The post World War I fleets of the Caledonian Steam Packet Co., Ltd. and the Glasgow and South Western Railway Co., Ltd, have been documented in a previous article, along with their amalgamation on January 1, 1923, and the initial years under the control of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway Co., Ltd. In 1923, the Glasgow and South Western steamers came under the ownership of the newly formed railway company while the Caledonian steamers remained with the Caledonian Steam Packet Co., allowing them greater freedom to sail to destinations on Kintyre and Loch Fyne. Both sets of steamers retained their hull colours but appeared with yellow funnels with a red band and black top. In the following year, the hull colour was standardized to black. This article follows the steamers from the 1925 season when the red band was removed and the fleet had the yellow black-topped funnel that became standard with the Caledonian Steam Packet Co., Ltd., until the 1960s.
Six Glasgow and South Western Railway steamers survived the war. However, the Glen Sannox of 1892 was scrapped in 1924 and replaced by a new turbine vessel in 1925. The history of the new Glen Sannox is recorded in another article. It is interesting that when she appeared, she was also under the restrictive ownership of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway Co., and so could not sail to Kintyre or Loch Fyne. However, she was designated to serve the east Arran service and so presumably this was not especially important. However, she was transferred to Caledonian Steam Packet Co., ownership in 1936.
The general strike of 1926 disrupted shipping services and a number of vessels, mainly those on excursion work, were laid up.
“Clyde sailings.—Resumption next week.—The London Midland and Scottish Railway Company announced in Glasgow yesterday that the usual summer sailings by their steamers on tie Clyde will be resumed next week. The vessels specially mentioned are the Glen Sannox, Duchess of Argyll, Duchess of Rothesay, Jupiter, and Juno, and their return to duty will be welcomed alike by holiday-makers and by coast land ladies. The emergency service now in operation will be maintained by other vessels.”—Scotsman, June 26, 1926
Mercury was built in the same year as Glen Sannox. She was well known on the Rothesay and Kyles of Bute route from Greenock in the Glasgow and South Western days and was used mainly on the same service with her new owners. She had been reboilered in 1914 and had a funnel of larger circumference fitted at that time, giving her a heavier look than in her pre-war service. She was a popular steamer.
Mercury around 1929
“Blue Ribbon of the Clyde.—Steamer Mercury Wins.—Gourock, Saturday. The old Glasgow and South Western Company’s steamer, Mercury, has, this year, won the Binnie Cup for the best time-keeping among the fleet of pleasure steamers sailing to and from the Clyde coast resorts. The Mercury is one of the oldest boats in the service, which is now conducted by the L.M. & .S., and she well known among the trippers on the Clyde from all over the country as the Klyes of Bute boat. Each year for many a long day she has carried the visitors from Prince’s Pier to Tighnabruaich and intermediate ports, and so popular is she that many of the English touring companies endeavour to secure her to travel with. The Binnie Cup, which was subscribed for byseasonal travellers, only came into being last year, when it was won by the North British (now L.N.E.R.) steamer, Waverley, which plys from Craigendoran.”—Sunday Post, October 9, 1927
Mercury around 1930 (Adamson)
Mercury in 1932 (Robertson)
Mercury leaving Dunoon
Mercury at Rothesay in 1930 with Duchess of Argyll (Valentine)
Mercury’s bridge remained between the paddle boxes until she was withdrawn and broken up in 1933. The following year a new Mercury, also owned by the London, Midland and Scottish Railway Co., replaced her. The new Mercury was transferred to the Caledonian Steam Packet Co. in 1938 but was lost during World War II.
Glen Rosa in 1925
The Glen Rosa of 1893 was designed for the winter traffic for Arran and was a useful boat all-year round. Like the other South Western paddle steamers, her bridge was between the paddle boxes but when she was reboilered in 1926, her bridge was moved forward of the funnel. Glen Rosa spent her summers sailing from Wemyss Bay and was best known on the Millport route, calling at Largs, Keppel, and Millport, with connections to Fairlie and extensions to Kilchattan Bay and Rothesay.
Glen Rosa in Rothesay Bay (Adamson)
Glen Rosa off Gourock (Robertson)
Glen Rosa off Millport
Glen Rosa at Wemyss Bay around 1930
Glen Rosa at Keppel Pier around 1930
Glen Rosa at Millport around 1930
Glen Rosa at Kilchattan Bay in 1928 (Valentine)
In winter, Glen Rosa served the Arran route and had a number of break-downs over the years.
