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This website has no connection with any shipping company, cruise line, boat operator or other commercial organisation. There are no postcards for sale on this website
Devon Dock, Pier & SS Co
Devon Steamship Company (1892-1898)
Exmouth & Great Western Ferry Company (1892-1898)
This page is devoted to postcards and photographs of the Devon Dock, Pier & SS Company which ran two coastal paddle steamers between the 1890s and 1930s. They also owned the piers at Exmouth and Teignmouth, Exmouth Docks and ran the Exmouth-Starcross and Torquay-Brixham ferries.
An alphabetical list of ships
covered on this page is shown below. Below this are
postcards and photos of the fleet
in chronological order.
Coastal Steamers
The two paddle steamers
Duchess of Devonshire
and
Duke of Devonshire
were built for the Devon SS Co in 1891 and 1896. Due to the lack of suitable piers on the exposed Devon coast, they were designed to run up on the beach and unload passengers via a wooden gangway hinged from the bow. They passed to the newly formed Devon Dock, Pier and Steamship Co in 1898.
Torbay Ferry
Steam ferries were used between Torquay and Brixham across Torbay in 19th Century. These included the
Kiwi
and
Pioneer
run by William Mellor. In 1901 the Devon Dock, Pier and Steamship Co took delivery of the twin-screw steamer
King Edward
from Philip's of Dartmouth. She was joined a year later by the Southampton passenger tug
Lord Kitchener
which was renamed
Countess of Devon
. The Devon Dock, Pier and Steamship Co ceased their Torbay service at the end of 1930 season and
King Edward
was sold to the Dartmouth Steam Navigation who ran a single ferry trip to Brixham in the morning, followed by trips to Dittisham or Teignmouth from Torquay's Princess Pier. The regular ferry service was restarted after the war by the
Western Lady Ferry Service
.
Exmouth-Starcross Ferry
The Starcross Ferry is one of the oldest in South West England. The Bishop of Sherborne was granted lands in Exmouth in AD 705, and subsequently he started a ferry to Starcross. The first steam ferry used on the route was the
Melita (1)
, a converted sailing drifter, which was operated in the 1880s by a Finnish sailor called Gronberg. A paddle steamer
Pioneer
was not successful and soon withdrawn. In 1891, the Exmouth & Great Western Ferry Co, a subsidiary of the Exmouth Dock Co, was granted ferry rights. They had the ferry
Prince
built by Simpson & Strickland of Dartmouth. She was followed by the similar
Zulu
and
Melita (2)
. In 1898 the newly formed Devon Dock, Pier and Steamship Co acquired the Exmouth & Great Western Ferry Co, the Exmouth Dock and Ironworks and the two paddle steamers
Duchess of Devonshire
and
Duke of Devonshire
of the Devon SS Co. Ferry
Zulu
was lengthened after the war c.1920. All three vessels were locally built and wooden hulled.
In 1923 the Devon Dock, Pier and Steamship Co acquired a fourth steamer, the steel-hulled
Starcross
. The
Prince
was withdrawn soon after her arrival, followed by
Melita (2)
in the early 1930s. The first motor boat arrived in 1933 when the
Tamar Queen
was delivered, a largely open vessel with a small fore-cabin. She was re-engined with a diesel engine the following year. This was very successful, and
Diesel Comet
was soon ordered to follow, although in other respects she was similar to previous Starcross ferries. She replaced the
Zulu
in service.
Starcross
was requisitioned in WW2, whilst
Tamar Queen
(renamed
Tamar
) and
Diesel Comet
maintained the ferry.
Starcross
was replaced by the
Exonia (1)
in 1947, which had Hotchkiss internal cone propellors which gave her a very low draft.
Tamar
was replaced by the
Orcombe
in 1954, which reverted to conventional twin screws. From 1966 the ferry service became summer-only.
Diesel Comet
was sold in 1972 and
Exonia (1)
followed the following year. A modern fibreglass boat
Exonia (2)
joined
Orcombe
in 1976.
R.W.Rackley was operating the
Elizabeth III
from Dawlish by 1977. A.Stuart was operating the
Sea Crest
from Exmouth by this year too. In 1983, A.Stuart took over the Starcross ferry along with
Exonia (2)
and
Orcombe
. In 1987, B.R.J.Rackley took over the ferry, along with the
Orcombe
.
Exonia (2)
remained with A.Stuart.
