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Dart Pleasure Craft: 1975-1999
River Link: 1999-2010


Dartmouth Steam Railway & River Boat Company: 2010-
Dartmouth Riverboats: 2010-


The River Dart Steamboat Company ceased services at the end of the the 1974 season, and Dart Pleasure Craft replaced them as the premier River Dart operator. In 1980, Dart Pleasure Craft purchased the Millbrook Steamboat & Trading Company at Plymouth, effectively giving them a monopoly in both areas. Aggressive new competition led to their abandonment of the Plymouth area in 1985, and Dart Pleasure Craft concentrated solely on their River Dart operations.

In 1999 Dart Pleasure Craft was acquired by the Dart Valley Railway, a steam railway running from Kingswear to Paignton. Later in the same year they also purchased the rival Red Cruisers fleet of G.H.Ridalls, retaining two of their vessels. The combined fleet was then marketed as River Link.

In 2010, the combined rail, river and bus operations were merged to form the Dartmouth Steam Railway and River Boat Company. Also in 2010, company re-acquired the Dartmouth Castle (3) and also marketed the Kingsbridge-Salcombe Ferry and their vessel Rivermaid. The boats were then marketed as Dartmouth Riverboats.

Vessels in the 2010 colours are shown on a new page:- Dartmouth Riverboats


To sail on these boats, now marketed as Dartmouth Riverboats, please see:- www.dartmouthrailriver.co.uk






A Brief History of Dart Pleasure Craft:-
The Dart Pleasure Craft fleet began with the purchase of three ex-Thames boats, all Dunkirk veterans, the My Queen, Queen Boadicea and Queen Boadicea II. In 1975, Plymouth's Millbrook Steamboat & Trading Company bought the large Dartmouth Castle (3) from the ailing River Dart Steamboat Company. She returned to the Dart when they sold her to Dart Pleasure Craft the following year. From 1st January 1977, Dart Pleasure Craft operated the Dartmouth-Kingswear ferry, using Queen Boadicea and Queen Boadicea II. This ferry had been run by the Great Western Railway from 1901 until 1947, and then British Railways from 1948 until 1972, when the railway to Kingswear closed (since reopened as a preserved steam railway). The local council took over the operation until passing it to Dart Pleasure Craft.
 
1977 fleet of Dart Pleasure Craft:- Dartmouth Castle (3), My Queen, Queen Boadicea, Queen Boadicea II and Totnes Castle (3)
 
In 1977, the Millbrook SB Co bought the laid up Cardiff Castle from the River Dart Steamboat Company. In 1980, the Millbrook Steamboat & Trading Company was sold to Dart Pleasure Craft who then ran both Dart and Plymouth services, and Cardiff Castle returned to the Dart in 1985. The Dart and Millbrook fleets were initially run a separate entities, although vessel exchanges were common. In 1978 the ex-British Railways Dartmouth-Kingswear ferry Adrian Gilbert was bought and returned to her original route.
 
1981 fleet of Dart Pleasure Craft:- Adrian Gilbert, Dartmouth Castle (3), My Queen, Queen Boadicea, Queen Boadicea II and Totnes Castle (3) on the Dart, and with Cardiff Castle, Eastern Belle, Edgcumbe Belle, Northern Belle, Plymouth Belle, Southern Belle and Western Belle from the Millbrook fleet at Plymouth.
 
The Queen Boadicea was replaced on the ferry by the Adrian Gilbert, and moved to Plymouth with the Dartmouth Castle (3), whilst Southern Belle and Western Belle moved to the Dart.
 
Former Millbrook SB Co director Sidney Mashford designed and built the boat Plymouth Venturer for new rival Plymouth Boat Cruises, who initiated a fares war with Dart Pleasure Craft in the Plymouth area. Plymouth Venturer entered service in 1982, a year after Plymouth Boat Cruises was formed with the Plymouth Princess. Plymouth Venturer was later sold to Dart Pleasure Craft in 2002 as Dart Venturer.
 
