EXCURSION & INSHORE STEAMSHIPS by Tramscape, publishers of the Paddle Steamer Resources Database
Other Scottish-built Excursion Steamships (excluding Turbine Steamers) and matters of Clyde maritime interest
One 1900-built Scottish lake steamer remains in operation in her home country
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SS Sir Walter Scott on Lake Katrine is a conventional steamer
also, but due to its age and importance to Scottish tourism, a vessel
not to be missed |
Former Glasgow Sewage Sludge Dumper now cruises the South of England coast
SS Shieldhall was built in 1955 by Lobnitz & Co at Renfrew for carrying
treated sludge from Glasgow's sewage works for dumping further out on the Firth
of Clyde. The 1753 grt screw steamer was given a magnificent set of steam reciprocating
engines - and even on occasions took passengers out on her journeys. She was
sold to the Southern Water Company in 1977 and worked out of Southampton from 1980
until 1985 and was purchased for the new owners for GBP 20,000 in 1988. She
is now owned by the Solent Steam Packet Ltd, a charitable organisation in the
UK with all work carried out by volunteers. She now operates a limited programme
of cruises, generally on summer Saturdays out of Southampton, and is available
for bookings for private functions, both statically or in steam. She is part
of the "Core Collection" of ships on the UK's National Register of
Historic vessels, recognising her uniqueness and historical importance.
Length
: 268 ft, breadth : 44 ft 7 in
Engines : 2 engines, each triple expansion
: Cylinders 15, 25 and 40 inch by 30 inch stroke. Speed in service 9 knots (maximum
13)
Shieldhall
website
Only two of the withdrawn Istanbul steam ferries built in Glasgow in 1961 now remain
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Although not turbine steamers, these vessels are of particular interest,
being built at a time when steam had long since been replaced by
diesel propulsion for new ferries. Only two
now survive in preservation. |
Canadian Great Lakes Steamship survives as Museum at Saugatuk-Douglas, Michigan USA
SS
Keewatin - The last "classic" Great
Lakes steamer steamer (1907-65) at Saugatuk/Douglas, Michigan since 1967. Museum open to the public (External
link)
3856 grt, Dimensions : 350 ft x 43.5 ft : Engines - Quadruple Expansion
Built
in 1907 at Greenock for the Canadian Pacific Railway. Split in two sections
at Montreal for shipment through the Welland canal to Buffalo, NY. and entered
service between Owen Sound at Port Arthur / Fort William on Lake Superior. Based
at Port McNicoll, ON from 1912 and served until 29th November, 1965. Arrived
at her currrent home on 27th June 1967.
The last coastal steamship in Australia under restoration at Sydney
Built in 1927 by Bow, Mclachlan of Paisley to order of the Queensland Harbours
and River Board, SS John Oxley was used as a pilot ship in Moreton Bay and as
a lighthouse tender until retired in 1968. Converted from coal to oil firing
in 1946 and retains her triple expansion engines. In 1970 she was donated to
the Sydney Heritage Fleet. She was used on museum cruises a number of times
before being laid up needingattention to her hull and she is now out of the
water undergoing a comprehensive restoration by volunteers. The website is one
of the most comprehensive of any ship restoration project, explaining the processes
in great detail
John
Oxley Website
Other matters of Clyde maritime interest
Sailing Barque forms centre
of attraction at Glasgow riverside regeneration
In 1977 it was planned that there would be a maritime Museum in Glasgow and
the City council purchased the last Caledonian-MacBrayne steamer, Queen Mary
to be the focal point. Financial cuts meant that the project was abandoned and
the vessel sold. The Clyde was bereft of historical vessels. The Tuxedo Princess
(ex-Caledonian Prncess) spent ten years as a city-centre bar and discotheque,
but tradition was mainly maintained by the presence of the "Tall
Ship", the sailing barque "Glenlee", built in 1896 and now one
of only five Clyde-built sailing ships afloat and the only one in the UK. A
new Transport Museum is now under construction in Glasgow, which will be alongside
the Clyde as part of a massive regeneration project in the former docklands
area. Glenlee
is due to be mooored alongside the new museum when it opens in 2011. She is owned
by the charitable Clyde Maritime Trust and is open for visitors.
Website
WEB LINKS
More, smaller vessels are owned by the Scottish
Maritime Museum and moored at Irvine and at Braehead, Glasgow
Modern ferry services
are provided by Caledonian-MacBrayne
: Keep up to date with goings-on on the private website Ships
of CalMac
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