Home - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Simplon Postcards Home - Recent Updates - Search - Copyright Information - Contact Simplon
This website has no connection with any shipping company, cruise line, boat operator or other commercial organisation
 
 
Blue Boats
 
Portsmouth Harbour Tours & Waterbus
 
 
This page is devoted to photographs of the Blue Boats of Portsmouth Harbour Tours, which operated a circular waterbus service around Portsmouth Harbour calling at Old Portsmouth, Portsmouth Harbour, Gosport Submarine Museum and latterly Gunwharf Quays, plus harbour trips from the beach near Clarence Pier, Southsea. Portsmouth Harbour Tours owned no vessels, which belonged in 2005 to J.Butcher and D&P Faithfull. Previous partners included M&G Pearce, Bon Hope Cruises and the Gosport Ferry. No trips operated in 2007. Harbour trips from the Hard restarted in 2008, but the circular trips were not restored. Solent & Wight Line maintained harbour trips from the Historic Dockyard and Gunwharf Quays throughout these problems using the larger Solent Cat.
 
Other small Portsmouth operators are also included on this page.
 
 
Sections on this Page:-
Blue Boats - Portsmouth Harbour Tours
J.Butcher & Sons
D&P Faithfull
Gosport Ferries - Waterbuses only
M.G.Pearce
Other Operators
 
Ship Names on this Page:-
Alice James - J.Butcher - built: 1986
Colin James - J.Butcher - built: 1977
Darthula II - M.G.Pearce - built: 1939
Devon Belle - Spitbank Fort Cruises
Diana-S - M.G.Pearce - built: 2001
Exonia - D&P Faithfull - built: 1976
Faithfull Servant - D&P Faithfull - built: 2004
Paul James - J.Butcher - built: 1972
Solent Prince - Gosport Ferries
Solent Princess - Gosport Ferries
Southsea Belle - M.G.Pearce - built: 1928
 
Associated Pages:-
Blue Funnel Cruises
Gosport Ferry Limited
Hovertravel
Portsmouth Harbour Ferry Company
Solent Steam Packet Ltd - SS Shieldhall
 
Associated Pages:-
UK Excursion Ships
Ferry Postcards
Cruise Ship Postcards
Ocean Liner Postcards
Simplon Postcards - Recent Updates
Simplon Postcards - Home Page
 
Search This Website:-

powered by FreeFind  
 
References:-
Trip Out Guides - Written and published by G.P.Hamer - various editions from 1977 to 2005 consulted
 
 
 
 
Portsmouth Harbour Tours
 
 
J.Butcher & Sons
 
In 1977, the fleet of J.Butcher consisted of Colin James (1977), Colin Ray (1964), Gary (1969) and Paul James (1972). Gary had left the fleet by 1983.
 
 

 
Alice James
(J.Butcher - built: 1986)
 
Alice James on waterbus duty during the Festival of the Sea.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 2nd July 2005
 
 
Alice James on waterbus duty during the Festival of the Sea.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 2nd July 2005
 
 
Alice James on waterbus duty during the Festival of the Sea.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 2nd July 2005
 
 
Alice James on waterbus duty during the Festival of the Sea.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 2nd July 2005
 
 
Alice James passing Gunwharf Quays
Photo: © Ian Boyle, July 17th, 2006
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
Alice James passing Gunwharf Quays
Photo: © Ian Boyle, July 17th, 2006
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
Alice James at Old Portsmouth
Photo: © Ian Boyle, July 17th, 2006
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
Alice James at Old Portsmouth
Photo: © Ian Boyle, July 17th, 2006
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
Alice James at Old Portsmouth
Photo: © Ian Boyle, July 17th, 2006
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
Alice James at Portsmaouth Harbour Station
Photo: © Ian Boyle, July 17th, 2006
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
 
 
 
Colin James
(J.Butcher - built: 1977)
 
Colin James in 1997
Photo: © Terry Creswell, 15th August 1997
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
 
 
 
Paul James
(J.Butcher - built: 1972)
 
Paul James in 2004
Photo: © Terry Creswell, 24th May 2004
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
Paul James on waterbus duty during the Festival of the Sea.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 2nd July 2005
 
 
Paul James on waterbus duty during the Festival of the Sea.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 2nd July 2005
 
 
 
 
 
 
M.G.Pearce
 
M.G.Pearce was operating the Southsea Belle from Portsmouth Hard by 1981. Southsea Belle was previously the Folkestone Belle and had also run on the Hayling Island Ferry.
 
