providing services between Greenock and Wemyss Bay.
MV Argyle is a ferry operated by Caledonian MacBrayne on the route between Wemyss Bay on the Scottish mainland and Rothesay on the Isle of Bute. She is the seventh Clyde ship to have the name Argyle.
MV Maid of Argyll was a passenger ferry operated by Caledonian Steam Packet Company, initially based at Craigendoran. Rendered redundant by the car ferry revolution, she was sold to Greek owners in 1975. She caught fire in 1997 and was left to decay.
MV Maid of Skelmorlie was a passenger ferry operated by Caledonian Steam Packet Company from 1953. Rendered redundant by the car ferry revolution, she was sold to Italian owners in 1973. After conversion to stern-loading, she operated, as Ala in the Bay of Naples for 20 years.
MV Arran was a pioneering Firth of Clyde vehicle ferry introduced by Caledonian Steam Packet Company in 1953. She spent fifteen years on the Upper Clyde crossings, followed by five years at Islay. Initially hoist-loading, via side ramps, these were replaced by a stern ramp in 1973. During her final years with CalMac, she relieved across the network. Several unsuccessful attempts were made to turn her into a floating restaurant, before she was scrapped in 1993.
MV Cowal was a hoist-loading vehicle ferry introduced by Caledonian Steam Packet Company in 1954. She spent the whole of her 24 years with Caledonian MacBrayne on the Upper Clyde crossings.
David MacBrayne is a limited company owned by the Scottish Government. Formed in 1851 as the private shipping company David Hutcheson & Co. with three partners, David Hutcheson, Alexander Hutcheson and David MacBrayne, it passed in 1878 to David MacBrayne.
TS Duchess of Montrose was a Clyde passenger steamer, built in 1930 for the Caledonian Steam Packet Company. She was a popular boat, providing day cruises until 1964.
TS Duchess of Hamilton was a Clyde passenger excursion steamer, built in 1932 for the Caledonian Steam Packet Company. She was a popular boat, providing day cruises from Ayr and remaining in service until 1970.
PS Glen Rosa was a 306 GRT passenger paddle steamer that J&G Thomson launched in 1893 for the Glasgow and South Western Railway (G&SWR). She served with the Royal Navy in the First World War as HMS Glencross. She was absorbed into the London, Midland and Scottish Railway fleet in 1923, transferred to the Caledonian Steam Packet Company in 1938 and scrapped in 1939.
P & A Campbell was a shipping company based in Bristol which operated steamship services in the Bristol Channel between 1893 and 1979.
PS Waverley was a Clyde-built paddle steamer that carried passengers on the Clyde between 1899 and 1939. She was requisitioned by the Admiralty to serve as a minesweeper during World War I and again in World War II, and was sunk while participating in the Dunkirk evacuation in 1940. The current PS Waverley, launched in 1946, was built as a replacement for this vessel.
PS Eagle III was a passenger-carrying paddle steamer that was built and sailed on the Clyde, and was twice requisitioned by the Admiralty to serve as a minesweeper during the world wars.
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