The addition of the Duchess of Montrose to the L.M.S. fleet in 1930 was a successful attempt to improve facilities for cruising on the Clyde. The previous addition to the fleet, Glen Sannox, was based on the model of the Duchess of Argyll, built in 1906, and although the builders, Messrs William Denny and Sons, had provided high-pressure geared-turbine propulsion machinery for the King George V, the L.M.S. returned to the lower-pressure direct-drive turbine model for the new vessel. However, rather than a copy of the Glen Sannox, the accommodation and facilities were much more up-to-date, and for the first time, the ship was designed for one-class of passenger, giving much more flexibility for the comfort of passengers.

“New Clyde turbine launched.—On Saturday the new triple-screw steamer Duchess of Montrose was successfully launched by William Denny & Brothers (Ltd.), Dumbarton. The naming ceremony was performed by Mrs Beasley, wife of the general marine superintendent of the owners’ company. The vessel has been built for the London Midland and Scottish Railway Company (Ltd.), and is designed a one-class passenger steamer for river and estuary service on the Clyde, and will be used for excursions and cruises. She has been built to a very high-class specification, and is completely in accordance with the British Board of Trade passenger requirements for this service. Her principal dimensions are 260 feet by 32 feet by 18 feet 1 inch. Her accommodation will consist of luxuriously appointed saloons, including a large dining saloon, tea room, smoking saloon, general lounge, and ladies’ lounge. A feature of the vessel is a large enclosed deck shelter on the promenade deck, well lit with large windows, and to be fitted with large easy cane chairs having upholstered spring cushioned seats. She is the fourth turbine that carries the L.M.S. flag. Her name, Duchess of Montrose, was borne by a former Caledonian steamer which was sunk by a mine while on war service.”—Scotsman May 12, 1930

“New turbine steamer.—Vessel for Clyde service.—The triple-screw steamer Duchess of Montrose was launched by Messrs William Denny and Brothers Ltd., Dumbarton, on Saturday. The naming ceremony was performed by Mrs Beasley, wife of the general marine superintendent of the owners’ company. The vessel has been built for the London Midland and Scottish Railway Company, Ltd., and is designed as a one-class passenger steamer for river and estuary service on the Clyde and will be used for excursions and cruises.

“The principal dimensions of the steamer are 260 feet by 32 feet by 18 feet 1 inch. She has a raked stem and cruiser stern, and is schooner rigged, with two masts and two funnels. The accommodation will include a large dining saloon, a tearoom, a smoking saloon, a general lounge, and a ladies’ lounge. A feature of the vessel is a large enclosed deck shelter on the promenade deck, well lit with large windows.

“The propelling machinery will consist of tree independent Parsons compound steam turbines, each coupled to one propeller shaft. Steam will be supplied by one large coal fired double-ended cylindrical tubular boiler constructed for a working pressure of 190 lb. per square inch. The Duchess of Montrose is the fourth turbine carrying the L.M.S. flag. Her name was borne by a former Caledonian steamer, which was sunk by a mine while on war service.”—Glasgow Herald, May 12, 1930.

The Denny publicity material noted:—“Duchess of Montrose. Built in 1930 for the Caledonian Steam Packet Co., this vessel set a new standard of comfort in Clyde passenger services. Dimensions: 260 feet in length, 32 feet in breadth and 10 feet 7 inches in depth. Machinery: triple-screw direct-drive turbines, steam being supplied by one double-ended Scotch boiler. Speed on trial 20.6 knots. The first vessel of her type to be specifically designed for one-class passenger traffic.” She left the yard on June 24 and conducted trials on the measured mile where she achieved 20.71 knots. She was 806 tons gross and the final costs was £76,832.

Duchess of Montrose was slated to take up her public sailings on July 1, but experienced a mechanical problem that necessitated a return to the builders for over a week. Despite the delay, she was a popular vessel when she entered service.

Duchess of Montrose on July 15, 1930

“Popular day cruises and L.M.S. enterprise.—Duchess of Montrose.—Although but recently commissioned, the new L.M.S. steamer Duchess of Montrose has already won for herself a place of distinction among the many fine pleasure vessels flying the Company’s flag on the Clyde. Her popularity is due not so much to the fact that this latest addition to the Duchesses in the fleet is new and of distinctive type, as to her being what may be described as a pleasure cruiser. Throughout the season, as she has been since her inaugural run, the Duchess of Montrose will be set aside for day excursions only, and the large complements who have so far patronised these cruises go to prove that the Company’s enterprise is meeting a decided need, not only on the part of citizens of the West of Scotland, but also of the holiday-makers at the many Clyde resorts.

“Several attractive tours are comprised within the week’s itinerary for the new vessel, but by reason of the wide range and variety of scenic splendour presented, that undertaken every Monday and Friday should prove mort popular, leaving Wemyss Bay, the steamer touches at Largs and Keppel Pier, Millport, and then proceeds down the Firth of Arran. round the west side of Bute, on through the famed Kyles, and into Loch Ridden, Loch Striven, Loch Goil, and, lastly, Loch Long. Thus in one day tourists can now cover what could only be equalled in the past by spending several days on various excursion steamers. On Tuesday the vessel cruises round Arran and Ailsa Craig; Wednesday is occupied by a run to Ayr, Thursday to Stranraer; afternoon excursions round Ailsa Craig take place on Saturdays, while various cruises are mapped out for Sundays.

