G.H. Riddalls and Sons
Encyclopedia
G.H. Riddalls and Sons was a passenger boat
operator on the River Dart
, in South Devon
, UK
. They operated on the route from Dartmouth
to Totnes
, on circular cruises from Dartmouth and also ran the ferry service from Dartmouth to Dittisham
. The boats were painted with red hulls and white superstructures, and were marketed as the "Red Cruisers".
In 2000 the company was acquired by Dart Valley Railway plc, operators of the Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railway
, who already owned Riddalls main competitor, Dart Pleasure Craft Ltd. Riddalls newer vessels were merged into the Dart Pleasure Craft fleet, and painted in "River Link" colours, dark blue hulls and white superstructures, whilst the older vessels of both fleets were sold. The Dittisham ferry service was not included in the deal, and was run for several years by David A Riddalls Trading (D.A.R.T), until it too was taken over by Dart Pleasure Craft in 2008.
Ferry
A ferry is a form of transportation, usually a boat, but sometimes a ship, used to carry primarily passengers, and sometimes vehicles and cargo as well, across a body of water. Most ferries operate on regular, frequent, return services...
operator on the River Dart
River Dart
The River Dart is a river in Devon, England which rises high on Dartmoor, and releases to the sea at Dartmouth. Its valley and surrounding area is a place of great natural beauty.-Watercourse:...
, in South Devon
South Devon
South Devon is the southern part of the county of Devon, England.South Devon may also refer to*South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty*South Devon *South Devon College*South Devon cattle, a breed of cattle...
, UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. They operated on the route from Dartmouth
Dartmouth, Devon
Dartmouth is a town and civil parish in the English county of Devon. It is a tourist destination set on the banks of the estuary of the River Dart, which is a long narrow tidal ria that runs inland as far as Totnes...
to Totnes
Totnes
Totnes is a market town and civil parish at the head of the estuary of the River Dart in Devon, England within the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty...
, on circular cruises from Dartmouth and also ran the ferry service from Dartmouth to Dittisham
Dittisham
Dittisham is a village and civil parish in the South Hams district of the English county of Devon. It is situated on the banks of the tidal River Dart, some upstream of Dartmouth....
. The boats were painted with red hulls and white superstructures, and were marketed as the "Red Cruisers".
In 2000 the company was acquired by Dart Valley Railway plc, operators of the Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railway
Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railway
The Paignton & Dartmouth Steam Railway is a heritage railway on the former Kingswear branch line between Paignton and Kingswear in Torbay, Devon, England....
, who already owned Riddalls main competitor, Dart Pleasure Craft Ltd. Riddalls newer vessels were merged into the Dart Pleasure Craft fleet, and painted in "River Link" colours, dark blue hulls and white superstructures, whilst the older vessels of both fleets were sold. The Dittisham ferry service was not included in the deal, and was run for several years by David A Riddalls Trading (D.A.R.T), until it too was taken over by Dart Pleasure Craft in 2008.
Fleet List
| Name | From | To | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| MV Heart's Content | |||
| MV Queen of Helford | 197? | 1994 | |
| MV Dartmothian | 1982 | 1997 | |
| MV Totnes Princess MV May Queen The MV Karina is a single screw passenger vessel, operating from Douglas, Isle of Man for the Laxey Towing Company. She operates on a selection of cruises along the Manx coast... |
1985 | 2000 | Sold by Dart Pleasure Craft to Laxey Towing Company of the Isle of Mann |
| MV My Queen | 1987 | 2000 | Sold by Dart Pleasure Craft to operate on the River Exe River Exe The River Exe in England rises near the village of Simonsbath, on Exmoor in Somerset, near the Bristol Channel coast, but flows more or less directly due south, so that most of its length lies in Devon. It reaches the sea at a substantial ria, the Exe Estuary, on the south coast of Devon... |
| MV Dartmouth Princess MV Devon Belle II The MV Dartmouth Princess is a single screw passenger vessel, operating on the River Dart in South Devon, UK. She is presently mainly used on the Dartmouth Passenger Ferry service from Dartmouth to Kingswear, where she runs year-round as the main vessel.... |
1994 | 2000 | Transferred to Dart Pleasure Craft fleet |
| MV Dittisham Princess MV Dittisham Princess The MV Dittisham Princess is a twin screw passenger vessel, operating on the River Dart in South Devon, UK. She is presently mainly used for charters, winter services and as a relief vessel, on the cruise / ferry route between Dartmouth and Totnes, and on circular cruises from Dartmouth, for Dart... |
1995 | 2000 | Transferred to Dart Pleasure Craft fleet |