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This website has no connection with any shipping company, cruise line, boat operator or other commercial organisation
Devon Star Shipping
T
his 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
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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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