Plan of the 'Charlotte Dundas' (1802), 1848 (lithograph)

Creator: H. B. Barlow [artist]; C. F. Cheffins [engraver] Plan of the 'Charlotte Dundas' (1802), designed by Symington and built in Grangemouth by A. Hart. William Symington was helped with his steamship experiments by Lord Dundas. She was built for towing barges along the Forth and Clyde Canal and cost £3000. She was designed with a stern paddle wheel in order to avoid damage to the banks. In spite of her efficiency (she is perhaps the first truly practical steamboat) and the original intention of the Duke of Bridgewater to build 8 similar vessels, local prejudice, particularly from horse owners of towing companies, resulted in her being laid up in a creek where she rotted and was broken up in 1861.