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Windsor Belle
 
 
This page is devoted to postcards and photographs of the River Thames steam excursion vessel Windsor Belle of 1901.
 
Windsor Belle was built and owned by Arthur Jacobs of Windsor in 1901. Arthur Jacobs began hiring out manned skiffs at Windsor in 1884. His first steam launch was the Woodland Lily, bought from builders Burgoyne in 1890. She remained in the fleet until 1951. In 1900, Arthur Jacobs built his first steam launch, the Windsor Belle, which lasted until 1977 (later powered by Ganrdner diesel engine). He ran a service from Windsor to Maidenhead (a section also covered by Salter Brothers). The Empress of India was acquired in 1921, since traffic was increasing. She had been built by Bonds of Maidenhead for their own services, She served with Arthur Jacobs between 1922-1930, and was then sold to Pickin & Cleves of Windsor. Between 1952-1976 Empress of India reverted to Jacobs ownership, and then served with Turk's Launches until around 1998. Windsor Belle and Empress of India were joined by The New Windsor Castle in 1923, again built by Jacobs himself. Arthur Jacobs died in 1927, and the business was carried on by his brothers and son-in-law, David Pickin. In 1943, the business was turned into a the limited company Arthur Jacobs (Windsor) Ltd. In 1948, the first of a series of boats named Windsor I, II etc entered service. These were 36 foot boats carrying 65/70 passengers on local trips from Windsor to Boveney Lock. In 1952, the company put Windsor Three, Four and V into service. The Windsor, acquired 1960, was previously a lifeboat on the Queen Mary. Windsor Five, Windsor Six and Windsor One arrived between 1966 and 1970. Windsor Four was renamed Windsor Two in 1974. Subsequent new vessels dropped the numeric names, and Windsor One became Windsor Crown.
 
A series of modern boats designed by David Pickin were built for Arthur Jacobs throughout the 1970s, plus others were acquired:- Windsor Lady (1969, built 1939 as Lady Celia), Windsor Royal (new 1971), Windsor Regent (new 1973), Windsor Sceptre (1) (new 1973), Windsor Consort (1975), Windsor Crown (ex-Windsor One in 1975), Windsor Sovereign (new 1976), Windsor Jester (new 1977), Windsor Jubilee (new 1977), Windsor Sceptre (2) (1977), Windsor Monarch (new 1978) and Windsor Sceptre (3) (new 1980). In 1978, the company had been renamed Windsor Boats, and the fleet consisted only of modern cruisers by this time. Windsor Lady was sold in 1976, Windsor Sceptre (1) in 1978, Windsor Sceptre (2) in 1979, Windsor Crown in 1981, and Windsor Consort in 1984. The six remaining boats passed to French Brothers in 1991.
 
Windsor Belle was restored initially in 1987. The origine of her steam engine is unknown. She has received further improvements, such as the beautiful brass rails, and is now in immaculate condition.
 
The charter was arranged by Vintage Tours
 
 
Sections on this Page:-
Windsor Belle - Arthur Jacobs (1901-1977)
Windsor Belle - 2006 Photos
 
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River Thames Header Page - other operators
 
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Windsor Belle
(Arthur Jacobs: 1901-1977)
 
A photograph of Windsor Belle when new in 1901
 
 
A photograph of a party on board Windsor Belle
Scan: Bob Wilks, who writes:- It was June, 1929 and the men are on a railway staff outing - probably from Stonebridge Park, near Wembley, Middlesex. Seated 2nd. from the left in the front row and wearing a cap is my late grandfather, Allen Hallworth, who retired from the railway aged 65 years in 1934. !st. on the left, and sat next to Grandad is a work colleague, Duncan Patterson, born 1900. Duncan's niece ended up in 1962 marrying my brother, obviously another of Allen's grandsons. But neither my brother nor his wife were even born in 1929.
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Windsor Belle
Windsor Belle at Wargrave Marina
 
 
Windsor Belle at Wargrave, prior to the cruise.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 13th May 2006
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Photo: © Ian Boyle, 13th May 2006
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Photo: © Ian Boyle, 13th May 2006
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Photo: © Ian Boyle, 13th May 2006
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Photo: © Ian Boyle, 13th May 2006
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Photo: © Ian Boyle, 13th May 2006
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Photo: © Ian Boyle, 13th May 2006
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Photo: © Ian Boyle, 13th May 2006
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Photo: © Ian Boyle, 13th May 2006
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Photo: © Ian Boyle, 13th May 2006
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Windsor Belle at Marsh Lock
(downstream leg)
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 13th May 2006
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Photo: © Ian Boyle, 13th May 2006
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Photo: © Ian Boyle, 13th May 2006
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Photo: © Ian Boyle, 13th May 2006
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Photo: © Ian Boyle, 13th May 2006
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Photo: © Ian Boyle, 13th May 2006
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Photo: © Ian Boyle, 13th May 2006
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Photo: © Ian Boyle, 13th May 2006
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Photo: © Ian Boyle, 13th May 2006
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Photo: © Ian Boyle, 13th May 2006
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Photo: © Ian Boyle, 13th May 2006
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Windsor Belle at Hambledon Lock
(downstream leg)
 
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 13th May 2006
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Photo: © Ian Boyle, 13th May 2006
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Photo: © Ian Boyle, 13th May 2006
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Photo: © Ian Boyle, 13th May 2006
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Photo: © Ian Boyle, 13th May 2006
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Photo: © Ian Boyle, 13th May 2006
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Photo: © Ian Boyle, 13th May 2006
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Photo: © Ian Boyle, 13th May 2006
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Photo: © Ian Boyle, 13th May 2006
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Photo: © Ian Boyle, 13th May 2006
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Photo: © Ian Boyle, 13th May 2006
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Photo: © Ian Boyle, 13th May 2006
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Windsor Belle at Hambledon Lock
(upstream leg)
 
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 13th May 2006
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Photo: © Ian Boyle, 13th May 2006
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Photo: © Ian Boyle, 13th May 2006
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Photo: © Ian Boyle, 13th May 2006
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Photo: © Ian Boyle, 13th May 2006
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Photo: © Ian Boyle, 13th May 2006
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Photo: © Ian Boyle, 13th May 2006
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Photo: © Ian Boyle, 13th May 2006
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Photo: © Ian Boyle, 13th May 2006
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Photo: © Ian Boyle, 13th May 2006
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Windsor Belle at Marsh Lock
(upstream leg)
 
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 13th May 2006
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Photo: © Ian Boyle, 13th May 2006
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Photo: © Ian Boyle, 13th May 2006
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Photo: © Ian Boyle, 13th May 2006
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Photo: © Ian Boyle, 13th May 2006
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