River Dart Steamboat Co Ltd
Encyclopedia
The River Dart Steamboat Co Ltd (RDSC) 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. The company was famous for its distinctive paddle steamers, which were a familiar sight on the river until the late 1960s.
Calls were made en-route at Dittisham Pier, and off Duncannon, where passengers for Stoke Gabriel and Cornworthy were embarked by small rowing boat. Totnes is tidal, and so the ferry could only run at high tide. In its early years the service was a true ferry, connecting Dartmouth with the markets and main line station at Totnes, and carried mail until 1929. As the years went by, it became more of a tourist cruise service
in 1861 and Kingswear in 1864, a regular connecting ferry service was run four times per day between Dartmouth and Greenway Quay, where the steamers were met with a horse-drawn omnibus to the station at Brixham Road.
(GWR) took over the running of the Kingswear Ferry, and purchased the Dolphin. As the GWR only owned one passenger vessel on the Dart, relief steamers continued to be provided by the River Dart Steamboat Company until 1957
and other ports of the south coast using the PS Pilot. On the arrival of the railway, the PS Eclair was purpose built for a weekly cross-channel service, departing from Dartmouth each Monday night, and calling at Guernsey
and Jersey
en-route to St Malo, arriving on Tuesday. The following day she would return, again via Jersey and Guernsey, arriving at Dartmouth on Saturday. These sailings were unsuccessful, and ended with the sale of the Eclair in 1868.
in 1856. Two years later , two additional paddle steamers were acquired second hand - the PS Mary for the Totnes run, and PS Pilot for towage work in Dartmouth harbour. In 1859 the company was incorporated under the name the Dartmouth Steam Packet Company. The new company bought all of the shares of the Louisa and a majority of the shares in the Pilot in 1859; with the Mary returning to South Shields. For the next few years, the Pilot, having being refitted as a full time passenger boat ran coastal and cross channel trips, in addition to the normal services.
Seale Hayne's primary commercial interest was the establishment of the Dartmouth and Torbay railway, so when this railway reached Brixham Road, the company operated the connecting ferry service to Greenway. This service was changed to run to Kingswear in 1864, when the railway reached its terminus, and a new steamer was built for the route: the PS Newcomin. In 1865 the company took delivery of the largest ever Dartmouth-based passenger steamer - the 180-foot-long PS Eclair. This steamer was purpose-built for cross-channel services to the channel islands, which were operated in connection with the railway, but the service was unsuccessful, and the Eclair was sold in 1868
The Louisa was broken up in 1868, when only 12 years old. Her replacement in 1869 was the double ended paddle steamer Dolphin; designed for the short Kingswear route - the Newcomin now being used on the Totnes route. Also built in the same year was PS Guide - a wooden-hulled tug. In 1871 the formerly competing steamer PS Dartmouth was acquired, giving the Dartmouth Steam Packet Company a monopoly of all of the river's passenger services. From 1872 therefore the Dartmouth-Totnes service was run by the Newcomin, Dartmouth and Pilot, with the Dolphin on the Kingswear ferry and the Guide chartered out to the West Cornwall Steam Ship Company
, as a replacement for their wrecked SS Little Western. She returned to the Dart in 1876
Following this period of fleet modernisation were ten years of stability, with the two 'castles' on the Dartmouth–Totnes run, the Dolphin on the Kingswear ferry, and the three screw steamers assisting. At this time the single fare to Totnes was one shilling
in the saloon, or ninepence in the forecabin. In 1893 the Dart was sold, and a new paddle steamer: the first PS Totnes Castle entered service. Designed for the winter run, this vessel was smaller than the other paddle steamers, and was flush-decked. The Hauley was sold in 1898.
In 1907 the first PS Dartmouth Castle was replaced by a similar vessel of the same name. In 1912 the Totnes Castle was sold, two years later her replacement the PS Compton Castle entered service. This steamer was the first to have her deck extended out over her paddle sponsons, in the style which would become typical of the Dart paddlers.
were ordered to the same design as the Compton Castle. The second Kingswear Castle inherited the engines from the first, which became an isolation hospital ship at Dartmouth, before being burnt at Fleet Mill Quay to avoid contamination. In 1926 a third motor vessel entered service - the MV Clifton Castle.
There now followed a long period of stability, with the PS Dartmouth Castle, PS Compton Castle, PS Totnes Castle and PS Kingswear Castle running the main Totnes service, MV Dittisham Castle on the Dittisham shuttle. The MV Berry Castle and MV Clifton Castle operated the winter services, and additional services in the summer.
In 1938 a new vessel - the MV Greenway Castle was built, but went to went to the Thames shortly afterwards. A further new vessel: MV Seymour Castle
entered service in the following year.
