Red Funnel Paddle Steamer Postcards - Southampton, Isle of Wight & South of England Royal Mail Steam Packet Co. Ltd.

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Red Funnel Steamers

Southampton, Isle of Wight & South of England Royal Mail Steam Packet Co. Ltd.

Red Funnel Paddle Steamers



This page is one of a series devoted to postcards and photographs of the Southampton, Isle of Wight & South of England Royal Mail Steam Packet Co. Ltd. (reputedly the longest title in the UK Companies Register).

An alphabetical list of ships covered on this page is shown below. Below this are postcards and photos of the fleet in chronological order. The Table beneath gives links to complete history pages on selected paddle steamers in the fleet. There is a table of all Red Funnel individual ship histories on the Red Funnel Header Page.


Ships on This Page:-
Balmoral (1) (1900-1946)
Bournemouth Queen (1908-1957)
Carisbrooke (1876-1906)
Corfe Castle (1937-1938) - ex- Queen, Mauretania
Duchess of Cornwall (1928-1950) - ex-Duchess of York
Duchess of York (1896-1928) - later Duchess of Cornwall
Gracie Fields (1936-1940)
Her Majesty (1885-1940)
Lord Elgin (1909-1955)
Lorna Doone (1) (1898-1946)
Lorna Doone (2) (1949-1952)
Mauretania (1936-1937) - ex-Queen, later Corfe Castle
Prince of Wales (1891-1937)
Princess Elizabeth (1927-1959)
Princess Helena (1883-1952)
Princess Mary (1911-1919)
Queen (1902-1936) - later Mauretania, Corfe Castle
Solent Queen (1) (1898-1946)
Solent Queen (2) (1949-1951)
Southampton (1872-1902)
Stirling Castle (1907-1916)

Red Funnel Pages:-
Red Funnel - Header Page
Red Funnel - Paddlesteamers - this page!
Red Funnel - Screw Steamers
Red Funnel - Motor Vessels
Red Funnel - Tugs & Tenders
Red Funnel - Castle Car Ferries
Red Funnel - Raptor Class Ferries
Red Funnel - Red Jet Fast Ferries
Cosens & Co - Paddle steamers

Associated Pages:-
UK Excursion Ships
Ferry Postcards
Cruise Ship Postcards
Ocean Liner Postcards
Simplon Postcards - Recent Updates
Simplon Postcards - Home Page

References:-
Red Funnel & Before - by R.B.Adams - Kingfisher Railway Publications (1986)


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Table of Paddle Steamer Histories
Name Other Names Built Balmoral (1) 1900 Bournemouth Queen 1908 Lorna Doone 1898 Princess Elizabeth 1927 Solent Queen (1) 1889 Red Funnel Paddle steamers


Southampton
(1872-1902)

150ft long - 203gt - 2-cyl paddle steamer

Southampton was the first of a series of seven iron-hulled steamers delivered from Barclay, Curle and Co, Glasgow. She was delivered in 1872, and operated from Southampton to the Isle of Wight. Southampton was of modern design for her time, with compound diagonal engines and funnel forward of the paddleboxes. Subsequent deliveries from Barclay, Curle reverted to compound oscillating engines and their funnels behind the paddles. Southampton was sold in 1902 to R.R.Collard of Newhaven, who ran her on the South Coast under her original name. She also ran excursions from Ostend and Blankenberge to Flushing along the Belgian coast, probably under the same ownership. In 1907 Southampton was sold to the L&NWSS for use on short excursions along the North Wales coast. Her bridge was moved forward of the funnel. She was renamed St Elian (1) and was scrapped in 1915.


A well-known photograph of Southampton at the Royal Pier, Southampton, issued here as a Pamlin Prints postcard.


A variation on the photograph above of the Royal Pier.


Postcard of Southampton at Newhaven.


Postcard of Southampton at Blankenberge in Belgium.


Postcard of Southampton at Ostende.
Scan: Reto Raeth


Postcard of St Elian (1) at Rhyl, in LNWSS days.