“A Miniature Liner.—The Duchess of Montrose is in every respect a miniature liner. A triple-screw turbine steamer (the fourth turbine-driven vessel in the fleet), she has a speed of approximately 20 knots, and only one class of passenger is carried, for whose comfort and pleasure every thing possible has been provided. The public rooms and accommodation generally are on a handsome scale, the dining saloon and tearoom have seating capacity of 100 to 44 respectively, while the deck shelter between the promenade and boat decks is but one of the many attractive features to be found en the steamer. With her twin funnels and her clean-cut lines, the Duchess of Montrose presents an arresting picture, and she should become a great favourite with the travelling public on the Firth.”—Scotsman, July 16, 1930

Duchess of Montrose at Gourock

Duchess of Montrose off Gourock (Robertson)

Duchess of Montrose (Robertson)

In Rothesay Bay (Adamson)

In Rothesay Bay (Adamson)

Gourock Pier with Atalanta (Lilywhite)

Approaching Gourock in 1930

Off Greenock (Salmon)

The L.M.S. timetable for cruising in 1934 gives some context of the accompanying photographs from most of the contemporary postcard makers that took and interest in the Clyde steamers.

Duchess of Montrose in the Kyles of Bute (Spencer)

Duchess of Montrose in the Kyles of Bute (Spencer)

Duchess of Montrose approaching Tighnabruaich (Spencer)

Duchess of Montrose in the Kyles of Bute (Spencer)

Leaving Dunoon (McGeachie)

Duchess of Montrose at Brodick in 1930 (Valentine)

Duchess of Montrose at Ayr

Musical accompaniment with the band on board

The band of the Duchess of Montrose with pianist Harry Hunter in the middle of the back row (by courtesy of Katherine Macdonald)

As built Duchess of Montrose had two masts, but the main mast was short, giving an unbalanced but not unattractive outline. After four years, the main mast was lengthened to match the fore mast.

Duchess of Montrose with full main mast (Robertson)

Approaching Princes Pier

With King George V at Princes Pier in 1935

Duchess of Montrose in 1937 (Salmon)

In 1936, with the takeover of the white funnel fleet. Duchess of Montrose sailed on Thursdays to Inveraray as part of the Loch Eck tour. The cruise to Stranraer was discontinued.

Duchess of Montrose at Inveraray (Spencer)

Duchess of Montrose at Tighnabruaich (Spencer)

Duchess of Montrose in the Kyles of Bute (Spencer)

Duchess of Montrose at Rothesay Pier (Spencer)

For much of World War 2, Duchess of Montrose maintained the service connections to Rothesay out of Wemyss Bay. With the return to peacetime, there were lingering problems from the wartime conditions for the Clyde steamer services.

“L.M.S. Clyde steamers.—passengers stranded.—Unofficial Strike of Crews—An unofficial strike of members of the crews of the L.M.S. Clyde passenger steamers caused much public inconvenience yesterday. The cause of the dispute—which is understood to be the subject of negotiation between the men’s Union and the Railway Company in London—is said to be a further cut in the amount of danger money paid to seamen in respect of war risks. One of the strikers stated that a cut of 23s 4d was imposed last July, and a further cut of 11s 4d had been intimated, to operate from last Saturday. He said it was understood that there would be no further cut until January 6.

“Strike action was decided upon by the men at an early morning meeting in Ardrossan, and their decision was conveyed to the seamen at Wemyss Bay and Gourock. The L.M.S. authorities were unaware of the decision until some time after the morning boat trains to the coast had left Glasgow. By lunch time notices appeared at the Glasgow stations intimating that no bookings could be accepted for travel on the railway steamers. About a hundred passengers travelled from Glasgow to Ardrossan on the morning train to join the Arran steamer Glen Sannox; while fully double that number went from the city to Wemyss Bay with tickets for Rothesay or Millport. When it was realised that the steamers would not leave the piers the railway company provided facilities for the passeneers to return to the city at once.

“Bridegroom pleads in vain.—At Wemyss Bay the crew of the Marchioness of Graham agreed to man the ship to convey an ambulance case to Millport. Other passengers pleaded, unavailingly, to be allowed to travel on the steamer, and among them was a young man who was due to be married in Millport in the afternoon. Many Rothesay people disembarked at Wemyss Bay from the Duchess of Montrose, which made the morning run from Rothesay and tied up at the Wemyss Bay pier when the men learned of the strike decision. Most of the Rothesay people had intended spending the town’s holiday in Glasgow, but a number of them were reluctant to proceed to the city on learning of the strike. When the steamers failed to sail in the afternoon and early evening, Rothesay motor boat hirers ran special trips to Wemyss Bay. The last of the stranded passengers were brought into Rothesay as darkness was descending.”—Scotsman, October 3, 1946.