Dart Pleasure Craft pulled out of Plymouth area services in 1985, concentrating on their Dart services. Dart Pleasure Craft retained Adrian Gilbert, Western Belle, Cardiff Castle, Plymouth Belle, Edgcumbe Belle and Dartmouth Castle (3). Southern Belle and Eastern Belle went to rivals Plymouth Boat Cruises, whilst Northern Belle and Queen Boadicea II and the Cremyll service went to Tamar Cruising & Cremyll Ferry Co (TC&CF), owned by John Knight, a former Cremyll Ferry skipper. My Queen and Eastern Belle moved to Dart operator G.H.Ridalls & Sons, and Totnes Castle (3) moved to former rivals Plymouth Boat Cruises. In 1989, the Kingswear Belle was acquired from Guernsey for the Dartmouth-Kingswear ferry service.
 
1991-1996 fleet of Dart Pleasure Craft:- Adrian Gilbert, Cardiff Castle, Dartmouth Castle (3), Devonair Belle, Edgcumbe Belle, Kingswear Belle, Plymouth Belle and Western Belle.
 
The impressive new catamaran Devonair Belle was delivered in 1991. The fleet remained he same until 1996 when the Adrian Gilbert was disposed of.
 
1997-1999 fleet of Dart Pleasure Craft:- Cardiff Castle, Dartmouth Castle (3), Devonair Belle, Edgcumbe Belle, Kingswear Belle, Plymouth Belle and Western Belle.
 
In 1999, the company was acquired by The Dart Valley Railway Company. For the 2000 season, the business of G.H.Ridalls was acquired, along with the Dartmouth Princess and the Dittisham Princess. The Western Belle and Plymouth Belle were disposed of. The company was then marketed as River Link.  For the 2001 season the Devonair Belle was renamed Dart Explorer. The Plymouth Venturer of Plymouth Boat Cruises was acquired in 2002, and renamed Dart Venturer. They also bought the Baltic Star which had been operating out of Totnes on charters for Dart River Cruises. Baltic Star had previously been the New Forester of the Hythe-Southampton ferry.
 
2002-2005 fleet of Dart Pleasure Craft:- Baltic Star, Cardiff Castle, Dart Explorer, Dart Venturer, Dartmouth Princess, Dittisham Princess, Edgcumbe Belle and Kingswear Belle. In January 2006, Baltic Star was sold to Capital Pleasure Boats on the Thames, and renamed Golden Star.
 
2007 fleet of Dart Pleasure Craft (links are to 2007 images):- Cruise boats:- Cardiff Castle, Dart Explorer, Dartmouth Princess, Dart Venturer and Dittisham Princess. Ferries:- Edgcumbe Belle and Kingswear Belle
 
In 2010, the combined rail, river and bus operations were merged to form the Dartmouth Steam Railway and River Boat Company. Also in 2010, company re-acquired the Dartmouth Castle (3) and also the Kingsbridge-Salcombe Ferry and their vessel Rivermaid. The boats are now marketed as Dartmouth Riverboats.
 
 
Contacts:-
Web: www.dartmouthrailriver.co.uk - official website
Tel: 01803 834488
 
Boats on this Page:-
Adrian Gilbert (1978-1996)
Baltic Star (2002-2006)
Cardiff Castle
Dart Explorer (2001- ) - ex-Devonair Belle
Dart Venturer (2002- ) - ex-Plymouth Venturer
Dartmouth Castle (3) (1976-1996, 2010- )
Dartmouth Princess (2000- )
Devonair Belle (1991-2001) - later Dart Explorer
Dittisham Princess (2000- )
Eastern Belle (1980-1985)
Edgcumbe Belle (1980- )
Kingswear Belle (1989- )
Northern Belle (1980-1985)
Plymouth Belle (1980-2001)
My Queen (1977-1985)
Queen Boadicea (1976-1982)
Queen Boadicea II (1976-1985)
Southern Belle (1980-1985)
Totnes Castle (3) (1977- )
Western Belle (1980-2001)
 
Devon Pages:-
Devon Excursion Ships - Devon Header Page
Brixham Belle Cruises (Carol & Peter Scott)
Dartmouth Riverboats  - ex-Dart Pleasure Craft/River Link from 2010
Dartmouth Lower Ferry
Dartmouth Higher Ferry
Devon Railway Ferries & Tenders
Devon SS Co
Millbrook SB & Trading Company - sold to Dart Pleasure Craft in 1980
Plymouth Boat Cruises
Plymouth Boat Trips
River Dart SB Co
G.H.Ridalls & Sons
Tamar Cruising & Cremyll Ferry Co
 
