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Designed by    John Arnell

Built by           H. Smith & Sons of Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, England

Launched        16th May 1843

Commander:   Captain Robert Waterland

The 1846 Gainsborough Directory quotes:

STEAM PACKETS

The Columbine and the Lindsey, alternately, to Hull, at half-past 8 morning, daily, Sunday excepted, from Henry. Smith & Son's wharf; and lands passengers at all the Ferries on the Trent.

From the Hull Advertiser and Exchange Gazette (19th May 1843):

It described the launch of an "admirable iron steamer" from the yard of Messrs H.Smith & Son the previous Tuesday; some dimensions of the ship are given and the item concludes - "The Lindsey from Hull and the ferries took up 500 passengers to witness the sight".

In the issue for 23rd June 1843 there is described an excursion which several Directors of the Company made on board the Columbine from Hull to Spurn and back; the article is full of praise for the Columbine and goes into details about the engines and Captain Robert Waterland, the Commander.

Later in the issue for 30th June 1843, a note is added that " it is believed the Columbine is capable of performing the trip betwixt Hull and Gainsborough, a distance of 52 miles, without stoppages in two hours!"

A recent cutting from the Hull Daily Mail:

Click pic to read

Questions:

• What happened to the Columbine ? Was it sunk or broken up ?
• When did Henry Smith & Son's company in Gainsborough cease trading ?
• What is known about the designer John Arnell ?
• Does anyone have any links with Capt. Robert Waterland or his family ?

 

If you do have any information to add, please  e-mail  me  (Robert Waterland's great great grandnephew)