TS Duchess of Hamilton
TS Duchess of Hamilton was a Clyde passenger excursion steamer, built in 1932 for the Caledonian [Steam Packet Company]. She was a popular boat, providing day cruises from Ayr and remaining in service until 1970.
History
TS Duchess of Hamilton was built by Harland & Wolff at Govan for the Caledonian Steam Packet Company following the success of her sister. Built to replace at Ayr, she was a one-class vessel, carrying saloon class passengers only and had a service speed of around 18 knots. She came under the control of British Railways in 1948, and in 1965 received new livery of a blue hull with red rampant lions on her funnels.Superseded by diesel vessels, she gave her last voyage, to Campbeltown on 28 September 1970. Sold to the Reo-Stakis organisation as a night club/restaurant, she was moved to Ardrossan for modification, but the project failed and she was broken up, at Troon in 1974.
Layout
Duchess of Hamilton was almost identical to her sister,. Their single class made them spacious, as facilities were not duplicated. She had an "Old English" bar, a tearoom and two lounges – an observation lounge on the promenade deck and below that, a luxurious forward saloon. Aft on the main deck, there was a dining saloon.Crosstrees were added to her mainmast in 1939. The wheel house was originally open but was enclosed in 1948. A cafeteria was installed in 1955 and the following year she was converted from coal to oil burning and was fitted with radar in 1960.