“L.M.S. Steamer breaks down.—The L.M.S. steamer Glen Rosa, after leaving Ardrossan on Saturday with fifty passengers aboard, suddenly stopped and hoisted the distress signal. A heavy sea was running, and she rapidly drifted up Firth until past the Horse Island, when she dropped anchor. Two tugs went to her assistance and towed her up to Gourock fully two hours later.”—Scotsman, November 8, 1926
“Clyde paddle steamer disabled.—Two Tugs Dash To The Rescue.—Vessel Towed Gourock.—When crossing the Firth of Clyde from Ardrossan to Arran, the London Midland and Scottish paddle steamer Glen Rosawas disabled owing to a mishap her machinery. There was a rough sea running, and the vessel began to drift up the firth. The anchor was dropped, however, and two tugs coming to the Glen Rosa’s assistance she was eventually berthed at Gourock.
“The accident happened twenty or twenty-five minutes after the Glen Rosahad left the Ayrshire port. There was a rough sea running in the Firth and the vessel began to drift up the channel, but opposite Seamill she was brought to anchor. Meantime a distress signal was hoisted, and the Glen Rosa’s siren sounded. Her plignt was observed on shore, and steps were taken to have assistance sent to her. There were between 80 and 100 passengers on board. Most of them were Arran people, and included a number Ardrossan Academy pupils returning to their homes on the island for the week-end. Naturally the accident caused considerable concern for a time, but there was very little excitement, and the anxiety was relieved when the anchor was dropped, and it, was seen that assistance was coming.
“Tugs to the Rescue.—Two Messrs Steel and Bennie’s tugboats —the Brigadierand the Thunderer—were in Ardrossan harbour berthing a steamer which had gone aground in the storm. As soon a possible they put out to the aid of the Glen Rosa, first one proceeding to her assistance and the other following. Ultimately they got a hawser on board, and proceeded to tow her up the Firth to Gourock Pier. In the meanwhile the company steamer Atalantahad been brought down from Greenock to Gourock, and on arrival the Glen Rosathe passengers and luggage were transferred to the Atalanta. The majority of the passengers embarked on the Atalanta, only few returning by train to Glasgow. When interviewed on landing at Gourock Pier the passengers were all very cheery and philosophical about their experience. One them stated that while there was naturally some anxiety the accident caused little or no excitement on board.
“After the Glen Rosa had anchored opposite Seamill they had rather an uncomfortable wait until the tugs arrived, the steamer pitching and rolling a good deal. Some difficulty was experienced in getting the anchor up, but once the tugs had taken them in charge it was all plain sailing. Asked why the Glen Rosawas not taken back into Ardrossan, the passenger said there was stormy sea at the harbour mouth and he understood it was considered too dangerous to risk taking the steamer back as she had no steam up and was unable to assist herself. Another passenger stated that he had gone to Ardrossan the previous day to make the passage to Arran, but the vessel had not sailed owing the storm, so that it was taking him the longest time in his experience to reach the island. Once the anchor was down they realised they were in no danger, but at the same time they were much relieved when the tugs came to their assistance.”—November 8, 1926
“Steamer’s breakdown.—Arran passengers landed in ship’s boats.—Fifty passengers were on board the Clyde steamer Glen Rosa, belonging to the L.M.S. Railway Co., on Saturday night when the vessel broke down about a quarter of a mile from the Isle of Arran, and they had to be taken ashore in the ship’s boats. The steamer was on the last run of the evening between Ardrossan and Arran. Between Lamlash and Whiting Bay, a portion of one of the paddles snapped. The sea was calm, and there was no alarm among the passengers who were all landed safely on the beach some distance from their destination. The only inconvenience was a long wait for motor cars and buses. Yesterday afternoon a Greenock tug towed the disabled vessel up the Firth.”—Scotsman, March 24, 1930
“Engine trouble on Clyde vessel.—Engine trouble developed on the paddle steamer Glen Rosa while she was on the run from Kilchattan Bay to Millport. The vessel did not call at Millport, and crowds of waiting passengers saw it “limp” across the firth to Fairlie Pier, where the Kilchattan Bay passengers disembarked. Later the vessel proceeded under its own steam to India Dock, Greenock, for overhaul. The Jupiter was brought on to the Millport run, and the passengers were taken off the island more than hour late.”—August, 27 1934
Glen Rosa on the Millport berth at Wemyss Bay in 1934 (Valentine)
Glen Rosa in Rothesay Bay on August 9, 1930, taken from Kenilworth
Glen Rosa off Largs
Glen Rosa was transferred to the Caledonian Steam Packet Co. in 1938 but was laid up the following year and broken up a month or so before the beginning of World War II.
