The iron hulled, paddle steamer, 'Iron Duke' was launched during December 1856 and is assumed to have been built by Thomas Wingate & Company of Glasgow. She was a tug 112.2 ft. long x 18.8 ft. breath x 9.3 ft. depth being 121 gross and 48 net registered tons. She was originally built for the Cardiff Towing Company and registered to the Port of Cardiff during May 1857.

In 1870 she changed ownership to Bristol and was re-engined in 1879 and again in 1902. The 1879 re-fit also converted her from a paddle to screw propulsion. Her registered gross and net weight also changed. On the 24th May 1941 she was mined off the Breaksea Light Vessel. Many thanks to the Clyde Built Ships website and the Caledonian Maritime Research Trust for this comprehensive information. [425]