This essay is a continuation of a previous series on Sunday breakers in the mid-Victorian era and it covers the introduction of the steamer Dunoon Castle to the trade in 1874.

The demise of the Petrel at the end of 1873 would seem to have left the Clyde with the slow Kingstown alone sailing to Gourock on Sundays.

In fact Mr. Henry Sharp had procured a new steamer was for the principal Sunday sailings in 1874. The Dunoon Castle was built as recently as 1867 for the Dunoon and Rothesay Carriers by Messrs Thomas Wingate & Co., of Whiteinch, Glasgow. Her dimensions were 192 feet in length by 18 in breadth with a depth of 7½ feet and at 170 tons gross she was slightly larger than the Petrel. When built she was distinctly old-fashioned in looks, with her funnel aft of the paddle-boxes, but had proved to be reliable. She had passed through other hands before coming to Mr Sharp, but had continuously sailed in the Rothesay trade. She was a great improvement on the previous Sunday steamer.

Dunoon Castle waits for the departure of the Athole before she can find a berth ahead of Lancelot in 1868 (Washington Wilson) 

Dunoon Castle berthed between Lancelot and the two-funneled eagle in 1868 (Washington Wilson)

 

The new season was eagerly anticipated.

North British Daily Mail, March 28, 1874

Kingstown

“Sunday steamer Kingstown.—Yesterday, this steamer began plying between Glasgow, Greenock, and Rothesay for the season. The day was disagreeable for travelling, nevertheless about fifty passengers disembarked at Greenock, while many others proceeded. The Kingstown has been furbished up very elegantly, and looks smart.”—Greenock Telegraph, April 6, 1874

During the regular season, Dunoon Castle was available for charter but also had scheduled sailings to various resorts. Her Sunday regimen was that of the Petrel, sailing to Largs and Rothesay.

“Glasgow fast-day.—The facilities that will be afforded, both by rail and steamer, to parties who intend leaving the city on the Fast-Day (to-morrow) are very numerous. The Caledonian, Glasgow and South-Western, and Wemyss Bay Railways offer great inducements in the way of extension of time and cheap rates. The Glasgow and South-Western convey to Arran and back, via Ardrossan, allowing six hours in Arran; the Lochlomond steamers sail from Balloch pier to the bead of the look, calling at all pine; and steamers sail in connection with trains from Dunlop Street and Bridge Street for Helensburgh, Row, Roseneath, Clynder, and Garelochhead; the steamer Sultan mile Glasgow for Gourock, calling at Renfrew, Bowling, and Greenock; the steamers Craigrownie, Ardgowan, and Ardencaple sail from Bridge Wharf for Greenock, Helensburgh, Row, Roseneath, Clynder, and Garelochhead; the Vesta and Carrick Castle sail to Lochgoilhead, calling at intermediate piers; the Vivid goes to Kilmun; the Kingstown sails Garelochhead; the Ardgowan goes to Kilmun, Garelochhead, and other ports. The Dunoon Castle sails to Millport the Athole goes to Rothesay and intermediate ports, and the round the Island of Bute.; the Undine sails to Rothesay and the Kyles of Bute: the Eagle goes to Rothesay; Lancelot sails to Arran via Rothesay; the Sultan goes to the Kyles of Bute; and the Elaine sails to Rothesay”—North British Daily Mail, April 8, 1874

North British Daily Mail, April 18, 1874

“The Clyde Sunday traffic.—The Kingston commenced her Sunday sailings this month the Clyde, and the Dunoon Castle, a new Sunday trader, opens the season on Sunday next, taking up the old route of the Petrel.”—Greenock Telegraph, April 30, 1874

Glasgow Herald, April 29, 1874

The two steamers were engaged with private and public excursions during the week. These were popular with groups and works throughout the extended season.

North British Daily Mail, June 1, 1874

Glasgow Herald, June 20, 1874

There were disturbing scenes, not just on Sundays, but also on excursions during the week.

