Built as a paddle steamer by Messr. Archbald MacLachan for two merchants from Glasgow, Mr. A. Anderson and J. McCubbin.
June 1814 launched, she got the name MARGERY. (there was also a MARJORY a paddlesteamer but built by Napier in the same timeframe, and some details are mixed up between the two vessels in some sources.)
Tonnage 38 tons, dim. 19.2 x 3.7 x 1.7m
Powered by a 1 cyl. side-lever steamengine, 10 nhp (other source give 14 hp.) manufactured by James Cook of Tradeston. Speed maximum 6 knots in calm weather.
After completing put in service on the Clyde.
Nov. 1814 sold to a group of London businessmen, headed by Captain Anthony Cortis, and in early 1815 the MARGERY sailed from the Clyde to Dublin then round Land’s End to London. There is not found any record of this voyage so far, as time it took, the speed, bunkers etc.
After arrival in London early 1815 she was put in the service from Wapping Old Stairs to Milton near Gravesend.
First sailing on 23 January 1815 in this service. She was not the first paddle steamer on the Thames as some source give but the MARJORY inaugurated steam navigation on the river.)
So much difficulty was encountered from the established watermen’s rights on the stream that already in 1816 the company had to abandon the service. Captain Cortis was prosecuted for carrying passengers on the river, because he was not a member of the Watermen’s Company, and he had to relinquish his command.
The MARGERY was sold to Andriel, Pajol & Co. of Paris. Renamed in ELISE.
Sailed first to Newhaven and from that port she made the crossing to Le Havre, sailed from Newhaven on 17 March 1816 and after a crossing of 17 hours she arrived the next day at Le Havre.
First she visited Paris where she arrived on 29 March 1816 before she was put in a service between Rouen and Elbeuf. In this service she got stuff competition from Jouffroy’s CHARLES-PHILIPPE and it was not a financial success.
Pierre Andriel sold his shares in the ELISE to his partner Captain Pajol.
How long she was in the service on the River Seine I am not sure, but one source gives that part of her hull still was visible in 1888 on the banks of the Seine.
St Thomas & Prince 1984 8d sg?, scott755a
Source Log Book Vol. 14 page 228 and written by Mr. Hogan. Navicula . Powered Ships by Richard Armstrong. Some websites.