Builders: J & G Thomson 1864
Propulsion type: Paddle, 2 cylinder simple oscillating
Owners: David Hutcheson & Co, David MacBrayne Ltd
Service dates: 1864 - 1936
Tonnage: Gross 393
Comments:
This picture comes courtesy of Terry Cooper, who runs an excellent site on, amongst other things, piers and paddlers. See The Worlds largest collection of UK Pier Pictures images and photos on the Internet.
Iona (II) was sold in 1863 for use as an American Blockade boat but sank near Lundy Island en route. Hutchesons placed an order for her successor and kept the same name when she was launched on 10 May 1864. The new Iona was a beautiful ship with curved and engraved bow, two funnels and a very pleasing and balanced profile. Some of her fittings came from Iona (II). In 1873 she was fitted with telegraphs and steam steering gear for her service on the Ardrishaig route, where she is shown here. She later sailed out of Oban and then back on the Ardrishaig service again in conjunction with PS Columba. Iona (III) stayed on the Clyde during the Great War and was chartered for a short while to the Caledonian Steam Packet for railway connection work from Weymss Bay. After the war she was refitted and had new saloons added. She then sailed to Lochgoilhead and Arrochar, then from Oban to Fort William. Her career lasted 72 years in total and ended when she was broken up, alongside Columba, at Dalmuir in 1936.