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St Mawes Ferry
History of Falmouth to St Mawes Ferry Service
This page is still under construction!
This page covers the history of Falmouth to St Mawes ferry service. There is a
list of operators
and their boats plus an alphabetical
list of all boats
.
St Mawes Steam Tug & Passenger Co Ltd (1869-1968)
St Mawes is on the Percuil River, the village of Percuil previously having its own ferry service. In 1869 a group of St Mawes mariners bought the small tug
Wotton
(28.5 gross tons, 64 ft long) andconverted her into a full time passenger ferry (66-167 passengers depending on area of operation). There formed the St Mawes Steam Tug & Passenger Co Ltd in 1872. In 1878 they also acquired the small wooden steamer
Jane
.
In 1886, the company took delivery of the
Roseland
(48 ross tons, 75 ft long), built by Cox & Co of Falmouth. She served on the St Mawes ferry until 1938. The St Mawes ferry has never had ferry rights, so anyone could compete with the established company. In 1887, the Roseland & Falmouth Steam Packet Co used the
St Mawes Castle
on the service. They also ran the
Falmouth Castle
. Both steamers were sold for use on the Manchester Ship Canal and the Roseland & Falmouth comapny was dissolved.
The St Mawes company won the Royal Mail contract to carry letters to the Roseland Peninsular, and therefore received a subsidy for year round service. They also acquired the steamer
Princess May
(66 gross tons, 76.9 ft long) from Cox & Co in 1894 for use on excursions.
Princess May
was sold back to her builders (who had foreign buyers waiting) in 1902, and she was replaced by the
Alexandra
(73 gross tons, 84.6 ft long) from Cox & Co.
Alexandra
was acquired by the Ministry of War in 1916, and the St Mawes company ordered the
St Mawes
to replace her. She entered service in 1920, after use on war service as a harbour tender.
The first motor vessel in the fleet was the
St Gerrans
(73 gross tons, 69 ft long) of 1927, built by Silley, Cox & Co. She was powered by Gardiner Semi Diesel engines. She carried 280 passengers on the ferry (168 on coastal excursions).
St Gerrans
was joined by the small wooden motor launch
Berry Castle
in the 1930s, joining the
Roseland
and
St Mawes
. In 1938, the long serving
Roseland
was replaced by the
New Roseland
, previously the
Royal Jubilee
(59 gross tons, 69.6 ft long) from Bridlington. She had been built by Cook, Welton & Gemmell of Beverley in 1935. At the start of World War 2, the
St Mawes
was immediately hired by the Ministry of War Transport and moved to Clyde, never to return. She was broken up in Inverness in 1950.
St Gerrans
was also requistioned, but returned due her temperamental engines and exchanged for
New Roseland
.
The non-return of
St Mawes
was rectified in 1948 when the
St Mawes Castle
(75 gross tons, 70 ft long) joined
New Roseland
and
St Gerrans
in the fleet. She was built by Philip of Dartmouth, with Blackstone diesel engines. She was followed in 1950 by the 52 ft long motor launch
New Princess Maud
. This fleet remained throughout the 1950s and most of the 1960s. In 1967 control of the St Mawes Steam Tug & Passenger Co passed to Norman and Thomas Smith, with Thomas Treloar as Managing Owner of the four vessels. In 1968 he put the whole fleet up for auction.
St Mawes Castle
and
St Gerrans
went to Thames Pleasurecraft and
New Roseland
eventually went Coakley's Launches, also on the Thames. Only
New Princess Maud
remained on the St Mawes ferry. The eventually returned to Fal briefly inthe 1970s with the Pill family.
The St Mawes Steam Tug & Passenger Co Ltd was subsequently wound up. When the fleet was sold in 1968, the Pill Family took the opportunity to start a rival service. This caused a certain amount of friction until agreement was reached that the Pill Family would only run from the Town Quay in Falmouth, whilst the Ferry Company would run from the Prince of Wales Pier. Pill purchased the
May Queen
from Fleetwood for this service, and she remains on the same route in 2008 with
Cornwall Ferries
. The Pill fleet is covered on a separate page:-
Pill Family Fleet List
St Mawes Ferry Company Ltd (1970-1991)
Norman and Thomas Smith incorporated a new company, the St Mawes Ferry Co Ltd in 1970. Control passed to William Miller in 1971, and to Leslie Ancliffe in 1975. The St Mawes Ferry Company ceased running excursions, and their fleet consisted of the
New Princess Maud
, and two small wooden motor vessels
Princess Maria
and
Princess Marina.
