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PS Mercury (1934)

Above : Mercury.  An Anderson family photograph of the paddle steamer calling at Lochranza by kind courtesy of Bill Anderson  

Launched in 1934 by Fairfield Engineering & Shipbuilding Co, Glasgow
Triple expansion 3 cylinder diagonal steam engines, 22.5, 35 and 56 in x 54 in stroke
Dimensions : 223'8" x 30'1"
621 Gross Registered Tons

Quasi-sister ship of PS Caledonia, similar in basic design but with differences of detail and particularly the engine
Notable visual differences were the size, number and spacing of windows (main and promenade decks), ventilator locations and funnel shape
With Caledonia, introduced the concealed paddle box style to the Clyde, disguising her "old fashioned" propulsion method
Introduced on the Kyles of Bute service for the LMS
Transferred to the CSP in 1938
Requisitioned as a minesweeper in World War II
Struck a mine off the Irish coast on 24th December 1940 but sunk under tow to Milford Haven by her sister Caledonia

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Clyde Steamers of the 1930s
British Paddle Steamer Index