PS Caledonia
1815 The Caledonia was built on the Clyde by James Wood and Co, of Port Glasgow.
1817 In order to experiment on the most improved form of marine engine, Boulton and Watt purchased the Caledonia and replaced the engines with two sidelever engines. After several experiments a plan was decided to improve marine engines. James Watt (Junior) accompanied the Caledonia to Holland and up the Rhine. The vessel was eventually sold to the Danish Government, and used for carrying the mails between Kiel and Copenhagen.
'Steamers of the Thames and Medway' by George Frank Burtt
The CALEDONIA, the next steam vessel to run on the Thames, was built by J. & C. Wood, Glasgow, in 1816 and brought round to the Thames to operate on the Margate service. The CALEDONIA was 94 feet long b. p., beam 15.25 feet, depth of hold 9 feet, fitted with two engines built by Boulton & Watt, one engine for each wheel. They were together of 32 n.h.p., the cylinders being 23 inches diameter with a piston stroke of 30 inches. The paddle wheels were 13 feet diameter. Tons 102.
James Watt, the son of the inventor of the condensing steam engine, purchased her in April, 1817, and after refitting her, left Margate on October 15th for the Scheldt. From Rotterdam on 23rd October he took her up the Rhine, arriving at Coblenz on 13th November. Owing to the shallowness of the river she was not able to proceed further. She is presumed to be the first steamboat ever to navigate the Rhine. She returned to the Thames in 1818, where Watt made a number of experiments with her, and was finally sold to Danish owners, who ran her between Copenhagen and Kiel. Occasionally the ship made excursions in the Sound, at times it is recorded with the Danish royal family on board.
‘Cross-Channel and Coastal Paddle Steamers’ by George Frank Burtt
In 1816, a further boat appeared on the Thames, a steamer by J. and C. Wood, named the CALEDONIA, which had a length of 94 feet, breadth of 15 feet 3 inches and depth of 9 feet.
This vessel is the first on record to be fitted with two engines. They were built by Boulton and Watt and were 32 n.h.p., having cylinders of 23 inches diameter and 30 inches stroke. The paddle wheels diameter. She was afterwards fitted with and wheels.
In October, 1817, she steamed from Rotterdam and thence up the Rhine to Coblentz, and is believed to have been the first steam boat on that river. The CALEDONIA was eventually purchased by the King of Denmark.