They were joined by the ex-Flushing Ferry
Nankersey
in 1976. They then bought the two ex-Dartmouth British Railways ferries
Adrian Gilbert
and
Humphrey Gilbert
, whivh the intention of replacing all four of the company's boats. However, they were deemed unsuitable and were sold back to the railways almost immediately.
Adrian Gilbert
subsequently returned to the Fal and remains in service in 2008 as the
Pride of Falmouth
of
K & S Cruises
. The St Mawes Ferry Company's four boats were sold in 1978 to T.E.Mattocks, the original company being wound up. In 1980 the owner became Peter Sparkes, who again traded as the St Mawes Ferry Company. The fleet at this time (1980) was
Nankersey
,
New Princess Maud
and
Princess Maria
. It remained unchanged for a decade, but in 1991 all three boats were working for the Pill family who took over the running of the St Mawes ferry.
George Henry Pill & William Pill (1991-2003)
George Henry Pill & William Pill
bought the three boats of the St Mawes Ferry Company in 1991 and took over the running of the St Mawes ferry. The Pill family continued to run them until 2003, when the route and ferries were sold to Cornwall Ferries. The Pill fleet is covered on a separate page:-
Pill Family Fleet List
Cornwall Ferries (2003- )
Since 2003, the St Mawes ferry has been run by the Cornwall Ferries, who acquired the route and ferries from the Pill family.
In 2008, Cornwall Ferries (also marketed as King Harry's Cornwall) operate a total of five different services in the Falmouth area. The
St Mawes Ferry
links St Mawes with Falmouth on two separate routes terminating at the Prince of Wales Pier and the Custom House Quay. From St Mawes you can also take the
Place Ferry
to Place. The
King Harry Ferry
is a chain ferry across the River Fal at Trelissick. The
Ponsharden Park & Float
links a car park at the edge of Falmouth with the Custom House Quay. They also run a bus as Ponsharden Park & Ride.
Aqua Cab
is a water taxi service which also runs some scheduled services from Custom House Quay to Mylor Yacht harbour as the Mylor Shuttle. Finally,
Orca Sea Safaris
run a wide range of wildlife watching cruises from the National Maritime Museum Cornwall using a fast RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat).
Sections on This Page:-
St Mawes Steam Tug & Passenger Co Ltd (1869-1968)
Wotton
(1869-1896, Built: 1866)
Roseland
(1886-1946, Built: 1886)
Princess May
(1894-1902, Built: 1894)
Alexandra
(1902-1916, Built: 1902)
St Mawes
(1917-1942, Built: 1917)
St Gerrans
(1927-1968, Built: 1927)
Berry Castle
(c.1930)
New Roseland
(1938-1968, Built: 1934)
St Mawes Castle
(1948-1968, Built: 1948)
New Princess Maud
(1950-1968, Built: 1950)
St Mawes Ferry Company (1970-1991)
New Princess Maud
(St Mawes Ferry Co: 1968-19??, Built: 1950)
Princess Maria(1975-19??)