, and during 1941 operated a limited summer service to Totnes in full peacetime colouring. She also, along with the Kingswear Castle, occasionally relieved on the Kingswear Ferry. Compton Castle was used by the Admiralty as an ammunition carrier. The Seymour Castle was requsitionned by the Admiralty, and used for marking swept channels at Ramsgate
. She also took part in the Operation Dynamo
to Dunkirk. The Clifton Castle was also sold to the Crown, whilst the MV Dittisham Castle was sold to the Dartmouth Coaling Company. The Berry Castle and Dartmouth Castle were laid up in Old Mill Creek for the duration of the war, by the end of the War Dartmouth Castle was in such poor condition that she never sailed again, and her remains are still in the creek.
in 1948, and the MV Berry Castle the following year.
In 1952, following the death of the managing director: John Tolman two years earlier, the company was taken over by Evans & Reid Investment Co Ltd of Cardiff
. The new company valued the three motor vessels at a collective £17,311, whilst the three steamers were valued at a scrap value of just £797. Nevertheless the service ran unchanged until 1961, when a controlling interest was bought in the Devon Star Shipping Co Ltd, operators of the MV Torbay Prince from Torquay. This interest was sold three years later.
After the 1962 season the PS Compton Castle was refused a passenger certificate, and was replaced with a new motor vessel: the MV Conway Castle. The following year the PS Totnes Castle also required major work, and was replaced with a sister to the Conway Castle - the MV Cardiff Castle
. The final steamer PS Kingswear Castle remained in service until the end of the 1965 season, when she was sold to the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society.
, poor weather and unemployment contributing to poor seasons. In a diversification, two pilot boats were bought for chartering. MV Berry Castle and MV Seymour Castle were sold after the 1972 season, and the 1974 season was to be the company's last as an operator of pleasure boats. The following year saw the introduction of a new operator on the river: Dart Pleasure Craft, who introduced three motor vessels from the River Thames. The MV Dartmouth Castle was sold in 1975 to Millbrook Steamboat & Trading Co Ltd
of Plymouth, who also bought the last RDSC vessel, MV Cardiff Castle in 1977, the MV Conway Castle having been sold earlier in the year.
After the closure of passenger services the company was renamed River Dart Boat and Leisure Co Ltd. It still survives today as part of Evans & Reid Investment Co Ltd, with its activities listed as development and sale of real estate.
The diagram below illustrates the transfer of vessels between the various ferry companies of South Devon during the following years.
Passenger accommodation was located in saloons both forward and aft of the engine room. Open passenger decks were situated above the saloons, with small cockpits at the bow and stern. On the PS Compton Castle and later vessels the deck was widened over long sponsons to the edge of the paddle boxes, and a flying after deck was provided above the aft cockpit. The second PS Dartmouth Castle was later refitted with these features.
The one paddle steamer built to a differing design was the first PS Totnes Castle, which was smaller, and flush-decked, as she was designed mainly for the winter service
The remains of two RSBC paddle steamers can still be seen on the Dart. the first PS Kingswear Castle was burnt in 1924 after being used as a fever hulk, and beached on the bank of the Dart south of Totnes at Fleet Mill Quay. Her remains (pictured) can still be seen today, from a boat on the river. The second PS Dartmouth Castle was laid up in Old Mill Creek, near Dartmouth for the Second World War, and never returned to service. Her remains now form a retaining wall in the creek.
The PS Compton Castle was used for a succession of ventures after being sold by the RDSC, including periods as cafes in Kingsbridge
and Truro
. She is now a floating flower shop at Truro, but bares little resemblance to her original condition. Her engines have fared rather better, having survived in museum condition on the Isle of Wight, at Blackgang Chine
.
The second PS Kingswear Castle is the best preserved of all of the company's vessels, being owned by the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society, and operating out of Chatham Dockyard
on the River Medway
in full passenger service.
With the exception of the first MV Berry Castle, all of the larger RDSC motor vessels are still in service. All have had major alterations, with the addition of a deck house saloon of various designs, with the exception of the MV Seymour Castle, which remains in original condition. The MV Cardiff Castle is in service on the River Dart for Dart Pleasure Craft, whilst The MV Dartmouth Castle is laid up at Torquay. The MV Conway Castle is operating on the River Severn
for Severn Leisure Cruises. The MV Seymour Castle (now named Devon Belle) and the MV Clifton Castle are operating on the Thames, for Thames Rivercruise of Reading
and Colliers Launches of Richmond respectively. Finally, the MV Berry Castle, renamed MV Lady Wakefield is operating on Ullswater
in the Lake District for Ullswater 'Steamers'.
