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Side-Wheeled Paddle Steamers
PS
Queen of the South (ex - Woolwich
Belle)
Launched on April 6th
1891 by Wm Denny & Bros at Dumbarton
Engines : Compound diagonal, 24 and 42 in x 54 in
Dimensions : 200 ft x 24 ft
298 Gross registered Tons
Built for the London,
Woolwich and Clacton-on-Sea Steamboat Co entering service from London
to Clacton in May 1891
In 1894, Woolwich Belle inaugurated her owner's connection from
Ipswich to Clacton (via Felixstowe and Harwich)
From July 1909, sailings were commenced at Felixstowe, going as far
as the Kent Coast, Tilbury and the Medway
In 1914 she alternated her base weekly between Sheerness and
Harwich
Not requisitioned for war service, she remained inactive during the
hostilities
Due to her inactivity she was not purchased along with the rest of
the Belle Steamers.
Instead, she went in 1921 to her builders, Denny for re-fitting,
possibly as a job creation scheme
In May 1922 a refitted Woolwich Belle was sold to The Channel
Excursions Ltd of Brighton and renamed PS Queen of the South
She was sold on to the New Medway Steam Packet Company in 1924
Stationed at Great Yarmouth in 1929 as the New Medway Company made a
failed attempt to expand its operations to the Norfolk port.
Refitted after the 1930 season, including the installation of an
oil-fired boiler
Withdrawn after the end of the 1931 season
Scrapped at Grays in 1932
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