Clyde

The SS Clyde was a steamship, launched as the SS City of Poona in 1871. She was operated by Smith George and Company until 1878 when she was sold to Temperleys, Carter and Drake and renamed. Clyde served as a troopship in 1879, taking British Army reinforcements to Southern Africa for the Anglo-Zulu War. She ran aground on a reef off Dyer Island of 3 April and sank. Her entire complement were saved, being ferried to the mainland by the Clyde boats. HMS Tamar arrived the following day to embark the troops for the front. Construction The City of Poona was built by Charles Connell and Company at Scotstoun on the River Clyde from 1870. She was launched in 1871. City of Poona had a 2-cylinder compound steam engine and was propelled by a single screw up to . She measured in length and in beam. The City of Poona had a gross register tonnage of 2,256, her yard number was 74 and her official number was 63811. City of Poona entered into service with Smith George and Company in 1871. In 1878 she was bought by Temperleys, Carter and Drake and renamed Clyde. Wreck The 1st battalion of the 24th Regiment of Foot had suffered heavy casualties in the 22 January 1879 Battle of Isandlwana. The British Army pulled raw recruits and men from the depots of other regiments into a draft to be sent to the Colony of Natal to reinforce the unit ahead of a second invasion of Zululand. Some 541 officers and men were put aboard the Clyde in England for the journey to Southern Africa.