Builders: London & Glasgow Engineering and Iron Shipbuilding Co, Glasgow 1868
Propulsion type: Paddle, originally oscillating, then compound
Owners: Bristol Steam Navigation Co Ltd
Service dates: 1868 - 1900
Tonnage: Net Gross 1019 (as built)
Comments:
This twin funnelled iron built paddler was used by the Bristol Steam Navigation Co on the Bristol to Cork run throughout her career as she was ideally suited to the task. She could accommodate 130 cabin passengers and her deck compliment varied from 520 in the summer, falling to 390 in the winter. She was the first vessel to use the new Cumberland Basin Locks and the Avonmouth Docks, the latter with lavish ceremonies and much cheering from dockside crowds! In 1887 she was involved in the dramatic rescue of the crew of the steam collier George Moore, which had run aground on rocks in a gale and was breaking up. Juno spotted the distress flares and despite the storm managed to launch a lifeboat and rescue the sixteen souls whose lives were in mortal danger. Two trips were necessary but all on board were rescued. The Captain and Second Mate (who was in charge of the lifeboat) were both awarded silver medals for their courage.
Juno was sold to the City of Cork Steam Packet Co in November 1900 and partly dismantled. Her hulk was towed to Dartmouth two years later where she served as a coal hulk for the next twenty years before being broken up at Preston.