, an early steam engine pioneer, and SS Hauley, named after John Hawley, a fourteenth-century privateer
Most of the vessels built for the company had names ending with 'Castle'. Of these, Dartmouth
and Kingswear Castle
s are the pair of small fortifications which protect the mouth of the River Dart from attack by sea. Totnes Castle
is a Norman motte and bailey castle, high above the town of Totnes, whilst Compton Castle
is a fortified manor house some 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) to the northeast of the river. Berry Castle refers to Berry Pomeroy Castle
, a ruin some 3.5 kilometres (2.2 mi) to the northeast of the Dart, whilst Greenway Castle
is a house at Greenway, home to the Gilbert
family, and later to Agatha Christie
.
The other castles are somewhat more esoteric. There is no such place as Seymour Castle, but the Seymour family owned both Totnes and Berry Pomeroy castles. Clifton is an ancient part of the town of Dartmouth, so Clifton Castle may refer to Dartmouth Castle, or to Bayard's Cove Fort
, a small fortification nearer the town centre, designed to be a second line of defence for the town. There is no Dittisham Castle, this name simply indicated the vessels normal destination.
The final two vessels of the company broke with tradition, and were named after Cardiff Castle
and Conway Castle
, both large castles in Wales, reflecting the company's Welsh ownership.
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...
for 120 years, until its demise in 1976. The company was famous for its distinctive paddle steamers, which were a familiar sight on the river until the late 1960s.
Routes
The diagram on the right illustrates the network of routes operated by the company and its predecessors.Dartmouth–Totnes
The premier route of the company, this route operated year-round until 1929, thereafter being a summer only service. This route was around 10 miles long, and the journey time was an average of 75 minutes, though journey times of less than an hour were possible before the introduction of a 6 knot speed limit.Calls were made en-route at Dittisham Pier, and off Duncannon, where passengers for Stoke Gabriel and Cornworthy were embarked by small rowing boat. Totnes is tidal, and so the ferry could only run at high tide. In its early years the service was a true ferry, connecting Dartmouth with the markets and main line station at Totnes, and carried mail until 1929. As the years went by, it became more of a tourist cruise service
Other routes
From time to time the company experimented with operating other ferry services. These either closed, or were taken over by other operatorsDartmouth–Greenway
For the brief period between the Dartmouth and Torbay Railway reaching Brixham Road StationChurston railway station
Churston railway station is on the Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railway, a heritage railway in Torbay, Devon, England. It is on the main road to Brixham and close to the villages of Galmpton and Churston Ferrers.-Before preservation:...
in 1861 and Kingswear in 1864, a regular connecting ferry service was run four times per day between Dartmouth and Greenway Quay, where the steamers were met with a horse-drawn omnibus to the station at Brixham Road.
Dartmouth–Kingswear
On 16 August 1864 the Dartmouth and Torbay Railway reached Kingswear, across the river from Dartmouth. The Act of Parliament incorporating the railway gave the railway company the right to operate the ferry to Dartmouth. The route was a short 5 minute crossing; from the pontoon adjacent to Kingswear station, to Dartmouth Pontoon, where an unusual station was built, with ticket office and porters, but no track. Initially the ferry was leased to the Dartmouth Steam Packet Company, who built the PS Newcomin and the doubled ended PS Dolphin for the route. In 1901, the Great Western RailwayGreat Western Railway
The Great Western Railway was a British railway company that linked London with the south-west and west of England and most of Wales. It was founded in 1833, received its enabling Act of Parliament in 1835 and ran its first trains in 1838...
(GWR) took over the running of the Kingswear Ferry, and purchased the Dolphin. As the GWR only owned one passenger vessel on the Dart, relief steamers continued to be provided by the River Dart Steamboat Company until 1957
Dittisham–Greenway
This short route across the Dart was operated by local boatmen for most of it history, but the River Dart Steamboat Company operated it during the Second World War.Coastal and cross-channel routes
In the early years of the company, attempts were made to run long distance excursions from Dartmouth, to the Channel Islands, St Malo, Weymouth, PlymouthPlymouth
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 other ports of the south coast using the PS Pilot. On the arrival of the railway, the PS Eclair was purpose built for a weekly cross-channel service, departing from Dartmouth each Monday night, and calling at Guernsey
Guernsey
Guernsey, officially the Bailiwick of Guernsey is a British Crown dependency in the English Channel off the coast of Normandy.The Bailiwick, as a governing entity, embraces not only all 10 parishes on the Island of Guernsey, but also the islands of Herm, Jethou, Burhou, and Lihou and their islet...
and Jersey
Jersey
Jersey, officially the Bailiwick of Jersey is a British Crown Dependency off the coast of Normandy, France. As well as the island of Jersey itself, the bailiwick includes two groups of small islands that are no longer permanently inhabited, the Minquiers and Écréhous, and the Pierres de Lecq and...
en-route to St Malo, arriving on Tuesday. The following day she would return, again via Jersey and Guernsey, arriving at Dartmouth on Saturday. These sailings were unsuccessful, and ended with the sale of the Eclair in 1868.
