The Redgauntlet was a steel hulled excursion paddlesteamer owned and operated by the North British Railway Company. She was launched on 4th April 1895 from the yard of Barclay Curle & Company of Glasgow (Yard No 396). She measured 215.0′ x 22.1′ x 7.4′ and her tonnage was 277 gross tons, 107 net tons. She was powered by a side paddle surface condensing diagonal steam engine by her builders delivering 187 nominal horse power.
Redgauntlet ‘cutting a dash’.
On 6th August 1899, while on a cruise round the Isle of Arran, she ran aground on the Iron Rock Ledges on the south west coast and remained fast. The 290 passengers and crew managed to get safely ashore and later continued on their journey aboard the PS Waverley from Whiting Bay.
PS Redgauntlet aground on ‘the Irons’ – Isle of Arran
The Redguantlet remained on ‘the Irons’ for the next week while representatives of the Clyde Salvage Company inspected her hull. She was refloated on 25th August and taken to Glasgow for repair.
PS Waverley – to the rescue
A Board of Trade inquiry took place in Glasgow which concluded on 12th September and found the master, Alexander McPhail in default, for not acquainting himself with the sailing directions for the area, and in particular the unmarked reef of rock on which his vessel came to grief. Alex McPhail retained his masters certificate but was fined £20 to pay for the costs of the inquiry.
