Millbrook Steamboat and Trading Co.

The Millbrook Steamboat & Trading Company was a ferry operator on the River Tamar between Devon and Cornwall in England. It was started in 1894, and initially operated a ferry route from Millbrook in Cornwall to Plymouth. It expanded, and eventually became the largest river boat operator in the Plymouth area. From 1943 it operated the Cremyll Ferry.[1]

The company also operated bus services on the Rame Peninsula in Cornwall. The bus services were eventually taken over by Western National.

In 1980 the company was sold to Dart Pleasure Craft. In 1985 the new owners pulled out of operations in the Plymouth area, and the company closed.

Fleet list

Name Built Company service Notes
SS Despatch 1884 1894–1900?
SS Cornubia 1895 1895–1921 Used almost entirely on the Millbrook ferry
SS Devonia 1896 1896–1918? Excursion steamer, sometimes used on Millbrook ferry
PS Britannia 1900 1900–1937 Excursion & ferry services
SS Iolanthe 1887 1900–1909?
PS Hibernia 1903 1903–1928 Excursion steamer
PS Brunel 1905 1909–1916 Excursion steamer, originally from Thames service
MV Manna / Devon Belle 1922 1927–1979 River excursions. Renamed Devon Belle 1936.
MV Lady Elizabeth 1924 1930–1979 Various services
PS Whitsand Castle 1903 1932–1935 Unsuccessful Millbrook Ferry service
MV Tamar Belle 1927 1932?–1959 Millbrook & Cremyll Ferry
MV Western Belle 1935 1935–1985 River and coastal excursions
MV Southern Belle 1925 1946–1985 River excursions
MV Northern Belle 1926 1946–1985 Cremyll Ferry
MV Eastern Belle 1946 1957–1985 River excursions
MV Plymouth Belle 1961 1961–1985 Cawsand Ferry
MV Dartmouth Castle 1948 1975–1977 Returned to Plymouth from time to time between 1980 and 1985
MV Cardiff Castle 1964 1977–1985 Occasionally returned to Plymouth after 1977
Edgecumbe Belle 1959 1979–1985 Cremyll & Drakes Island Ferry
MV Queen Boadicea II 1936 1980?–1985 Drakes Island Ferry

References

  1. ^ Kittridge, A. Steamers & Ferries of the River Tamar & Three Towns District, Twelveheads Press, 2003