CHAPTER XVIII

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SLIGO STEAM NAVIGATION CO., LTD.

During the first half of the last century Messrs. Middleton and Pollexfen, of Sligo, owned a large fleet of sailing vessels. Some of these vessels were barques which traded to foreign ports, but others were swift, staunch schooners which traded regularly between Sligo and Liverpool, and Sligo and Bristol Channel and Glasgow. But the schooners laboured under one serious disadvantage—the uncertainty of the duration of the passage. With favourable weather it might be accomplished in a few days, but with adverse gales or fogs it might occupy as many weeks. It is self-evident that, in competition with steamers, schooners have no chance of success, so in 1856 Messrs. Middleton and Pollexfen decided to employ steam in their Sligo and Liverpool trade, and for this purpose built a small steamer, which they named the SLIGO. The following year (1857) they put the SLIGO on the Sligo and Glasgow station in opposition to Messrs. Cameron and Co. Five years later (1862) a company was formed with the title of the Sligo Steam Navigation Company, Limited, which took over the steamship business of Messrs. Middleton and Pollexfen, and which has continued to flourish, financially and otherwise. The company in 1865 built a larger steamer than the SLIGO, and named her LIVERPOOL. The opposition in the Sligo services began under the _regime_ of Messrs. Middleton and Pollexfen, continued for some years after the formation of the Sligo Steam Navigation Company, but was finally settled amicably. Messrs. Alexander A. Laird and Co. (successors to Messrs. Cameron and Co.) retired from the Sligo and Liverpool trade, and the Sligo Company withdrew from the Glasgow trade, purchasing the GARLAND, which they renamed the GLASGOW. Having disposed of the SLIGO, the company purchased a swift Clyde-built cargo and passenger steamer, to which they transferred the name. The LIVERPOOL was sold in 1892 to Preston buyers, but has been for several years, and is now, employed by the Cunard Company to maintain their Liverpool and Havre service. The same year the largest steamer yet built by the company was placed on the Liverpool and Sligo station. The new vessel (the LIVERPOOL) was constructed by Messrs. John Jones and Sons, of Liverpool, and was built to the specifications and under the supervision of Mr. H. H. West, the naval architect for the Sligo Steam Navigation Company. She is a smart-looking boat of the following dimensions:—Length between perpendiculars, 206 feet; breadth, moulded, 29 feet; and depth, 15 feet 3½ inches. Her gross register is 700 tons, and net 332 tons. The carriage of cattle being a very important feature of the trade, careful consideration has been given to the cattle fittings. Being a larger vessel than any of her predecessors, increased accommodation is also provided for saloon and deck passengers, as the trade is increasing in this direction very considerably. The saloon and cabins are fitted up in a substantial and comfortable manner. The engines (triple expansion), also constructed by Messrs. Jones and Sons, are of 1,000 indicated h.p. On her trial trip the LIVERPOOL attained a speed of 13 knots, being a knot in excess of contract speed. The ship is lighted throughout by electricity. The loading berth for the company’s steamers was, originally, in the Trafalgar Dock, but is now on the east side of the Clarence Basin, a berth they have occupied since about 1867. The company despatches the LIVERPOOL or SLIGO once a week between the two ports, sailing from Liverpool every Tuesday, and from Sligo every Saturday. In addition to this, its main service, the company has a Government contract, on which the steamer TARTAR is employed. This steamer sails twice a week in winter, and three times per week in summer, from Sligo to Belmullet, calling at Rosses Point, Ballycastle, and Belderrig, to land and embark passengers. It is a favourite tourist route in summer, affording a splendid view of the wild coast scenery of the West of Ireland. The distance run is about 70 miles, and the time occupied about six hours. The steamers of the Sligo Steam Navigation Company, sailing between Liverpool and Sligo, are exposed to all the force and fury of the Atlantic gales, as they steam along the north and north-west coasts of Ireland. It is, therefore, an eloquent testimonial to the strength of their construction, as well as to the ability with which they are managed, and navigated, that they sail with unfailing regularity in winter as in summer, and with a most gratifying freedom from accidents.

[Illustration: Sunset]

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