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Great Western Railway : Weymouth-Cherbourg
The
Great Western Railway obtained powers to operate a number of steamer
services in 1862, primarily to Ireland but also to France and the
Channel Islands, the latter two being served out of Weymouth.
Whilst
cargo services were more successful, scheduled passenger passenger runs
to Cherbourg were only undertaken from 1878 to 1885. The
1867-built sisters Great Western and South of Ireland were transferred
from their Irish service. South of Ireland was wrecked on rocks off Lulworth on
December 25th, 1883
Gael
was brought in as a replacement having already had twenty-one seasons
serving on the Clyde, to where she returned in 1891 after
serving at Penzance on charter to the West Cornwall Steamship
Company and providing a ferry service to the Isles of Scilly.
Great Western (1878-1885)
South of Ireland (1878-1883)
Notes :
Great Western Built in 1867 by Simons of Renfrew 220.4 ft : 447 GRT. Oscillating. Originally on Irish services. Sold to David MacBrayne in 1891)
South of Ireland Built in 1867 by Simons of Renfrew 220.2 ft : 475 GRT.
Oscillating. Originally on Irish services. Wrecked off Dorset coast on
Dec 25th 1883)
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