Gondolier Paddle Steamer

[brian leakey.]

I have been researching into building a scale model of the Gondolier Paddle steamer built by J&G Thomson in 1866 which sailed on thew Caledonian Canal. I have found several very helpful images of the ship online but none of them appear to be side on. Would anybody be able to provide me with such images or have any details or knowledge of any plans which exist for the ship. Also any dimensions would be greatly appreciated.

I have just finished building the Duchess of Hamilton and hope to make this my next project if I can find enough information.

Can anybody please help?

[djcf]

Hi Brian,
I would try the University of Glasgow Archive service, the Ballast Trust, and the Mitchell Library in Glasgow if I was searching for plans...maybe others will have more suggestions. I have dealt with all three in the past and they were very helpful.

The book "The Caledonian Canal, Lochs, Locks and Pleasure Steamers", by Guthrie Hutton, has quite a few good photos (15 or so) of GONDOLIER including close ups/on deck shots, none really side on though. Would be good for model detail.
ISBN 1-84033-033-3.

This sounds like an interesting project and I hope your research is successful, let us know how you get on, it would be nice to see the model progress.

PS
what Duchess of Hamilton did you model, was it the paddler of 1890, or the 30's turbine?  Would be great if you could post some pics of her.

regards,
Clark

[Eddy Matthews]

I'm fairly sure you will have seen these images before, but a quick search on the net came up with the following...

Regards
Eddy

[greateastern]

http://www.clydesite.co.uk/clydebuilt/viewship.asp?id=6487
gives a photo and some information.
ps GONDOLIERbuilt by J & G Thomson Govan,
Yard No 87
Propulsion: Fitted with Twin Cylinder Oscillating Engines and 2 x Locomtove Boilers as built. Reboilered in 1930 with Haystack boiler (manufactured 1902) from ps Grenadier.
Launched: Thursday, 03/05/1866
Built: 1866
Ship Type: Paddle Steamer
Tonnage: 173grt
Owner History:
David Hutchison & Co, Glasgow
DAvid MacBrayne, Glasgow
David MacBrayne Ltd, Glasgow
Status: Scuttled - 1939

Remarks:
Previous update by Stuart Cameron

At the end of 1939 season vessel was taken over by the Admiralty and after having her engines, boilers, sponsons, paddleboxes and saloons removed was towed to Scapa Flow and scuttled as a blockship.

Jan 06 Additional information from Joe McMillan Collection
The national archives of Scotland do not list any plans

[greateastern]

In checking the National Archives of Scotland, they have listed 1 photograph 1890. No plans but they don't include Belfast in their listings.
http://www.nas.gov.uk/onlineCatalogue/