SS Mabel (1882) explained

SS Mabel was a small cruise ship launched in 1883 and owned by James Hornsby, proprietor of the Loch Maree Hotel, that provided tourists a tour of landlocked Loch Maree, Scotland.^{[1] [2]} Mabel also served as a small passenger ferry between Poolewe (Tollie Bay pier) and Kinlochewe (Rhu Noa pier), which connected visitors arriving by coach from Achnasheen railway station.^{[1] [3]}

Hornsby sold Mabel to David MacBrayne, whose steamship operations covered all of west Scotland, in 1887.^[4] MacBrayne promoted the vessel as a tourist attraction and it served until 1911, when it was moored up beside Loch Maree Hotel.^[5]

In 1913 the vessel was beached near to the hotel, where it remained until about 2000.^{[6] [7]}

A model of Mabel can be seen in the Gairloch Museum, however some photos show the Mabel with slight differences: the model and some photographs show the vessel with tiller steering, while another image, undated, seems to show passengers at the stern of the ship with a crew member at the wheel on an open bridge.^[8]

References

1. Book: Bradshaw's Monthly Continental Railway, Steam Transit, and General Guide, for Travellers Through Europe . July 1887 . . 704 . New Circular Route on Loch Maree.
2. Book: Baddeley . Mountford . M. J. B. Baddeley . Time & Fare Tables . 1884 . Dulau and Co. . London . xv . The Northern Highlands and Islands.
3. Sheet 20 Ross & Cromarty . 1902 . 1:126,720 . . Edinburgh .
4. Book: Deayton . Alistair . MacBrayne Ships . 2014 . Amberley . Stroud, England . 9781445635828 . David MacBrayne: 1879–1905.
5. Web site: SS Mabel . 2023-07-12 . Gairlochmuseum . en.
6. Web site: The steamer "Mabel" on a slipway at Talladale, Loch Maree, 1927 . Am Baile - Highland History and Culture . 15 July 2023.
7. Web site: MHG52224 - MABEL: LOCH MAREE - Highland Historic Environment Record . her.highland.gov.uk . . 13 July 2023.
8. Web site: SS "Mabel" on Loch Maree . Am Baile - Highland History and Culture . 15 July 2023.