Carisbrooke
(1876-1906)

165ft long - 198gt - 2-cyl paddle steamer

Carisbrooke was the second of a series of seven iron-hulled steamers delivered from Barclay, Curle and Co, Glasgow. She was of less modern design than her predecessor, the Southampton, with compound oscillating engines and funnel behind the paddles. Carisbrooke was delivered in 1876, and operated on their route from Southampton to the Isle of Wight. Carisbrooke was sold in 1906 to the Colwyn Bay & Liverpool Steamship Company. After one year, she passed to the Mersey Trading Company and was renamed Rhos Trevor. At the end of the 1908 season, she moved on again to W.Hawthorn of Rhyl. In May 1909 Rhos Trevor was sold to the L&NWSS for use on short excursions along the North Wales coast. She was renamed St Trillo (1). She served as a minesweeper during the war, returning to L&NWSS service in 1919. St Trillo (1) was sold to Spanish owners in 1921.


Photograph of Carisbrooke in Southampton-IOW service.


Postcard of Rhos Trevor (left), later St Trillo (1), at Carnarvon.
Snowdon is at the pier.


Postcard of Rhos Trevor at Rhyl.


Postcard of St Trillo (1) in L&NWSS service at Llandudno.






Princess Helena
(1883-1952)

Princess Helena was an iron paddle steamer built in 1883. She was originally used on the ferry services from Southampton to the Isle of Wight, but spent some years between Swanage and Bournemouth before the First War. Although requisitioned for war service, she was found to be unsuitable and was returned. Like Solent Queen, she attended Dunkirk but returned empty. After the Second War Princess Helena was used on reserve, cargo and tendering duties until being sold for scrap in 1952.


Southampton Company postcard of Princess Helena.


Postcard of Princess Helena.


Later postcard of Princess Helena with red funnel.


Later photpgraphic postcard of Princess Helena with red funnel.
Note all the cars on the foredeck.






Her Majesty
(1885-1940)











Solent Queen (1)
(1889-1948)

Solent Queen was the last iron paddle steamer built for the Southampton Company, entering service in 1889. She caught fire in 1893, and was out of service for three months. Solent Queen was based in Southampton for most of her career, remaining on ferry services, although she did attend the Dunkirk beaches. Unfortunately, after waiting at La Panne for some time, she was unable to find any troops, so returned empty. Solent Queen was withdrawn and scrapped in 1948, after boiler failure.

Complete history of Solent Queen


Southampton Company postcard of Solent Queen.


Southampton Company postcard of Solent Queen.


Photographic postcard of Solent Queen.


Photographic postcard of Solent Queen.


Photographic postcard of Solent Queen.






Prince of Wales
(1891-1937)

Prince of Wales was built in Southampton in 1891. She had an eventful career with the Southampton Company, with numerous collisions with piers, buoys smaller vessels, a submarine and the Princess Helena.








Duchess of York (1896-1928)
Duchess of Cornwall (1928-1950)

Duchess of York was built in 1896. Her bridge was originally behind her funnel, but was changed after an accident in 1914 where she ran into a fishing boat. Duchess of York worked as a minesweeper in the First War, being re-purchased by the Southampton Company in 1921. She was renamed Duchess of Cornwall in 1928 at the request of the Canadian Pacific Line who used the name for their liner Duchess of York. She sank during an air raid in 1940, but was raised and repaired. She was not taken for war service, and maintained the ferry services. Duchess of Cornwall ran the first Red Funnel excursion after the Second War, but was withdrawn from such services as better ships returned to service. She was scrapped in 1950.


Postcard of Duchess of York at Southampton.
As built, with the bridge behind of the funnel.


Pamlin Prints photographic postcard of Duchess of York, produced for Red Funnel.


Postcard of Duchess of York at Cowes pontoon.
Bridge ahead of the funnel.


Photographic postcard of Duchess of York passing the Town Quay in Southampton.
Bridge ahead of the funnel.






Lorna Doone (1) (1898-1946)

Lorna Doone (1) was built in 1891 for Bristol Channel work, but was unable to compete with the strong P & A Campbell fleet. She was brought to the South Coast, sold to the Southampton Company in 1898. Lorna Doone (1) originally had a narrow fore saloon and open foredeck. She was re-boilered in 1898 and received two funnels, reverting to a single funnel when it was deemed necessary to re-boiler her again only two years later. Her promenade deck was later extended to the bow, and she received a full width fore saloon. Her funnel colours were originally white (later with black top) before receiving "Red Funnel" colours in the 1930s. Lorna Doone (1) was not refitted after the second war, being scrapped in 1946.

