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PS Cardiff Queen
CQ at Lundy.jpg
Cardiff Queen at Lundy in June 1961. Photo by kind courtesy of Gillon Ferguson
Launched on February 25th, 1947 by Fairfield Shipbuilding & Engineering at Govan, Glasgow

Engines : Triple expansion three crank diagonal, 25.5, 39 and 61 in x 60 in

Dimensions : 240 ft x 30.1 ft
765 Gross Registered Tons

Fitted with a double-ended oil-fired Scotch boiler requiring two funnels
Placed on the Cardiff - Ilfracombe excursion until sent to Swansea for the 1950 season
Spent the 1952 and 1953 seasons on the South Coast of England
Back at Swansea between 1954 and 1958
From 1959 until 1961 she was the fleet's main cruise vessel as Bristol Queen was laid up
From 1961 until the end of 1965 Cardiff Queen mainly covered the Cardiff -Weston ferry as Bristol Queen undertook the cruise role
In 1966, Cardiff Queen had a much shorter season, mainly stationed at Swansea
Laid up at Cardiff after the trip to Lundy on September 21st 1966 and moved to Barry in June 1967
Real hope existed that she might be bought for further use on the Firth of Forth
Sold for planned use as a Night Club on the Usk at Newport arriving at the unsuitable tidal berth on February 29th, 1968
Quickly moved to Newport Docks after refloating
Left her berth at Newport Dock on April 9th 1968 for the short trip to a tidal berth on the Usk at Cashmore's scrap yard.

CQ Bideford Aug 1955 Ian Roger.jpg


Cardiff Queen approaching Bideford in August 1955.  Photo by kind courtesy of Ian Roger
Bibliography
Cardiff Queen - The Ultimate Coastal Paddle Steamer
By Nick James
Published by the author
Detailed and copiously illustrated pamphlet style book recording the story of Cardiff Queen

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