Dartmouth Steam Packet Co Ltd
In 1856 John Moody and Charles Seale Hayne established a Dartmouth–Totnes steamboat service. The first vessel in the fleet was the purpose-built PS Lousia, a 90 foot paddle steamer built at Deptford on the River ThamesRiver 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,...
in 1856. Two years later , two additional paddle steamers were acquired second hand - the PS Mary for the Totnes run, and PS Pilot for towage work in Dartmouth harbour. In 1859 the company was incorporated under the name the Dartmouth Steam Packet Company. The new company bought all of the shares of the Louisa and a majority of the shares in the Pilot in 1859; with the Mary returning to South Shields. For the next few years, the Pilot, having being refitted as a full time passenger boat ran coastal and cross channel trips, in addition to the normal services.
Seale Hayne's primary commercial interest was the establishment of the Dartmouth and Torbay railway, so when this railway reached Brixham Road, the company operated the connecting ferry service to Greenway. This service was changed to run to Kingswear in 1864, when the railway reached its terminus, and a new steamer was built for the route: the PS Newcomin. In 1865 the company took delivery of the largest ever Dartmouth-based passenger steamer - the 180-foot-long PS Eclair. This steamer was purpose-built for cross-channel services to the channel islands, which were operated in connection with the railway, but the service was unsuccessful, and the Eclair was sold in 1868
The Louisa was broken up in 1868, when only 12 years old. Her replacement in 1869 was the double ended paddle steamer Dolphin; designed for the short Kingswear route - the Newcomin now being used on the Totnes route. Also built in the same year was PS Guide - a wooden-hulled tug. In 1871 the formerly competing steamer PS Dartmouth was acquired, giving the Dartmouth Steam Packet Company a monopoly of all of the river's passenger services. From 1872 therefore the Dartmouth-Totnes service was run by the Newcomin, Dartmouth and Pilot, with the Dolphin on the Kingswear ferry and the Guide chartered out to the West Cornwall Steam Ship Company
West Cornwall Steam Ship Company
The West Cornwall Steam Ship Company was established in 1870 to operate ferry services between Penzance, Cornwall, and the Isles of Scilly.-History:The company was formed on 5 February 1870, principally by the shareholders in the West Cornwall Railway...
, as a replacement for their wrecked SS Little Western. She returned to the Dart in 1876
Dartmouth and Torbay Steam Packet Company
In 1877 a new syndicate, named the Dartmouth and Torbay Steam Packet Company took over the fleet from Seale Hayne's company. The Guide was immediately sold, followed by the Pilot two years later. In their place came two small screw steamers - the SS Hauley and SS Nimble. In 1879 the Dartmouth was replaced by the trend-setting paddle steamer Berry Castle whose basic design was followed for the next 44 years. In 1883 a further screw-steamer: the SS ""Dart"" was purchased, and in the following year the Newcomin was replaced by the first PS Dartmouth CastleFollowing this period of fleet modernisation were ten years of stability, with the two 'castles' on the Dartmouth–Totnes run, the Dolphin on the Kingswear ferry, and the three screw steamers assisting. At this time the single fare to Totnes was one shilling
Shilling
The shilling is a unit of currency used in some current and former British Commonwealth countries. The word shilling comes from scilling, an accounting term that dates back to Anglo-Saxon times where it was deemed to be the value of a cow in Kent or a sheep elsewhere. The word is thought to derive...
in the saloon, or ninepence in the forecabin. In 1893 the Dart was sold, and a new paddle steamer: the first PS Totnes Castle entered service. Designed for the winter run, this vessel was smaller than the other paddle steamers, and was flush-decked. The Hauley was sold in 1898.
The Edwardian years
In 1901 the Kingswear ferry lease was due for renewal, and the Great Western Railway decided to operate the service themselves, purchasing the Dolphin for the purpose. The 'Torbay' element in the company's name was therefore no longer relevant, and in 1904, the company was renamed the River Dart Steamboat Company. At the same time another paddle steamer was added to the fleet: the first Kingswear Castle. In 1906 the company was incorporated - it appears that the Nimble was not transferred to the incorporated company, so its fleet consisted of the four 'castle' class paddle steamers.In 1907 the first PS Dartmouth Castle was replaced by a similar vessel of the same name. In 1912 the Totnes Castle was sold, two years later her replacement the PS Compton Castle entered service. This steamer was the first to have her deck extended out over her paddle sponsons, in the style which would become typical of the Dart paddlers.
