The paddle steamer 'Countess of Galloway' was owned by the Galloway Steam Navigation Company and operated in the period 1874-79 between Wigtown, Garlieston, Kirkcudbright and Liverpool.
The 'Countess of Galloway' could carry 200 cattle and several hundred sheep. She was broken up in 1880.
William MacMurray was a Kirkcudbright painter and decorator by trade, but also clearly a competent amateur artist.