Complete history of Lorna Doone


Southampton Company postcard of Lorna Doone (1)
With single funnel and open foredeck


Postcard of Lorna Doone (1) at Alum Bay
With single funnel and open foredeck


Beken photographic postcard of Lorna Doone (1)
With two funnels (1898-1900)


Southampton Company postcard of Lorna Doone (1)
With single funnel and covered foredeck.


Southampton Company postcard of Lorna Doone (1).
Click to open larger image in new window


Photographic postcard of Lorna Doone (1)
With black-topped funnel


Red Funnel Steamers postcard of Lorna Doone (1)


Red Funnel Steamers postcard of Lorna Doone (1).
Text on card back reads: 'Lorna Doone is probably the best known vessel of the Red Funnel Excursion Steamer Fleet, chiefly famous for her tri-weekly cruises round the Isle of Wight throughout the summer months'.
Click to open larger image in new window






Queen (1902-1936)
Mauretania (1936-1937)
Corfe Castle (1937-1938)

The Queen was built in 1902, running from Southampton in her early years. She was almost lost in 1908, after being driven ashore in galse whilst returning from Brighton to Southampton. Tugs eventually manage dto tow her clear. In 1936 she was renamed Mauretania to reserve the name for the new Cunard liner. She then became Corfe Castle for her final 1938 season operating out of Poole.


Postcard of Queen.


Photographic postcard of Queen.


F.R.Sherlock photographic postcard of Mauretania.



Pamlin Prints postcard of Mauretania.






Balmoral (1)
(1900-1947)

Balmoral (1) was built to compete with P & A Campbell's Cambria, which was vastly superior to the local steamers when Campbells moved her to the South Coast. Balmoral (1) initially had a plain white funnel, to emulate her competitor. She received the "Red Funnel" livery in the 1930s. Balmoral (1) was designed for use on cross channel excursions, particularly to Cherbourg, and was capable of 20 knots. She was 471 gross tons. She served in both wars, but was not deemed worth refitting after the second, eventually being scrapped in 1949.

Complete history of Balmoral


F.G.O.Stuart postcard of Balmoral (1).


Company postcard of Balmoral (1).


Postcard of Balmoral (1) at Southampton.


Postcard of Balmoral (1) leaving Cowes.








Bournemouth Queen
(1908-1957)

Bournemouth Queen was built in 1908, serving as an excursion ship from Bournemouth for much of her career. She was slower than the Balmoral (1), at 15 knots, and smaller at 353 gross tons. Bournemouth Queen originally had a white funnel, which later received a black top, finally receiving a red funnel with black top. She served in both wars, and was heavily rebuilt after the second, although remaining as a coal-burner. From 1951, Bournemouth Queen sailed from Southampton, Ryde and Southsea, and was scrapped in 1957.

Complete history of Bournemouth Queen


Company postcard of Bournemouth Queen.


Company postcard of Bournemouth Queen.


Postcard of Bournemouth Queen at Bournemouth Pier.


Postcard of Bournemouth Queen.


Postcard of Bournemouth Queen.


Photographic postcard of Bournemouth Queen.


Red Funnel Steamers postcard of Bournemouth Queen.


Red Funnel Steamers postcard of Bournemouth Queen.


Red Funnel Steamers postcard of Bournemouth Queen.






Lord Elgin
(1904-1955)

Lord Elgin was built in 1876 for services on the Firth of Forth (like the Stirling Castle). In 1881 she was acquired by the Bournemouth & South Coast SP, for use from Bournemouth. They used a red funnel, as later adopted by the Southampton Company, who acquired the Bournemouth company in 1904, who converted her into a cargo steamer in 1910. She continued in this guise until 1955, the last surviving British cargo paddle steamer.


Company postcard of Lord Elgin.
Card postally used 23rd May 1908 from Swanage.
Click to open larger image in new window


Postcard of Lord Elgin.


Postcard of Lord Elgin.


Photographic postcard of Lord Elgin.


Photographic postcard of Lord Elgin.


Postcard of Lord Elgin.


Photographic postcard of Lord Elgin.


Photographic postcard of Lord Elgin.


Photographic postcard of Lord Elgin as a cargo steamer.


Photographic postcard of Lord Elgin as a cargo steamer.


Photographic postcard of Lord Elgin as a cargo steamer.






Stirling Castle
(1907-1916)

Stirling Castle was built in 1907 for the Galloway SP Co for cruises to Alloa and Stirling for which she had a telescopic funnel. She was sold to the Southampton Company in May 1907, serving Bournemouth and Southampton before a permanent move to Bournemouth in 1909. She was lost in the Mediterranean on war service in 1916.


