Pluto (1870 ship)
Colonial Steamer Pluto lying in the Klang River in 1880 | |
| History | |
|---|---|
| Straits Settlements | |
| Name | Pluto |
| Namesake | HM Straits Steamer Pluto |
| Owner | Straits Settlements |
| Ordered | 1870 |
| Builder | J.G. Laurie, Glasgow |
| Launched | 12 August 1870[1] |
| Acquired | 4 January 1871[2] |
| General characteristics | |
| Tons burthen | 400 (bm)[1] |
| Installed power | 100 hp (75 kW)[1] |
| Propulsion | 2 side paddle wheels |
| Speed | 4–5 knots (7.4–9.3 km/h; 4.6–5.8 mph) |
Often erroneously labeled HMS Pluto – Colonial Steamer Pluto was a passenger[3] steamer built in 1870 for the colonial government of the Straits Settlements for service in the East, her accommodation being specially fitted for the use of the governor of the colonies and his officials.[1] She arrived at Singapore for the first time on 4 January 1871.[4]
Background
Unsatisfied with the performance of the steamer Peiho the Governor of the Straits Settlements Harry Ord requested a new steamer to be ordered from England in 1869. This new steamer would be named Pluto as it was seen as a full replacement for the previous HM Straits Steamer Pluto, which had been in use by the Straits Government from 1863 until it was broken up in 1868.[5][6]
Service
Originally intended for the relief of lighthouses and other government services, when not so employed, the Colonial Office had no objection to the steamer being used for conveyance of the governor. By 1881, Pluto was considered too slow and inefficient to meet the demands of the colony, so a new governor's yacht, Sea Belle, was ordered to replace her.
References
- ^ a b c d "Launches". Greenock Telegraph. Greenock, Scotland. 13 August 1870. p. 3. Retrieved 27 December 2025.
- ^ "WEDNESDAY, 4th JANUARY". Straits Times Overland Journal. Singapore. 18 January 1871. p. 5. Retrieved 27 December 2025 – via National Library Board of Singapore.
- ^ "Vessel: Pluto". Clyde Built Ships. Caledonian Maritime Research Trust. Retrieved 28 December 2025.
- ^ "Monday, 16th January". Straits Times Overland Journal. Singapore. 18 January 1871. p. 6. Retrieved 27 December 2025 – via National Library Board of Singapore.
- ^ Correspondence, Original - Secretary of State. Despatches: 1870 Mar.-Apr. CO 273: Straits Settlements Original Correspondence. Vol. CO 273/37. Kew, United Kingdom: The National Archives. 1870. p. 53. GALE|STEPPW542724633. Retrieved 28 December 2025 – via Gale Primary Sources: State Papers Online Colonial.
- ^ Short-hand Report of the Proceedings of the Legislative Council of the Straits Settlements: 20 Nov 1869. CO 273: Straits Settlements Original Correspondence. Vol. CO 273/43. Singapore: Council Chamber. 1870. p. 5. GALE|PQUMLN390234283. Retrieved 28 December 2025 – via Gale Primary Sources: State Papers Online Colonial.
His Excellency further adds that the Council appeared to be convinced of the necessity of procuring a new vessel to re-place the Pluto, which should be a paddle-wheel, and similar - in general character and size to this steamer, and also a steam-launch and steam-cutter as auxiliaries, and His Excellency suggests that it would perhaps be better for the Council to authorize formally the purchase of these vessels, and to empower the Government to make temporarily such arrangements as would most economically and advantageously meet the requirements of the public service during the time they were being built.