paddlesteamers.info : The Internet's leading website for
Side-Wheeled Paddle Steamers
Firth
of Clyde,
Scotland
Captain
John Williamson
(1892-1919)
John
Williamson entered into private steamboat ownership in competition
with his elder brothers James and Alex who managed the CSP and GSWR
railway fleets respectively. Williamson was a partner in the Turbine
Steamers Syndicate formed in 1901 to manage the revolutionary TS King
Edward and remained as manager when the syndicate was incorporated as
a limited company in 1902. In 1919 the fleet was merged with the
Buchanan fleet to form Williamson-Buchanan Steamers Ltd, which ran in
close coordination with Turbine Steamers Ltd. Williamson purchased
two of his father's former Turkish Fleet (Sultan and Sultana) once
the GSWR had introduced its newly-built tonnage but did order three
new steamers directly.
Steamers
Purchased
PS
Benmore
PS Ardmore (ex-Sultan)
PS Sultana
PS Marquis of Bute
PS Kylemore (ex-Britannia, ex-Vulcan)
New
Build
PS
Glenmore
PS Strathmore
PS
Queen-Empress
Other
Vessels
PS Athole - purchased in
1898 but not operated by John Williamson and scrapped
SS Alert - screw steamer purchased in 1900 for cargo
service. Sold in 1901
Return
to
Firth of
Clyde