In 1878 the Royal Mail steamer Columba was built by Messrs. J. & G. Thomson (now John Brown & Co.), of Clydebank, who were also the builders of the Iona. She is the largest passenger steamer on the Firth of Clyde, and few, if any, cross-channel steamers exceed her in length. According to the official description of her, she is 316 feet in length, 50 feet in breadth (inclusive of paddle boxes), and 9 feet in depth. She is built entirely of steel, and is fitted with two oscillating engines of 220 nominal horse-power, but capable of working up to 3,000 indicated horse-power.
Two years previously the R.M.S. Columba was refitted by Messrs. Hutson & Sons, Limited, with two large tubulous boilers of the haystack type, made entirely of steel, and with twelve furnaces. When working at full pressure, she attains a speed of 22 miles per hour, and she is certified to carry over 2,000 passengers. The Columba is steered by a steam steering engine, has the novelty of a set of steam bits at bow and stern by which the vessel is warped into piers, and has all the modern improvements introduced on board.
The upper saloon is very luxuriously fitted up, and in the interior are reading table, writing desk and lounges. The large square windows are carried round the sides and stern, affording a fine view of the scenery through which the steamer passes.
The breakfast and dining saloon, which is 8 feet high and well ventilated, has a series of separate circular tables, and meals are served at any time. The dining saloon (forward) for steerage or fore-cabin passengers is light and airy.
The ladies’ and gentlemen’s cabins are elegantly fitted up with the usual hand-basins and other conveniences.
There is a shampooing and hairdressing establishment, with a supply of every toilet requisite; a splendid bathroom, affording passengers who have travelled during the night the luxury of a salt-water bath, and a cloak room where they can leave hand-bags and other small articles. There are in addition a book stall and a fruit stall for cabin passengers, and for steerage passengers, a ladies’ cabin forward and several stalls (fruit stalls, &c.) are provided.
The only floating post office in the kingdom is to be found on board the Columba, and in it is transacted a larger amount of business than is transacted in many a provincial town. In it letters, telegrams and parcels are received, stamped, sorted and distributed at every calling place, for transmission to all parts, and it is of immense convenience to tourists and the inhabitants along the route. Upwards of 100,000 letters pass through this office in a month, of which a large proportion are local letters passing between the coast towns and villages at which the steamer calls. Over 450 telegrams were handed in, and upward of £70 received for postage and telegraph stamps in one month. The most sanguine expectations of the Post Office Department being more than realised, has induced the Postmaster-General to add to the staff. Three post office officials travel with the Columba. Postal orders can be purchased, and those issued at other offices in the kingdom cashed on board this steamer.
R.M.S. Columba. David MacBrayne.
In 1902 Mr. David MacBrayne assumed as partners his two sons, Mr. David Hope, and Mr. Laurence MacBrayne, the name of the firm remaining unchanged.