Builders: J&G Thomson Govan 1852
Propulsion type: Paddle single cylinder
Owners: David Hutcheson &Co
Service dates: 1852 - 1889
Tonnage: Gross 229
Comments:
Mountaineer (I) was a very modern steamer for her time and, as built, sported a flush deck, gilded & carved bow and stern and "excellent accommodation". Her trials had proved she was capable of 15 knots, which was more than respectable in the mid 19th century. Built for the Ardrishaig service, she proved so popular that the increase in passenger traffic saw her replaced by Iona (I) in 1855, when Mountaineer was moved to Oban. From there she sailed to Staffa, Iona and Fort William in the summer, returning to Ardrishaig in the winter. For a while she ran to Crinan and to Loch Coruisk on excursion work. Mountaineer was lengthened in 1869 and again in 1872, adding some 21 feet and she was also given a deck saloon to improve the comfort of her passenegrs. She was lost in September 1889, when she ran aground whilst returning to Oban in poor weather. Whilst there was no loss of life, and she was not badly damaged, the weather worsened and on 7 October she broke in two before she could be salvaged. Her crew did, however, manage to save her paddles, her funnel and part of her machinery.
Thanks are due to George Robinson for supplying this picture.