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Caledonian Steam Packet Company

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Caledonian Steam Packet Company
IndustryShipping
Founded1889
Defunct1973
FateTaken over
SuccessorCaledonian MacBrayne
Area served
Clyde and West of Scotland
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.

Formation

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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

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PS Waverley in 1970, funnels in CSP livery with red lion rampant
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

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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

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

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
Paddle Steamer Duchess of Montrose
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
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 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.
DEPV 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
Paddle Steamer Maid of the Loch at Balloch Pier.
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
Motor Vessel Maid of Ashton leaving Blairmore.
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

References

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  1. ^ a b "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. ^ a b 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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