PS Gael
1867 Built by Robertson and Co
Owned by the Great Western Railway
Owned by David Macbrayne
‘Cross-Channel and Coastal Paddle Steamers’ by George Frank Burtt
In 1884, to replace the SOUTH OF IRELAND, the Great Western Railway purchased from the Campbeltown and Glasgow Steam Packet Co. the paddle steamer GAEL, which had been working previously on the Clyde, running to Campbeltown. The GAEL was an old boat, built by Robertson & Co. of Greenock in 1867. Her length was 211 feet, beam 23.2 feet and depth 10.6 feet, registered tonnage being 347 gross and 163 net. The engines were of the non-compound oscillating type and constructed by Rankin & Blackmore, of Greenock. The two cylinders were 45 in. diam.eter and 63 in. piston stroke, n.h.p. 150. The GAEL was a handsome little vessel, having two funnels and carrying two masts.
A few years later the GAEL was sold to Cornish owners, who ran her from Penzance to the Scilly Islands. In 1888, she was purchased by David McBrayne & Co., who used her on the West Highland service.