Wooden steam ferry Etna (or Aetna) of Liverpool, built Dawson &
Pearson, Liverpool, 1817, owned William Batman and George Lawrence French, used as
Tranmere-Liverpool Ferry, 75 nrt, 63 x 28 ft, twin hulls with one
paddle wheel between, engine 22hp by Fawcett & Littledale of
Liverpool.
See also information about Mersey, her sister vessel.
Model of Etna [from Merseyside Maritime Museum].
Most early steam ferries on the Mersey had side paddle wheels (in fact the earliest sea-going steamship, Comet on the Clyde, had two such wheels on each side initially). The side wheel arrangement allowed steam engines to be inserted quite easily into existing wooden hulls. It was, however, difficult to board when alongside, because of the paddle wheels. An alternative was more like a catamaran: two hulls with one paddle wheel between them. This was the plan used for Etna. A similar scheme was used in warships - since the central wheel was better protected - for example Fulton's design for the US navy, Demologos, 1812-16 and Cochrane's Rising Star in 1818-21; and in some river boats: Princes Charlotte 1816 at Pichelsdorf, on the Elbe.
George Lawrence French was described as the designer - although he is shown in Gore's Liverpool Directory for 1823 as a boarding-house keeper at Birkenhead. The Aetna was first employed between Liverpool and Tranmere, the slip or basin excavated for her at Liverpool being known as the Aetna Slip, and the adjoining Aetna Street named accordingly. Etna Street, at Birkenhead, no doubt also derives its name from this early ferry-boat. She continued in the service for some fifteen years, and it is worth noting that her passage across the river occupied no more than five minutes. She was offered for sale at Liverpool 1828.
One interesting survivor is the "Etna Token" - these were metal
tokens, the size of a penny, with ETNA 1817 on one side and a Liver
Bird on the other side, inscribed "Pro bono publico". They are
thought to have been season tickets. [Image from
norantyki]
[from Chester Courant - Tuesday 11 March 1817]: The wooden paddle steamer Mersey joined the Etna in
service with the same owners. She was stated [article about "Fossets"
in LNRS, Dec 2009, p35] to have been built in 1819 by Dawson & Pearson, 80 tons, also
with twin hulls and an engine of 24 hp by Fawcett & Littledale.
SALE: BY JAMES TROTTER, Peremptorily. - On Tuesday next, the 7th
instant, at one o'clock in the afternoon, at the House of Henry Cross,
corner of Bonny's-place, Key-street. ONE QUARTER SHARE of the Steam
Boat MERSEY, nearly new and ONE SIXTH SHARE of the Steam Boat ETNA, both
plying between Liverpool and Tranmere. Further particulars may be had
on application to Jas. Trotter, Whitechapel. [from Liverpool Mercury -
Friday 03 December 1819]
Improved Steam
Boat. On Friday last, a Steam Boat, of new construction, was launched
at Dawson and Pearson's yard, Liverpool, amidst a large concourse of
spectators; it went off in a good stile[sic], and is intended to carry
passengers, coaches, chaises, horses, cattle, etc. between Tranmere
Ferry, and Liverpool, every 20 minutes of the day. It is built on the
new improved plan of the American Steam Boats, is well adapted for
crossing rivers, is in fact the best substitute for a bridge ever
invented. It is constructed on two boats, each of 65 feet length, and
10 feet wide, with an interval between them of eight feet wide, which
serves for a wheel, and is worked by a steam engine and two boilers,
possessing 24 horsepower; it is calculated to cross the River Mersey,
one mile in width, in five minutes, against any moderate wind, and
will stop only 15 minutes on each side. It has a platform on the top,
across the two boats, well connected with beams, 28 feet wide, so that
horses, carriages, etc., can go in and out on a perfect level, without
abuse or pulling them to pieces - it is expected to commence sailing
tomorrow.
ETNA STEAM-PACKET. In consequence of some additional Improvements
to be made in the Engine and Water Wheel of the above Vessel, she will
not ply, as stated in the Papers of the 15th and 16th. When completed,
notice will be given. BATMAN, FRENCH, and CO. , - Liverpool, 17th
April, 1817.
[from Liverpool Mercury - Friday 2 May 1817 and later]:
ETNA TRANMERE FERRY STEAM PACKET. THIS Packet has commenced
running from the New Slip, at the West Side of the Queen's Dock
Graving Docks, where every convenience will be found for taking on
board and discharging Carriages, Carts, Horses, and Cattle of every
description going to and from Cheshire, without the trouble that has
hitherto been experienced in the Common Sail Boats, and which it is
the intention of the Proprietor as much as possible to obviate.
