Paddle Steamer Resources by
Tramscape
Historical
Database
Morecambe
Bay
Morecambe Bay, in the north west of
England lies just to the south of the Lake District, England's most
spectacular scenic area, and a long-established National Park.
Despite it's proximity to such a popular tourist area, there has
never been any substantial local pleasure steamer service, although
the local Furness Railway Company did provide paddle steamer services
between Barrow and Fleetwood, and links were provided to the large
seaside resort of Blackpool, from where local operatrors also sent
ships into the Bay.
Barrow, but more importantly, Morecambe and Fleetwood were departure
points for longer sea crossings to the Isle of Man and to Northern
Ireland, served by steamship subsidiaries of the various railway
companies with railheads at the coast.
The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company became the only operator to the
island capital, Douglas, after the grouping and ultimate unification
of Britain's railways and having come under state-controlled Railway
ownership itself. Following the privatisation of the railways, the
Company retains it's position on the route out of it's mainland base
at Heysham. Modern car ferries now run in succession to paddlers and
turbine steamers. The IoM SP Co's Mona's Queen of 1885 was the last
paddler in service when withdrawn after the 1929 season
Furness Railway
Company
Lady Evelyn
(1900-1918)
Lady Margaret (1903-1908)
Philomel (1907-1913)
Lady Moyra (1910 -
sold after World War I)
The Furness Railway Company also operated the paddle tug
PS Walney which was used for passenger
transportation.
Morecambe Steamboat Company
(1872-1908)
SS Morecambe Queen (1872-1908)
PS Roses (1876-)
PS Sunbeam (1885-1908)
SS Britannia (1888-)
PS Express (1892-)
Lancashire & Yorkshire Rly / London & North
Western Rly
Also operated out of
Blackpool
PS Lune (1892-1913)
S Cordingley / W.A and P
Cordingley
PS Isle of Bute
(1912-1913)
SS Robina
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