“Five men were fined in sums varying from £1 1s to £2 2s at the Marine Police Court, Glasgow, yesterday, for fighting and creating a disturbance on board the Dunoon Castle. The steamer was engaged by the labourers for their annual trip, and the row got up when the Dunoon Castle was nearing Glasgow, on the return voyage.”—Greenock Telegraph, June 30, 1874

Glasgow Herald, July 15, 1874

“Millport.—excursion parties.—We were visited on Saturday last with more than the ordinary number of trips at this time of the year. The Largs steamer for Arran landed a small party; the Vale of Clyde landed the employees of Messrs Adams’ Jute Works, Dalmarnock, amounting to upwards of 400; the Kingstown landed upwards of 600 of the workers of the Calton Spinning Company. Preceded by a brass band, they marched to the Cricket Ground, where they engaged in races and other athletic sports until the afternoon, seemingly well pleased with their trip. There was less rowdyism displayed than on similar trips, and there was absolutely no petty pilfering. There were, however, the usual indecent scenes along the shore.”—North British Daily Mail, August 25, 1874

North British Daily Mail, September 22, 1874

Early in the season, in both steamers, there were ugly incidents involving drunken passengers. The incidents were prevalent in the steamers returning to Glasgow; many of the inebriates boarding at Gourock and Greenock where they had spent the day as bona fide travelers in the local hotels. Calls at Renfrew on the upward journeys were curtailed as a measure to reduce some of the worst abuses.

“Sunday travelling.—At the Clyde Police Court, Glasgow, Monday, John M‘Donald, joiner, 166 West Campbell Street, was charged with having been drunk and disorderly at Broomielaw the previous evening. From the evidence which was led it appeared that John had been down the water—that he had imbibed pretty freely, and that he returned to Glasgow in the evening with the steamer Kingstown. While that vessel was being moored John conducted himself in a somewhat demonstrative and disorderly manner, and being anxious for a fight he struck one of the passengers a blow on the face. It was stated that a number of the passengers were considerably the worse of liquor, that they were swearing and creating a disturbance. The charge against the prisoner having been found proven, he was ordered pay a fine of two guineas or go to prison for thirty days.”—Paisley Herald, April 17, 1875

“Gourock— Exciting Scene.— Yesterday afternoon, while the Sunday steamer Kingston touched this pier on her upward trip, a fine large hound was jumping ashore with its master before the gangway had been got, and the animal, not calculating the distance so well as its superior, fell short the pier, and the result was that the poor dog fell back between the pier and the paddle into the water. As the tide was low at the time it was feared that the animal received severe injuries, as the blood was flowing copiously from its nostrils. It was eventually got out with much difficulty, but not before fell back into the water three times.”—Greenock Telegraph, April 19, 1875

“River steamboat traffic.—As the season advances, additional steamboat accommodation is being provided the public. On Friday, the fine steamer Eagle, Captain Buchanan, resumed her station between Glasgow and Rothesay and early this month the Elaine is advertised to begin sailing. It is expected that the new steamer Windsor Castle will be ready about the middle of May, and will take her station between Glasgow and Lochgoilhead, via Kilcreggan and Dunoon. On Saturday, a large number of steamers proceeded on pleasure excursions to various places on the firth, and most of them were fairly patronized. Yesterday, the Dunoon Castle resumed sailing between Glasgow, Largs, and Rothesay. The steamer Kingston likewise commenced making two trips on Sunday between Glasgow, Greenock, and Gourock.”—Glasgow Herald, May 3, 1875

“Disorderly conduct on board the Sunday steamer.—On Monday at the River Bailie Court—Bailie Scott presiding—a blacksmith named John Boyle, residing in Govan Road, was accused of having the previous evening conducted himself in a disorderly manner on board the steamer Dunoon Castle, and attacked several of the passengers. Boyle was with some difficulty taken to the Clyde Police Office, where he was locked up. Defendant pleaded not guilty, but after evidence had been led was convicted, and fined the sum of two guineas.”—Paisley Herald, May 8, 1875

Glasgow Herald, May 14, 1875

One particularly nasty incident came to the fore when the steamer landed at Glasgow and a near riot ensued. Crowds regularly gathered to watch the drunks roll off the steamer or to preach against the evils of drink and Sunday travel.

