THE CRUISE OF THE ROYAL MAIL STEAMER DUNOTTAR CASTLE (Presentation copy)

Round Scotland on Her Trial Trip.

Second edition: xiv + 94 and (i) page Epilogue, photogravure frontispiece of the Dunottar Castle, many illustrations in the text, original olive green cloth titled gilt on the upper cover and spine, presentation inscription from Donald Currie on the half title page, water staining on the endpapers, otherwise a good copy.

The presentation inscription reads, ‘Philip(?) Holmes, with kind regards, Donald Currie, Oban, Sept. 15. 1893.’

The Dunottar Castle was built in 1889 at Govan Shipyards by the Fairfield Ship Building & Engineering Company. This trial voyage took place from 30th August to 8th September 1890.

The Epilogue states, ‘History in these days, is made more rapidly that it is written. Before these sheets have left the press, there comes news that ‘Dunottar Castle’ has ‘beaten the record’ on her first Cape voyage in both directions.

She made the outward passage in 16 days, 11 hours, 54 minutes, and completed the homeward run to Plymouth in 16 days, 6 hours, net steaming time. The fastest passages previously recorded were made by ‘TheRoslin Castle’: outward in 17 days, 16 hours, 15 minutes, and homeward in 16 days, 16 hours, 35 minutes. ‘The Dunottar Castle’ has thus shortened the passage between England and the Cape by nearly a whole day.’ W.S.D.