World War One
Initially there was little effect on the company services following the declaration of war, though later the service was reduced and the company's oldest steamer - PS Berry Castle was laid up, and broken up in 1917. It is worth noting that the Dartmouth–Totnes service was still a ferry route, and a Royal Mail service at this stage.Between the Wars
In 1922 the company introduced their first motor vessel - the first MV Berry Castle a 60 foot long, twin paraffin engined vessel. The small MV Dittisham Castle was introduced in the same year, to operate a shuttle service from Dartmouth to her namesake village. The following year, two new paddle steamers: the second Totnes Castle and second PS Kingswear CastlePS Kingswear Castle
The PS Kingswear Castle is a steamship. She is a coal-fired river paddle steamer, dating from 1924 with engines from 1904. She now runs summer excursions on the River Medway and the Thames...
were ordered to the same design as the Compton Castle. The second Kingswear Castle inherited the engines from the first, which became an isolation hospital ship at Dartmouth, before being burnt at Fleet Mill Quay to avoid contamination. In 1926 a third motor vessel entered service - the MV Clifton Castle.
There now followed a long period of stability, with the PS Dartmouth Castle, PS Compton Castle, PS Totnes Castle and PS Kingswear Castle running the main Totnes service, MV Dittisham Castle on the Dittisham shuttle. The MV Berry Castle and MV Clifton Castle operated the winter services, and additional services in the summer.
In 1938 a new vessel - the MV Greenway Castle was built, but went to went to the Thames shortly afterwards. A further new vessel: MV Seymour Castle
MV Seymour Castle
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-Design:...
entered service in the following year.
World War Two
Unlike the First World War, all excursion traffic stopped immediately following the declaration of war. The Totnes Castle was used briefy as a Liberty boat at Devonport DockyardHMNB Devonport
Her Majesty's Naval Base Devonport , is one of three operating bases in the United Kingdom for the Royal Navy . HMNB Devonport is located in Devonport, in the west of the city of Plymouth in Devon, England...
, and during 1941 operated a limited summer service to Totnes in full peacetime colouring. She also, along with the Kingswear Castle, occasionally relieved on the Kingswear Ferry. Compton Castle was used by the Admiralty as an ammunition carrier. The Seymour Castle was requsitionned by the Admiralty, and used for marking swept channels at Ramsgate
Ramsgate
Ramsgate is a seaside town in the district of Thanet in east Kent, England. It was one of the great English seaside towns of the 19th century and is a member of the ancient confederation of Cinque Ports. It has a population of around 40,000. Ramsgate's main attraction is its coastline and its main...
. She also took part in the Operation Dynamo
Operation Dynamo
The Dunkirk evacuation, commonly known as the Miracle of Dunkirk, code-named Operation Dynamo by the British, was the evacuation of Allied soldiers from the beaches and harbour of Dunkirk, France, between 26 May and the early hours of 3 June 1940, because the British, French and Belgian troops were...
to Dunkirk. The Clifton Castle was also sold to the Crown, whilst the MV Dittisham Castle was sold to the Dartmouth Coaling Company. The Berry Castle and Dartmouth Castle were laid up in Old Mill Creek for the duration of the war, by the end of the War Dartmouth Castle was in such poor condition that she never sailed again, and her remains are still in the creek.
The postwar years
After the war the company was left with only the three paddle steamers and the MV Seymour Castle. The work of rebuilding the fleet commenced with the construction of the MV Dartmouth CastleMV Dartmouth Castle
MV Dartmouth Castle is a passenger ship operating on the River Dart for the Dartmouth Steam Railway and River Boat Company. She is listed on the National Register of Historic Ships -Original Design:...
in 1948, and the MV Berry Castle the following year.
In 1952, following the death of the managing director: John Tolman two years earlier, the company was taken over by Evans & Reid Investment Co Ltd of Cardiff
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
. The new company valued the three motor vessels at a collective £17,311, whilst the three steamers were valued at a scrap value of just £797. Nevertheless the service ran unchanged until 1961, when a controlling interest was bought in the Devon Star Shipping Co Ltd, operators of the MV Torbay Prince from Torquay. This interest was sold three years later.
After the 1962 season the PS Compton Castle was refused a passenger certificate, and was replaced with a new motor vessel: the MV Conway Castle. The following year the PS Totnes Castle also required major work, and was replaced with a sister to the Conway Castle - the MV Cardiff Castle
MV Cardiff Castle
The MV Cardiff Castle is a twin screw passenger vessel, operating on the River Dart in South Devon, UK, mainly on the cruise / ferry route between Dartmouth and Totnes, but also on circular cruises from Dartmouth, for Dart Pleasure Craft Ltd.-History:...
