Paddle Steamer Bristol Queen
Paddle Steamer Bristol Queen was built by Charles Hill and Sons of Bristol. At 961 Gross registered Tonnes, she was the largest Paddle Steamer to grace the Bristol Channel. She measured at 244.7 ft x 31.2 ft and her boiler was oil fired from the outset which required her to have two funnels.
Bristol Queen was fitted with a Triple Expansion Steam Engine, 2,700 indicated horse power (2,014kW) built by Rankin & Blackmore, Eagle Foundry, Greenock in1946. Cylinders, 27″, 42″ and 66″, Length of Stroke 66". Engine number 517.
Bristol Queen was launched with a bottle Bristol Cream Sherry (which failed to break at the first attempt), on 4 April 1946 by Lady Mayoress of Bristol J Owen. She undertook sea trials on the 7th September 1946 where she achieved a maximum speed of 19.4 knots.Her Maiden Voyage was from Bristol to Ilfracombe on Saturday 14th September 1946.
In this short clip from 1964, TV reporter Terry Fleet joins Bristol Queen for a short cruise and reports on his journey from Cardiff to Weston-super-Mare.
During the brief crossing, there is a short interview with the Managing Director of P&A Campbell Limited, Mr Sidney Clifton Smith Cox (minus his famous Trilby hat he was so often seen wearing). He gives a brief history of the company and its plans for the future.
As we see the Bristol Queen sweep into the landing stage at Cardiff, we can spot the small rowing boat collecting the canting rope used to assist with Bristol Queens departure.
A good crowd waits to board and the ship’s crew take the opportunity to top up on the catering stores.
We then see Bristol Queen, under the Command of Captain Jack George, cant the ship round and head out of Cardiff Bay. With a generous crowd onboard the steamer heads for Weston-super-Mare.
We are treated to superb views of Bristol Queens Triple Expansion Steam Reciprocating Engine, under the charge of Chief Engineer Reg Neath and are given an excellent view of her mighty paddle wheels churning up the Bristol Channel.
As well as views of the steamer at sea, we are given a brief glimpse of Bristol Queens silver service dining saloon and forward cafeteria/bar.
Bristol Queen was the last ship in service to have been built for Bristol Channel work.
During the “Lean Years”, Bristol Queen was laid up at the end of the 1958 season and did not resume active service until the 1961 season.
This was a period of financial reconstruction for P&A Campbell Limited, who were going through the most turbulent period in their long history.
On the 26th August 1967, while departing Barry, Bristol Queen suffered catastrophic damage to her starboard paddle wheel. She limped back to Cardiff under her own power but at a much restricted speed.
Sadly, she was immediately withdrawn from operational service and was never to carry passengers again.
As it dawned that Bristol Queen had no operational future, there was speculation about her future as a preserved static exhibit, possible in the city of her building, Bristol.
Unfortunately Bristol Queen was not saved. The era of preservation had not yet arrived and so she was sold to Belgian ship breakers.
Paddle Steamer Bristol Queen departed Cardiff and the Bristol Channel for the last time on the 21st March 1968, for Willebroek in Holland under the tow of German Tug Fairplay XI.
Why not join the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society today-new members are always welcome.
For full details visit www.paddlesteamers.org/join/
Пікірлер: 23
Notice how orderly and well behaved everyone is
I served on the ps Bristol Queen for 6 weeks in the Summer of 1966 as Mate. Our last trip of the season was to take a full complement of passengers (950) to see HM The Queen open the Severn Bridge. As HM drove over we were underneath dressed overall, but I doubt whether she saw us ! ! I am told I hold the (dubious) distinction of being the last surviving deck Officer of P&A Campbell.
@russiannorth2440
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks. very interesting. I posted a video of a paddle steamer. Built in 1911. This old man works in the north of Russia. Happy viewing. kzread.info/dash/bejne/m2Zqr6RmcdHbos4.html
Just realised I am on the film, just after the beginning,taking on stores at Cardiff Pier Head. NEIL O'BRIEN.
