Millbrook Steamboat and Trading Co.
Introduction The '''Millbrook Steamboat & Trading Company''' was a ferry operator on the River Tamar between Devon and Cornwall in England. It was started in 1894, and initially operated a ferry route from Millbrook in Cornwall to Plymouth. It expanded, and eventually became the largest river boat operator in the Plymouth area. From 1943 it operated the Cremyll Ferry.The company also operated bus services on the Rame Peninsula in Cornwall. The bus services were eventually taken over by Western National.In 1980 the company was sold to Dart Pleasure Craft. In 1985 the new owners pulled out of operations in the Plymouth area, and the company closed.
Fleet list NameBuiltCompany serviceNotesSS ''Despatch''18841894–1900?SS ''Cornubia''18951895–1921Used almost entirely on the Millbrook ferrySS ''Devonia''18961896–1918?Excursion steamer, sometimes used on Millbrook ferryPS ''Britannia''19001900–1937Excursion & ferry servicesSS ''Iolanthe''18871900–1909?PS ''Hibernia''19031903–1928Excursion steamerPS ''Brunel''19051909–1916Excursion steamer, originally from Thames serviceMV ''Manna'' / ''Devon Belle''19221927–1979River excursions. Renamed ''Devon Belle'' 1936.MV ''Lady Elizabeth''19241930–1979Various servicesPS ''Whitsand Castle''19031932–1935Unsuccessful Millbrook Ferry serviceMV ''Tamar Belle''19271932?–1959Millbrook & Cremyll FerryMV ''Western Belle''19351935–1985River and coastal excursionsMV ''Southern Belle''19251946–1985River excursionsMV ''Northern Belle''19261946–1985Cremyll FerryMV ''Eastern Belle''19461957–1985River excursionsMV ''Plymouth Belle''19611961–1985Cawsand FerryMV ''Dartmouth Castle''19481975–1977Returned to Plymouth from time to time between 1980 and 1985MV ''Cardiff Castle''19641977–1985Occasionally returned to Plymouth after 1977''Edgecumbe Belle''19591979–1985Cremyll & Drakes Island FerryMV ''Queen Boadicea II''19361980?–1985Drakes Island Ferry
References
External links * Millbrook Steamship Company on Simplon website