Elizabeth III
passed from R.W.Rackley to B.R.J.Rackley in 1995.
Northern Angler
and
Tudor Rose
(ex-
Tudor Princess)
joined
Exonia (2)
in the A.Stuart fleet (by then Stuart Line Cruises). By 1999,
Exonia (2)
had passed to
D&P Faithfull
of Portsmouth, for use on
Portsmouth Harbour Tours
.
Princess Marina
joined the B.R.J.Rackley fleet in 2000, followed by
My Queen
of
Riddalls Boats
(Dartmouth) in 2002. The the B.R.J.Rackley fleet passed to J & M Rackley in 2005.
The ex-Devon Dock, Pier and Steamship Co
Orcombe
remained on the ferry with J & M Rackley (
Exe to Sea Ferries
) in 2007, along with
Elizabeth III
,
My Queen
and
Princess Marina
.
Sections on This Page:-
Coastal Steamers
Torbay Ferries
Starcross Ferry
Starcross Ferry Publicity
Ships on This Page:-
Duchess of Devonshire
- 1892-1934
Duke of Devonshire
- 1896-1933
Countess of Devon
- Torbay Ferry: 1902-1926 - ex:
Lord Kitchener
Lord Kitchener
- Torbay Ferry: 1902-1926 - renamed:
Countess of Devon
King Edward
- Torbay Ferry: 1901-1930
Diesel Comet
- Starcross Ferry: 1934-1972
Exonia (1)
- Starcross Ferry: 1947-1973
Exonia (2)
- Starcross Ferry: 1976-19??
Melita (2)
- Starcross Ferry: 1891-c.1923
Orcombe
- Starcross Ferry: 1954-
Prince
- Starcross Ferry: 1891-c.1923
Starcross
- Starcross Ferry: 1923-1947
Tamar
- Starcross Ferry: 1933-1954 - ex:
Tamar Queen
Tamar Queen
- Starcross Ferry: 1933-1954 - later:
Tamar
Zulu
- Starcross Ferry: c.1900-1934
Devon Pages:-
Devon Excursion Ships
- Devon Header Page
Devon Princess Cruises
Devon Star Shipping
Exe to Sea Ferries
J & M Rackley (operate Starcross ferry in 2007)
River Dart - Dart Pleasure Craft
River Dart - Riddalls
River Dart SB Co
Western Lady Ferry Service
Associated Pages:-
UK Excursion Ships
- UK Header Page
Cosens & Co
Red Funnel - Paddlesteamers
Ferry Postcards
Simplon Postcards Home Page
- Simplon Postcards
facebook
page
References:-
Estuary & River Ferries of South West England
- Martin Langley & Edwina Small - Waine Research (1984)
Excursion Ships & Ferries
- John S.Styring - Ian Allen (1958)
South Devon Ferries
- Alan Kittridge - Tempus (2003)
The Fair Few Miles - History of the Western lady Ferry Service
- S.A.Armstrong - unknown publisher
Trip Out Guides
- Written and published by G.P.Hamer - various editions from 1977 to 2007 consulted
My thanks to Graham Thorne for assistence with this page
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Devon Dock, Pier & SS Co
Coastal Steamers
Duchess of Devonshire
(1892-1934)
Duchess of Devonshire
was built by R&H Green in London in 1892. She was 170 ft long and 221 gross tons, powered by a two-cylinder compound diagonal engine. She was designed to run up on the beach to load/unload passengers.
Duchess of Devonshire
was laid up in 1930, and sold in 1934 to the Devon & West Bay SS Co, but was wrecked on Sidmouth beach in August of the same year.
Arrival of paddle steamer at Exmouth Pier.
Click to open larger image in new widow
Departure of paddle steamer from Exmouth.
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Departure of paddle steamer from Oddicombe Beach, near Torquay.
Arrival of paddle steamer at Budleigh Salterton beach.
Real photographic postcard.
Duke of Devonshire
(1896-1933)
The
Duke of Devonshire
of 1896 was a slightly larger repeat of
Duchess of Devonshire
, and was also was built by R&H Green in London. She was 175 ft long and 257 gross tons, powered by a two-cylinder compound diagonal engine. She was designed to run up on the beach to load/unload passengers.
Duke of Devonshire
was sold to P.& A.Campbell in 1933, but was not used by them. They resold her to J.Dwyer of Cork. In 1936 she was bought by Alexander Taylor of Torquay, who ran her out of Torquay for two seasons. He resold her to
Cosens & Co
in 1938, who renamed her
Consul
. She served with
Cosens & Co
until 1963.
