It has been the great pioneer of the steamship trade of the Clyde, not merely by reason of its long standing, but also because of the varied and extensive sphere of its operations. The first steamer owned by the founder of the company was the BRITANNIA, a small paddle-wheel steampacket, built, like all the vessels of her time, of wood. The second steampacket was the WATERLOO, built in 1816. A reference is made to both these steamers in the sixth chapter of the first part of this volume. They plied between the Bromielaw (Glasgow) and Greenock, Gourock, Rothesay, Tarbert, Lochgilphead, and Inverary. Even in these early days of steam navigation, it was the avowed policy of the manager of these steampackets to make all things subordinate to safety, and, in accordance with this policy, the masters of the steamers were instructed “not to contend with other boats so as to endanger the vessels, or alarm the passengers,” This sound policy, which has been continued by Mr. MacLellan’s successors to the present day, has, in large measure, contributed to the popularity and success of the firm. It is interesting to note that over eighty years ago passenger season tickets were in force on the steampackets of this company. Those who are desirous of verifying this statement can do so by referring to the “Glasgow Chronicle” of the 23rd May, 1816, in which they will find the following advertisement:— “The steampackets, BRITANNIA and WATERLOO, sail regularly from the Bromielaw to all the watering-places on both sides of the Clyde. Families wishing to agree for the season will learn the terms by applying to the masters on board, or to Mr. Lewis MacLellan, Gallowgate.” The BRITANNIA, in the year referred to, opened up for the first time, steam communication between Glasgow and Campbeltown, and in the early summer of 1820, she made her first trip from Glasgow to the Giant’s Causeway. She was commanded on that voyage by Captain Wyse, whose death in 1851 was the occasion of the following paragraph, which appeared in the “Glasgow Chronicle”:— “Captain Wyse (whose decease we announce) was the first to carry his steamer, the BRITANNIA, on a pleasure trip from the Clyde to the Giant’s Causeway, with an illustrious and distinguished party. The astonished inhabitants in thousands crowded the hills and promontories, all along the shores of Antrim, to see a ship with a smoking funnel, and a band of music on board, sailing against wind and tide. Out of this pleasure trip sprung up the present lucrative trade between the ports of the Clyde and the North of Ireland, from which great advantages have unquestionably arisen to the inhabitants of both kingdoms.” As time advanced, the river traffic was discontinued by the Company, and the cross-channel trade developed. After running excursions to the Giant’s Causeway for two seasons, the BRITANNIA was placed on the Glasgow and Londonderry station, sailing from each port once a week.