Associated Pages:-
Ferry Postcards
Cruise Ship Postcards
Ocean Liner Postcards
Simplon Postcards Home Page
 
Search This Website:-

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References:-
Estuary & River Ferries of South West England - Martin Langley & Edwina Small - Waine Research (1984)
Passenger Steamers of the River Tamar - Alan Kittridge - Twelveheads Press 1984
Passenger Steamers of the River Dart - Richard Clammer & Alan Kittridge - Twelveheads Press 1987
South Devon Ferries - Alan Kittridge - Tempus (2003)
Steamers & Ferries of the River Tamar & Three Towns District - Alan Kittridge - Twelveheads Press 2003
Trip Out Guides - Written and published by G.P.Hamer - various editions from 1977 to 2007 consulted
Thanks to John Hendy and Graham Thorne for assistance with this page
 
 
 
 
Table of Ship Histories
Name
Other names
 Built
 Dartmouth Castle (3)  
 1948
 Southern Belle  Shuttlecock
 1925
 Western Belle  
 1935







Dart Pleasure Craft: 1975-1999
River Link: 1999-2010


Dartmouth Steam Railway & River Boat Company: 2010-
Dartmouth Riverboats: 2010-



Queen Boadicea
(Built: 1929 - Dart Pleasure Craft: 1976-1984)
 
Queen Boadicea was built in 1929, and worked on the Thames for Mrs C.M.Smith from 1929-1941, and then for Jacksons of Hammersmith from 1942-1959, and Thames Pleasure Craft from 1960. She attended the Dunkirk evacuation. Queen Boadicea was bought by Dart Pleasure Craft for use on the Dartmouth-Kingswear ferry, which the company ran from 1st January 1977. Queen Boadicea was withdrawn from the ferry and moved to Plymouth in 1982 and was scrapped in 1984.


Queen Boadicea nearing Hampton Court on the River Thames c.1950
Photo: © David Lord
Click to open larger image in new window



Postcard of Queen Boadicea in Thames service at Westminster Pier.
Vessels behind are probably Skylark X, Minden Rose and Oat.






  • Queen Boadicea II
    (Built: 1936 - Dart Pleasure Craft: 1976-1985)
     
    Queen Boadicea II was built in 1936 by Thornycrofts. She worked on the Thames for Mrs C.M.Smith from 1936-1938, and then for George Wheeler Launches from 1938-1976, and attended the Dunkirk evacuation. Queen Boadicea II was bought by Dart Pleasure Craft for use on the Dartmouth-Kingswear ferry, which the company ran from 1st January 1977. She was sold to the Tamar Cruising & Cremyll Ferry Co (TC&CF), when Dart Pleasure Craft pulled out of Plymouth operations in 1985. She passed to the National Waterways Museum in Gloucester before 1993.


    Postcard of Queen Boadicea II in service with Tamar Cruising.



    Postcard of Queen Boadicea II in service in Gloucester.






    Dartmouth Castle (3)
    (Built: 1948 - Dart Pleasure Craft: 1976-1996, 2010- )
     
    The paddle steamer Dartmouth Castle (2) of the River Dart Steamboat Company was laid up during the war, and was sold in 1947, being replaced by the motor vessel Dartmouth Castle (3) in 1948. She was followed by the similar Berry Castle (3) the following year, both from Philip of Dartmouth. In 1975, the Millbrook Steamboat & Trading Company bought the large Dartmouth Castle (3) from the ailing River Dart SB Co. Millbrook sold her back to Dart Pleasure Craft the following year, who effectively succeeded the River Dart SB Co on River Dart services. Dartmouth Castle (3) was replaced in the Millbrook Steamboat & Trading Company fleet by the Cardiff Castle, also from the River Dart SB Co. In 1980, the directors of the Millbrook Steamboat & Trading Company (Derek Crawford, Les Worth and Sidney Mashford) sold their shares to Dart Pleasure Craft who then ran both Dart and Plymouth services.
     
    In 2007, Mike Barrow of Devon Princess Cruises ran the Dartmouth Castle on cruises from Exmouth and Torbay. Dartmouth Castle was re-acquired by the Dartmouth company in 2010.
     
    More images of Dartmouth Castle


    River Dart Steamboat Company official postcard of Dartmouth Castle (3).



