Glasgow And Ships Of The Clyde

"Caledonia" sets sail for Brodick

From "The Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald" dated Friday 5th June 1970.

"Caledonia" sets sail

Eighty years ago last Friday the Caledonian Steam Packet Company inaugurated their service between Ardrossan and Arran with the steamship "Duchess of Hamilton."

Last Friday evening the present "Duchess of Hamilton" returning from a charter cruise, whooped her siren as she entered Ardrossan Harbour and saw her youngest sister the drive-on-and-off ferry the new "Caledonia," at her berth about to make her maiden run to Arran.

The new ferry had been expected to make her first run at 11a.m. that day but operational difficulties delayed her arrival at Ardrossan until just before 17.00

There had been a large number of spectators in the morning, many with cameras, hoping to be present on the inaugural run, but having to be content with crossing on "Glen Sannox."
In the evening there were not many spectators - a few boys and officials of the CSP Coy. and Ardrossan Harbour Company.

At 18.55 "Caledonia" slipped her moorings, reversed into the channel and set off at 14 knots for Brodick carrying 400 passengers.

She returned to Ardrossan just before 22.00 and took up her regular schedule on Saturday.

Unfortunately she encountered some difficulties on Saturday when she had trouble docking at Brodick due to strong winds, and she was unable to sail for more than two hours when generator trouble developed at Brodick.

Built in 1966 in Norway, "Caledonia" has a gross registered tonnage of 1156. Her overall length is 202 feet 6 inches, her beam measurement is 40 feet, and her draft is 10ft 11 1/2 inches. Her complement is 650 passengers and 50 private cars.

The first vehicle aboard "Caledonia" on Friday was a lorry belonging to Arran Transport Ltd.
The ferry carried 27 cars and five lorries which all drove on to the ship in a total time of 6 1/2 minutes.
There were a few teething troubles with ramp adjustments and passengers having to be brought by bus from Fairlie, but everything was amiable and good humoured despite the heavy rain and cold wind.

On her return interested spectators were officers from the Ardrossan-Belfast ferry "Lion," one of whom commented : "We're calling her the "Lion's cub" ... but who's her father?"
Again there were few spectators of the ship's arrival - Mr. W. Currie, chief engineer of the Harbour Company and some of his staff, Police Sgt. Allan, and half a dozen members of the public.

Among those who made the first return trip were members of the Clyde River Steamer Club.