Builders: E Finch & Co Ltd Chepstow 1888
Propulsion type: Paddle compound oscillating
Owners: Sir William T Lewis (for Bute Docks Co Ltd), Cardiff & Bristol Channel Steamships Ltd, Dutch owners.
Service dates: 1888 - 1913
Tonnage: Gross 251
Comments:
This delightful tinted Victorian postcard shows The Marchioness leaving Cardiff. The P & A Campbell steamer Bonnie Doone can be seen berthed behind her. The Marchioness was the last Bristol to Cardiff packet steamer and was a steel built paddler of pleasing proportions, plying the Cardiff to Bristol all year round service. Originally sporting just one funnel, not long after she was built a second funnel and boiler were added. The Marchioness was a reliable boat but was sold in 1913 to Dutch owners when her Cardiff & Bristol Channel Steamships owners went into liquidation. She carried on in service on the River Maas for some years, although I do not have a record of her final fate.
Below is a picture of her in original condition and this picture comes from an early streoscope picture card.
I am grateful to Frederick Lee for additional information on this steamer and for his help in identying the picture below.