Postcard of Stirling Castle.
Click to open larger image in new window


Postcard of Stirling Castle.


Postcard of Stirling Castle.


Photographic postcard of Stirling Castle.






Princess Mary
(1911-1919)

Princess Mary was built in 1911 as a general purpose ship for excursion, ferry and tender work. She was requisitioned as a minesweeper in the war, and was lost in 1919 when she hit the wreck of HMS Majestic in the Mediterranean.













Princess Elizabeth
(1927-1959)

Princess Elizabeth was virtually a repeat of the Princess Mary delivered 16 years previously (but lost on WW1). She originally had a short black/white funnel, which was later replaced with a taller one which improved her appearance. In pre-war years, Princess Elizabeth mainly operated on ferry services from Southampton and Southsea to the Isle of Wight. She had a very active war career, making four trips to Dunkirk in 1940, and was later used as an anti-aircraft vessel.

Princess Elizabeth returned to service as an excursion steamer from Ryde, becoming a reserve steamer from 1953. She was sold in 1959 when the new car ferry Carisbrooke Castle was delivered. She was bought by Torbay Steamers Ltd, who used from Torquay, Bournemouth and Weymouth without great success. She was sold for scrap in 1967, but resold for stationary use, and her engines and boilers were removed. She subsequently served as a restaurant in London, Paris and Dunkirk.

Complete history of Princess Elizabeth


Early postcard of Princess Elizabeth with short white funnel and open bridge.


Red Funnel Steamers postcard of Princess Elizabeth in Southampton Water.


Red Funnel Steamers postcard of Princess Elizabeth in Southampton Water.


Postcard of Princess Elizabeth arriving at West Cowes, Isle of Wight.








Gracie Fields
(1936-1940)

Gracie Fields was an improved version of Princess Elizabeth, with a raised forecastle to protect the cars carried from spray. She was launched with song from her namesake. Her career was short, since she was lost at Dunkirk.


Red Funnel Steamers postcard of Gracie Fields, with opem bridge.


Photographic postcard of Gracie Fields with open bridge.


Photographic postcard of Gracie Fields with open bridge.


Red Funnel Steamers postcard of Gracie Fields leaving Southampton.
A wheelhouse has been fitted.


Red Funnel Steamers postcard of Gracie Fields leaving Southampton.


Photographic postcard of Gracie Fields with enclosed bridge.


Photographic postcard of Gracie Fields with enclosed bridge.


Photographic postcard of Gracie Fields with enclosed bridge.






Solent Queen (2)
(1949-1951)

Solent Queen (2) was built as the Ascot Class paddle minesweeper HMS Melton, by W.Hamilton & Co, Glasgow, in 1916. After the war, she was bought by the New Medway SP Co and rebuilt as the passenger steamer Queen of Thanet. In 1949 she was sold to the Southampton, Isle of Wight & South of England Royal Mail Steam Packet Co. Ltd. (Red Funnel Steamers) and renamed Solent Queen (2). She was sold for scrap in 1951.


Red Funnel Steamers postcard of Solent Queen (2).


Red Funnel Steamers postcard of Solent Queen (2).


F.R.Sherlock photographic postcard of Solent Queen (2).


Harold Jordan postcard of Solent Queen (2).






Lorna Doone (2)
(1949-1952)

Lorna Doone (2) was built as the Ascot Class paddle minesweeper HMS Atherstone, by the Ailsa Shipbuilding Co, in 1916. After the war, she was bought by the New Medway SP Co and rebuilt as the passenger steamer Queen of Kent. In 1949 she was sold to the Southampton, Isle of Wight & South of England Royal Mail Steam Packet Co. Ltd. (Red Funnel Steamers) and renamed Lorna Doone (2). She was sold for scrap in 1952.


Photograph of Queen of Kent in New Medway SP Co service. She became the Lorna Doone (2) in 1949.


Official Red Funnel photographic postcard of Lorna Doone (2).







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�1999-2010 Copyright Ian Boyle/Simplon Postcards (all pages on web site) All Rights Reserved Free Web Counter Times viewed since 05/09/2010:

Name	Other Names	Built
Balmoral (1)		1900
Bournemouth Queen		1908
Lorna Doone		1898
Princess Elizabeth		1927
Solent Queen (1)		1889