This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1904 Excerpt: ...doubt that the proposal embodied the last and only hope for the continuance of a prosperous steamboat ownership on the Clyde, independent of the railway companies. For various reasons, the most prevalent being mutual jealousy, it was not adopted, and the ruinous rivalries and consequent decadence of private ownership ...
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1904 Excerpt: ...doubt that the proposal embodied the last and only hope for the continuance of a prosperous steamboat ownership on the Clyde, independent of the railway companies. For various reasons, the most prevalent being mutual jealousy, it was not adopted, and the ruinous rivalries and consequent decadence of private ownership went on. The Wemyss Bay Railway and Steamboat Company was now permanently established, and controlled the bulk of the important traffic to Rothesay, and all the traffic to Largs and Millport. As a consequence, the up-river boats were left to survive or to starve on the traffic to Dunoon and the smaller watering-places on the Argyle shores, and beyond Rothesay the traffic between the intermediate piers and the enthusiasts who preferred the long sail from the Broomielaw. At this period the coast towns may be said to have been at the zenith of their popularity as "family summer resorts." Great was the demand for house accommodation, and for ground to build more. In the Kyles of Bute, especially, the demand was greater than the supply. The proprietors, there, however. Towards the end of the sixties the Glasgow & South-Western Railway Company, or, as it was then called, the Greenock & Ayrshire Railway Company, sought powers to connect Greenock with Ayrshire. These were obtained without difficulty, as, from a superficial point of view, the extension did not involve interference with the territory served by the other companies. But no sooner was the bill passed than the Caledonian Railway Company became aware that it had been caught napping. The real object of the enterprise was seen to be the creation of a Glasgow and Greenock line for local and coast traffic, in direct competition with the existing lines of the Caledonian and North...
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All Editions of The Clyde Passenger Steamers: Its Rise and Progress During the Nineteenth Century: From the 'Comet' of 1812 to the 'King Edward' of 1901
