Builders: William Denny & Bros 1891
Propulsion type: Paddle, compound diagonal
Owners: Belle Steamers Ltd, Channel Excursion Steamers Ltd, New Medway Steam Packet Co Ltd
Service dates: 1891 - 1932
Tonnage: Net 143 Gross 298
Comments:
The smallest of the "Belle Steamers", at 298 grt, Woolwich Belle was fitted originally with a telescopic funnel. Soon after the turn of the century she was fitted with a fixed funnel and bow rudder which helped her manouevre. She was based for a long time in Ipswich and was later stationed at Great Yarmouth. After her owners had insurmountable financial difficulties Woolwich Belle was sold to Channel Excursions and renamed Queen of the South. In 1924 she was sold again to the New Medway Steam Packet Co, with whom she remained until she was scrapped in Grays in 1932. She was not a fast ship and had a service speed of 15 knots. This and her size meant she was not requisitioned in the First World War, although what she did in the war years is not documented. This picture comes from the Brian Fisher collection and shows Queen of the South at Brighton.