 
Darthula II
(M.G.Pearce - built: 1939)
Darthula II was built in 1939 by Dickie at Tarbert (Loch Fyne) for Alexander Black of Taynuilt for use on Loch Etive between Achnacloich to Lochetivehead. He had previously used the Euglena on the run from 1924.
The Loch Etive Tour had run from Oban since 1877, initially using coach and horses to connect to Achnacloich from Ballachulish which had a steamer service from Oban. In later years the railway reached Oban with connections to Tyndrum and Ballachulish, so the coaches ran to these stations. Boats used on the service before WW1 were Ben Starav (1877-1879), Glenetive (1880-c.1886), Osian (1885-1913). The service ceased in 1913, the provision of the coach and horses links to Ballachulish and Tyndrum stations becoming uneconomic. Boat services resumed in 1922 when motor charabancs were available to replace the coach connections. The boat used was the Jano owned by Scott and Smith. In 1923 she was replaced by the Loch Etive Queen of Donald R.McKay of Taynuilt, which ran until WW2. Rena and Euglena joined her on Loch Etive services in 1924. Darthula II was used by the Admiralty in WW2, returning to Loch Etive service in 1946. She was sold to J.H.Lynn of Dalmally, who continued running her on the same route. From 1962 she was owned by Loch Etive Cruises (Edward T.F.Spence).
Darthula II ran on the Thames from 1964. Ronald Ricketts advertised that Darthula II (65 grt, 120 passengers) would operate cruises from Erith between May and September in 1965. Departing at 9:00, destinations included Kew, Richmond, Tower Bridge, Southend etc. From 1964 she was owned by R.G.(Passenger Launches) Ltd of Bexleyheath. Darthula II subsequently operated for M.G.Pearce at Portsmouth, where the photos below were taken.
 
 
Darthula II in service on Loch Etive
Click to open larger image in new window

 

Darthula II arriving at Old Portsmouth from Gosport
Photo: © Ian Boyle
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
Darthula II arriving at Old Portsmouth from Gosport
Photo: © Ian Boyle
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
Darthula II and P&O's Pride of Hampshire
Photo: © Ian Boyle
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
 
 
Diana-S
(M.G.Pearce - built: 2001)
 
Diana-S laid up at Portsmouth during the winter.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 16th November 2002
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
Diana-S laid up at Portsmouth during the winter.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 16th November 2002.
 
 
 
 
Southsea Belle
(M.G.Pearce - built: 1928)
 
Southsea Belle had previously worked as the Folkestone Belle, used by the Spraggs in the 1950s on the Hayling ferry. Folkestone Belle also worked for Portsmouth City Council when they took over services in 1961. She later ran from Portsmouth for M.G.Pearce as Southsea Belle.
 
 
Valentine postcard of the Hayling ferry Folkestone Belle (later Southsea Belle).
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
Photo Precision postcard of the Hayling ferry Folkestone Belle (later Southsea Belle).
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
Southsea Belle on the Portsmouth water bus in 1997
Photo: © Terry Creswell, 15th August 1997
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
Diana-S and Southsea Belle (right) laid up at Portsmouth during the winter.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 16th November 2002.
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
Diana-S and Southsea Belle (left) laid up at Portsmouth during the winter.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 16th November 2002.
 
 
 
 
 
 
D&P Faithfull
 
Exonia
(D&P Faithfull - built 1976)
 
The modern fibreglass boat Exonia (2) joined Orcombe in 1976. In 1983, A.Stuart took over the Starcross ferry along with Exonia (2) and Orcombe. In 1987, B.B.J.Rackley took over the ferry, along with the Orcombe. Exonia (2) remained with A.Stuart. By 1999, Exonia (2) had passed to D&P Faithfull of Portsmouth, for use on Portsmouth Harbour Tours. In 2010 Exonia (2) began operations with Coniston Launch as the Campbell.
 
 
Exonia on the Portsmouth water bus in 1997
Photo: © Terry Creswell, 15th August 1997
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
Exonia off Gosport.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 4th June 2004.
 
 
Exonia off Gosport.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 4th June 2004.
 
 
Exonia crossing Portsmouth Harbour.
Both Normandie and Pride of Bilbao (far right) are in the background.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 4th June 2004.
 
 
Exonia passing the steam tug Challenger, in Portsmouth for the D-Day 60th Anniversary.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 4th June 2004.
 
 
Exonia on waterbus duty during the Festival of the Sea.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 2nd July 2005
 
 
Exonia on waterbus duty during the Festival of the Sea.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 2nd July 2005
 
 
Exonia on waterbus duty during the Festival of the Sea.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 2nd July 2005
 
 
Exonia on waterbus duty during the Festival of the Sea.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 2nd July 2005
 
 
Exonia on waterbus duty during the Festival of the Sea.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 2nd July 2005
 
 
 
 
Faithfull Servant
(D&P Faithfull - built 2004)
 
Faithfull Servant on waterbus duty during the Festival of the Sea.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 2nd July 2005
 
 
Faithfull Servant on waterbus duty during the Festival of the Sea.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 2nd July 2005
 
 
Faithfull Servant on waterbus duty during the Festival of the Sea.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 2nd July 2005
 
