Builders: Samuda Bros (?) Poplar 1878
Propulsion type: Paddle
Owners: London Steamboat Co
Service dates: 1878 - 1908
Tonnage: Gross 100
Comments:
PS Princess Mary was built at the same time and to the same design as her sister boat, PS Osprey for the London Steamboat Co and was one of five steamers built in that year for the company. They were the mid sized boats of the fleet with the two smaller vessels; Bridegroom and Wedding Ring, being used on short pier to pier trips up river on the Thames. Princess mary and her sister were used on longer downstream trips and at 131 feet in length and 100 grt were larger by some way. The last of the fleet built in 1878 was PS Princess of Wales (later PS Bembridge) although she was the first to be sold. PS Princess of Mary lasted until 1908 and can be seen above in this fine picture, which comes from a glass plate negative from my collection and dates from circa 1880/90. Note the Captain's bowler hat and the top hat of the passenger on the starboard side.