The SS Cornubia was laid down in November 1856 and built in Hayle, Cornwall, by Harvey & Co. She was launched in February 1858 as a packet ship and ferry for the Hayle and Bristol Steam Packet Company. Sleek and painted white, with two funnels mounted close together amidships and with a high bridge over her paddle wheels, she plied the Hayle/St Ives to Bristol route in the days when the Great Western Railway had not penetrated as far as West Cornwall. History She was given the name Cornubia from the Latinised name for Cornwall and was a fast iron paddle steamer, long and narrow at long and with a beam. Her Harveys-built twin oscillating side-wheel engines with four boilers and stroke produced and was capable of propelling the vessel at over . Her shallow, draft was initially designed to cope with the shallow harbours in Cornwall, but proved to be very useful in her later life. The accommodation on board was described in the Western Daily Press on Monday 19 July 1858 as A capacious house, with plate-glass windows, tastefully designed, afforded two entrances to the cabin stairs, and the hundreds of visitors who, on Tuesday afternoon, came on board to "have a peep at the new boat" went down those stairs with a sense of being about to look on "something out of the common run." Nor were they disappointed. A more superb cabin they could scarcely have seen before. About a dozen mahogany velvet covered sofas occupied the sides of the capacious room, with velvet covered chairs to match. The panelling of the ceiling was white, with chaste gold mouldings. The side panels were maple, mahogany, and satin wood, with the most elegant of gold moulding. All presented a rich and tasteful appearance, and elicited general commendation. The sleeping berths were well arranged, and proper ventilation was provided throughout. No, the most fastidious and aristocratic of steamboat travellers could certainly fine no fault here - all was perfection. She ran between Bristol and Hayle from 1858 to 1861, calling additionally at Ilfracombe. By 1860 she was under the command of W. Gill and departures in the summer were weekly on Tuesdays from Bristol, returning from Hayle on Thursdays. Fares To or from Bristol and Hayle 10s 6d Saloon (equivalent to £ in ), 7s Forecabin (equivalent to £ in ), 5s Deck (equivalent to £ in )