Millbrook Steamboat and Trading Co.

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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]

Contents

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

NameBuiltCompany serviceNotes
SS Despatch18841894–1900?
SS Cornubia18951895–1921Used almost entirely on the Millbrook ferry
SS Devonia18961896–1918?Excursion steamer, sometimes used on Millbrook ferry
PS Britannia19001900–1937Excursion & ferry services
SS Iolanthe18871900–1909?
PS Hibernia19031903–1928Excursion steamer
PS Brunel19051909–1916Excursion steamer, originally from Thames service
MV Manna / Devon Belle19221927–1979River excursions. Renamed Devon Belle 1936.
MV Lady Elizabeth 19241930–1979Various services
PS Whitsand Castle19031932–1935Unsuccessful Millbrook Ferry service
MV Tamar Belle19271932?–1959Millbrook & Cremyll Ferry
MV Western Belle 19351935–1985River and coastal excursions
MV Southern Belle 19251946–1985River excursions
MV Northern Belle 19261946–1985Cremyll Ferry
MV Eastern Belle 19461957–1985River excursions
MV Plymouth Belle 19611961–1985Cawsand Ferry
MV Dartmouth Castle 19481975–1977Returned to Plymouth from time to time between 1980 and 1985
MV Cardiff Castle 19641977–1985Occasionally returned to Plymouth after 1977
Edgecumbe Belle 19591979–1985Cremyll & Drakes Island Ferry
MV Queen Boadicea II19361980?–1985Drakes Island Ferry

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References

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