- Images needed
Princess Marina (1975-1988)
- Images needed
Nankersey
(St Mawes Ferry Co: 1976-1994, Built: 1951)
Adrian Gilbert
(St Mawes Ferry Co: 1977, Built: 1957)
Humphrey Gilbert
(St Mawes Ferry Co: 1977, Built: 1957)
George Henry Pill & William Pill (1991-2003)
- Opens new page
Cornwall Ferries - St Mawes Ferry (2003- )
Duchess of Cornwall
(2008- Built: 2008)
May Queen
(2003- Built: 1939)
Queen of Falmouth
(2003- Built: 1937)
Vessels on This Page:-
Wotton
(
St Mawes Steam Tug & Pass
: 1869-1896, Built: 1866)
Roseland
(
St Mawes Steam Tug & Pass
: 1886-1946, Built: 1886)
Princess May
(
St Mawes Steam Tug & Pass
: 1894-1902, Built: 1894)
Alexandra
(
St Mawes Steam Tug & Pass
: 1902-1916, Built: 1902)
St Mawes
(
St Mawes Steam Tug & Pass
: 1917-1942, Built: 1917)
St Gerrans
(
St Mawes Steam Tug & Pass
: 1927-1968, Built: 1927)
Berry Castle
(
St Mawes Steam Tug & Pass
: c.1930)
New Roseland
(
St Mawes Steam Tug & Pass
: 1938-1968, Built: 1934)
St Mawes Castle
(
St Mawes Steam Tug & Pass
: 1948-1968, Built: 1948)
New Princess Maud
(
St Mawes Steam Tug & Pass
: 1950-1968, Built: 1950)
Duchess of Cornwall
(
Cornwall Ferries
: 2008- Built: 2008)
May Queen
(
Cornwall Ferries
- 2003- Built: 1939)
Queen of Falmouth
(
Cornwall Ferries
- 2003- Built: 1937)
Nankersey
(
St Mawes Ferry Co
: 1976-1991, Built: 1951)
New Princess Maud
(
St Mawes Ferry Co
: 1968-1991, Built: 1950)
Princess Maria
(
St Mawes Ferry Co
: 1975-1991, Built: 1927)
- Images needed
Princess Marina
(
St Mawes Ferry Co
: 1975-1988, Built: 1936)
- Images needed
Other Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Pages:-
Cornwall Header Page
Falmouth 2008 Overview
Falmouth - Pill Family
Falmouth Pleasure Cruises
Flushing Ferry
Isles of Scilly SS
Newman's Cruises
River Fal SS Co
Scilly Inter-island Boats
St Mawes Ferry
- this page
Associated Pages:-
UK Excursion Ships and Ports
Ferry Postcards
Cruise Ship Postcards
Ocean Liner Postcards
Simplon Postcards Home Page
Associated Pages:-
Trip Out Guides
- Written and published by G.P.Hamer
- editions from 1977 to 2007
Trip Out Guides are available from Geoffrey Hamer, PO Box 485, Southall, UB1 9BH
Passenger Steamers of the Rover Fal
- Alan Kittridge
- Twelveheads Press, 1988
Steamers & Ferries of Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly
- Alan Kittridge
- Tempus, 2004
My thanks to Graham Thorne, Geoff Hamer, John Hendy and John Pill for assistance with this page
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St Mawes Ferry
Falmouth to St Mawes Ferry Service - Page 1
St Mawes Steam Tug & Passenger Co Ltd
Wotton
(1869-1896, Built: 1866)
To be added
Roseland
(1886-1946, Built: 1886)
E.E.Collins postcard of
Roseland
(right front) at the Prince of Wales Pier
New Resolute
is off the pier on the left, with
Miranda (1)
behind her.
Victor
is behind
Roseland
and
Princess Victoria
and
Queen of the Fal
are behind the pier
Click to open larger image in new window
E.T.W.Dennis postcard of
Roseland
at Prince of Wales Pier, Falmouth, with
New Resolute
behind her
Click to open larger image in new window
E.T.W.Dennis postcard of
Roseland
at the Prince of Wales Pier, with
New Resolute
behind her
Enlarged image from the card above
Click to open larger image in new window
Princess May
(1894-1902, Built: 1894)
To be added
Alexandra
(1902-1916, Built: 1902)
To be added
St Mawes
(1917-1942, Built: 1917)
Valentine's postcard H.2147 of
St Mawes
at St Mawes quay
Click to open larger image in new window
Valentine's postcard H.2147 of
St Mawes
at St Mawes quay
Enlarged image from the card above
Click to open larger image in new window
St Gerrans
(1927-1968, Built: 1927)
St Gerrans
was built in 1927 by Cox of Falmouth. She was 73 gross tons. She ran on the Fal with theSt Mawes Steam Tug & Passenger Co Ltd from 1927 to 1968. She was with Thames Pleasure Craft 1971-74 and then returned to Fal. for the Pill family's
Cornish Ferry (Red Funnel)
. Sold in 1988 and converted to motor yacht, 1993.
