Ullswater Steamers - www.simplonpc.co.uk

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	Ullswater Ullswater Navigation Co - Ullswater 'Steamers' Each image links to a larger copy which opens in a new window/tab
	This page shows a history of the excursion vessels of Ullswater in the English Lake District. To travel on these vessels see: www.ullswater-steamers.co.uk Ullswater is the second largest of the English Lakes, with far more spectacular scenery than the largest, Windermere. Steamer services were never as developed as the larger lake however, since the nearest rail head was five miles away at Penrith. The earliest steamer on Ullswater was the Enterprise, a small paddle steamer from 1859. She carried mail, goods and passengers from Pooley Bridge to Howtown and Glenridding. Enterprise was replaced by the elegant steamers Lady-of-the-Lake (1877) and Raven (1889), both subsequently converted to motor vessels. They were joined by the smaller motor launches Lady Dorothy and Lady Wakefield in 2001 and 2007 respectively. A fifth vessel Western Belle has been purchased and is being restored. She expected to commence trials in 2010. Always check the company website before travelling: www.ullswater-steamers.co.uk .

	Sections on this page Ullswater Fleet List Ullswater Publicity Ships on this page Lady Dorothy Lady of the Lake - 1877 Lady Wakefield Raven - 1889 Western Belle - 1935 Brochure Archive 2010 - main timetable brochure 2010 - events brochure 2006 - main timetable brochure - introducing Lady Wakefield 1976 - timetable handbill 1975 - timetable handbill	North West UK Simplon Pages Furness Railway Steamers - Fleetwood-Barrow Midland Railway Steamers - Heysham Services Windermere Steamers Associated Simplon Pages Cruise Ships Ocean Liners UK Excursion Vessels World Ferry Fleets Simplon Postcards - Home Page Simplon Postcards - Recent Updates References Trip Out Guides - Written and published by G.P.Hamer - various editions from 1977 to 2009 consulted Trip Out Guides are available from Geoffrey Hamer, PO Box 485, Southall, UB1 9BH Contacts Website: www.ullswater-steamers.co.uk Email: enquiries@ullswater-steamers.co.uk Phone: 017684 82229
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Launched on 26th June, 1877 Lady of the Lake is possibly the oldest working passenger vessel in the world. She was designed by Mr Douglas Hebson of Penrith and built in Glasgow by Joseph Seath & Company. She was transported in three sections by rail to Penrith, then horse drays to Waterside where she was assembled at Elder Beck. For details of services see: www.ullswater-steamers.co.uk

Lady of the Lake was built by. T.B.Sneath of Rutherglen. She started with a saloon length of ten windows, but this was lengthened to twelve windows when she received a bridge forward of the funnel. She sank at her moorings in 1881, but was salvaged and returned to service. Her 4-cylinder steam engine was replaced by two Crossley diesels in 1935, and she received her large motorship funnel, to much disquiet at the time. By this time the saloon had been shortened again to just eight windows. She sank again c.1951 and the suffered a fire 1965. She was not restored until 1979 after the latter accident. Her Crossley engines were replaced by Kelvin diesels at this time.

Raven was launched on the 11th July, 1889. On 18th July, 1889 an article in the Cumberland and Westmorland Herald published the following “It is questionable if there be any boat to beat, or even equal this little craft on any lake in this country”. For details of services see: www.ullswater-steamers.co.uk

Raven was built by T.B.Sneath of Ruthergen as a slightly larger version of Lady of the Lake, again powered by 4-cy;linder steam engine. Her bridge was originally aft of the funnel, later moved forward whilst still a steamer. She has had a luckier history, no no major mishaps. Her steam machinery was replaced by two 8-cylinder oil engines in 1935, built by the national Gas 7 oil engine Company of Ashton-under Lyme. She received a large motorship funnel at the same time, which was not appreciated at the time by many. In 1964 her engines were replaced by Thorneycrofts. At around the same time, her bridge was moved further forwards to the front of the saloon, again reducing the elegance of her original lines.

Lady Wakefield was renamed in a ceremony by HRH Princess Alexandra in April, 2007. She was previously known as Berry Castle (3), Golden Cormorant and latterly Totnes Castle (3). Built in 1949 in Dartmouth, she had worked on the River Dart and Plymouth Sound before her arrival on Ullswater. For details of services see: www.ullswater-steamers.co.uk

The paddle steamer Dartmouth Castle (2) of the River Dart Steamboat Company was laid up during the war, and was sold in 1947, being replaced by the motor vessel Dartmouth Castle (3) in 1948. She was followed by the similar Berry Castle (3) the following year, both from Philip of Dartmouth. River Dart Steamboat Company revenues were declining in the late 1960s, and in 1972, Berry Castle (3) and Seymour Castle were sold, although both eventually returned to the River Dart. After periods at Fareham and Rochester (as Golden Cormorant), she returned to the Dart in 1977 as the Totnes Castle (3) for Dart Pleasure Craft. In 1985 she passed to Plymouth Boat Cruises, retaining her name. In 2007 she was sold to Ullswater Steamers and was renamed Lady Wakefield.

Western Belle was purchased in 2008 and had previously run at Plymouth and on the Thames. She is undergoing restoration and is expected to begin trials in 2010. She will retain her name after entering service.

Western Belle was built by Fellows of Great Yarmouth for the Millbrook Steam Boat & Trading Company in 1935. She replaced the Whitsand Castle (ex-Kenwith Castle). Western Belle was primarily used on the ferry services across the River Tamar from Plymouth to Millbrook in her early years, though mainly ran Plymouth Dockyard trips in later years, along with Devon Belle and Eastern Belle. Western Belle passed to Dart Pleasure Craft in 1980, and was transferred to the Dartmouth-Kingswear ferry. She was sold in 2000, appearing on the Thames for Chris Cruises of Hampton Court, where she ran charters only. Western Belle was sold again in 2008, and travelled to Maryport to be restored for use on Ullswater.