Napier established regular steam-packet communication between Greenock and Belfast by means of the Rob Roy, a vessel of 90 tons burden and 30 horse power. After plying for two years between these ports with great regularity and success, the Rob Roy was transferred to the English Channel as a packet between Dover and Calais. Cross-channel steamboats between England and Ireland were first introduced in 1816, when the steam-packet Hibernia was built by a company to carry passengers between Holyhead and Howth. The Hibernia was 112 tons burden, 77 feet keel measurement, and 9 feet draft. She was lugger rigged, and capable of making the passage by sails only. Her average passage, Holyhead to Howth, was about seven hours, and her passengers frequently had the satisfaction of arriving in Dublin considerably in advance of the Mail packets.
FOOTNOTES:
[11] “History of Steam Navigation,” Adm. Prebble, U.S.N.
Chapter VI.
Early Clyde Steam-packets.—Season Tickets issued, 1816.—First steamer to cross the English Channel.—Dumbarton Castle steams round North of Scotland, 1819.—First serious Accident to a Steam-packet.—Clyde Passenger Fares, 1818.
Many circumstances combined to make the Clyde the birthplace and the home of the Marine Steam Engine. Coal and iron mines were in close proximity, and skilled labour for the construction of engines and of ships was abundant. The beautiful Firth, with its numerous lochs and islands, constituted an ideal locality for the employment of steamboats while yet the art of steamship building was in its infancy. And on the shores of the River, or within easy distance of it, dwelt a large industrial population, eager to take advantage of the facilities for travel which steamboats afforded.
Under these circumstances it is not surprising that steam-packets on the Clyde increased with marvellous rapidity. In 1812 the Comet first began to ply between Glasgow, Greenock and Helensburgh, and she was, in fact, the only steamboat then sailing on British waters. Three years later (in 1815) a fleet of seven steamers, viz., the Glasgow, Britannia, Dumbarton Castle, Caledonia, Argyle, Prince of Orange, and Princess Charlotte, sailed regularly from Glasgow to Largs, Ardrossan, Troon and Ayr, southwards; and Rothesay, Tarbert, Lochgilphead and Inverary, westwards. No agents’ names are given in any of the press advertisements of this or previous years, but the sailings were advertised on boards placed outside the agent’s counting houses, and exhibited in taverns and other places of public resort. In 1816 and subsequent years the owners’ or agents’ names are appended to the press notices of the various steam-packets.
Early type of African Coasting Steamer.