Judges postcard 26450 of
St Gerrans
at St Mawes
Click to open larger image in new window
Judges postcard 26450 of
St Gerrans
at St Mawes
Enlarged image from postcard above
Click to open larger image in new window
Salmon postcard 1-44-01-01/2894c of
St Gerrans
at St Mawes
Click to open larger image in new window
Berry Castle
(c.1930)
To be added
New Roseland
(1938-1968, Built: 1934)
National Series postcard of
New Roseland
at Prince of Wales Pier, Falmouth
Posted October 1962
Click to open larger image in new window
Valentine's postcard L.948 of
New Roseland
at St Mawes
Posted June 1958
Click to open larger image in new window
Valentine's postcard L.948 of
New Roseland
at St Mawes
Enlarged image from postcard above
Click to open larger image in new window
Valentine's postcard L.1606 of
New Roseland
and St Mawes Castle at Prince of Wales Pier, Falmouth
Flushing ferry
Nankersey
bottom left
Click to open larger image in new window
Valentine's postcard L.1606 of
New Roseland
and St Mawes Castle at Prince of Wales Pier, Falmouth
Enlarged image from postcard above
Click to open larger image in new window
John Clarkson photographic postcard of
New Roseland
Photo: © John Clarkson
Click to open larger image in new window
John Hinde postcard 2DC224 of
New Princess Maud
and
New Roseland a
t St Mawes
Photo: E.Ludwig
Click to open larger image in new window
John Hinde postcard 2DC224 of
New Princess Maud
and
New Roseland a
t St Mawes
Photo: E.Ludwig - Enlarged image from card above
Click to open larger image in new window
Photographic Greetings Card postcard (1144 C-21502) of
New Roseland
at St Mawes
Click to open larger image in new window
Photographic Greetings Card postcard (1144 C-21502) of
New Roseland
at St Mawes
Enlarged image from the postcard above
Click to open larger image in new window
St Mawes Castle
(1948-1968, Built: 1948)
Photographic postcard of
St Mawes Castle
Simplon Postcards Collection
Click to open larger image in new window
Valentine's postcard L.1606 of
New Roseland
and
St Mawes Castle
at Prince of Wales Pier, Falmouth
Flushing ferry
Nankersey
bottom left
Click to open larger image in new window
Valentine's postcard L.1606 of
New Roseland
and
St Mawes Castle
at Prince of Wales Pier, Falmouth
Enlarged image from postcard above
Click to open larger image in new window
New Princess Maud
(1950-1968, Built: 1950)
Wooden launch built 1950. Ran on the Fal from 1950 to 2005. Cornwall Ferries sold her to G Pill in July 2004, with K & S Cruises 2005 and since sold on. At Tobermory as
Sula Mhor
2006.
John Hinde postcard 2DC224 of
New Princess Maud
and
New Roseland a
t St Mawes
Photo: E.Ludwig
Click to open larger image in new window
John Hinde postcard 2DC224 of
New Princess Maud
and
New Roseland a
t St Mawes
Photo: E.Ludwig - Enlarged image from card above
Click to open larger image in new window
St Mawes Ferry Company
New Princess Maud
(1968-1991, Built: 1950)
Wooden launch built 1950. Ran on the Fal from 1950 to 2005. In 1991 she passed to the Pill family along with
Nankersey
and
Princess Maria
. The Pill business was sold to Cornwall Ferries in 2003 along with
Adrian Gilbert
,
May Queen
,
New Princess Maud
and
Queen of Falmouth
. Cornwall Ferries sold
New Princess Maud
back to George Pill in July 2004, but she passed to K & S Cruises in 2005 and has since been sold on again. She was at Tobermory as
Sula Mhor
2006.
John Hinde postcard 2DC224 of
New Princess Maud
and
New Roseland a
t St Mawes
Photo: E.Ludwig
Click to open larger image in new window
John Hinde postcard 2DC224 of
New Princess Maud
and
New Roseland a
t St Mawes
Photo: E.Ludwig - Enlarged image from card above
Click to open larger image in new window
Nankersey
(1976-1991, Built: 1951)
Built: 1951 - 23 gross tons - 45 ft long - 91 passengers
Nankersey
was a wooden launch built in 1951, by Falmouth Boat Construction. She was 23 gross tons and had a small saloon and upper deck. She was on the Flushing Ferry from 1951 to 1976, and then worked for the St Mawes Ferry Co, who gave her a raised bridge and small funnel. By 1991
Nankersey
was running for the Pill family, along with
New Princess Maud
and
Princess Maria
.
Nankersey
was sold to
Fleetwood
in 1994 and ran as
Lady Victoria Belle
. For sale 1998, no further records found.