PS Snowdon (1892)
1892 Built by Laird Brothers. 338 tons.
Owned by the Liverpool and North Wales Steamship Co
SNOWDON which was built in 1892, by the firm of Laird Brothers, of Birkenhead. She was 175 feet long, 24.6 feet beam and 10.7 feet deep; her gross tonnage was 338. She had two cylinder compound diagonal engines the cylinders being 30 in. and 54 in. and 51 in. stroke of the pistons; the n.h.p. was 174 and speed 14 knots. The SNOWDON had two funnels and one mast. This steamer was also requisitioned by the Admiralty in November, 1915, and converted for use as a mine-sweeper. She was based at Dover and Harwich, and during her war service had many narrow escapes before being returned to her owners in April, 1919. Towards the end of 1931, the SNOWDON was broken up at Irvine, having been sold to Messrs. Smith of Port Glasgow. She was the last paddle steamer running out of Liverpool.[1]
1934 'Built 40 years ago by Messrs. Laird Bros. (as it was then) at Birkenhead, the Liverpool and North Wales Steamship Co.'s favourite paddle steamer Snowdon is bidding farewell to the Mersey early this morning, when she leaves for the Clyde to be broken up by Messrs. Smith and Co., of Port-Glasgow. She is the last paddle vessel plying on the Mersey, although another will be seen on the river in a few months when Messrs. Cammell Laird and Co. launch the new vessel they are building for the General Steam Navigation Co., of London. The Snowdon was built in 1892 for the Snowdon Passenger Steamship Co., Ltd., which had been formed for the purpose of running steamers between Llandudno, Carnarvon and other ports, the manager being Mr. W. H. Dodd. The Snowdon took the place of the Columbus, which had for some years maintained the service. From 1892 to 1914 the Snowdon was constantly employed on this service and proved herself a very popular vessel. In 1915 she was requisitioned by the Government and converted into a mine-sweeper, being engaged in that capacity in the neighbourhood of Dover. On her return in 1920 she was recondition and resumed her place on the North Wales service. In 1899 the Snowdon Company was absorbed by the Liverpool and North Wales Company, Mr. Dodd becoming a manager and director and subsequently chairman, which position he now holds.'[2]