Charlotte Dundas', Steam Boat Invented for Lord Dundas

Ink and water-colour technical drawing showing a longitudinal cross-sectional elevation of the fourth and final experimental paddlesteamer built under the direction of the Scottish engineer and inventor, William Symington, C.E.. The vessel depicted is the second of two steam-powered paddleboats designed by Symington for the Forth and Clyde Navigation Company at the instigation of Lord Dundas (Sir Thomas Dundas, 1741-1820), and was constructed between June 1800 and March 1803. It incorporates Symington’s improved double-acting condensing horizontal steam engine design, patented in April 1801.

The wooden hull, measuring 58 feet (17.7 m) long by 18 feet (5.5 m) beam, was built by John Hall, of Grangemouth, between July and September 1802. Castings and other metal components for the engine, boiler and rolled iron chimney were supplied by the Carron Ironworks situated on the Carron River near Falkirk, a few miles upstream of the port. Work on the engine commenced earlier in March 1801. The drawing shows the 22-inch (559 mm) bore x 4 feet (1219 mm) stroke horizontal double-acting cylinder of the engine mounted on a wooden frame amidship, driving a direct-coupled single paddlewheel mounted near the stern of the vessel through a crank. Behind the engine the steam boiler and iron chimney can be partially seen.

The vessel had its public debut Tuesday 4th January 1803, when it steamed through the Forth and Clyde Canal to Glasgow where it took a sloop in tow from Stockingfield to Port Dundas, watched by 'a large concourse of people' along the banks and a party of official guests aboard, including Lord Dundas himself. After modifications, a further trial was made on Monday 28th March 1803, when the Charlotte Dundas towed two sloops against a strong headwind over 18½ miles (29.8 km) in 9 hours 15 minutes, travelling almost the entire length of the canal. The events are generally regarded as the world's first demonstration of a practical steam-powered tug boat, however, concerns about potential damage to banks of the canal caused by the wash of the paddlewheels and the expense of the experiments led to a decision to abandon further development. It was another 25 years before commercial steam-powered operations were finally introduced on the Forth and Clyde Canal.