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PS Pride of Devon (ex -Essex Queen, ex -Walton Belle)
Launched on April 5th 1897 by Wm Denny and Bros at Dumbarton
Engines : Triple expansion diagonal, 20.5, 30 and 43 in x 60 in
Dimensions : 230 ft x 26 ft
465 Gross Registered Tons

Entered service in June 1897 to allow the Belle Steamers’ services to be extended northwards to Great Yarmouth.
Ran from Yarmouth to connect with the London steamer service at Clacton.
Chartered for cruising out of Southampton for the Spithead Naval Review in 1902.
Requisitioned by the Admiralty in December 1915
After serving as a minesweper, latterly on the Tyne, she became a hospital vessel in 1919.
Sent to the White Sea and River Dvina in north Russia for transport duties.
Released from military service in May 1920 into the hands of the Coast Development Corporation’s liquidators.
Back in service in August running as before from Yarmouth under charter to Mr Kingsman.
Returned in 1921 in the ownership of Mr Kingsman
Sold to the PSM Syndicate in 1922.
Sold in December 1925 to the New Medway Steam Packet Co. and renamed PS Essex Queen.
Operated out of Chatham and Sheerness, serving Southend and Margate in the 1926 season.
Helped the Medway company expand their range and was regularly at Great Yarmouth in 1927.
Converted to oil fuel during the winter of 1930-1931
Based back at Great Yarmouth in 1937 and on various routes in 1938 and 1939.
Became a hospital ship moored on the Thames until 1943 and was subsequently laid up.
Sold in 1945 for use in south Devon to the South Western Steam Navigation Company.
Renamed PS Pride of Devon, offered cruises from Torquay from mid-July, 1947.
Due to her poor condition, a passenger certificate was refused for the 1949 season.
Laid up at Southampton, she was sold in 1951 to breakers at Grays.

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Belle Steamers
Mr E Kingsman
PSM Syndicate
New Medway Steam Packet Co
GSN
South Western Steam Navigation Co
British Paddle Steamer Index