Caledonian Steam Packet Company

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Caledonian Steam Packet Company
IndustryShipping
Founded1889
Defunct1973
FateTaken over
Successor Caledonian MacBrayne
Area served
 Clyde and West of Scotland
PS Caledonia in 1960, in CSP yellow and black funnel livery Caledonia - geograph.org.uk - 1800546.jpg
PS Caledonia in 1960, in CSP yellow and black funnel livery

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.

Contents

Formation

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]

Amalgamations

PS Waverley in 1970, funnels in CSP livery with red lion rampant PS Waverley.jpg
PS Waverley in 1970, funnels in CSP livery with red lion rampant
PS Waverley restored to its original LNER livery PS Waverley off Brodick castle 1989.jpg
PS Waverley restored to its original LNER livery

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.

Merger with MacBraynes

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]

List of ships operated by the company

Sources [7] [8] [9] [10]

TypeNameBuiltLaunched Tonnage (GRT) OperatedNotes
PS Meg Merrilies Barclay, Curle & Co., Glasgow 18832441889-1902ex Capt. Robert Campbell
Sold for service in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, scrapped in 1921.
PS Caledonia (I)Rankin & Blackmore, Greenock18892441889-1933Scrapped in Barrow-in-Furness in 1933.
PS Galatea Caird & Co., Greenock 18893311889-1906Scrapped in Palermo in 1911.
PS Madge WildfireMcKnight, Ayr18862201890-1911ex Capt. Robert Campbell
Scrapped at Troon in 1946.
PS Marchioness of Bredalbane John Reid & Co., Port Glasgow 18902461890-1935Sold 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 18902461890-1908Sold to Tay Pleasure Steamers in 1908. Scrapped at Inverkeithing in 1923.
PS Duchess of Hamilton (I) Wm. Denny & Bros., Dumbarton 18905331890-1914She 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 18912951891-1914Returned after World War I, but not re-commissioned, lay at Bowling Harbour until scrapped in 1923.
PS Duchess of Rothesay J. & G. Thomson, Clydebank 18953381895-1939Scrapped in the Netherlands after World War II.
PS Duchess of Montrose (I) John Brown & Co., Clydebank 19023211902-1914Sunk whilst serving as minesweeper, 1917
Paddle Steamer Duchess of Montrose Duchess Of Montrose.jpg
Paddle Steamer Duchess of Montrose
PS Duchess of Fife Fairfield Shipbuilding & Eng. Co., Govan 19033361903-1953Scrapped at Port Glasgow in 1953.
TS Duchess of Argyll Wm. Denny & Bros., Dumbarton 19065931906-1952Sold to Admiralty for use as a test vessel in Portland. Scrapped at Newhaven in 1970.
PS Ivanhoe D. & W. Henderson & Co., Glasgow 18802821897-1911
1916-1919 (charter)		ex Firth of Clyde Steam Packet Co.
Scrapped at Dumbarton in 1919.
SS Queen of the Lake Ailsa Shipbuilding Co., Ayr 19071521922-1949Inherited from the Loch Tay Steamboat Company 1922. Scrapped at Kenmore in 1950.
The Queen of the Lake at Kenmore. Dundee Courier Wednesday 2 November 1932 Queen of the Lake at Kenmore.png
The Queen of the Lake at Kenmore. Dundee Courier Wednesday 2 November 1932
SS Countess of Breadalbane (I)Abercorn Shipbuilding Co, Paisley1882951922-1936Scrapped at Loch Awe in 1936.
SS Lady of the LakeAnderson & Lyall, Govan1882681922-1929Inherited from the Loch Tay Steamboat Company 1922. Scrapped at Kenmore in 1929.
SS Sybilla18821922-1929Inherited from the Loch Tay Steamboat Company 1922. Scrapped
PS Prince Edward A. & J. Inglis, Glasgow 19113041923-1955Scrapped at Balloch in 1955.
TS Atlanta John Brown & Co., Clydebank 19064861923-1937Scrapped at Ghent in 1946.
PS Juno (I)Clydebank Shipbuilding & Engineering Co18985921923-1932Scrapped at Alloa in 1932.
PS Glen Sannox (I) James & George Thomson, Clydebank 18926101923-1925Scrapped at Port Glasgow in 1925.
TS Duchess of Montrose (II) Wm. Denny & Bros., Dumbarton 19308061930-1965Scrapped at Ghent in 1965.
TS Duchess of Hamilton (II) Harland & Wolff, Govan 19328011932-1971Scrapped at Troon in 1974.
PS Caledonia (II) Wm. Denny & Bros., Dumbarton 19346241934-1969Sold 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 19094321935-1946Acquired 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 19354491935-1955
MV Wee Cumbrae Wm. Denny & Bros., Dumbarton 1936361935-1953
MV Arran Mail Wm. Denny & Bros., Dumbarton 19361371936-1951
MV MV Countess of Breadalbane Wm. Denny & Bros., Dumbarton 19361061936-1971
TS Marchioness of Graham Fairfield Shipbuilding & Eng. Co., Govan 19365851936-1958
PS Jupiter Fairfield Shipbuilding & Eng. Co., Govan 19376421937-1960
PS Juno Fairfield Shipbuilding & Eng. Co., Govan 19376421937-1939Bombed and sunk whilst serving as HMS Helvellyn, 20 March 1941
MV Ashton Wm. Denny & Bros., Dumbarton 1938381938-1965
