Introduction

This company was owned by the Glasgow, Paisley and Greenock Railway. In turn, it owned and operated steamers which provided onward connections from Greenock. The company was created because existing steamer companies would not provide connections with the trains. The railway was, after all, in competition with the steamers between Glasgow and Greenock. The company operated from 1841 to 1846 when it was wound up and the steamers sold to G & J Burns who would now provide the onward connections. The railway connection with steamers was by no means over. In 1851 the Glasgow, Paisley and Greenock Railway was sold to the Caledonian Railway. The Railway Steamboat Company was to be formed, this was to be followed by the Caledonian Steam Packet Company and, ultimately, Caledonian MacBrayne would be formed.

Service

PS Royal Victoria, launched 01/03/1838, ran on the Greenock Customs House Quay to Helensburgh Pier service. (Sold on 1843.)

PS Pilot was launched 11/05/1844. On various services.

PS Pioneer [I], launched 18/06/1844, was to operate the service from Greenock Customs Quay to Gourock Pier, Kirn Pier, Dunoon Pier, Toward Point Pier and Rothesay Pier, a journey of 18 miles which took 1 hour and 6 minutes.

PS Petrel, launched approx 25/06/1845, operated from Greenock Customs House Quay to Largs Pier in 59 minutes.