. The final steamer PS Kingswear Castle remained in service until the end of the 1965 season, when she was sold to the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society.
Decline
Despite having a modern fleet of five motor vessels, the company continued to decline in the late 1960s, with various factors including the sinking of the Torrey CanyonTorrey Canyon
The Torrey Canyon was a supertanker capable of carrying a cargo of 120,000 tons of crude oil, which was shipwrecked off the western coast of Cornwall, England in March 1967 causing an environmental disaster...
, poor weather and unemployment contributing to poor seasons. In a diversification, two pilot boats were bought for chartering. MV Berry Castle and MV Seymour Castle were sold after the 1972 season, and the 1974 season was to be the company's last as an operator of pleasure boats. The following year saw the introduction of a new operator on the river: Dart Pleasure Craft, who introduced three motor vessels from the River Thames. The MV Dartmouth Castle was sold in 1975 to Millbrook Steamboat & Trading Co Ltd
Millbrook Steamboat & Trading Co Ltd
The Millbrook Steamboat & Trading Company was a ferry operator on the River Tamar in South Devon. It was started in 1894, and initially operated a fery route from Millbrook in Cornwall to Plymouth. It expanded, and eventually became the largest river boat operator in the Plymouth area, until its...
of Plymouth, who also bought the last RDSC vessel, MV Cardiff Castle in 1977, the MV Conway Castle having been sold earlier in the year.
After the closure of passenger services the company was renamed River Dart Boat and Leisure Co Ltd. It still survives today as part of Evans & Reid Investment Co Ltd, with its activities listed as development and sale of real estate.
The diagram below illustrates the transfer of vessels between the various ferry companies of South Devon during the following years.
The River Dart paddle steamer
PS Berry Castle was the first of a series of paddle steamers specifically designed for River Dart service. They were a maximum length of 108 feet, in order to allow them to swing in the river at Totnes. Each was fitted with a two-cylinder compound engine (PS Bery Castle and the first PS Dartmouth Castle had two-cylinder oscillating engines), located forward of the boiler.Passenger accommodation was located in saloons both forward and aft of the engine room. Open passenger decks were situated above the saloons, with small cockpits at the bow and stern. On the PS Compton Castle and later vessels the deck was widened over long sponsons to the edge of the paddle boxes, and a flying after deck was provided above the aft cockpit. The second PS Dartmouth Castle was later refitted with these features.
The one paddle steamer built to a differing design was the first PS Totnes Castle, which was smaller, and flush-decked, as she was designed mainly for the winter service
Fleet list
| Name | Built | Company Service | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| PS Louisa | 1856 | 1856–1868 | |
| PS Mary | 1852 | 1858–1859 | |
| PS Pilot | 1852 | 1877–1879 | Long distance excursions including Channel Islands |
| PS Newcomin | 1864 | 1877–1884 | |
| PS Eclair | 1865 | 1865–1868 | Long distance excursions including Channel Islands |
| PS Guide | 1869 | 1869–1877 | |
| PS Dolphin | 1869 | 1877–1901 | Double ended Paddle Steamer built for Kingswear Ferry. Sold to GWR 1901 |
| PS Dartmouth | 1856 | 1877–1881 | |
| SS Hauley | 1877 | 1877–1898 | |
| SS Nimble | 1878 | 1879–1910 | |
| PS Berry Castle (I) | 1880 | 1880–1917 | |
| SS Dart | 1883 | 1883–1893 | |
| PS Dartmouth Castle (I) | 1885 | 1885–1907 | |
| PS Totnes Castle (I) | 1894 | 1894–1912 | Winter Boat for Totnes Service |
| PS Kingswear Castle (I) | 1904 | 1904–1924 | |
| PS Dartmouth Castle (II) | 1907 | 1907–1947 | |
| PS Compton Castle | 1914 | 1914–1964 | |
| MV Berry Castle (II) | 1921 | 1922–1947 | |
| MV Dittisham Castle | 1922 | 1922–1947 | Dartmouth–Dittisham Ferry |
| PS Totnes Castle (II) | 1923 | 1923–1964 | |
| PS Kingswear Castle PS Kingswear Castle The PS Kingswear Castle is a steamship. She is a coal-fired river paddle steamer, dating from 1924 with engines from 1904. She now runs summer excursions on the River Medway and the Thames... (II) |
1924 | 1924–1967 | Now operates for the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society on the River Medway River Medway The River Medway, which is almost entirely in Kent, England, flows for from just inside the West Sussex border to the point where it enters the Thames Estuary.... |
| MV Clifton Castle | 1926 | 1926–1942 | |
| MV Greenway Castle | 1937 | 1937–1938? | |
| MV Seymour Castle MV Seymour Castle 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-Design:... |
