Builders: Denny Brothers Dumbarton 1846
Propulsion type: Paddle originally steeple machinery, later two cylinder oscillating (by John Penn & Co of Greenwich)
Owners: Dumbarton Steamboat Co, Mr J Tizzard, Cosens & Co
Service dates: 1846 - 1937
Tonnage: Net 54 Gross 129
Comments:
They don't build them like they used to! Premier had a long and successful career, spanning 91 years. At the end of her life she was not only the oldest paddle steamer afloat in the UK but also older than any other ship holding a Board of Trade Certificate and was said to be the oldest steamer in the world. Originally operating on the Clyde for river passenger service between Glasgow and Dumbarton, she was one of the steamers that escorted the Royal Yacht during the visit of Queen Victoria to the Clyde in 1847. Whilst on the Clyde she did not possess a mast but obtained one when she went to Weymouth after purchase by Mr Tizzard in 1852 and at one stage had two masts, although later reverted to one. Premier was acquired by Cosens in 1872 and was re engined in 1878 when her original steeple machinery was replaced a set of two cylinder simple oscillating engines. She was also lengthened by 8 ft 5in between the fore cabin and engine room. Premier was re boilered again in 1885 by Day, Summers & Co and had her square stern replaced by a rounded one. Again re boilered in 1910, she saw war service as an examination steamer for the Admiralty and was the oldest pleasure steamer in war service. She continued in service for Cosens until being sold for scrapping in 1938 by T W Ward Ltd, although she was not without incident as in June 1932 she collided with HMS Rainbow, a submarine at Portland Harbour, and suffered considerable damage to her bows. For two onboard pictures of PS Premier please click here.