The Jupiter of 1896 was built for the Arran route by the Kyles in opposition to the Duchess of Rothesay. In L.M.S. ownership she was used mainly for excursion traffic from Greenock and was a popular ship.
Jupiter in Rothesay Bay around 1930 (Adamson)
Jupiter off Gourock (Robertson)
Jupiter in Rothesay Bay in 1935
Jupiter leaving Greenock for the east of Arran
Some idea of the variety of cruises available on Jupiter can be gleaned fro an article in the Motherwell Times:—
“Diary of a much travelled man.—Motherwell Man’s Unique Achievement. —Those people whose annual holiday is restricted to some seven or eight days are apt to complain about its brevity and of how little one can do in the time; but if such grumblers would take a leaf out of the diary of a well-known Motherwell gentleman, they will find that much can be accomplished even in a short holiday, and that, too, at a very moderate cost. It may be mentioned that for his holiday our friend made Greenock his headquarters, as being a convenient centre for his various excursions. His holiday extended from Saturday, the 18th July, to Saturday, the 25th July inclusive, and this is what accomplished:—
“Leaving Motherwell on Saturday morning (he says) for Greenock, I arrived there at 9.30 a.m. and proceeded to my digs. Left my bag and made for Princes Pier, where I joined the Mercury for Rothesay. Arrived in Rothesay 12.15. Left Rothesay for Gourock per Duchess of Rothesay, arriving there at 1.55. then took train for Greenock West, and from that point I went to Princes Pier and boarded Jupiter and sailed at 2.40 p.m. for Kyles of Bute. After a nice trip, I arrived safely home at 8.20, after having been on Jupiter from 2.30.
“Sunday was spent locally—no sailing by orders of the landlady.
“Monday.—Got up 7.30 a.m. Washed, dressed and had breakfast, and proceeded to Princes Pier, where I joined the Jupiter at 8.45. I then proceeded to Dunoon, Innellan, Wemyss Bay, Rothesay, Largs and Millport direct for Ayr, arriving there at 1.20 p.m. Had two hours on shore. Left Ayr 3.45 p.m. prompt, and arrived back in Greenock at 3 p.m., after a splendid day. Had a cup of tea at 12 p.m., and high tea at 5 o’clock. Home, and a talk with the landlady. Supper and off bed. Slept like a brick.
“Tuesday.—Took the Duchess of Argyll to Rothesay, then changed into the Glen Rosa and went Largs, Fairlie and Millport. Had an hour on shore, then I sailed the same steamer via Kilchattan Bay and down the side of Bute to Rothesay, arriving there at 4.20. I then took steamer Duchess of Fife to Gourock at 4.30 and arrived in Gourock at 5.50 p.m. Left per train for Greenock West 6 p.m. Had high tea on board the Duchess of Fife. I then went to Princes Pier and joined the King Edward and went for a four and a half hours’ cruise with her, arriving back in Greenock 11.30 p.m. When the saloon steward saw me he opened the piano for me and played it during the cruise. Supper, and bed midnight.
“Wednesday.—Left Princes Pier at 8.45 for Dunoon, Wemyss Bay, Rothesay, Largs, Millport, and thence round the lochs and Firth of Clyde, which included Kyles of Bute, Loch Striven, Loch Ridden, Loch Long, and Loch Goil. Arrived safely in Greenock at p.m., after a lovely sail—the best one in the whole crowd. Had high tea board Jupiter. Supper, and went to bed properly tired out.
“Thursday.—Left Princes Pier at 8.45 for Dunoon, Largs, Wemyss Bay, Rothesay, Kyles of Bute, to Arran, Whiting Bay, on Jupiter, and back to Rothesay via Garroch Heads, then on Princes Pier, Greenock, 6.30 p.m. Spent the evening in Gourock. High tea, supper and bed.
“Friday.—Same programme as Wednesday per Jupiter round the lochs.
Saturday.—Left Princes Pier at 10.30 per Mercury on a cruise for and the Kyles of Bute, arriving back in Greenock at 4.15. Went to my digs and paid the landlady, and caught the 5.8 express to Glasgow. Arrived home at 7 p.m., after spending about 65 hours on the firth.