“Disgraceful scene on a Sunday steamer.—For some weeks back, the Sunday boat from Glasgow to Rothesay has obtained a bad notoriety for the offences to public morality committed by many of its passengers. On Sunday, however, all the disgraceful features which, rightly or wrongly, are assimilated in the popular mind with this excursion were intensified. Never for a period of thirty years has the Broomielaw presented a more excited or ruffianly appearance than was the case on that night, when for over half-an-hour the quay was crowded by about 2,000 persons, either actors in or spectators of a row which it necessitated all the available force of the police in the Marine Division to quell. Two steamers went down the river on Sunday, the Kingstown and the Dunoon Castle. One of the stewards on board the former, named James Weir, drank too heavily, and commenced annoying a passenger named William Bremner. The quarrel culminated in a fight, the two men being allowed struggle with each other for a long time undisturbed, while the boat was on its way from Renfrew to the harbour. They were then separated by the captain, but coming together again were placed in a little room on the foredeck, where they fought. In the scuffle Weir seized his adversary’s ear, and bit a piece off. On the arrival the boat at the Broomieiaw both men were given into custody, and at the Clyde Police Court yesterday Weir was fined £5 5s, with the alternative of 60 days’ imprisonment. This case, however, was as nothing to a series of others which resulted from the excursion of the Dunoon Castle. On the return up the Clyde, woman named Ann Carmichael or Watson was obviously the worse for liquor, and her obtrusive conduct to the rest on board made her the butt for unbecoming behavior on the part of one or two men. On the arrival of the steamer at the quay, the woman and the whole of the parties implicated in the disturbance were given into custody. The woman Carmichael, however, behaved in the most outrageous manner when on shore, defying all the efforts of the constables to convey her to the station, struggling, kicking, and biting at everything within her reach. Two of the police received severe wounds on the hands from her teeth. A crowd quickly gathered, to the number, as has already been stated, of 2,000, and rendered the work of the constables trying and difficult in the extreme. Eventually a cab was brought for the conveyance of the prisoner to the office, when she broke all the windows and did other damage, lying back when restrained by her captors, and screaming at the top of her voice. With her were also apprehended James Scott, who was one of those on board the boat whose behaviour merited punishment; John Smith, who, in addition to his rudeness on board the Dunoon Castle, interfered with the police in the discharge of their duty; and Hugh Hamilton, who attempted to rescue the woman from custody, and struck the constables in the violence of his passion. All were brought before Bailie Macbean at the Clyde Police Court yesterday, when the woman Carmichael, John Smith, and James Scott, were fined £3 3s, with the alternative of 30 days’ imprisonment, Hamilton having the lighter imposition of £2 2s, with the same alternative. It was very long time before the Broomieiaw was restored to peace and order, and it was then found that a man was lying In the cabin of one of the vessels so insensibly drunk that could not be removed on shore, and with such symptoms of apoplexy that the police found it requisite to make several visitations to the vessel during the night to watch the progress of his drunken sleep. He was removed in the morning.”—Greenock Telegraph, June 8, 1875

In May, 1875, the Sunday trade had a new port of call when the pier at Dumbarton was opened. This allowed parties from the surrounding area, including the Vale of Leven access to trips down the river. Although the pier was inconvenient for the town, it was patronized on Sundays.

The trouble on board and at the ports of call continued through the summer.

“A party of Roman Catholics had an excursion down the river on Saturday in the steamer Kingston. On their arrival back at the Broomielaw in the afternoon, one of their number named Joseph M‘Kernan, was drunk, and while on the quay he made an unprovoked assault on two respectable men, by whom he was given in charge. His friends endeavoured to liberate him, and for some time there were strong fears that riot of formidable dimensions would be created. So hostile was the appearance of the crowd that it was deemed necessary to gather together nearly all the members of the Marine Division on the Broomielaw in readiness for a popular outbreak. Eventually the crowd was pacified, and M‘Keman conveyed the Police Office. At the Police Court yesterday he was lined £3 3s, with the alternative of 30 days’ imprisonment.—News.”—Greenock Telegraph, June 8, 1875

“Extraordinary freak a champion swimmer.—Cowie, the champion swimmer of Glasgow, was on Saturday one of the passengers on board the river steamer Dunoon Castle, and between six and seven o’clock, while the vessel was coming up the firth a short way off Prince’s Pier, he caused some consternation among the bulk of the passengers by leaping overboard. Others, aware what was going to take place, raised a loud “hurrah” when he was in the act going into the water. Several persons on shore observed the occurrence, and not knowing how matters stood they despatched a boat to pick him up. This was done, and the performer of the extraordinary freak was brought to terra firma after having been about quarter of hour in the water.”—Greenock Telegraph, June 21, 1875

“The Sunday steamers.— There was disgraceful conduct at the Quays yesterday afternoon. A large number of intoxicated persons came ashore from the Sunday steamers, and caused a considerable disturbance. A policeman stated that at one time it would have taken half the force to keep them in order. Two men were taken into custody, one for being drunk and incapable and the other for breach of the peace.”—Greenock Telegraph, June 21, 1875

