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Devon Star Shipping
 
This page is still under construction!
 
This page is devoted to postcards and photographs of local excursion operator Devon Star Shipping which ran boats in both Devon and East Anglia. An alphabetical list of ships shown on this page is shown below.
 
 
Ships on This Page:-
River Lady
River Lady II
Torbay Prince
 
Other Devon Pages:-
Devon Excursion Ships - Devon Header Page
Devon Railway Ferries & Tenders
Devon Dock, Pier & SS Co
Devon Star Shipping - This page
River Dart - Dart Pleasure Craft
River Dart - Ridalls
River Dart SB Co
River Tamar - Millbrook SB Co
Western Lady Ferry Service
 
Associated Pages:-
UK Excursion Ships and Ports
Ferry Postcards
Cruise Ship Postcards
Ocean Liner Postcards
Simplon Postcards Home Page
 
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River Lady
(RML511)
 
River Lady was built by J.W.& A.Upham of Brixham in 1941. She was part of the 61st Flotilla from 1942 to 1945, and was sent for disposal at Harwich in 1946. She was bought by The Devon Star Shiping Company, but was initially used locally on the River Orwell for excursions in 1946. She had a sistership River Lady II, which was converted at Brixham and ran the Orwell excursions from 1946 until 1963. River Lady was bought by the Western Lady Ferry Service and retained her name. She was used as a cruise and charter boat until 1973. She was then used as a diving support vessel at Plymouth as Western Diver until 1985. Although sold for scrap, she passed to a Dutch comapny. She subsequent fate is unknown.
 
 
Coastal Cards Ltd postcard of River Lady on Torbay service
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River Lady II
 
River Lady II was based at Ipswich though commenced her cruises from both Ipswich and Halfpenny Pier, Harwich. The Ipswich company was known as the Devon Star Shipping Co Ltd, formed in 1946. River Lady II's sister River Lady, also ran from Ipswich before moving to Torbay for the Western Lady Ferry Service where she retained her name. It has also been suggested that Devon Star initially used their Torbay Prince from Ipswich in 1946. She was replaced by the 1941 built Fairmile "B" motor launch River Lady II, converted at Brixham, for the 1947 season.
 
The Harwich & Orwell Navigation Company was formed in 1962 to run the Harwich/Felixstowe ferry service following its closure by British Railways. It was owned by George Goodhew and A.R.Grey. They used the ex-LNER/BR Brightlingsea on the ferry, and they also acquired River Lady II to run excursions. River Lady II was sold in 1963, and was replaced with Torbay Prince again for a few years. After a brief period at Holyhead, River Lady II spent many years abandonned at Glasson Dock. By 1981 River Lady II had become just River Lady, and was a hulk on the mud at low water at St Georges Quay, Lancaster. The Lancaster Auto Spares Company were using blow touches to remove any parts of use to them when the hulk caught fire (21-08-1981).
 
The River Lady II at Harwich.
Photo: © Philip Cone, August 1952
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The River Lady II at Harwich.
Photo: © Philip Cone, August 1952
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Postcard of Brightlingsea at her berth in Felixstowe Dock, with River Lady II.
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The River Lady II at Harwich - deck saloon removed.
Photo: © Philip Cone, March 1963
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Torbay Prince
 
The Torbay Prince was the only purpose-built Torbay excursion boat, being completed by M.W.Blackmore for Devon Star Shipping Co (J.Kerr). There are reports that she briefly ran from Ipswich first, where the company ran River Lady and then River Lady II (River Lady moving to Torbay for the Western Lady Ferry Service where she retained her name). Torbay Prince ran in conjunction with the Western Ladies at Torbay.
 
The Harwich & Orwell Navigation Company had been formed in 1962 to run the Harwich/Felixstowe ferry service following its closure by British Railways. It was owned by George Goodhew and A.R.Grey. They used the ex-LNER/BR Brightlingsea on the ferry, and they also acquired River Lady II to run excursions. River Lady II was sold in 1963, and was replaced with Torbay Prince for a few years.
 
Torbay Prince returned west, and was later renamed Tudor Prince for service from Pembroke and Tenby in South Wales. She ended on the River Fal looking very smart in a red and cream colour scheme. In 2008 she is at Ponsharden on the Fal awaiting restoration, some work having been undertaken. She has been renamed Torbay Prince.
 
Devon Star Shipping advertising postcard of Torbay Prince
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Handbill for Torbay Prince and Western Lady cruises
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Torbay Prince on the Orwell or Stour.
Photo: © Philip Cone, 1968
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A.Duncan photo of Torbay Prince at Harwich
 
 
Torbay Prince at Harwich, towering over Brightlingsea.
Publisher: Photo Precision PT8120
 
 
Archway postcard P80 of Tudor Prince, advertising cruises from Pembroke Dock
 
 
Postcard of Tudor Prince at Falmouth
 
 
Postcard of Tudor Prince at Falmouth
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Torbay Prince at Falmouth, undergoing restoration
Photo: © John Hendy, March 2008
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Torbay Prince at Falmouth, undergoing restoration
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 23rd July 2008
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Torbay Prince at Falmouth, undergoing restoration
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 23rd July 2008
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