    River Dart Steamboat Company official postcard of Dartmouth Castle (3).



    Dartmouth Castle on the River Dart, on a Totnes-Dartmouth trip.
    Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1997.



    Dartmouth Castle on the River Dart, on a Totnes-Dartmouth trip.
    Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1997.



    Dartmouth Castle on the River Dart, on a Totnes-Dartmouth trip.
    Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1997.



    Dartmouth Castle on the River Dart, on a Totnes-Dartmouth trip.
    Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1997.



    Dartmouth Castle on the River Dart.
    Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1997.



    Dartmouth Castle on the River Dart.
    Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1997.



    Dartmouth Castle on the slip
    Click to open larger image in new window






    Totnes Castle (3)
    (Built: 1949 - Dart Pleasure Craft: 1977-1985)
     
    Totnes Castle (3) was built as the Berry Castle (3) in 1949. The first post-war delivery to the River Dart Steamboat Company had been the motor vessel Dartmouth Castle (3) in 1948, replacing the paddle steamer Dartmouth Castle (2). She was followed by the similar Berry Castle (3) the following year, both from Philip of Dartmouth. RDSBCo revenues were declining in the late 1960s, and in 1972, Berry Castle (3) and Seymour Castle were sold, although both eventually returned to the Diver Dart. After periods at Fareham and Rochester (as Golden Cormorant), Berry Castle (3) returned to the Dart in 1977 as the Totnes Castle (3) for Dart Pleasure Craft. She was sold to Plymouth Boat Cruises in 1985. She is now on Ullswater as Lady Wakefield.


    Berry Castle (3) in River Dart SB Co service.



    N.P.O.Dexter postcard B7113-57368C of Berry Castle (3) in River Dart SB Co service.



    Dennis postcard T.0601 of Seymour Castle (3) and Berry Castle (3) (right) at Totnes
    Click to open larger image in new window



    Plastichrome postcard P37821 of Berry Castle (3) at Totnes
    Click to open larger image in new window



    Postcard showing Totnes Castle (3) (on the right) when serving with Plymouth Boat Cruises
    (Southern Belle and Plymouth Venturer on the left)






    My Queen
    (Dart Pleasure Craft: 1977?-1986 - built 1929)
     
    My Queen was built in 1929 and was a Dunkirk veteran. Between 1962-1970 she served with George Wheeler Launches on the Thames. In 1975 she passed to W.Jackson, also on the Thames. My Queen was bought by Dart Pleasure Craft in the late 1970s after a spell in Plymouth with R.J.Elworthy, and was given a covered cabin in 1982. She was used to take President Mitterand of France on a tour of Dartmouth Harbour in 1984, the 40th Anniversary of D-Day. In 1987 she was in service with G.H.Ridalls & Sons, remaining with them until 2000 when the company was bought by Dart Pleasure Craft, although the acquisition did not include My Queen. After a period of disuse, she re-entered service with B.R.J.Rackley, who operate the Exmouth-Starcross ferry and local excursions. She remained with successors J.& M.Rackley (Exe to Sea Cruises) in 2007, by which time My Queen was 76 years old.


    My Queen in Ridalls colours on the River Dart, seen from Dartmouth Castle.
    Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1997.



    My Queen in Ridalls colours on the River Dart.
    Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1997.



    My Queen in Ridalls colours on the River Dart.
    Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1997.



    My Queen at Totnes on the River Dart.
    Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1997.






    Cardiff Castle
    (Dart Pleasure Craft: 1977- )
     
    The River Dart SB Co paddler Totnes Castle (2) required major expenditure in 1964. This expense was rejected and she was replaced by the new Cardiff Castle, a sister to Conway Castle. When River Dart SB Co services ceased at the end of 1974, Cardiff Castle was initially laid up. In 1977 she was sold to replace the Dartmouth Castle (3) in the Millbrook Steamboat & Trading Company fleet and moved to Plymouth. In 1980, Dart Pleasure Craft took over the Millbrook Steamboat & Trading Company, and Cardiff Castle later moved back to Dartmouth.
     
     
    Cardiff Castle in Dart Pleasure Craft service, with large saloon.



