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Laguna Belle (ex - Southend
Belle)
Launched on March 6th
1896 by Wm Denny & Bros at Dumbarton
Engines : Triple expansion diagonal, 28, 41.5 and 60 in x 60 in
Dimensions : 249 ft x 30 ft
570 Gross registered Tons
Built for the London,
Woolwich and Clacton-on-Sea Steamboat Co entering service from London
to Clacton / Harwich in May 1896
Became the first Belle steamer to visit Great Yarmouth in August,
1896
In 1897 was on the Margate route, strengthening the Belle steamers'
presence on the south bank of the Thames estuary
Requisitioned in April 1916 for Admiralty service, based at Harwich,
going to Liverpool late in 1917.
Returned to Tilbury in March 1919 for conversion back to peactime
duties
Purchased by Mr Kingsman in 1921 and by the PSM Syndicate in 1922
On the demise of the PSM Syndicate in 1929, she was sold to Mr Kingsman who
was at this time the owner of Clacton pier and renamed Laguna Belle
Ran a summer service from London to Clacton for six seasons (1930 to
1935)
Reboilered for the 1931 season
In 1936 ran to Clacton for the General Steam Navigation
Company
Operated the London Dock cruises on behalf of the Port of London Authority in 1939
Converted once again for wartime minesweeping duties in late 1939 and
was sent to Dover.
Became an anti-aircraft vessel in 1942, an accommodation ship in
1943
Left British waters in October 1946, going to shipbreakers in the
Netherlands
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