Today's image is of a paddle steamer, the Columba.


Built in 1878 by J & G Thomson of Clydebank, she was owned by David MacBrayne and was the first of the David Hutchison & Co. company's ships to be built in steel. She was eventually scrapped in 1936.

There are several references to the Columba being one of the most graceful paddlers on the Clyde and she worked the Tarbert and Ardrishaig route for her whole career. She even had the first floating post office in the UK on board.

More information about her on the Clydebuilt database here and also on the Paddle Steamer picture gallery here and on this site. The paddle steamer gallery even has pictures of the interior from a 1902 guidebook here.