    Cardiff Castle in Dart Pleasure Craft service
    Photo: © John Hendy 2007
    Click to open larger image in new window






    Adrian Gilbert
    (Built: 1957 - Dart Pleasure Craft: 1978-1996)
     
    Adrian Gilbert and Humphrey Gilbert were built for British Railways (BR) in 1957 for the Dartmouth-Kingswear ferry service. The service and the two sisters passed into local authority ownership in 1972, when BR closed the Kingswear branch beyond Goodrington. Both boats were sold in 1976 for use on the St Mawes ferry in Cornwall. There is some doubt about whether either or both vessels even made it to Falmouth, but they were deemed unsuitable and were bought back by BR for use on the Tilbury-Gravesend ferry. They again proved unsuitable for this route, but were re-engined and offered for sale. Adrian Gilbert was sold to Dart Pleasure Craft, who had taken over the Dart ferry from the local authority on 1st January 1977. In 1985, she was re-joined by her sister Humphrey Gilbert, now the Edgcumbe Belle. Adrian Gilbert was sold in 1996, joining G.H. & W.G.Pill of Falmouth, apparently proving more successful on the St Mawes ferry second time around. Adrian Gilbert passed to Cornwall Ferries along with the St Mawes ferry route in 2003, and then to K & S Cruises as the Pride of Falmouth in 2006.


    Photo of Adrian Gilbert in BR service
    Click to open larger image in new window






    Western Belle
    (Dart Pleasure Craft: 1980-2000)
     
    The Whitsand Castle (ex-Kenwith Castle) was replaced in the Millbrook Steamboat & Trading Company fleet by the new Western Belle in 1935. Western Belle was primarily used on the ferry in her early years, though mainly ran the Dockyard trips in later, along with Devon Belle and Eastern Belle. Western Belle was built by Fellows of Great Yarmouth. Western Belle passed to Dart Pleasure Craft in 1980, and was transferred to the Dartmouth-Kingswear ferry. She was sold in 2000, appearing on the Thames for Chris Cruises of Hampton Court in 2005. Western Belle was sold again in 2008, and travelled to Maryport for restoration. It is planned that she will eventually operate on Ullswater.
     
    Complete history of Western Belle


    Official Millbrook Steamboat & Trading Company postcard of Western Belle.
    Original saloon windows and funnel.



    Official Millbrook Steam Boat & Trading Company postcard of Western Belle.
    Later saloon windows and funnel.
    Click to open larger image in new window



    Official Millbrook Steamboat & Trading Company postcard of Western Belle.
    Later saloon windows and funnel.



    Postcard of Western Belle on the River Dart.
    Saloon windows further modified.



    Western Belle on the River Dart.
    Photo: © Graham Thorne, September 1990
    Click to open larger image in new window



    Western Belle on the River Dart, working the Dartmouth-Kingswear ferry.
    Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1997.



    Western Belle on the River Dart, working the Dartmouth-Kingswear ferry.
    Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1997.



    Western Belle on the River Dart at Kingswear, working the Dartmouth-Kingswear ferry.
    Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1997.



    Western Belle on the River Dart, working the Dartmouth-Kingswear ferry.
    Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1997.



    Western Belle on the River Dart, working the Dartmouth-Kingswear ferry.
    Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1997.






    Southern Belle
    (Dart Pleasure Craft: 1980-1985)
     
    After the Second War, the Millbrook Steamboat & Trading Company received new investment when new directors Sidney Mashford (of Mashford's Shipyard) and William Crawford joined the directors. The Cremyll ferries at this time were the Armadillo and Shuttlecock, both steam powered. They were dieselised by the Millbrook Steamboat & Trading Company in 1946/7 and 1945 respectively. Mashford's rebuilt the Shuttlecock as the Southern Belle in 1945/46, and the Armadillo became the Northern Belle. Southern Belle was used on the Dockyard trips after the war, and passed to Dart Pleasure Craft in 1980. When they ceased their Plymouth services in 1985, Southern Belle was acquired by Plymouth Boat Cruises. In 2006 Southern Belle began service on the Norfolk Broads from Great Yarmouth with the Yarmouth & Gorleston SP Co.
     
    Complete history of Southern Belle


    Millbrook Steamboat & Trading Company postcard of Southern Belle.



