[citation needed] During the Second World War, she served in the Royal Navy as a minesweeper and then an auxiliary anti-aircraft ship under the name HMS Goatfell.

[citation needed] PS Caledonia was built by William Denny and Brothers of Dumbarton for the Caledonian Steam Packet Company.

[2] Built to look more like a screw turbine than a traditional paddle steamer, Caledonia and her sister Mercury had plating carried around the sponsons.

In 1946 Caledonia was returned to her owners, but in 1954 the car ferry revolution displaced her to Ayr as excursion steamer, with relief sailings from Ardrossan to Arran.

Saved by subsequent sale to Bass-Charrington, she served as a floating pub and restaurant named Old Caledonia on the Victoria Embankment of the River Thames.