“Disgraceful scenes at Greenock.—On Sunday afternoon, before the Sunday steamer Dunoon Castle arrived at Greenock, a considerable number of inebriates were standing on the quay ready proceed with the vessel to Glasgow. The manner in which they conducted themselves was scandalous; and several very respectable persons, whose business engagements required their presence in Glasgow early in the morning, when they saw the companions they would have on their voyage up the river, decided to remain on shore. When the steamer arrived, a number of drunken rowdies were landed, and the crowd was so great that it would have required a large force of policemen to quell the disturbance that was created.”—Paisley Herald, June 26, 1875

Glasgow Herald, July 9, 1875

“Sunday Steamers.— Yesterday these steamers were extremely well patronised. The Dunoon Castle landed here on her downward trip 200 pleasure-seekers.”—Greenock Telegraph, July 5, 1875

The problems were regularly brought to the attention of the local authorities who began to move from the stance that they could do nothing to a point where they began to investigate what steps they could indeed take to reduce the drinking and fighting.

“The Sunday steamers.—The Clyde Navigation Trust have instructed their General Manager to make inquiries, previous to taking steps to oppose the granting of licenses to sell drink on the Sunday river steamers, on account of the disgraceful scenes which are said to take place on board these vessels.”—Paisley Gazette, July 17, 1875

Notable passengers merited newsworthy content. It would seem that the upper-ranks of the populace were not averse to Sunday travel!

“Lord and Lady Howard of Glossop were travellers by the steamer Dunoon Castle yesterday. They drove from Greenock in the morning to Largs at which place they got the Sunday steamer for Rothesay, and afterwards drove to Mountstuart, the residence of the Marquis of Bute.”—North British Daily Mail, July 26, 1875

Glasgow Herald, August 18, 1875

Over the winter, the Dunoon Castle was re-engined and re-boilered and re-appeared with two funnels. The effect was not pleasing

“The river steamers.—Since the blockade of the Southern ports during the late American internecine war, there has not been such a change among our river steamers as will appear this season. We have lost the Craigrownie, Ardencaple, Ardgowan, and Levan; they have been bought by an English gentleman, and will be sailed on the Thames under the names of Duke of Edinburgh, Duke of Connaught, Duke of Cambridge, and Duke of Teck, respectively. The Hero and Balmoral have been bought by the Helensburgh Steamboat Company, and are sailing on that route with much improved appearance. The Eagle has renewed her youth; she has undergone most extensive alterations and improvements, and is considerably lighter and of less draught of water. She has a new engine, and instead of two boilers and funnels she has only one of each, which are placed in front of the paddlebox. She is not only improved in appearance but in speed. The Vale of Clwyd has also received a new boiler and funnel. The Dunoon Castle has new boilers and an additional funnel. Mr Seath, of Rutherglen, is building, and has in an advanced state, the hulls of two river steamers. One is to be a consort to the Vale of Clwyd on the Ayr route, and will be named Vale of Doon. She is 220 feet long, and is expected to be a clipper, with a full above-deck saloon on the quarter. The other is 200 feet long, and is to be a consort to the Vivid on the Kilmun route, and will be named the Blairmore.”—Rothesay Chronicle, April 22, 1876

It should be noted that the steamers building at Messrs Seath in Rutherglen were the Bonnie Doon and Benmore, not the Vale of Doon and Blairmore.

The two-funneled Dunoon Castle and single-funneled Eagle off Greenock

The new pier at Dumbarton was not long in recording trouble from the Sunday trade.

“Dumbarton.—A Sabbath trip and what it cost.—James Scullion, Renton. and James Mitchell, Dumbarton, both respectably dressed, were placed at the bar of the Police Court, charged with a breach of the peace at the Pier on Sabbath afternoon last, as also with assaulting and resisting Thomas Cumming, Superintendent of Police here, and Police constable Porteous of the Burgh Police force. They pleaded guilty. They had arrived with the Sunday steamer Kingstown at the Pier about six o’clock; and being the worse of drink they refused to pay their fare as also the pier dues. They became noisy and violent, and had to be taken into custody. They walked quietly up the Pier until they came to the esplanade, when one of them said “Now for it,” and instantly knocked down Superintendent and the police-constable. They were each fined £5, with the alternative of 30 days’ imprisonment.”—North British Daily Mail, April 25, 1876

At the beginning of May, new arrangements were announced. The Kingstown was given the principal Sunday sailing to Rothesay, although omitting a call at Largs. The Dunoon Castle, it was announced would be sailing to Arran in concert with the Guinevere.

