MV Seymour Castle
Encyclopedia
The MV Seymour Castle is presently sailing for Thames River Cruises of Reading, England as the MV Devon Belle.
She is registered on the National Register of Historic Vessels, certificate number 1955, and was one of the Dunkirk Little Ships
by Ferris and Bank of Creekside Boatyard near Dartmouth, Devon
. She was the largest vessel ever built by this yard, which specialised in the construction of motor yachts and rowing boats, and was built of local oak frames, with pitch pine planking. She only had one year in service before the declaration of World War II
. In May 1940 she travelled to the Dover Straits to assist in the Dunkirk Evacuation, and remained in Admiralty service in the Folkestone area until the end of the war, when she returned to the Dart.
In 1972, with reducing traffic on the Dart, she was sold to the naturalist and writer Tony Soper, who gave her a major refit, with a new wheelhouse, portholes replacing her cabin windows and a saloon equipped for lectures. She was also equipped with beam trawl, plankton nets, charts, books and microscopes for passenger use. She was used on wildlife spotting cruises from Plymouth
and Dartmouth, including a number of six-day cruises under charter to the National Trust
, with passengers spending nights ashore in hotels. In 1977 she returned to conventional cruises, based out of Plymouth, for KT Bridge, under the name MV Southern Comfort of Plymstock.
In 1982 she returned to the Dart, under the ownership of G.H. Riddalls and Sons
, was renamed MV Dartmothian, and resumed her Dartmouth to Totnes
sailings and circular cruises from Dartmouth. Following the introduction of the MV Dartmouth Princess
in 1994 and the MV Dittisham Princess
in 1995 she saw little use, and was sold to KJ Bridge, and renamed the MV Devon Belle, resuming the 'Dockyard
and warships' cruises from Plymouth Hoe
.
In 1999 MV Devon Belle was sold to Thames River Cruises of Caversham, Berkshire
, near Reading on the River Thames
. She underwent a major restoration, during which she returned to Dunkirk as part of the 2000 Dunkirk reunion. She now operates trips to Mapledurham House
and circular cruises.
She is registered on the National Register of Historic Vessels, certificate number 1955, and was one of the Dunkirk Little Ships
Design
MV Seymour Castle was built to a typical river boat design, with a lower deck, fully enclosed saloon with bar and an open deck above, fitted with a canopy. The large forward open deck, and small open deck at the stern are around half way between the two levels. The wheelhouse is located on the upper deck. She was originally built with large windows for the full length of her lower saloon. These were replaced with rather small portholes during her time as the MV Scomber, but were restored during her time as Dartmothian.History
Built for the River Dart Steamboat Co LtdRiver Dart Steamboat Co Ltd
The River Dart Steamboat Co Ltd and its predecessors: the Dartmouth Steam Packet Company and the Dartmouth and Torbay Steam Packet Company were the major ferry and excursion boat operators on the River Dart in South Devon for 120 years, until its demise in 1976...
by Ferris and Bank of Creekside Boatyard near Dartmouth, Devon
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...
. She was the largest vessel ever built by this yard, which specialised in the construction of motor yachts and rowing boats, and was built of local oak frames, with pitch pine planking. She only had one year in service before the declaration of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. In May 1940 she travelled to the Dover Straits to assist in the Dunkirk Evacuation, and remained in Admiralty service in the Folkestone area until the end of the war, when she returned to the Dart.
In 1972, with reducing traffic on the Dart, she was sold to the naturalist and writer Tony Soper, who gave her a major refit, with a new wheelhouse, portholes replacing her cabin windows and a saloon equipped for lectures. She was also equipped with beam trawl, plankton nets, charts, books and microscopes for passenger use. She was used on wildlife spotting cruises from Plymouth
Plymouth
Plymouth is a city and unitary authority area on the coast of Devon, England, about south-west of London. It is built between the mouths of the rivers Plym to the east and Tamar to the west, where they join Plymouth Sound...
and Dartmouth, including a number of six-day cruises under charter to the National Trust
National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty
The National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty, usually known as the National Trust, is a conservation organisation in England, Wales and Northern Ireland...
, with passengers spending nights ashore in hotels. In 1977 she returned to conventional cruises, based out of Plymouth, for KT Bridge, under the name MV Southern Comfort of Plymstock.
In 1982 she returned to the Dart, under the ownership of G.H. Riddalls and Sons
G.H. Riddalls and Sons
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...
, was renamed MV Dartmothian, and resumed her Dartmouth 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...
sailings and circular cruises from Dartmouth. Following the introduction of the 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....
in 1994 and the 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...
in 1995 she saw little use, and was sold to KJ Bridge, and renamed the MV Devon Belle, resuming the 'Dockyard
Devonport Naval Base
Devonport Naval Base is the home of the Royal New Zealand Navy, located at Devonport, New Zealand on Auckland's North Shore. It is currently the only base of the navy that operates ships, and was a navy base from as far back as 1841...
and warships' cruises from Plymouth Hoe
Plymouth Hoe
Plymouth Hoe, referred to locally as the Hoe, is a large south facing open public space in the English coastal city of Plymouth. The Hoe is adjacent to and above the low limestone cliffs that form the seafront and it commands views of Plymouth Sound, Drake's Island, and across the Hamoaze to Mount...
.
In 1999 MV Devon Belle was sold to Thames River Cruises of Caversham, Berkshire
Caversham, Berkshire
Caversham is a suburb and former village in the unitary authority of Reading, England. It lies on the north bank of the River Thames, within the royal county of Berkshire, on the opposite bank from the rest of Reading...
, near Reading on the River Thames
River Thames
The River Thames flows through southern England. It is the longest river entirely in England and the second longest in the United Kingdom. While it is best known because its lower reaches flow through central London, the river flows alongside several other towns and cities, including Oxford,...
. She underwent a major restoration, during which she returned to Dunkirk as part of the 2000 Dunkirk reunion. She now operates trips to Mapledurham House
Mapledurham House
Mapledurham House is an Elizabethan stately home located in the civil parish of Mapledurham in the English county of Oxfordshire.-History and architecture:...
and circular cruises.