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Side-Wheeled Paddle Steamers
Firth
of Clyde, UK
Captain
William Buchanan (Buchanan Steamers Ltd from
1905)
Captain William
Buchanan , followed by his sons William, John and James, developed
the largest private fleet of vessels on the Clyde. As a limited
company from 1905, and after amalgamation with the fleet of captain
John Williamson in 1919, the Buchanan name remained on the Clyde
until the Second World War. Captains Buchanan and Williamson (Alex,
senior) were the two main owners of PS Eagle from 1853 until 1862
when Captain Williamson established his own fleet. The Buchanan fleet
expanded rapidly through the purchase of second hand vessels from
other, often faltering, private owners. In later years vessels were
purchased from the railway-owned steamer companies. New build was
comparatively infrequent. The independent operators were not backed
to the often excessive levels afforded to the railway steamers and
their vessels were generally older and more spartan than their
competitors. Nevertheless, these vessels could provide a cheap day
out for the Glasgow day-tripper sailing directly from the Broomielaw
in the city centre "all the way" to the Clyde
resorts.
Vessels Purchased from other owners
(1853-1913)
Eagle
Cardiff Castle
Petrel
Eagle
Rothesay Castle
Brodick Castle
Elaine
Scotia
Balmoral (ex Lady Brisbane)
Hero
Guinevere
Shandon (ex Chancellor)
Vesta
Vivid
Benmore
Isle of Bute (ex
Guy Mannering, ex Sheila)
Isle of Cumbrae
(ex Duchess of York, ex Jeanie Deans)
Isle of Skye
New
Build to
1919
Isle
of Arran
Eagle III
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Firth of Clyde