“Expenses:—Ticket to Greenock. 5s; boat ticket, £1 1s 10d; meals on steamer, 28s; board and lodgings, breakfast, dinner and tea and supper on Sunday. £1 13s 6d—£4 8s 4d all told, everything included, for a week, travelling first-class.”—Motherwell Times, September 18, 1925
With the new additions to the fleet in the early 1930s, Jupiter could be found sailing to Millport in 1934. She was sold after the 1935 season and replaced by a new steamer of the same name.
Jupiter at Keppel Pier when on the Millport service in 1935
The final South Western paddle steamer was the Juno of 1898. Of heavier construction than Jupiter, she was well designed for excursions out of Ayr and other the Ayrshire resorts. Juno’s post war service continued with Ayr as her base.
Juno in Rothesay Bay (Adamson)
Juno off Gourock in 1925 (Robertson)
Juno on an excursion at Arrochar
Sailing down Loch Long
Juno canting in Albert Harbour, Greenock
Like most of the original South Western fleet, she was heavy on coal use and was disposed of in 1931 and broken up at Alloa. Her replacement was the new turbine Duchess of Hamilton.
The Atalanta of 1906 was the only South Western turbine steamer, designed for the Arran service year-round. She was a most useful vessel and her L.M.S. service continued on the Arran route until she replaced by the new Marchioness of Graham.
Atalanta in 1925 (Robertson)
Atalanta at Ardrossan
Atalanta at Lamlash
Atalanta approaching Whiting Bay in 1929 (Judges)
Name of new Clyde passenger steamer.—The new turbine steamer which is being built for the L.M.S. Railway Company’s passenger service on the Clyde, is to be named the Marchioness of Graham. She will be the first vessel of the Clyde pleasure fleet to bear the name. It is understood that the new ship, which will be ready for service this summer, is to replace the Atalanta on the Ardrossan-Arran run. She is under construction at Fairfield’s shipbuilding yard, Govan.”—Scotsman, January 30, 1936
Atalanta around 1930 in Rothesay Bay (Adamson)
Atalanta in Rothesay Bay around 1930
Atalanta in Rothesay Bay around 1930
Atalanta approaching Kilchattan Bay in 1935
Atalanta took over from Jupiter on the Millport service in 1936.
“Clyde Passenger Ship Aground.—Fog continues round the coast of Scotland, and was responsible for a mishap to another passenger vessel yesterday, the Clyde turbine steamer Atalanta grounding on the south-west side of the Great Cumbrae. Twelve passengers who were on board were landed by one of the ship’s lifeboats. The Atalanta, which is owned by the London Midland and Scottish Railway Co., was on her way from Kilchattan Bay, Bute via Millport on the Great Cumbrae, to Fairlie, Ayrshire. She was on her first run, and was due at Millport at seven o’clock. There was fog in the channel between the Great and Little Cumbraes. Rounding Tan Point, on the south-west of Great Cumbrae, she grounded. Efforts to get her off failing, the passengers were landed, and arrangements were made for them crossing to the mainland by motor boat. Most of them were Glasgow business men. The ebbing tide left the steamer high and dry. After the tide flowed, however, the Atalanta was refloated, and proceeded to Ardrossan under her own steam for examination.”—Scotsman June 26, 1936
Atalanta with the new Duchess of Montrose at Gourock around 1930
Atalanta in 1935 (Feilden)
Atalanta was sold in the spring of 1937 to the Blackpool Steam Navigation Co., Ltd., and was used in excursions from Blackpool and Morecambe.
Atalanta off Blackpool
“Sailings from Morcambe. The Blackpool Steam Navigation Co. announce two cheap sailings from the Morecambe Old Harbour. The steamer Atalanta will sail at 8:30 a.m. on 21st August and 23rd August (Sunday and Tuesday) for Blackpool and Llandudno, allowing ten hours stay at Blackpool and three hours stay at Llandudno. The fares are: Blackpool 4/-; Llandudno 8/-; children half fare. People who availed themselves of this Company’s initial trip to Blackpool and Llandudno at the opening of the season will be glad know these additional excursions.”—Lancaster Guardian, August 19, 1938
Lancashire Daily Post, July 24, 1939
Atalanta off Blackpool
She saw service in World War II but was broken up soon afterwards.