Model of Lochfyne, 1931 William Denny & Brothers LT.1965.10
“Every now and then, a tremendous shudder shook the vessel, as if some giant were trying to wrench her apart.”
Ian McCrorie from "Steamers of the Highlands and Islands: An illustrated history"
William Denny & Brothers, who built the Lochfyne, were definitely one of the most innovative shipbuilders on the Clyde. They made great progress in both the technical aspects of shipbuilding and also their approach to company/employee working relations.
It was a good sea boat, a steamer couldn’t cope with the conditions that the Lochfyne could. The difference between a steamer and the Lochfyne was like the difference between having a Lamborghini and an Escort. The Lochfyne shook the teeth out your gums.
Re; Holidays on the Clyde clip. The first steamer shown in this clip is a close up of the PS Mercury (1934)quasi sister to the Caledonia (1934). Mercury was lost on war service on St.Stephen's Day 1940 while minesweeping with Caledonia.
Did you ever sail on the Lochfyne? Or maybe you worked for William Denny shipbuilders?
We got the return journey on the Lochfyne on the last day she ran. On that day she was one of the last MacBrayne Boats on the Clyde. At the end of her service the crew would have been paid off when they returned to Greenock
Lochfyne has proved herself to be of an immense amount of interest among the travelling public…a tremendous attraction to the travelling public and tourists: and after her normal day’s run in the summer, she frequently undertakes evening cruises from Oban, which are very popular.
