Object: Carving from PS Duchess of Fife
Date: 20th c
Description: A wooden carving from the paddle box of the Paddle Steamer Duchess of Fife. The carving
represents the arms of the Duchess of Fife who was Louise, the Princess Royal, granddaughter of
Queen Victoria.
Origin: In 1903, P.S. Duchess of Fife was launched from Fairfield’s yard as a sister ship to P.S. Duchess
of Montrose, in the Caledonian Steam Packet Company fleet. The ‘Wee Fife’ started off cruising to
Rothesay with afternoon cruises to the Kyles of Bute. She was requisitioned during both World War I and
II. Before being withdrawn from service in 1953, she was on the Wemyss Bay-Largs-Millport-Kilchattan
Bay run.