NINETEEN SIXTY TWO – PART 98
MV Southern Belle
Michael L. Roach
When the Cornwall Railway Society made a rail trip to Gunnislake on 23 July 1994 the return leg from Calstock to Plymouth was made by river boat from Calstock Quay to Phoenix Wharf near the historic Barbican in Plymouth. The trip was recorded here in photographs by Roger Winnen over five instalments ending on 21 July 2024. The boat provided for the trip was the MV Southern Belle, originally called Shuttlecock dating from 1925 and then operated by Plymouth Boat Cruises. Southern Belle is believed to still exist and is one of more than 2000 ships on the National Register of Historic Ships. Shuttlecock was ordered by the Estate of the Edgcumbe Family of Mount Edgcumbe who ran the Cremyll Ferry from Stonehouse in Plymouth to Cremyll in East Cornwall for many years. This pedestrian/foot ferry has existed for about a thousand years and is still a very useful public transport link across the River Tamar with buses connecting with the ferries at Cremyll on the Cornwall side. Cremyll is located on a relatively isolated peninsula, and this part of Cornwall is sometimes known as the forgotten corner of the County. When the Edgcumbe Estate gave up the ferry service it passed to the well-known Millbrook Steamboat and Trading Company who also ran river excursions and bus services on the Cornwall side. Shuttlecock was built by the Rogers Boatyard a short distance from Cremyll on the Cornwall side specifically to operate the ferry service. Twelve years later the yard passed to Mashfords, who still operate it and who have made an enviable reputation for quality.
Shuttlecock was built wholly of timber and was driven by a steam engine; but this was removed in 1946 and replaced by a Gardner diesel engine during a rebuild at Mashfords Boatyard when it acquired the name Southern Belle. Gardners were another firm with an enviable reputation, but the firm ceased making new engines more than 30 years ago. Their engines were also popular for use in buses. The boat is still driven by a Gardner diesel but I do not know if it is the original or a replacement. Southern Belle was followed by Northern Belle (1926), Western Belle (1935) and Eastern Belle (1946). The boats, the ferry routes and excursion trips passed through a number of hands in the last years of the twentieth century and are now operated by Plymouth Boat Trips who appear to have more routes than have been operated for many years. The peak of passenger numbers probably occurred in the 1930s before the advent of large scale car ownership, but excursions were still very popular right through the 1950s and into the 1960s. Certainly my parents used the river boats from Phoenix Wharf to Bovisand regularly in the 1930s as an easy way of getting to a beach. A run of good summers helped as well. In the 1930s the Millbrook S&T Company would have had competition on some routes from the Great Western Railway using their fleet of tenders which were used to meet the Atlantic liners. Although the GWR tended to do the longer routes like Looe, they would have abstracted some passengers.
At the end of the 1990s Southern Belle also passed through a number of hands before finally finding a home in Norfolk in 2005 where it was given a £150,000 overhaul. When not in use it could be found tied up on the River Yare in Great Yarmouth moored above the Haven Bridge which carries the A1243 into town which is where I photographed it in 2008. Southern Belle operated trips to places like Reedham but had some difficulties with Network Rail over the opening of swing bridges to allow the vessel to pass. There were also problems with the harbour authority, and the last report I can find, from August 2015, said that the vessel was languishing out of use at Great Yarmouth. Does anyone know the current situation regarding Southern Belle, please?
The fate of the four Belle's named after points of the compass has been decidedly mixed since leaving the River Tamar. The worst possible outcome befell Northern Belle which was broken up in 2022 after a failed preservation attempt by the Northern Belle Trust. Southern Belle appears to be waiting for a white knight to save it; while Eastern Belle was last heard of working the coast of the Isle of Man. The vessel with the best outcome and seemingly an assured future is the Western Belle dating from 1935 and for many years the flagship of the Millbrook fleet. In 2007 it headed north and was refurbished over the winter of 2010-11 to be launched on Ullswater in the Lake District in July 2011 where it plies up and down the lake regularly. Western Belle is one of a fleet of five boats offering cruises on the eight mile long lake of which four are heritage boats. The oldest boat dates back nearly 150 years. Read more about the fleet at ullswater-steamers.co.uk.
Shuttlecock was built wholly of timber and was driven by a steam engine; but this was removed in 1946 and replaced by a Gardner diesel engine during a rebuild at Mashfords Boatyard when it acquired the name Southern Belle. Gardners were another firm with an enviable reputation, but the firm ceased making new engines more than 30 years ago. Their engines were also popular for use in buses. The boat is still driven by a Gardner diesel but I do not know if it is the original or a replacement. Southern Belle was followed by Northern Belle (1926), Western Belle (1935) and Eastern Belle (1946). The boats, the ferry routes and excursion trips passed through a number of hands in the last years of the twentieth century and are now operated by Plymouth Boat Trips who appear to have more routes than have been operated for many years. The peak of passenger numbers probably occurred in the 1930s before the advent of large scale car ownership, but excursions were still very popular right through the 1950s and into the 1960s. Certainly my parents used the river boats from Phoenix Wharf to Bovisand regularly in the 1930s as an easy way of getting to a beach. A run of good summers helped as well. In the 1930s the Millbrook S&T Company would have had competition on some routes from the Great Western Railway using their fleet of tenders which were used to meet the Atlantic liners. Although the GWR tended to do the longer routes like Looe, they would have abstracted some passengers.
