John Bowes (steamship)

The John Bowes was a British iron-hulled steam collier built in 1852. She is notable as the first steamship to be built to carry coal, and she revolutionized the coal trade by demonstrating the efficiency and practicality of steam-powered bulk cargo transport. Built by Palmer's Shipbuilding and Iron Company in Jarrow, England, and named after John Bowes, a prominent local coal mine owner, the John Bowes was specifically designed with a large hold for coal and a shallow draft to navigate the rivers and ports crucial to the coal industry.

The ship was of significant size for its time, measuring approximately 248 feet in length. Its iron hull, a relatively new technology at the time, provided increased strength and cargo capacity compared to traditional wooden vessels. The John Bowes was powered by a two-cylinder steam engine, allowing it to transport significantly larger quantities of coal faster and more reliably than sailing ships.

The John Bowes operated primarily along the British coast, transporting coal from Newcastle and other mining regions to London and other industrial centers. Her success quickly led to the adoption of steam-powered iron colliers, transforming the coal trade and contributing significantly to the Industrial Revolution. The ship was sold to Italian owners in 1865 and renamed Ausonia. She was wrecked off Spain in 1898. While no longer extant, the John Bowes is remembered as a pioneering vessel and a significant milestone in the history of shipping.