Official Number:                       6387

Laid down:                              1846

Builder:                                   Wm Denny & Bros., Dumbarton

Launched:                               21 February 1846

Into Service:                            WW1

Out of service:                         WW1

Fate:                                      1938 scrapped

Items of historic interest involving this ship: –

Background Data:  One of an additional group of ships requisitioned by the Admiralty during WW1 to augment the ships of the RFA

Career Data:

21 February 1846 laid down

1846 completed by Wm Denny & Bros., Dumbarton as Yard Nr 6 named PREMIER for Dumbarton Steamboat Co., Glasgow. The contract price was £3,600

1847 escorted the Royal Yacht during Queen Victoria’s visit to the Clyde

1852 purchased by Mr Tizard, Weymouth name unchanged. Later purchased by other Dorset families – name unchanged

1872 purchased by Cosens & Co, Weymouth name unchanged

1878 lengthened and re-engined with an oscillating engine by J Penn & Sons, Greenwich

WW1 requisitioned for Admiralty service and used as an Examination Vessel and Tender at Portland

28 June 1932 in collision with the submarine HMS RAINBOW just outside of Portland Harbour and was badly damaged with a 10 foot wide hole in the bow

15 December 1932 before the Admiralty Division of the High Court Mr Justice Langton and Trinity Masters heard a case where the owners of the Premier sought damages from the Admiralty for the collision which had occured on 28 June 1932 between the Premier and HMS RAINBOW. Judgement was given and found that the Premier was to blame for keeping a bad look-out and approaching the harbour in an unseamanlike way. HMS RAINBOW was also to blame for not giving way to the incoming vessel and keeping a poor lookout. Blame was therefore apportioned two-thirds on the submarine and one third on the Premier

1938 passenger certificate was not renewed so she was purchased for demolition by T W Ward Ltd.