1938 | 1938–1973 | |
| MV Dartmouth Castle MV Dartmouth Castle MV Dartmouth Castle is a passenger ship operating on the River Dart for the Dartmouth Steam Railway and River Boat Company. She is listed on the National Register of Historic Ships -Original Design:... (III) |
1948 | 1948–1975 | Sold to Millbrook Steamboat & Trading Co Ltd Millbrook Steamboat & Trading Co Ltd The Millbrook Steamboat & Trading Company was a ferry operator on the River Tamar in South Devon. It was started in 1894, and initially operated a fery route from Millbrook in Cornwall to Plymouth. It expanded, and eventually became the largest river boat operator in the Plymouth area, until its... |
| MV Berry Castle | 1948 | 1948–1975 | |
| MV Conway Castle | 1963 | 1963–1977 | |
| MV Cardiff Castle MV Cardiff Castle The MV Cardiff Castle is a twin screw passenger vessel, operating on the River Dart in South Devon, UK, mainly on the cruise / ferry route between Dartmouth and Totnes, but also on circular cruises from Dartmouth, for Dart Pleasure Craft Ltd.-History:... |
1964 | 1964–1977 | Sold to Millbrook Steamboat & Trading Co Ltd |
RDSC vessels today
The PS Compton Castle was used for a succession of ventures after being sold by the RDSC, including periods as cafes in Kingsbridge
Kingsbridge
Kingsbridge is a market town and popular tourist hub in the South Hams district of Devon, England, with a population of about 5,800. It is situated at the northern end of the Kingsbridge Estuary, which is a textbook example of a ria and extends to the sea six miles south of the town.-History:The...
and Truro
Truro
Truro is a city and civil parish in Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. The city is the centre for administration, leisure and retail in Cornwall, with a population recorded in the 2001 census of 17,431. Truro urban statistical area, which includes parts of surrounding parishes, has a 2001 census...
. She is now a floating flower shop at Truro, but bares little resemblance to her original condition. Her engines have fared rather better, having survived in museum condition on the Isle of Wight, at Blackgang Chine
Blackgang Chine
Blackgang Chine is the location of a now-destroyed chine in the soft Cretaceous cliffs about 6 miles from Ventnor at the southern tip of the Isle of Wight just below St Catherine's Down. Since 1843 it has been home to the Blackgang Chine amusement park, run by the Dabell family who also run the...
.
The second PS Kingswear Castle is the best preserved of all of the company's vessels, being owned by the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society, and operating out of Chatham Dockyard
Chatham Dockyard
Chatham Dockyard, located on the River Medway and of which two-thirds is in Gillingham and one third in Chatham, Kent, England, came into existence at the time when, following the Reformation, relations with the Catholic countries of Europe had worsened, leading to a requirement for additional...
on the River Medway
River Medway
The River Medway, which is almost entirely in Kent, England, flows for from just inside the West Sussex border to the point where it enters the Thames Estuary....
in full passenger service.
With the exception of the first MV Berry Castle, all of the larger RDSC motor vessels are still in service. All have had major alterations, with the addition of a deck house saloon of various designs, with the exception of the MV Seymour Castle, which remains in original condition. The MV Cardiff Castle is in service on the River Dart for Dart Pleasure Craft, whilst The MV Dartmouth Castle is laid up at Torquay. The MV Conway Castle is operating on the River Severn
River Severn
The River Severn is the longest river in Great Britain, at about , but the second longest on the British Isles, behind the River Shannon. It rises at an altitude of on Plynlimon, Ceredigion near Llanidloes, Powys, in the Cambrian Mountains of mid Wales...
for Severn Leisure Cruises. The MV Seymour Castle (now named Devon Belle) and the MV Clifton Castle are operating on the Thames, for Thames Rivercruise of Reading
Reading, Berkshire
Reading is a large town and unitary authority area in England. It is located in the Thames Valley at the confluence of the River Thames and River Kennet, and on both the Great Western Main Line railway and the M4 motorway, some west of London....
and Colliers Launches of Richmond respectively. Finally, the MV Berry Castle, renamed MV Lady Wakefield is operating on Ullswater
Ullswater
Ullswater is the second largest lake in the English Lake District, being approximately nine miles long and 0.75 miles wide with a maximum depth of slightly more than ....
in the Lake District for Ullswater 'Steamers'.