At the end of the 1990s Southern Belle also passed through a number of hands before finally finding a home in Norfolk in 2005 where it was given a £150,000 overhaul. When not in use it could be found tied up on the River Yare in Great Yarmouth moored above the Haven Bridge which carries the A1243 into town which is where I photographed it in 2008. Southern Belle operated trips to places like Reedham but had some difficulties with Network Rail over the opening of swing bridges to allow the vessel to pass. There were also problems with the harbour authority, and the last report I can find, from August 2015, said that the vessel was languishing out of use at Great Yarmouth. Does anyone know the current situation regarding Southern Belle, please?
The fate of the four Belle's named after points of the compass has been decidedly mixed since leaving the River Tamar. The worst possible outcome befell Northern Belle which was broken up in 2022 after a failed preservation attempt by the Northern Belle Trust. Southern Belle appears to be waiting for a white knight to save it; while Eastern Belle was last heard of working the coast of the Isle of Man. The vessel with the best outcome and seemingly an assured future is the Western Belle dating from 1935 and for many years the flagship of the Millbrook fleet. In 2007 it headed north and was refurbished over the winter of 2010-11 to be launched on Ullswater in the Lake District in July 2011 where it plies up and down the lake regularly. Western Belle is one of a fleet of five boats offering cruises on the eight mile long lake of which four are heritage boats. The oldest boat dates back nearly 150 years. Read more about the fleet at ullswater-steamers.co.uk.
The 2008 sign inviting you to take a boat trip from Great Yarmouth two days later. Reedham was about nine miles away across Breydon Water and up the River Yare where the boat would probably have moored up at Riverside, just beyond the swingbridge carrying the Reedham Junction to Lowestoft railway line. Copyright Michael L. Roach
Southern Belle moored up at North Quay, Great Yarmouth just north of the Haven Bridge on Sunday 7 September 2008. Copyright Michael L. Roach
In this view looking north from the Haven Bridge Great Yarmouth's one remaining railway station is about 500 metres further north. It was originally called Yarmouth Vauxhall. Copyright Michael L. Roach
Southern Belle is seen leaving Phoenix Wharf, Plymouth and heading for home after dropping off the CRS party on 23 July 1994. Copyright Roger Winnen
Marazion Marsh
New Crossing
Roger Salter
New Crossing
Roger Salter
This is the new foot crpssing at Marazion Marsh part of the St Michaels Way trail
Copyright Roger Salter
Copyright Roger Salter
Copyright Roger Salter
Copyright Roger Salter
Copyright Roger Salter
Copyright Roger Salter
Many Thanks Roger
High Summer Shots
Craig Munday
I popped down to Par on Sunday 28th to see the steam arrival. Roger W was beside me so you have those pictures. I hung around for the 47 in the sunshine and it's seen running back onto the train via the new Ground Signal just beyond the crossover. The heat, light and awful maroon livery is just not that photogenic unfortunately. Copyright Craig Munday.
Some GWR services were photographed in the lovely sunshine. The miniature barley had just been harvested at Dowgas, and 2P09 is seen in bows on through the reverse curves bound for St Austell. Copyright Craig Munday.
The midday "cross" at Hayle is a chance to grab a pasty and see two trains on the viaduct. Roger Winnen's lovely 25275 pictures took me back to lunchtimes as a child running to see the Hayle Wharves trip around the hour of 13.00. The driver in Roger's picture was Howard Toddy Hooper who only died recently aged a creditable 100 years old! Who says shift work reduces your life span?! Copyright Craig Munday.
A visit to St Erth saw 1A84 arrive and work continues on the new footbridge spanning the lines. Whatever your view heritage wise, the footfall has increased considerably since the new car park has opened, and the new structure and lifts are essential. Note the GWR-liveried shuttle bus complete with yellow warning panel! Copyright Craig Munday.
GWR Hitachi Unit 800304 passes by the new footbridge at St. Erth on 30.07.2024. Copyright Craig Munday.
Yesterday (31.07.2024) saw an unfortunate accident on the Newquay line as a lorry toppled over and came to rest against the over bridge at Goss Moor. The vehicle was quickly recovered and, thankfully, the Driver was unhurt. Copyright Craig Munday.
Many thanks Craig - a great record of the last few weeks. Glad you enjoyed Rogers photos of the 25, too.
'Castles' in the sun
Jon Hird
43156/ GW07 / 43098 work 2P21 the 15:50 Penzance - Plymouth through Restormel on 30.07.2024. Copyright Jon Hird.
43186 / GW08 / 43187 work 2C65, the 10:42 Plymouth to Penzance over Brea Embankment on 31.07.2024. Copyright Jon Hird.
Freightliner at Swindon
Ken Mumford
6M81 headed by 66544 passes through Swindon on 01.08.2024. Copyright Ken Mumford.
The vandals have been busy 'decorating' the rake of wagons. Copyright Ken Mumford.
Many thanks to you, Ken