PS Comet

A replica of the Comet in the center of Port Glasgow.

The Comet was the first European ship which was used for commercial purposes.

History

Henry Bell was interested in steam-powered vessels and therefore corresponded with Robert Fulton. Inspired by the ship Charlotte Dundas he was in winter 1811 the construction of a ship at John and Charles Wood in Port Glasgow in order. The boiler came from the workshop of David Napier and the single-cylinder steam engine by John Robertson. Through the steam engine two pairs of paddle wheels were driven, but these were later replaced by a pair of paddle wheels. At the very thin fireplace, which was located approximately in the center of the ship a yard was attached, so you could also sail at corresponding conditions. In the rear part of the ship to a small cabin was with wooden chairs and a table. Since in 1811 the great comet Flaugergues was visible for several months, Bell decided to name the ship Comet.

Henry Bell owned a hotel and spa in Helensburgh and directed by steamboat from July 1812 a regular service between Port Glasgow and Helensburgh one. The first ride on this line was carried out in January 1812. The successful commercial operation of the ship meant that the steamship quickly prevailed in Europe.

Shipwreck

As the ship had now get superior competition he had rebuilt it and equip it with a stronger steam engine. The new route of the packet ship led from Port Glasgow to Fort William. The ship needed for the easy route two days in the evening of the first day it reached Ardrishaig at the entrance to the Crinan Canal, it then continued the journey through the channel and reached in the evening of the second day the goal.

On December 15, 1820, the Comet went in strong currents at Crinan on a rock and fell, but there were no fatalities. The steam engine was recovered and restored by Robert Napier & Sons and is now in the Science Museum in London.