Livery
The early steamers had a black hull and cabin sides and a black funnel. On the incorporation of the company in 1906, the funnel colour was changed to yellow, with a black top. Wheelhouses and companionways, where fitted were of varnished wood. Early motor vessels also followed this livery, though none were fitted with funnels. a black hull - none were fitted with a funnel. By the time of the introduction of the MV Dartmouth Castle of 1948, the motor vessels had their hulls and cabin sides painted white.Nomenclature
Early steamers had a variety of names, the two interesting ones being PS Newcomin, named after Thomas NewcomenThomas Newcomen
Thomas Newcomen was an ironmonger by trade and a Baptist lay preacher by calling. He was born in Dartmouth, Devon, England, near a part of the country noted for its tin mines. Flooding was a major problem, limiting the depth at which the mineral could be mined...
, an early steam engine pioneer, and SS Hauley, named after John Hawley, a fourteenth-century privateer
Privateer
A privateer is a private person or ship authorized by a government by letters of marque to attack foreign shipping during wartime. Privateering was a way of mobilizing armed ships and sailors without having to spend public money or commit naval officers...
Most of the vessels built for the company had names ending with 'Castle'. Of these, Dartmouth
Dartmouth Castle
Dartmouth Castle is one of a pair of forts, the other being Kingswear Castle, that guard the mouth of the Dart Estuary in Devon, England .A small fortalice was built in 1388 under the direction of John Hawley...
and Kingswear Castle
Kingswear Castle
Kingswear Castle was built between 1491 and 1502 as a coastal artillery tower for use with heavy cannon. It is located in Devon, England.Owing to the limited range of cannon at the time, the fort at Kingswear was designed to work alongside Dartmouth Castle on the opposite bank, so that between them...
s are the pair of small fortifications which protect the mouth of the River Dart from attack by sea. Totnes Castle
Totnes Castle
Totnes Castle is one of the best preserved examples of a Norman motte and bailey castle in England. It is situated in the town of Totnes on the River Dart in Devon...
is a Norman motte and bailey castle, high above the town of Totnes, whilst Compton Castle
Compton Castle
Compton Castle is a fortified manor house in the village of Compton, about west of Torquay, Devon, England . The castle has been home to the Gilbert family for most of the time since it was built...
is a fortified manor house some 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) to the northeast of the river. Berry Castle refers to Berry Pomeroy Castle
Berry Pomeroy Castle
Berry Pomeroy Castle, a Tudor mansion within the walls of an earlier castle, is near the village of Berry Pomeroy, in South Devon, England. It was built in the late 15th century by the Pomeroy family which had held the land since the 11th century. By 1547 the family was in financial difficulties...
, a ruin some 3.5 kilometres (2.2 mi) to the northeast of the Dart, whilst Greenway Castle
Greenway Estate
Greenway is an estate on the River Dart near Galmpton in Devon, England. It was first mentioned in 1493 as "Greynway", the crossing point of the Dart to Dittisham. In the late 16th century a Tudor mansion called Greenway Court was built by the Gilbert family. Greenway was the birthplace of Humphrey...
is a house at Greenway, home to the Gilbert
Humphrey Gilbert
Sir Humphrey Gilbert of Devon in England was a half-brother of Sir Walter Raleigh. Adventurer, explorer, member of parliament, and soldier, he served during the reign of Queen Elizabeth and was a pioneer of English colonization in North America and the Plantations of Ireland.-Early life:Gilbert...
family, and later to Agatha Christie
Agatha Christie
Dame Agatha Christie DBE was a British crime writer of novels, short stories, and plays. She also wrote romances under the name Mary Westmacott, but she is best remembered for her 66 detective novels and 14 short story collections , and her successful West End plays.According to...
.
The other castles are somewhat more esoteric. There is no such place as Seymour Castle, but the Seymour family owned both Totnes and Berry Pomeroy castles. Clifton is an ancient part of the town of Dartmouth, so Clifton Castle may refer to Dartmouth Castle, or to Bayard's Cove Fort
Bayard's Cove Fort
Bayard's Cover Fort is a small early Tudor artillery fort, built to defend the harbour entrance at Dartmouth, Devon, England.The tower was a third means of defence for the port, providing additional fire to protect the port should any enemy ships have broken past Dartmouth Castle and Kingswear...
, a small fortification nearer the town centre, designed to be a second line of defence for the town. There is no Dittisham Castle, this name simply indicated the vessels normal destination.
The final two vessels of the company broke with tradition, and were named after Cardiff Castle
Cardiff Castle
Cardiff Castle is a medieval castle and Victorian architecture Gothic revival mansion, transformed from a Norman keep erected over a Roman fort in the Castle Quarter of Cardiff, the capital of Wales. The Castle is a Grade I Listed Building.-The Roman fort:...
and Conway Castle
Conwy Castle
Conwy Castle is a castle in Conwy, on the north coast of Wales.It was built between 1283 and 1289 during King Edward I's second campaign in North Wales....
, both large castles in Wales, reflecting the company's Welsh ownership.