worked there until 1831. The B&SWUR bought a new steamer, the Gem in 1863 but it proved unsuitable and was soon replaced by the Relief. John Bland, a carrier and shareholder in the railway, was contracted to operate the ferry. The next vessel purchased was the Dragon Fly, this had been used by the contractors to build the piers but was too small to work as the ferry. Instead, two paddle tugs, the Ajax and the Atlas were hired in to cover for the Relief. A new paddle steamer arrived in June 1864, named Christopher Thomas after the chairman of the B&SWUR, it had been built for the company by Henderson, Coulborn and Company at Renfrew in Scotland. A slightly larger vessel named the Chepstow arrived from the same shipyard on 11 February 1875. These two continued in service until the Severn Tunnel was opened in 1886. They were sold to WS Ogden at Cardiff in 1880, the Chepstow being renamed the Rover. The funnels were generally painted black with a red band. References 7 ft gauge railways Great Western Railway constituents Rail transport in Bristol Rail transport in Gloucestershire Railway lines in Wales Ferry companies of England Ferry companies of Wales Railway companies established in 1857 Railway lines opened in 1864 Railway companies disestablished in 1868 Standard gauge railways in Wales Standard gauge railways in England British companies established in 1857 1857 establishments in Wales British companies disestablished in 1868