Saltash History and Heritage
Saltash Paddle Steamers on the Tamar
PS Waverley passes under the Royal Albert Bridge (Andrew Davy)
Saltash paddle steamer Princess Royal undated Postmark 1908 Quick and Sons
Paddle steamer 'Princess Royal' at anchor off Saltash with T.S. Mount Edgcumbe behind
The last weekend of August saw the visit of the Waverley, the world’s last seagoing paddle steamer. As part of her tour of the South West, she made the excursion from Plymouth Barbican, sailing up the river Tamar to pass under the two bridges. She then turned around off Brunel Green to make the return journey on the ebbing tide. It was a beautifully calm and warm evening with a large gathering of spectators at Waterside and at Saltash Passage who waved frantically at the hundreds of passengers on board the steamer. I was amazed by how quietly and gracefully she seemed to skim through the water, with hardly a wake being caused. Of course, Saltash had a long history of paddle steamers during the late 1800's and early 20th century with what would eventually become the Saltash, Three Towns & District Steamboat Company.
At its peak the company had eight steamboats
Prince, Princess Royal, Eleanor, Albert, Alexandra, Lady Ernestine, Prince Edward and Empress as well as a number of tug boats.
The steam ships were mainly paddle ships and worked a number of services mainly from Calstock to Devonport and Plymouth but also to Millbrook. Their regular services were supplemented (mainly in the summer) by excursions both regular timed and block booked by many organisations for private day trips.
SOME DETAILS OF THE FLEETS OF EXCURSION STEAMERS
FROM 1870., UP TO THE THIRTIES.
STEAMERS BELONGING TO “THE SALTASH, THREETOWNS, and DISTRICT STEAMBOAT COMPANY LTD.”
(The Co. dated from about 1892., W. Gilbert, Man. Director) Formerly THE SALTASH STEAM PACKET CO.
The “PRINCESS ROYAL”
Built at Stonehouse by WILLOUGHBY BROS., and launched March 29th 1888. 1124. Ft. long, 161/2 Ft. Beam. Eng. 2 Cyl. Osc. Type.
At first had low Bow and Stern, but about 1891, she was rebuilt with Flush Deck, Bow and Stern and with solid gunwhale instead of open rails. At the same time her funnel was raised and she was fitted with two pole masts. She always had a “hurricane deck” built across the tops of the paddle-boxes. Because of these alterations she looked larger than the “ALEXANDRA”. She was used for trips to the Eddystone, Looe, Fowey, Salcombe and Torquay. Speed approx. 11 Knots. Outward marks. Carried a Bell in woodwork on the side of the Paddle-box. Otherwise she was a larger and improved “ELEANOR”.
The “ALEXANDRA”
Built at Preston Lancs. 1888. In service August 1888. Length B. P. 125 Ft. O. A. 130 Ft. Beam 17Ft. 2 ins. Depth of Hold, 8Ft. 3 ins. Capacity 468. Passengers. Speed, on Trials, 111/2 Knots. Low Bow and Stern. Masts 2 Pole. Funnel rather tall, served at Rosyth during 1914 War returned to Plymouth very much the worse for wear. Was entirely rebuilt by Rogers of Cremyll, practically replated and thoroughly overhauled and put into service on Whitsun Bank Holiday 1920. She promptly developed paddle-wheel trouble, on the Yealm mid-day trip and was out of action for part of the day. Broken up at Stonehouse in the middle thirties.
The “EMPRESS”
Built 1880. Smaller, but of somewhat similar to the “ALEXANDRA” Osc. Type Eng. Square corners to the Cabins, Fore and aft. Low Bow and Stern. Early in the Thirties she was converted into a houseboat and lay in the curve of the River Yealm for some years but eventually disappeared. Her funnel had a Black top with a metal ring below, in the Buff colour, the ring being too far down for the regulation depth of Black top. For many years she was the “market” boat, running between Calstock and North Corner, three days a week, leaving North Corner at 4pm each day.
The “ELEANOR”
Built 18—probably in the late 70’s by WILLOUGHBY’S at Stonehouse. Shorter and narrower than the first three boats. Osc. Type Engines, speed about 10 Knots but latterly much less. Very graceful in appearance and quite a favourite boat for Church and Club excursions. Rounder corners to the cabin, Fore and Aft. Marks. Corner “moulding” to the cabin at the join of the Bow and Counter Stern, the gunwhale being carried up so as to make a shallow Well Deck. The “PRINCESS ROYAL” had the same in her original state. The “ELEANOR” lasted on for several years after the First War but was scrapped about 1930.
The “LADY ERNESTINE”
Date of building unknown, or builder, possibly Messrs Phillip of Dartmouth. She bore a resemblance to the Millbrook Company’s “BRITANNIA” 1900. The only Saltash boat to have the funnel and paddles reversed i.e. the paddles aft of the funnel. She was mainly used on the Mutton Cove- Millbrook Ferry run in the days when there was keen competition on this route, boats bumping each other on approaching the Landings. During the First War she lay unused at Saltash and never was seen again on the River. Had a longer than usual Well Deck Foreward and a short Counter Stern. Sat well down at the stern when on the move.
The “PRINCE EDWARD”
Built at Dartmouth by Philip in 1904. Rounded corners to the Cabin. Much smaller than the first three. Short, fat and square. Speed about 11 knots. Much used on the Cawsand Bay run, almost more than anywhere else. Broken up in the Thirties. Probably the shortest lived of the fleet.