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Side-Wheeled Paddle Steamers
Firth
of Clyde,
Scotland
Captain
Alexander Williamson
(1853-1890)
After joint
steamboat ownership with Captain William Buchanan from 1853 to 1862,
Alexander Williamson (senior) built up a fleet of steamers known as
the "Turkish Fleet" due to vessel names evoking the Ottoman Empire.
The Turkish fleet operated "all the way" sailings from Glasgow to the
Clyde resorts, latterly in connection with the Glasgow & South
West Railway at Greenock. Captain Alexander died in 1890 just as his
eldest son James had become Marine Superintendent of the newly formed
Caledonian Steam Packet Company. The Glasgow & South Western,
obtaining powers to operate steamboats in competition, purchased the
Turkish Fleet and installed James' younger brother Alex (junior) as
their Marine Superintendent. A third son, John, became a private
owner, eventually merging his fleet with that of Buchanan Steamers
Ltd.
PS Sultan
PS Sultana
PS Viceroy
PS Marquis of Bute
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