SAINT COLUMBA (David MacBrayne)

postcard by Valentine & Sons, no. B.1047, 

not posted, date written on back (5th August 1958), 

5.5" x 3.5", 140mm x 90mm (approx)

our ref: XRZ021

SAINT COLUMBA (David MacBrayne)

Passenger ferry built by Denny, Dumbarton, for Turbine Steamers Limited as Queen Alexandra to replace the previous ship of that name which had been sold to Canadian Pacific. Built with 2 funnels she entered service with a cruise in 5/1912 and was then placed on a year round route from Greenock to Fairlie, Lochranza (Arran), Pimmill (Arran), Machrie Bay (Arran) and Campbeltown. From 1915 to 1919 she served as a cross-channel troopship and rammed and sank a U-Boat in this time. On return to commercial service in 5/1919 was placed on the Glasgow to Inverary summer service. From 1927 she operated Ardrossan to Campbeltown via Arran. Laid up in 1935 and at the end of the year taken over by David MacBrayne and sent to James Lamont & Co for re-building. She re-entered service in 5/1936 as the 3 funnelled Saint Columba, operating Glasgow to Greenock, Dunoon, Tarbert and Ardrishaig. She served in WW2 as a naval depot ship, returning to service in 1947, now out of Gourock not Glasgow. She made her final voyage 27/9/1958 and was then broken up at Faslane.