Builders: Ailsa Shipbuilding Company Troon 1908
Propulsion type: Paddle Compound Diagonal
Owner: Southampton, Isle of Wight and South of England Royal Mail Steam Packet Co Ltd.
Service dates: 1908 - 1957
Tonnage: Net 139 Gross 353
Comments:
Bournemouth Queen will still be remembered by many as a favourite excursion steamer on the South Coast. She was built in 1908 and originally sported white funnels, which later had black tops and finally became red with black tops, as shown in this picture of her at Ryde pier on 25 August 1957. The picture was taken from the British Rail motor vessel Brading. PS Bournemouth Queen had an operating speed of 15 knots and like so many of her contemporaries she served as a minesweeper in the First World War. She also saw service in the Second World War, after which she was heavily rebuilt, although she remained a coal burning steamer until the end. Originally sailing from Bournemouth, she sailed from Southampton, Ryde and Southsea on local services from 1951. Her last sailing was on 29 August 1957, just four days after this picture was taken. Whilst she looks in fine fettle, she was surplus to requirements and was scrapped in December of that year.
For a picture of her at Bournemouth with the Perrier family on holiday in 1931, please click here.