Fairmile Classic Cruises 2007-2008

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2007-2008
Page 1: Overview


This page is devoted to postcards and photographs of the Swanage-based excursion vessel Western Lady III. This is one of a series of pages devoted to Western Lady and other wartime Fairmile 'B' launches later used as excursion vessels, and provides details of her brief life working from Swanage between 2007-2008. Fairmile Classic Cruises - Page 2 shows additional images, including a Jurassic Coast Cruise on Western Lady III.

Western Lady III was built by Southampton Steam Joinery Ltd in 1941 and commissioned as RML497 in July 1942. This Fairmile B Motor launch was stationed with 62nd ML Flotillas at Portland between 1942 and 1944. She was then transferred to Kirkwall in January 1944 on anti-submarine target towing duties until August when she sent to Appledore. She join the 69th Flotilla based at Felixstowe until eventually being sold off at Itchenor in 1947 and entering service with the Western Lady Ferry between Brixham and Torquay Service in that same year. Western Lady III was recently withdrawn at Torbay, but returned to service from Swanage for Fairmile Classic Cruises in August 2007 running five cruises along the Dorset coast daily, apart from Tuesdays when a she took a day trip to Yarmouth (Isle of Wight). Services ran again in 2008, but the company ran into financial problems in September 2008 and she also had certificate issues with the MCA. In June 2009 Western Lady III was bought by the Greenway Ferry and entered service later during the summer of 2009as The Fairmile between Torbay, Dartmouth and Greenway after a very substantial refit.


By 2007 there were only four surviving Fairmile 'B' launches in the UK:-
Western Lady (RML535)- Private ownership (ex-Torbay)
The Fairmile (ex-Western Lady III (RML497)) - Torbay/Dart excursions with Greenway Ferry
Western Lady IV (RML526) - Private ownership (ex-Torbay)
Jamaican Moon (ML357) - House boat in St Osyth

A fifth Fairmile 'B', the Golden Galleon, was broken up in 2006. She had run excursions on the Norfolk Broads. The Fairmile 'B' Header Page lists other fairmiles illustrated on this website.



Sections on this Page:-
Western Lady III - Images at Swanage in 2007
Western Lady III - 2007 Publicity Material

Western Lady Pages:-
Western Lady Ferry Service
Fairmile Classic Cruises - Page 1 - This Page
Fairmile Classic Cruises - Page 2
Fairmile 'B' Header Page - list of Fairmile 'B' launches used in the UK
Greenway Ferry - owners of Western Lady III since 2009 - renamed The Fairmile
www.savethewesternladies.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk - Steve Powell's Western Lady website

Associated Pages:-
Poole Area Excursion Vessels
Devon Excursion Boats
UK Excursion Ships
Ferry Postcards
Cruise Ship Postcards
Ocean Liner Postcards
Simplon Postcards - Recent Updates
Simplon Postcards - Home Page

References:-
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

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Western Lady III

Western Lady III at Swanage Pier
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 5th September 2007
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Western Lady III leaving Swanage Pier on her 12:30 sailing
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 5th September 2007
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Western Lady III leaving Swanage Pier on her 12:30 sailing
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 5th September 2007
Click to open larger image in new window



Western Lady III leaving Swanage Pier on her 12:30 sailing
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 5th September 2007
Click to open larger image in new window



Western Lady III leaving Swanage Pier on her 12:30 sailing
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 5th September 2007
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Western Lady III leaving Swanage Pier on her 14:00 sailing
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 5th September 2007
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Western Lady III leaving Swanage Pier on her 14:00 sailing
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 5th September 2007
Click to open larger image in new window



Western Lady III leaving Swanage Pier on her 14:00 sailing
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 5th September 2007
Click to open larger image in new window



Western Lady III leaving Swanage Pier on her 14:00 sailing
Isle of Wight in the background
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 5th September 2007
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Publicity Material

Western Lady III 2007 brochures
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Western Lady III 2007 brochures
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UK Excursion Ships - Ferry Postcards - Cruise Ship Postcards - Ocean Liner Postcards
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