THE IRON PADDLESTEAMER DANDIE DINMONT IN COASTAL WATERS

LAUNCHED ON 11TH APRIL 1866, THE IRON PADDLE STEAMER DANDIE DINMONT WAS BUILT BY A. & J. INGLIS OF POINTHOUSE, GLASGOW, FOR THE NORTH BRITISH STEAM PACKET COMPANY. REGISTERED AT 215 TONS AND MEASURING 197 FEET IN LENGTH WITH A 22½ FOOT BEAM, SHE BEGAN HER CAREER ON THE COMPANY'S SERVICE FROM HELENSBURGH TO LOCK FYNE ALTHOUGH SHE WAS SOON TRANSFERRED TO THE DUNOON AND HOLY LOCH RUN FOLLOWING THE ABANDONMENT OF THE FORMER UNPROFITABLE ROUTE. POWERED BY A FAST DIAGONAL OSCILLATING 2-CYLINDER ENGINE AND DESIGNED WITH FORE AND AFT DECK SALOONS "OF THE MOST LUXURIOUS DESCRIPTION", SHE WAS A POPULAR STEAMER AND REMAINED IN SERVICE ON THE CLYDE UNTIL 1888 WHEN SHE WAS SOLD TO THE SOUTHSEA, VENTNOR, SHANKLIN AND SANDOWN STEAMSHIP COMPANY WHICH USED HER FOR EXCURSIONS IN AND AROUND THE SOLENT. RETAINING HER NORTHERN POPULARITY, HER LIFE WAS ENDED PREMATURELY WHEN SHE SANK IN PORTSMOUTH HARBOUR IN 1891. ALTHOUGH SUBSEQUENTLY RAISED, IT WAS DECIDED NOT TO REFURBISH HER AND SHE WAS SOLD FOR SCRAPPING.