Builders: A&J Inglis Ltd Glasgow1953
Propulsion type: Diesel, Steel screw
Owners: The Caledonian Steam Packet Co Ltd, Caledonian MacBrayne
Service dates: 1953 - 1973
Tonnage: Gross 508
Comments:
Maid of Argyll was built to carry 627 passengers and was one of a series of smaller diesel vessels built for the CSP after the war. She cost £145,000 and was identical in appearance to her sisters, the Maids of Ashton, Skelmorlie and Cumbrae. The Argyll was commissioned for use on the Craigendoran to Rothesay service (the route previously maintained by the paddler Talisman). Her operating speed was around 15 knots. On 14 January 1959 she was damaged by the Dunoon ferry Arran, who ran into the Maid of Argyll, damaging her bows. The damage caused her to be withdrawn from service and she had to be replaced by Talisman. In 1964 she was laid up in the Albert Harbour and was scheduled for disposal following the threatened withdrawal of the Holy Loch service. In April the following year, however, she was recommissioned and she returned to service on the Kilmun sailings. She was later used for tendering services and survived into the 1970's becoming the mail boat to Tarbert. In September 1973 she was laid up and then sold to canopus Shipping AS Piraeus company of Greece, being renamed City of Piraeus. She left the Clyde for the last time in April 1974 bound for Greece.
With thanks to Hugh Spicer for additional information on the Maid's departure from the Clyde.