MV Leven Wm. Denny & Bros., Dumbarton 1938381938-1966
PS Glen Rosa (I) J. & G. Thomson, Clydebank 18933061938-1939ex London, Midland and Scottish Railway
TS Glen Sannox (II) Wm. Denny & Bros., Dumbarton 19256641938-1954ex London, Midland and Scottish Railway. Scrapped at Ghent in 1954.
PS Mercury Fairfield Shipbuilding & Eng. Co., Govan 19346211938-1939ex 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 19015511943-1952ex Williamson-Buchanan Steamers
TS Queen Mary II Wm. Denny & Bros., Dumbarton 1933870
later 1,014		1943-1973ex Williamson-Buchanan Steamers, to CalMac in 1973
TS Queen Mary laid up in harbour at Greenock in 1981. The funnel was later removed and replaced with two smaller ones, as the ship originally had. TS Queen Mary 1981.jpg
TS Queen Mary laid up in harbour at Greenock in 1981. The funnel was later removed and replaced with two smaller ones, as the ship originally had.
MV Skye J Miller & Sons, St Monance192281945-1950
MV Kyleakin (I)Webster & Bickerton Ltd, Goole192871945-1951
MV MoilH. McLean & Sons, Renfrew1936151945-1954
MV Cuillin Wm. Denny & Bros., Dumbarton 1942241945-1954
PS Queen-Empress Murdoch & Murray, Port Glasgow 19124111946De-requisitioned 1946 and returned to CSP (as successors to Williamson-Buchanan Steamers) but not recommissioned
PS Princess May A. & J. Inglis, Glasgow 18992561948-1953Scrapped at Balloch in 1953.
PS Lucy Ashton T. B. Seath & Co., Rutherglen18882241948-1949Scrapped at Faslane in 1951.
SS Arran (I)Ardrossan Dockyard Ltd, Ardrossan19332081949-1958Renamed SS Kildonan (I) in 1952. Scrapped at Port Glasgow in 1958.
SS MinardScott & Sons, Bowling, Glasgow19252411949-1955Scrapped at Port Glasgow in 1955.
SS ArdyneScott & Sons, Bowling, Glasgow19282421949-1955Scrapped at Troon in 1955.
MV Coruisk (I)Yorkshire Yacht Building Co., Bridlington1947191950-1954
PS Jeanie Deans Fairfield Shipbuilding & Eng. Co., Govan 1931814
(as modified)		1951-1965ex British Transport Commission. Scrapped at Antwerp in 1968.
DE PV DEPV Talisman A. & J. Inglis, Glasgow 19355441951-1967ex British Transport Commission
PS Waverley A. & J. Inglis, Glasgow 19466931951-1973ex British Transport Commission, to CalMac in 1973
MV Lochalsh (I) Wm. Denny & Bros., Dumbarton 1951241951-1958
MV Portree (I) Wm. Denny & Bros., Dumbarton 1951531952-1967
PS Maid of the Loch A. & J. Inglis, Glasgow 19535551953-1973to CalMac in 1973
Paddle Steamer Maid of the Loch at Balloch Pier. Maid of the Loch side.JPG
Paddle Steamer Maid of the Loch at Balloch Pier.
MV Arran (II) Wm. Denny & Bros., Dumbarton 19535681953-1973to CalMac in 1973
MV Maid of Argyll A. & J. Inglis, Glasgow 19535081953-1973to CalMac in 1973
MV Maid of Ashton Yarrow & Co., Scotstoun 19535081953-1973
Motor Vessel Maid of Ashton leaving Blairmore. MV Maid of Ashton leaving Blairmore.jpg
Motor Vessel Maid of Ashton leaving Blairmore.
MV Maid of Cumbrae Ardrossan Dockyard19535081953-1973
MV Maid of Skelmorlie A. & J. Inglis, Glasgow 19535081953-1973
MV Bute (VI) Ailsa Shipbuilding Co., Troon 19545691954-1973to CalMac in 1973
MV Cowal (II) Ailsa Shipbuilding Co., Troon 19545691954-1973to CalMac in 1973
MV Broadford (I) Wm. Denny & Bros., Dumbarton 1954571954-1973to CalMac in 1973
MV Glen Sannox (III) Ailsa Shipbuilding Co., Troon 19571,1071957-1973to CalMac in 1973. Grounded in 2000 off Saudi Arabia in this position.
MV Lochalsh (II) Ailsa Shipbuilding Co., Troon 1957601957-1972Converted and renamed MV Scalpay (II) in 1972, to MacBrayne's in 1972, then to CalMac in 1973.
MV Kyleakin (II) Ailsa Shipbuilding Co., Troon 1960601960-1973Converted and renamed MV Largs in 1972, to CalMac in 1973
TS Caledonian Princess Wm. Denny & Bros., Dumbarton 19613,6291961-1968to British Rail (Sealink)
MV Portree (II) James Lamont & Co, Port Glasgow1965631965-1973to CalMac in 1973
MV Broadford (II) James Lamont & Co, Port Glasgow1966641967-1973to CalMac in 1973
MV Keppel J Samuel White, Southampton 19612141967-1973ex British Railways (Eastern Region) MV Rose, to CalMac in 1973
MV Eilean DhuUnknown1940281969-1970
MV DhuirnishJames Noble Ltd, Fraserburgh1957291969-1971
MV Eilean BuidheDickie of Tarbert Ltd, Tarbert Loch Fyne1963341969-1971
MV Coruisk (II) Ailsa Shipbuilding Company, Troon1969601969-1973to CalMac in 1973
ACV HM2 - 011Hovermarine Transport Ltd, Southampton1970121970-1972Experimental hovercraft.
MV Caledonia A/S Langesunds Mek Versted, Norway19661,1571970-1973ex Stena Line MV Stena Baltica, to CalMac in 1973. Scrapped in Turkey in 2005.
MV Kyleakin (III) Newport Shipbuilding & Engineering Co., Wales19702251970-1973to CalMac in 1973
MV Lochalsh (III) Newport Shipbuilding & Engineering Co., Wales19712251971-1973to CalMac in 1973
MV Kilbrannan James Lamont & Co, Port Glasgow1972651972-1973to CalMac in 1973

