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Morecambe
Bay
Morecambe Bay, in the north west of
England lies just to the south of the Lake District, England's most
spectacular scenic area, and a long-established National Park.
Despite its proximity to such a popular tourist area, there has
never been any substantial local pleasure steamer service, although
the local Furness Railway Company did provide paddle steamer services
between Barrow and Fleetwood, and links were provided to the large
seaside resort of Blackpool, from where local operators also sent
ships into the Bay.
Furness Railway
Company
Above
: Lady Moyra was the last and the premium paddle steamer based in
Morecambe Bay running between Barrow and Fleetwood although she was a
second-hand purchase from the Barry Railway Co of South Wales. With a
short life on the Bay before being requisitoned by the Admiralty for
minesweeping duties in World War I, she did not return to service being
sold back to Bristol Channel interests. She was sunk at Dunkirk in 1940
From a postcard view
Lady Evelyn
(1900-1918)
Lady Margaret (1903-1908)
Philomel (1907-1913)
Lady Moyra (1910 -
sold after World War I)
The Furness Railway Company also operated two paddle tugs named Walney which were used for passenger
transportation.
Walney
Built in 1868 by McNab & Co at Greenock
146.5 ft : 200 GT
Sold in 1897 to Charles Duncan & Sons, towage company of Middlesbrough and renamed Camperdown
Used on cruises in the Scarborough and Whitby area until 1906
Walney
Built in 1904 by JP Rennoldson at South Shields
120 ft : 204 GT
2 x Side Lever engines : 30 x 54 in
Moved
to Troon in 1930 when part of the LMS railway organisation and operated
until 1951. Scrapped during the winter of 1952/3 at Troon
Other paddle tugs :
Lismore (1874-1920) built by Barrow Shipbuilding Co
Morecambe Steamboat Company
(1872-1908)
Roses (1876-)
Sunbeam (1885-1908)
Express (1892-1898)
Lancashire & Yorkshire Rly / London & North
Western Rly
Also operated out of
Blackpool
Lune (1892-1913)
S Cordingley / W.A and P
Cordingley
Purchased an old steamer from the North
British Railway's Clyde services, built in 1877and used for one
unsuccessful season before being sold for scrapping
Isle of Bute
(1912-1913)
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