Duchess of Montrose at Dunoon in 1946, in peacetime colours but awaiting full refurbishment 

In 1947, Duchess of Montrose ran aground at Kirn in dense fog. This was one of the few accidents in her years of service.

“100 Scots trippers stranded.— Over a hundred passengers stranded in the 800-ton L.M.S. pleasure steamer Duchess of Montrose last night. The ship, sailing from Gourock to Dunoon, ran aground in a bank of fog just north of Kirn Pier. Two other L.M.S. steamers—Marchioness of Lorne and Duchess of Hamilton—dashed to her aid.

“Tow ropes were attached to the vessel, but she was hard aground, and the ropes snapped. In the receding tide she could not be budged. Attempts to refloat had to be abandoned for the night. Motorboats were sent to disembark the passengers. It was nearly three hours before the last of the passengers had been transferred. No one was injured.”—Sunday Post, October 5, 1947

“Clyde steamer refloated after being aground.—Passengers taken off by motor-boats.—After having been aground for almost twelve hours, the Clyde turbine steamer, Duchess of Montrose, was refloated under her own power early yesterday morning. The vessel , bound for Kirn and Dunoon, ran aground about 300 yards north of Kirn Pier on Saturday night and over 100 passengers had to be taken off the ship in motor boats. The mishap occurred during a freak fog which descended in patches about five o’clock. For over an hour other L.M.S. steamers, the Marchioness of Lome and the Duchess of Hamilton, made several attempts to pull her off but the tow ropes parted under the strain. The receding tide left the steamer almost high and dry, but examination of the hull revealed little or no damage. She was ultimately refloated at high tide between four and five o’clock yesterday morning. The Duchess of Montrose lay overnight at Gourock Pier, and a survey will be made to-day. Scottish football supporters, returning from the international match at Belfast, were held up for several hours yesterday morning between the Cloch and Gourock. Five steamers of the Burns Laird Line, which were bringing home the travelers had to drop anchor until the fog began to lift at mid-day. A new programme of disembarkation devised by the Company officials saw three vessels, instead of one, berth at Greenock. while two went on to Glasgow. Shipping movements on the Clyde were at a complete standstill. The L.M.S. forenoon sailing from Gourock to Dunoon and Rothesay was cancelled and the first vessel did not reach Dunoon until after two o’clock.”—Scotsman, October 6, 1947.

“Shipping movements on the Clyde were at a complete standstill yesterday until midday because of the fog. The L.M.S. forenoon sailing from Gourock to Dunoon and Rothesay was cancelled, and the first vessel did not reach Dunoon until after two o’clock. With no sailings from the coast, many holidaymakers at Dunoon travelled by special buses to Glasgow. Others crossed the firth to the Cloch by ferry boats.

“The L.M.S. turbine steamer, the Duchess of Montrose, which ran aground on Saturday night between Kirn and Hunter’s Quay, was refloated in the early hours of yesterday morning during dense fog. The stranded vessel managed to get off without assistance and sailed to Gourock Pier. She sustained only slight damage and to-day will go into dry-dock.

“The Duchess of Montrose was on the five o’clock run from Gourock to Dunoon with between 200 and 300 passengers on board. Motor boats ferried the passengers to Kirn.”—Glasgow Herald, October 6, 1947.

Railway Nationalization was imposed on January 1, 1948 and the new livery on the Clyde provoked some amusing comments in Parliament.

“That Mann Again—Mrs. Jean Mann (Lab), to the Minister of Transport, in the Commons to-day: Are you aware that Clyde steamers were painted a nice sunshine yellow which is now obliterated and the bright reds of the L.N.E.R. turned into a dull buff colour similar to an income tax reminder, and that there is a mourning black hem on the top of the funnel which is very much resented?

“Mr. Emrys Hughes (Lab).—Will you confirm the statement that the Duchess of Montrose is going to be painted red?

“Mr. James Reid (C).—ls it really necessary for these vessels to go into mourning to celebrate their transfer to national ownership?—There was no further reply.”—Liverpool Echo, March 1, 1948.

A wheelhouse was added in 1948.

Duchess of Montrose in 1948 (Valentine)

Duchess of Montrose off Kirn in 1948 (Valentine)

In Rothesay Bay around 1950 (Dennis)

Duchess of Montrose (Ralston)

At Rothesay (Ralston)

The Duchess of Montrose was converted from coal to oil combustion in 1956.

Almost smokeless passing Erskine in 1956

Radar was added in 1960.

With radar (Walter Kerr, Millport)

Duchess of Montrose was laid-up at the end of August, 1964 and with the imposition of the Beeching cuts of 1965, she was sold to breakers in Ghent.

The Caledonian Steam Packet Co., Ltd., Iain C. MacArthur, Clyde River Steamer Club, Glasgow, 1971.

The Denny List, Part III, David John Lyon, Nation Maritime Museum, Greenwich, 1975.