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Caledonian MacBrayne</span> Ferry operator in Scotland

Caledonian MacBrayne, in short form CalMac, is the trade name of CalMac Ferries Ltd, the major operator of passenger and vehicle ferries to the west coast of Scotland, serving ports on the mainland and 22 of the major islands. It is a subsidiary of holding company David MacBrayne, which is owned by the Scottish Government.

PS <i>Waverley</i> 1946-built preserved seagoing paddle steamer

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TS <i>Queen Mary</i>

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PS <i>Maid of the Loch</i> Clyde-built paddle steamer (1953 - now)

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Inverclyde Line</span> Railway line in Scotland, UK

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.

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The Greenock and Wemyss Bay Railway was a railway owned by the Caledonian Railway, providing services between Greenock and Wemyss Bay.

MV <i>Argyle</i>

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 <i>Maid of Argyll</i> 1953 Scottish ferry

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 Maid of Cumbrae was a British passenger ferry operated by Caledonian Steam Packet Company from 1953. In the face of the car ferry revolution, in 1972, she was converted to a 15-car ferry for the Dunoon to Gourock crossing. Sold to Italian owners in 1978, she operated, as Capri Express in the Bay of Naples until 2006, when she was scrapped.

MV <i>Arran</i>

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.

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TS <i>Duchess of Montrose</i>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">P & A Campbell</span>

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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 <i>Eagle III</i> Clyde-built paddle steamer (1910 - 1946)

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.

References

  1. 1 2 "Caledonian Steam Packet Company". Scran - part of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland . Retrieved 30 January 2011.
  2. ↑ Duckworth, CLD; Langmuir, GE (1968). Railway and other Steamers. Prescot, Lancashire: T. Stephenson and Sons.
  3. ↑ Bernard Dumpleton. The Story of the Paddle Steamer.
  4. ↑ Williamson, James (1904). Clyde passenger steamers. Glasgow: J. Maclehose. Retrieved 30 January 2011.
  5. 1 2 Thorbjørn Campbell (13 May 2013). Arran: A History. Birlinn. p. 188. ISBN   978-0-85790-590-1.
  6. ↑ "New shipping firm to serve West of Scotland". The Glasgow Herald. 2 January 1973. p. 9. Retrieved 30 September 2017.
  7. ↑ "Clydebuilt Ships Database". Archived from the original on 15 April 2004. Retrieved 16 August 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  8. ↑ "Clyde Steamers website". Archived from the original on 14 May 2011. Retrieved 16 August 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  9. ↑ "Tramscape paddle steamers database". Archived from the original on 18 October 2008. Retrieved 16 August 2011.
  10. ↑ "British Paddle Steamers". www.paddlesteamers.info. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  11. ↑ "Caledonia". www.paddlesteamers.info. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  12. ↑ Paterson, Alan J. S. (1982). Classic Scottish Paddle Steamers. David & Charles. ISBN   978-0-7153-8335-3.
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