RMPS COLUMBA
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She was also the longest, at 301ft, and the first of the steamers to be constructed from steel.
The RM (Royal Mail) in her title distinguished her from other vessels in that she had a small post office on board.
Her link to royalty also came from the fact that for her whole career, with the exception of the First World War, she sailed part of the 'Royal Route' between Glasgow and Ardrishaig.
The route derived its title from the trip made by Queen Victoria in 1847 shortly after she made her first official visit to Glasgow since her coronation 10 years before.
It remained a popular route for many years and was commonly used by the gentry travelling to their Highland estates.
Columba was built at the J&G Thomson's shipyard at Clydebank.
She was built for MacBraynes, which had been operating a mail service to the Highlands since 1852 and was responsible for establishing many new links and routes in that area.
PS Columba was launched in 1878.
With a displacement of just over 602 tons and a top speed of 21 knots, she was capable of carrying more than 2000 passengers in luxury previously not seen on any Clyde service.
In total Columba spent 58 summers sailing up and down the Royal Route.
In 1935, MacBraynes finally removed her from service and she was scrapped at the Dalmuir breakers yard the same year.