Complete history of
Duke of Devonshire
Arrival of paddle steamer at Torquay.
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Departure of paddle steamer from Exmouth.
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Departure of paddle steamer from Teignmouth.
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Arrival of paddle steamer at Blackpool Sands.
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Arrival of paddle steamer at Sidmouth beach.
Real photographic postcard.
Duke of Devonshire
when owned by Alexander Taylor of Torquay.
Taylor ran her out of Torquay for two seasons from 1936.
Click to open larger image in new window
Duke of Devonshire
off Kingswear
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Torbay Ferries
King Edward
(1901-1930)
The Devon Dock, Pier & SS Co also ran the Torbay ferry until 1930, using the twin-screw steam ferry
King Edward
, built in 1901 by Philips of Dartmouth. From 1902 her running partner was the passenger tug
Lord Kitchener
from Southampton, later renamed
Countess of Devon
. The Devon Dock, Pier and Steamship Co ceased their Torbay service at the end of 1930 season and
King Edward
was sold to the Dartmouth Steam Navigation who ran a single ferry trip to Brixham in the morning, followed by trips to Dittisham or Teignmouth from Torquay's Princess Pier. The regular ferry service was restarted after the war by the
Western Lady Ferry Service
.
Postcard of
King Edward
Click to open larger image in new window
Lord Kitchener - Countess of Devon
(1902-1926)
The Southampton passenger tug
Lord Kitchener
joined the
King Edward
on the Torbay ferry in 1902. She was later renamed
Countess of Devon
. She was sold in 1926.
Photographic card of
Lord Kitchener
Click to open larger image in new window
Postcard of
Countess of Devon
, ex-
Lord Kitchener
at Brixham
Click to open larger image in new window
Starcross Ferry
Prince
(1891-c.1923)
In 1891, the Exmouth & Great Western Ferry Co, a subsidiary of the Exmouth Dock Co, was granted ferry rights. They had the ferry
Prince
built by Simpson & Strickland of Dartmouth. She was followed by the similar
Zulu
and
Melita (2)
. In 1898 the newly formed Devon Dock, Pier and Steamship Co acquired the Exmouth & Great Western Ferry Co, the Exmouth Dock and Ironworks and the two paddles steamers of the Devon SS Co.
Zulu
was lengthened after the war c.1920. All three vessels were locally built and wooden hulled. In 1923 the company acquired a fourth steel-hulled steamer, the
Starcross
. The
Prince
was withdrawn soon after her arrival., followed by
Melita (2)
in the early 1930s.
Prince
at Exmouth
Click to open larger image in new window
Starcross, Melita
and
Prince
(left-right) at Exmouth
Click to open larger image in new window
Melita (2)
(1891-c.1923)
In 1891, the Exmouth & Great Western Ferry Co, a subsidiary of the Exmouth Dock Co, was granted ferry rights. They had the ferry
Prince
built by Simpson & Strickland of Dartmouth. She was followed by the similar
Zulu
and
Melita (2)
. In 1898 the newly formed Devon Dock, Pier and Steamship Co acquired the Exmouth & Great Western Ferry Co, the Exmouth Dock and Ironworks and the two paddles steamers of the Devon SS Co.
Zulu
was lengthened after the war c.1920. All three vessels were locally built and wooden hulled. In 1923 the company acquired a fourth steel-hulled steamer, the
Starcross
. The
Prince
was withdrawn soon after her arrival., followed by
Melita (2)
in the early 1930s.
Starcross, Melita
and
Prince
(left-right) at Exmouth
Click to open larger image in new window
Zulu
(c1900-1934)
In 1891, the Exmouth & Great Western Ferry Co, a subsidiary of the Exmouth Dock Co, was granted ferry rights. They had the ferry
Prince
built by Simpson & Strickland of Dartmouth. She was followed by the similar
Zulu
and
Melita (2)
. In 1898 the newly formed Devon Dock, Pier and Steamship Co acquired the Exmouth & Great Western Ferry Co, the Exmouth Dock and Ironworks and the two paddles steamers of the Devon SS Co.
