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Bell’s ‘Comet,’ off Dumbarton on the Clyde, 1812

Bell’s ‘Comet,’ off Dumbarton on the Clyde, 1812.jpg “Columba,” famous Clyde river steamer, 1875ThumbnailsSymington’s ‘Charlotte Dundas,’ 1802“Columba,” famous Clyde river steamer, 1875ThumbnailsSymington’s ‘Charlotte Dundas,’ 1802“Columba,” famous Clyde river steamer, 1875ThumbnailsSymington’s ‘Charlotte Dundas,’ 1802“Columba,” famous Clyde river steamer, 1875ThumbnailsSymington’s ‘Charlotte Dundas,’ 1802“Columba,” famous Clyde river steamer, 1875ThumbnailsSymington’s ‘Charlotte Dundas,’ 1802
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Nothing more was heard of the steamboat in Britain until 1812, when Henry Bell surprised the natives of Strathclyde by the following advertisement in the Greenock Advertiser:

STEAM PASSAGE BOAT,

“THE COMET,”

Between Glasgow, Greenock and Helensburgh,
for Passengers Only.

The subscriber having, at much expense, fitted up a handsome vessel, to ply upon the River Clyde, between Glasgow and Greenock, to sail by the power of wind, air and steam, he intends that the vessel shall leave the Broomielaw on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, about mid-day, or at such hour thereafter as may answer from the state of the tide; and to leave Greenock on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, in the morning, to suit the tide.

The elegance, comfort, safety and speed of this vessel requires only to be proved to meet the approbation of the public; and the proprietor is determined to do everything in his power to merit public encouragement.

The terms are, for the present, fixed at 4s. for the best cabin, and 3s. for the second; but beyond these rates nothing is to be allowed to servants, or any other person employed about the vessel.

The subscriber continues his establishment at Helensburgh Baths, the same as for years past, and a vessel will be in readiness to convey passengers to the Comet from Greenock to Helensburgh.

Henry Bell.

Helensburgh Baths, 5th August, 1812.

Author
Steam Navigation and Its Relation to the Commerce of Canada and the United States
By James Croil
Published in 1898
Available from gutenberg.org
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