Patrick Miller of Dalswinton
Patrick Miller of Dalswinton | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1731 Glasgow, Scotland |
| Died | 1815 |
| Occupation(s) | Inventor, banker, naval architect |
| Years active | 1760s–1815 |
| Known for | Designing the vessel Experiment of Leith; work on early paddle steamers including collaboration on the Charlotte Dundas |
Patrick Miller of Dalswinton (1731–1815) was a Scottish inventor and banker who held the position of Deputy Governor at the Bank of Scotland. He designed the vessel Experiment of Leith for the Swedish Navy and worked alongside William Symington on a boat initiative that ultimately contributed to the development of the paddle steamer Charlotte Dundas.
Early life
Born in Glasgow as the third son of William Miller of Glenlee and Janet Hamilton, Miller attended the University of Glasgow before entering the banking sector, taking advantage of Scotland's growing commercial landscape.
Career
By November 1760, Miller had formed a partnership with William Ramsay of Barnton, operating as merchants and bankers in Edinburgh. He became a member of the Bank of Scotland's court in 1767, where he implemented innovations such as note exchange, permitting acceptance of rival banks’ notes. These strategies were instrumental in helping the bank withstand the 1772 financial crisis. Additionally, Miller held shares in the Carron Company.
Later in life, he served as Deputy Governor of the Bank of Scotland, a role he maintained until his passing, after which Adam Rolland of Gask FRSE succeeded him.
Miller’s involvement with international shipping ventures exposed him to threats from piracy, sparking his interest in naval design and artillery.
Warship
He proposed an advanced warship concept to several European navies; however, only Sweden showed considerable enthusiasm. The Swedish naval architect Fredrik Henrik af Chapman referred to it as the "English (sic) sea-spook." In recognition for supplying the ship Experiment of Leith, King Gustav III presented Miller with swede seeds enclosed in a decorative snuff-box adorned with maritime imagery, now preserved at the Victoria & Albert Museum, London.
Pleasure boats
Miller concentrated on crafting multi-hulled leisure vessels propelled by cranked paddle wheels situated between the hulls. Inspired by engineer William Symington’s steam carriage prototype—or possibly influenced by James Taylor—Miller engaged Symington to install his patented steam engine into a twin-hulled pleasure craft. This boat underwent successful trials on Dalswinton Loch, near Miller’s residence, on 14 October 1788. In 1789, a more powerful engine was fitted into a larger twin-hull paddle boat tested on the Forth and Clyde Canal. Although paddle wheel failures occurred during trials on 2 December, subsequent runs on 26 and 27 December 1789 proceeded without incident. Ultimately, escalating expenses caused Miller to discontinue further development.
Charlotte Dundas
Approximately ten years later, Lord Dundas resumed Symington’s efforts, culminating in the creation of the renowned paddle steamer Charlotte Dundas.
Death
Miller passed away in 1815 and was buried in a tomb located along the southern boundary of Greyfriars Kirkyard in Edinburgh.