Collections Online

Blue print on both sides of white paper. White Funnel Fleet Sailings from Ilfracombe on the Bristol Queen, Cardiff Queen, Britannia, Glen Gower, Glen Usk & Ravenswood, 29th August to 6th September during the Centenary Year, 1954. Folded.

P.S. BRISTOL QUEEN. Built 1946 by Charles Hill & Sons Ltd., Bristol (with triple-expansion engine by Rankin & Blackmore Ltd), for P. & A. Campbell Ltd. She was the largest paddle steamer built for the company. 1959 – Laid up at Penarth for two years, she returned to service in the Spring of 1961. In August 1967, she hit a submerged object off the coast at Barry, and damaged her starboard paddle wheel. She was taken out of service three days later, and laid up at Cardiff. Despite attempts to preserve the vessel, she was towed to Ostend in March 1968 and broken up.

CARDIFF QUEEN. Built 1947 by Fairfield Shipbuilding & Engineering Co. Ltd., Govan, the last paddle steamer to be built for P & A Campbell Ltd. 1966 – Laid up at Cardiff Docks, and put on the sales list. 1968 – Sold to Critchcraft Ltd., Chepstow. It was intended to use her as a floating nightclub at Newport, and was moored at Mill Parade Wharf in February. The tidal range, however, proved obstructive, and after an expensive recovery operation, the vessel was sold to John Cashmore Ltd in the April, to be broken up further upstream. (Source: “Bristol Channel Pleasure Steamers” - Robert Wall)

P.S. BRITANNIA. Built in 1896 by S. McKnight & Co., Aire. She was renamed HMS Briton during World War I and HMS Skiddaw during World War 2. (1896-1956).

1922-1960. Glen Gower was renamed HMS Glenmore in June 1941 and taken into service for World War II.

P.S. GLEN USK. Built 1914.

P.S. RAVENSWOOD (1891-1955). She became H.M.S. Ringtail from Sept 1943 to April 1944 when she was taken into service during World War II.