STEAM SHIP "INCA (1)" was built in 1856 by Caird & Co. at Cartsdyke, Greenock with a tonnage of 290grt, a length of 130ft 8in, a beam of 20ft 9in and a service speed of 9 knots. Sister of the Valdivia she was , with the Valparaiso, the first ship to be fitted with the compound inverted engine. In 1852 John Elder went into partnership with Charles Randolph as Randolph & Elder. On 24th January 1853 they secured the patent for the vertical direct acting compound engine. A high pressure cylinder and a low pressure cylinder moved in opposite directions to drive two diametrically opposed crankshafts. The compound engine reduced coal consumption by 30% and the first ship to be fitted with such an engine was the Brandon. On 15th March 1856 Randolf & Elder took out a patent for an improved compound engine in the form of a "V" which saved space and which was described as compound inverted. In 1858 the two partners acquired the old yard of James Napier & Hoey and added shipbuilding to their activities. Charles Randolf retired in 1868 and the company became John Elder & Co., a name which, in 1885, was changed to Fairfield Shipbuilding & Engineering Co. Ltd. The Inca was delivered in 1856 for deployment on the Callao to Chala mail service. She was sold in 1874, renamed Union and later in the same year was wrecked at Puerto Bueno in Chile.