Glasgow Herald, May 6, 1876

Glasgow Herald, May 6, 1876

Glasgow Herald, May 6, 1876

The back story to the new deployment for the Dunoon Castle is interesting. The steamer, Guinevere, was well known, sailing to Lamlash by way of Rothesay. She had been owned by Messrs John Brymner & Co.,and was offered for sale in April. She was purchase by Captain Duncan M‘Intyre and William Chalmers who had been pier-master of Clynder Pier on the Gareloch, and owners of the steamer Hero. The sum to be paid was £6,000 with £800 as a down payment. Captain M‘Intyre took possession and continued the Guinevere on her old route, sailing in consort with the Dunoon Castle. In late June or early July, Messrs Brymner could not obtain the balance owed and obtained an interdict against Captain M‘Intyre, and thereafter she sailed under instruction from the Court. It may well have been that Mr Brymner, at one time a Magistrate in Greenock, was not not happy that his old steamer was associated with the Sunday breaker and was concerned that Guinevere would end up sailing on the Sabbath. In August she was offered again for sale and bought by Messrs Brymner for £5000, realizing £1,000 less than the first sale and resulting in the forfeiture of the £800 down-payment by Captain M‘Intyre and Mr Chalmers. The latter went into bankruptcy. Needless to say, the arrangements of Dunoon Castle sailing to Arran did not result in a permanent change of business and she reverted to her old ways soon after. Guinevere was sold to Messrs Keith & Campbell before the end of the year.

Guinevere at the Broomielaw (Washington Wilson)

North British Daily Mail, May 12, 1876

“Sunday steamers.—Yesterday, the steamer Dunoon Castle resumed sailing between Glasgow, Largs, and Rothesay for the season. The Kingstown has resumed making two trips on Sunday from Glasgow to Greenock and Gourock. Both steamers were well supplied with passengers.”—Greenock Telegraph, May 22, 1876

“A Sunday riot.—Three young men, named Robert Cairney, a die-sinker; John Wilson, apprentice boilermaker; and James Park, engineer, were charged with creating a disturbance on the Steamboat Quay yesterday (Sunday.) They said they were not guilty, but the evidence showed that they had been very quarrelsome, and fighting with each other. They had arrived as passengers by the Sunday steamer Kingston from Glasgow. The Magistrate said the conduct of the parties was disgraceful, and inflicted a fine of 15s each or 7 days to prison.”—Greenock Telegraph, May 22, 1876

Glasgow Herald, June 10, 1876

Glasgow Herald, June 10, 1876

North British Daily Mail, August 5, 1876

“Rothesay.—Sabbath desecration.—Yesterday, a deputation, consisting of the Rev. Dr Elder, Rev. Messrs Williamson, Ross, and M‘Lean, along with ex-Provost Macbeth and other elders, waited upon the Magistrates with the view of seeing what might be done in the way of lessening the evils of Sabbath desecration arising from the Sunday steamer, the hiring of cabs and other conveyances on the Sabbath, and the opening of little shops, &c. The deputation was well received, and the Magistrates sympathised with the sentiments expressed by the various speakers. After some conversation, it was agreed to form a joint association of the ministers, Magistrates, and others, for the purpose of bringing their moral pressure to bear upon those engaged in the traffic complained of.”—North British Daily Mail, August 15, 1876

“Moved by the scenes of drunkenness and disorder which are said to be of frequent occurrence on Sunday in Bute, the clergy of the island waited on Monday on the Magistrates of Rothesay on the subject of Sabbath desecration. The Provost expressed the utmost sympathy with the views of the deputation, and said the Magistrates not only wished to prevent the Sunday steamer from calling at Rothesay, but to stop the cabs, to close the shops, and to make boys who have dogs stay at home instead of roaming about the country. He suggested the formation of an association in which ministers, elders, and magistrates might join.”—Renfrewshire Independent, August 19, 1876

In October 1876, the Kingstown was placed on a trial by the re-formed Tranmere Ferry Co., on the Mersey and with good reports, was sold. It is interesting to note that double ended ferries like Kingstown were relatively well known on the Mersey and at least one, Heather Belle, built in 1862 like Kingstown, made her way to the Liffy.

Double-ended Liffy ferry