This Vessel is peculiarly adapted for Carriages, &c. to drive on
board, without the trouble of UNHARNESSING and will be found the most
eligible and safe conveyance BETWEEN LIVERPOOL and the
CHESHIRE SHORE, as she crosses from Liverpool to Tranmere every half hour,
remaining only ten minutes on each side. Performed by BATMAN, FRENCH & Co
Liverpool, 1st May, 1817.
[Chester Chronicle - Friday 20 June 1817]:
ETNA, Tranmere Ferry Double Steam Packet. The proprietors of the
above Establishment, beg leave most respectfully to offer their
sincere thanks to the public, for their very liberal support, and
decided preference which has been given to the ETNA, since she
commenced plying between Liverpool and Tranmere; and from which, she
continues to run from morning till night, affording the most safe and
convenient conveyance ever yet established on the River Mersey. Every
convenience necessary for taking onboard, and discharging, Carriages,
Horses, Cattle, &c. &c. will be found attached to the Packet and the Slip,
West side Queen's Dock, from which place she starts, remaining at each
side only 10 minutes.
N. B. On the Packet's arrival at Tranmere, for
the last time, a gun will be fired, ten minutes before she leaves
there for Liverpool, in order to give notice to those who may be at a
distance from the Slip, and without an opportunity of seeing the
Packet on her arrival. BATMAN, FRENCH, & Co. Liverpool, 18th June, 1817.
[from Liverpool Mercury - Friday 30 March 1821]:
Birkenhead Hotel and Ferry. ...
The ETNA STEAM-BOAT, having just undergone a complete repair with
new Boilers, &c. will ply regularly between the Etna-slip, Queen's
Dock, and Birkenhead. The MERSEY STEAM-BOAT is constantly
plying till dark from Birkenhead to the Parade-slip.
[from Liverpool Mercury - Friday 03 May 1822]:
CHESTER RACES. MESSRS. FRENCH and Co. respectfully inform
the Public, that the Etna Slip is now in complete order, being
built of Stone, and is decidedly the most convenient landing-place
on the Liverpool side of the river (where a person is in
constant attendance to give every information) and is equal to the
Birkenhead Slip on the other shore. The ETNA and MERSEY Steam-boats
will be in constant attendance for the Conveyance of Passengers,
Horses, and Carriages during the Race week. The ABBEY, a beautiful new
Steam-boat, also plies daily between the Parade Slip and Birkenhead.
The ROYAL MAIL COACH, together with other conveyances at
Birkenhead, will proceed with the Passengers forward to Chester.
[from Gore's Liverpool General Advertiser - Thursday 02 October 1823]:
On Friday night last, the Etna steam-boat, belonging to Mr. Mears, at
Birkenhead, was discovered to be on fire, but the flames were
fortunately extinguished by the exertions of the Captain and a few
individuals, though not before considerable damage had been done in
the vessel.
[from Gore's Liverpool General Advertiser - Thursday 15 May
1828]:
The Steam-packet ETNA, which may be viewed where she now lies
alongside the above vessel [Vesuvius at Tranmere], and further
particulars known by applying
to Melling and Chell, brokers, Duke's Dock.
THE ETNA AND MERSEY. Steam or Sailing Boats, are constantly plying
for the accommodation of Passengers, &c. and are always in attendance
at a quarter before eight o'clock, at the Etna Slip, Queen's Dock, and
at the Stairs, west end of No. 2 and 3, Graving Docks, Nova Scotia, and
the west side of George's Dock, to convey Passengers to the above
Coach. [from Chester Courant Tuesday 25 April 1820]
[from Gore's Liverpool General Advertiser - Thursday 20 March
1823]:
VALUABLE STEAM-BOAT. Peremptorily, to close a concern, On Saturday,
the 29th instant, at six o'clock in the evening, at the Neptune Hotel,
Clayton-square, Liverpool. ALL that very valuable STEAM-BOAT, called
the Mersey, lately plying on the River Mersey, between Birkenhead and
Liverpool. It has lately undergone a thorough repair, is in excellent
condition, and a very convenient Boat for the conveyance of
Passengers, Horses, Carriages, &c. The Engine is of Sixteen horse
Power. For particulars apply to Captain French, who will show the
Boat, or to Messrs. Statham and Foster, or Messrs. Lace, Miller and
Lace, Solicitors, Liverpool.