 
Faithfull Servant on waterbus duty during the Festival of the Sea.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 2nd July 2005
 
 
Faithfull Servant on waterbus duty during the Festival of the Sea.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 2nd July 2005
 
 
Faithfull Servant on waterbus duty during the Festival of the Sea.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 2nd July 2005
 
 
Faithfull Servant on waterbus duty during the Festival of the Sea.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 2nd July 2005
 
 
Faithfull Servant at Gunwharf Quays
Photo: © Ian Boyle, July 16th, 2006
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
Faithfull Servant at Gunwharf Quays
Photo: © Ian Boyle, July 16th, 2006
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
Faithfull Servant passing Portsmouth Harbour Station
Photo: © Ian Boyle, July 17th, 2006
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
Faithfull Servant passing Portsmouth Harbour Station
Photo: © Ian Boyle, July 17th, 2006
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
Faithfull Servant passing Portsmouth Harbour Station
Photo: © Ian Boyle, July 17th, 2006
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
Faithfull Servant passing Portsmouth Harbour Station
Photo: © Ian Boyle, July 17th, 2006
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
Faithfull Servant at Gunwharf Quays
Photo: © Ian Boyle, July 17th, 2006
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
Faithfull Servant passing Gosport
Photo: © Ian Boyle, September 7th, 2006
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
Faithfull Servant passing Gosport
Photo: © Ian Boyle, September 7th, 2006
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
Faithfull Servant passing Gosport
Photo: © Ian Boyle, September 7th, 2006
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
Faithfull Servant passing Gosport
Photo: © Ian Boyle, September 7th, 2006
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
Faithfull Servant passing Gosport
Photo: © Ian Boyle, September 7th, 2006
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
 
 
 
Gosport Ferries
 
Solent Prince
Solent Princess
(Gosport Ferries)
 
Successors to the original watermen continued to offers trips around the harbour, from the Portsea pontoon and from the beach near Clarence Pier in Southsea. In the mid-1980s they formed Portsmouth Harbour Tours, and subsequently began operating a circular waterbus service around the attractions of Portsmouth Harbour. The boats remained owned by the individuals, but proceeds were shared between them proportionate to the number of boats deployed. All boats received a pale blue livery - they are often referred to as the "Blue Boats".The Portsmouth Harbour Ferry Company (PHFC) initially joined this consortium, using two Blue Boats of their own, the Solent Prince and Solent Princess. PHFC left this consortium in 1996.
 
 
Photograph of Solent Princess.
Photo: © PHFC.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other Operators
 
Stan Gale operated from the beach in Southsea and had a long launch with a half fore cabin and round stern called Gondolier. He also had two other launches which were called Duchess and Princess. Another source remembers three boats that operated from the beach, Skylark, Duchess and one with a rounded bow named the Minoru. Minoru is listed in Trip Out 1977 as owned by H.A.Butcher. A Mr. Knopp of old Portsmouth also operated from near the South Parade Pier.
 
Postcard of unidentified Harbour Cruise boat at Southsea.
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
Postcard of unidentified Harbour Cruise boat at Southsea.
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
 
 
 
Devon Belle
 
Devon Belle photographed in 1987 on cruises from Portsmouth to Spitbank Fort.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1987.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Blue Funnel Cruises - Gosport Ferry Limited - Portsmouth Harbour Ferry Company
UK Excursion Ships - Ferry Postcards - Cruise Ship Postcards - Ocean Liner Postcards
Top of Page - Simplon Postcards - Recent Updates - Simplon Postcards Home Page
 
 
 
Harold Jordan - New and Old Shipping Postcards for Sale - www.hjcards.co.ukCarmania Press - Quality Passenger Shipping Books -  www.carmaniapress.co.ukMike Louagie - Fantastic Maritime Photographer - www.louagie.beFerry Publications - www.ferrypubs.co.uk - Leading European Publisher of Ferry BooksShippax - Ship Information, Databases, Publications, Magazines - www.shippax.seOld and New Postcards for Sale - www.raeth.chOcean Liner Society - www.ocean-liner-society.comOverview Press - www.overviewpress.co.uk - Specialist Passenger Shipping BooksNautiques - Your gateway to the rich past of ocean liner nautical antiques - www.nautiques.netMarius Bar - Historic and new photos from long established French photographers - www.mariusbar-photo.comRisawoleska - 1:1250 Ship Models - www.risawoleska.comMaritime Photographic - Superb Shipping Photography - www.maritimephotographic.co.ukThe Liquid Highway - River Thames Website - www.riverthames.co.nrShips Monthly - Shipping Magazine - www.shipsmonthly.com
 
Simplon Postcards Website - www.simplonpc,co.uk
 
©1999-2007 Copyright Ian Boyle/Simplon Postcards (all pages on web site)
All Rights Reserved
 
Free Web Counter
Times viewed since 07/05/2007: