paddlesteamers.info : The Internet's leading website for
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)
PS Eagle
PS Cardiff Castle
PS Petrel
PS Eagle
PS Rothesay Castle
PS Brodick Castle
PS Elaine
PS Scotia
PS Balmoral (ex Lady Brisbane)
PS Hero
PS Guinevere
PS Shandon (ex Chancellor)
PS Vesta
PS Vivid
PS Benmore
PS Isle of Bute (ex
Guy Mannering, ex Sheila)
PS Isle of Cumbrae
(ex Duchess of York, ex Jeanie Deans)
PS Isle of Skye
New
Build to
1919
PS Isle
of Arran
PS Eagle III
Return
to
Firth of Clyde