Builders: Fairfield Shipbuilding & Engineering Co Ltd 1947
Propulsion type: Paddle triple expansion
Owners: P & A Campbell Ltd
Service dates: 1947 - 1968
Tonnage: Net 287 Gross 765
Comments:
Launched on 25 February 1947, Cardiff Queen entered service on 21 June in the same year and was the last vessel of her class to be built. She was originally to be built in Bristol by Charles Hill, who built the Bristol Queen, but Hill's books were full and after competion by Fairfields and Inglis yards on the Clyde, Fairfields won the order. Easily identifiable from her sister as she had a teak surround to her bridge whereas the Bristol Queen was white. In service she averaged around 16 knots, with a maximum speed of 18 knots. Upon delivery to Bristol her hull was found to be already rusting and this was put down to the fact that her hull was not painted with red lead (as happened to the present Waverley). Fondly remembered by many she had a too short career and was to suffer from the demise of Campbell's and the excursion steamer trade in general, being broken up in Newport during April 1968.
The picture above is previously unpublished and was taken at Tenby by Arthur Webster (1918-1977). The picture is displayed here by courtesy of Arthur's son John, who has kindly agreed to share it with us.
The picture below is of Cardiff Queen at the same location in 1959 and was taken by Stuart Hall, by whose kind permission it is displayed here.
