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Side-Wheeled Paddle Steamers
PORT VICTORIA - SHEERNESS FERRY (1891-1900) / SUMMER EXCURSION CRUISES ALONG THE SOUTH KENT COAST (1901-1908)
A
paddle steamer ferry service across the River Medway was opened by the
South Eastern Railway when the railway reached Port Victoria, where a
pier stretched out into the Medway, in 1882.
Two
paddlers were ordered by the South Eastern Railway for service
from 1891. The ferry was withdrawn in 1900 (having been summer only
from 1895) as Port Victoria failed to develop along the lines that the
railway had hoped and traffic on both the rail branch and the ferry was
minimal. The operational merger between the South Eastern Railway
and their bitter rivals the London, Chatham & Dover Railway had
just taken place so the need to access Sheerness via Port Victoria
ended.
The vessels were then employed on coastal cruises on the
south coast between Ramsgate and Folkestone in the high summer season.
Passengers could also use the SE&CR for one leg of the return trip.
The
unexpected sale of the two ferries, which had proved popular in the
coastal trade, left a hole in demand which was partially filled by the
extension of services of the Margate-based tug Conqueror to serve
Folkestone
Edward William (1891-1908)
Built in 1891 by Samuda Bros of Poplar, London
150 ft : 195 GT
2x oscillating engines 30 x 33 in by Thomas A Young & Son
Sold in February 1909 for use in Turkey as Adam
Myleta (1891-1908)
Built in 1891 by Samuda Bros of Poplar, London
150 ft : 198 GT
2x oscillating engines 30 x 33 in by Thomas A Young & Son
Sold in February 1909 for use in Turkey as Eve
Wrecked in the Dardanelles in 1911
Historical database