An interesting fact in connection with the Carron Company is that the first set of complete castings for James Watt’s steam-engine were made at their works, and were erected at the house of Dr. Roebuck, who was one of the founders of the company and a personal friend of Watt. A part of the cylinder of this engine marked “Carron 1766” is still preserved at the works. John Smeaton, of Eddystone Lighthouse fame, was also associated with the Carron works. [Illustration: THE “FINGAL” (LONDON AND EDINBURGH SHIPPING CO.).] [Illustration: THE “LADY WOLSELEY” (BRITISH AND IRISH STEAM PACKET CO.)] DUNDEE, PERTH AND LONDON SHIPPING COMPANY This company dates, like others on the east coast, from the time when the voyage between the Thames and Scotland was only performed by sailing smacks, and of these they ran nineteen. But in 1834 the smacks were removed and paddle-steamers took their place. Their first steamers were the _Dundee_ and the _Perth_, each boat having a commander as well as a sailing master. They were wonderful vessels for the time, being of 650 tons burden and 300 horse-power. They were advertised as “these splendid and powerful steamers”; the cabins were “airy, commodious” (epithet beloved of steam-ship companies), and “elegant.” The company’s present-day fleet consists of the _London_ and the _Perth_, each of 1737 tons and 3000 horse-power. ISLE OF MAN STEAM PACKET COMPANY No steamer company holds a more honourable position in the coastal and passenger trade than the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company. The vessels in early years were known as “the little Cunarders,” a compliment which they well deserved. The appearance of the vessels of the two companies was much the same, and the red and black funnel has always been a distinguishing feature of both lines. The first boat of the Isle of Man Company was built by John Wood of Glasgow in 1830, and named the _Mona’s Isle_, a title which has been borne by more than one distinguished successor. She was schooner-bowed, and carried on her paddle-boxes, which were placed well forward, the familiar three-legged sign of Manxland. The engines of the first Cunarder built for the transatlantic service were by Napier, who also built the hull, and this steamer was to all intents and purposes a large edition of the _Mona’s Isle_, whose engines he had previously built. Her dimensions were 116 feet in length by 19 feet beam, with a depth of 10 feet, and 200 gross tonnage. She cost £7042, and when sold in 1851 after twenty-one years’ service, in which she proved a most profitable vessel, she fetched £580.