It's a great shame that P&A Campbell are no longer with us. I think a car ferry across the Bristol Channel (say between Swansea and Ilfracombe) would be quite useful to shorten the journey between Wales and the West Country.
For those interested the Chief Engineer in the film is Reg Neath,the gentleman being served the beer in the Dining Saloon was the then"Catering Superintendent" Mr C.L.Jones.He is being served by the 2nd Steward Syd"conger"Heal.
@PSPSScottishBranch
5 жыл бұрын
Hi Sheila. Thanks for putting names to faces.
@cricciethcastle5077
7 ай бұрын
Syd "conger" Heal. Hilarious!!
I would have been on her at least twice in 1964 aged 8/9 - lovely ship, beautiful engines. Scrapping both her and the Cardiff Queen without giving anyone any chance to save at least one of them was a crime against humanity
@harrybarry2291
2 жыл бұрын
I agree Andy. Here in the states is probably worse. Our Marine preservation of priceless ships is deplorable. The "United States" for instance is rusting away. It was our beat liner. I love this "Bristol Queen" with a passion. What a work of art gone forever. The plain jane diesel ships today are cheap ugly tubs in comparison. I cried to read your comment here.
@carltrotter7622
Жыл бұрын
@@harrybarry2291 if only britain had kept the Queen Mary allowing you to devote all your time to preserving the United States.
I caught the Bristol Queen from Cardiff via Porthcawl to Ilfracombe - after leaving Porthcawl she hit a thunder storm and rough seas most people suffered sea sickness a experience to remember lol It was much better coming back Very fond memories of the Cardiff and Bristol Queens In the summer they used to have a band aboard for the showboat cruise
I worked on the Bristol Queen for 18months in 1956/7 I worked in the main dinning room with great friends food, the best time of my life,and without a care in the world, diving from the bridge when at Lundy Island was the best time ever.
@PSPSScottishBranch
4 жыл бұрын
Thanks for sharing your memories.
Wonderful to see this. I grew up in Bridgend and went to Litchard primary school. In the last 3-4 years our school trip involved taking an early morning bus to Cardiff docks then boarding either the Bristol Queen or the Cardiff Queen for a trip over to Weston Super Mare. From there we either went to Bristol Zoo, Cheddar Caves or (once) to Wells Cathedral. We ended up at the amusement arcade on the pier at Weston before taking the paddle steamer back to Cardiff. The steamer trips were always the highlight for me and hanging over the 1/2 doors watch and smell the engine is probably what led to my career in Engineering.
I recall two trips on the ship. The first was from clevedon. We called in at Cardiff then crossed back to lynton and lynmouth, Minehead and got off at Ilfracombe for the afternoon. We rejoined Bristol Queen on her return from Lundy. It was so rough we could not dock at clevedon. We tossed around in the Bristol Channel till 1 am when the Captain deemed it safe to dock
Great "full ahead" engine and wheel views! Thanks!
@PSPSScottishBranch
5 жыл бұрын
Glad you liked the video. Hopefully we can share some more historic footage in the future.
The guy at 1 min helping to pull the gangway in was Mr Wall who was my fathers uncle by marriage, he also got my father a job on her as a deck boy before going deep sea! The other man was the bosun and was from Malta, he started a fight with my father for some reason and they ended up under the table in the mess room, my father got the better of him, Dad was only 15 at the time so the bosun didn’t like!!
@russiannorth2440
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks. very interesting. I posted a video of a paddle steamer. Built in 1911. This old man works in the north of Russia. Happy viewing. kzread.info/dash/bejne/m2Zqr6RmcdHbos4.html
I wonder...do they actually brake a pedal boat by reversing the spinning?
@PSPSScottishBranch
4 жыл бұрын
Yes, the paddle steamers slow themselves by turning the engine and paddles in the opposite direction.
The pronunciations sound so contrived to our ears. They leave us uncertain as to what comes from the elocution lessons, and what comes from the "real" person!