Zulu
was lengthened after the war c.1920. All three vessels were locally built and wooden hulled. The first motor boat arrived in 1933 when the
Tamar Queen
arrived, a largely open vessel with a small fore-cabin. She was re-engined with a diesel engine the following year. This was very successful, and
Diesel Comet
soon arrived, although in other respects she was similar to previous Starcross ferries.She replaced the
Zulu
in service.
No image available
Starcross
(1923-1947)
In 1923 the company acquired a fourth steamer, the steel-hulled
Starcross
. The
Prince
was withdrawn soon after her arrival., followed by
Melita (2)
in the early 1930s.
Starcross
was requisitioned in WW2, whilst
Tamar Queen
(renamed
Tamar
) and
Diesel Comet
maintained the ferry.
Starcross
was replaced by the
Exonia (1)
in 1947,
Starcross, Melita
and
Prince
(left-right) at Exmouth
Click to open larger image in new window
Passengers on
Starcross
Scan: Kenneth Lea
Click to open larger image in new window
Tamar Queen - Tamar
(1933-54)
The first motor boat arrived in 1933 when the
Tamar Queen
was delivered, a largely open vessel with a small fore-cabin. She was re-engined with a diesel engine the following year. This was very successful, and
Diesel Comet
soon arrived, although in other respects she was similar to previous Starcross ferries.She replaced the
Zulu
in service.
Starcross
was requisitioned in WW2, whilst
Tamar Queen
(renamed
Tamar
) and
Diesel Comet
maintained the ferry.
Tamar
was replaced by the
Orcombe
in 1954, which reverted to conventional twin screws.
Starcross, Melita
and
Prince
(left-right) at Exmouth
Click to open larger image in new window
Diesel Comet
(1934-1972)
The first motor boat arrived in 1933 when the
Tamar Queen
was delivered, a largely open vessel with a small fore-cabin. She was re-engined with a diesel engine the following year. This was very successful, and
Diesel Comet
soon arrived, although in other respects she was similar to previous Starcross ferries.She replaced the
Zulu
in service.
Starcross
was requisitioned in WW2, whilst
Tamar Queen
(renamed
Tamar
) and
Diesel Comet
maintained the ferry.
Starcross
was replaced by the
Exonia (1)
in 1947, which had Hotchkiss internal cone propellors which gave her a very low draft.
Tamar
was replaced by the
Orcombe
in 1954, which reverted to conventional twin screws. From 1968 the ferry service became summer-only.
Diesel Comet
was sold in 1972 and
Exonia (1)
followed the following year.
Diesel Comet
at Exmouth
Click to open larger image in new window
Diesel Comet
at Exmouth, with
Devon Princess
of
Devon Princess Cruises
Click to open larger image in new window
Diesel Comet
at Exmouth
Click to open larger image in new window
Exonia (1)
(1947-1973)
Starcross
was replaced by the
Exonia (1)
in 1947, which had Hotchkiss internal cone propellors which gave her a very low draft.
Tamar
was replaced by the
Orcombe
in 1954, which reverted to conventional twin screws. From 1968 the ferry service became summer-only.
Diesel Comet
was sold in 1972 and
Exonia (1)
followed the following year.
No image available
Orcombe
(1954- )
Tamar
was replaced by the
Orcombe
in 1954, which reverted to conventional twin screws. From 1968 the ferry service became summer-only.
Diesel Comet
was sold in 1972 and
Exonia (1)
followed the following year. A 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.R.J.Rackley took over the ferry, along with the
Orcombe
.
Exonia (2)
remained with A.Stuart.
The ex-Devon Dock, Pier and Steamship Co
Orcombe
remained on the ferry with J & M Rackley (
Exe to Sea Ferries
) in 2007, along with
Elizabeth III
,
My Queen
and
Princess Marina
.
J.Salmon postcard of
Orcombe
on the Starcross ferry
Photo: © John Hendy, August 2007
Click to open larger image in new window
Judges postcard of
Orcombe
on the Starcross ferry
Photo: © John Hendy, August 2007
Click to open larger image in new window
Orcombe
on the Starcross ferry in 2007
Photo: © John Hendy, August 2007
Click to open larger image in new window
Exonia (2)
(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 from A.Stuart, 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
on waterbus duty during the Portsmouth Festival of the Sea.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 2nd July 2005
Starcross Ferry Publicity
1955 Timetable Card
1955 Timetable Card
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1955 Timetable Card
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1966 Timetable Card
1966 Timetable Card
By this date the ferry was summer only
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1966 Timetable Card
Click to open larger image in new window
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