    Millbrook Steamboat & Trading Company postcard of Southern Belle.
    Click to open larger image in new window



    Southern Belle in later Millbrook Steamboat & Trading Company service
    Mashford's yard in the background is where she was built when it was Rogers.
    Totnes Castle (3) can also be seen in the background - Photo: © Luke Farley
    Click to open larger image in new window



    Southern Belle in later Millbrook Steamboat & Trading Company service
    Photo: © Luke Farley



    Postcard of Southern Belle, with Plymouth Venturer of rival Plymouth Boat Cruises, who acquired Southern Belle in 1985.



    Postcard of Southern Belle, with Plymouth Venturer of Plymouth Boat Cruises behind the pier and Totnes Castle (3) on the right.






    Northern Belle
    (Dart Pleasure Craft: 1980-1985)
     
    The Cremyll ferry had been operated by the Earls of mount Edgcumbe. When the line of descent ceased with the death of the fifth Earl in 1944, the ferry passed to the Millbrook Steamboat & Trading Company (who been operating it for year anyway). After the Second War, the Millbrook Steamboat & Trading Company received new investment when new directors Sidney Mashford (of Mashford's Shipyard) and William Crawford joined the directors. The Cremyll ferries at this time were the Armadillo and Shuttlecock, both steam powered. They were dieselised by the Millbrook Steamboat & Trading Company in 1946/7 and 1945 respectively. Mashford's rebuilt the Shuttlecock as the Southern Belle in 1945/46, and the Armadillo became the Northern Belle. In 1985, Northern Belle and Queen Boadicea II and the Cremyll service went to Tamar Cruising & Cremyll Ferry Co (TC&CF), owned by John Knight, a former Cremyll Ferry skipper.


    Postcard of Northern Belle.
    Unlike her sister Southern Belle, Northern Belle was not given an upper passenger deck.






    Eastern Belle
    (Dart Pleasure Craft: 1980-1985)
     
    In May 1957, the May Queen was bought by the Millbrook Steamboat & Trading Company and renamed Eastern Belle. She passed to Dart Pleasure Craft in 1980, and then to Plymouth Boat Cruises in 1985 when Dart Pleasure Craft pulled out of Plymouth services. Plymouth Boat Cruises soon sold the Eastern Belle to G H Ridalls & Sons at Dartmouth. She became their Totnes Princess and remained on the Dart until 1999. Since 2001 she has run in the Isle of Man for Captain Stephen Carter's Laxey Towing Company bearing the traditional Manx name Karina.


    Postcard of Eastern Belle.





    Plymouth Belle
    (Dart Pleasure Craft: 1980-2002)
     
    Mashford's built the new motor vessel Plymouth Belle for the Millbrook Steamboat & Trading Company in 1961. She passed to Dart Pleasure Craft in 1980, and was later transferred to the River Dart. The tradition of vessel exchanges between Plymouth and Dartmouth was revived at the end of the 2002 season. Plymouth Venturer of Plymouth Boat Cruises was sold to Dart Pleasure Craft, becoming their Dart Venturer with former Millbrook vessel, Plymouth Belle [1960], moving in the opposite direction to Plymouth Boat Cruises. In 2005 she passed to Sound Cruising.


    Plymouth Belle at Plymouth.
    Click to open larger image in new window



    Plymouth Belle on the River Dart.
    Photo: © Graham Thorne, September 1990
    Click to open larger image in new window



    Plymouth Belle on the River Dart.
    Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1997.



    Plymouth Belle leaving Phoenix Wharf, Plymouth, in Sound Cruising ownership.
    Photo: © Graham Thorne.






    Edgcumbe Belle
    (Dart Pleasure Craft: 1980- )
     
    Edgcumbe Belle was built as the Humphrey Gilbert. Humphrey Gilbert and Adrian Gilbert were built for British Railways (BR) in 1957 for the Dartmouth-Kingswear ferry service. The service and the two sisters passed into local authority ownership in 1972, when BR closed the Kingswear branch beyond Goodrington. Both boats were sold in 1976 for use on the St Mawes ferry in Cornwall, but proved unsuitable and were bought back by BR for use on the Tilbury-Gravesend ferry. They again proved unsuitable for this route, but were re-engined and offered for sale. Humphrey Gilbert was laid up at Newhaven, then bought by Meridian Line Cruises of Greenwich in 1978. She was not used by them, and was sold again to the Millbrook Steamboat & Trading Company in 1979 for use on the Drake's Island ferry as the Edgcumbe Belle. The following year, the Millbrook Steamboat & Trading Company was bought by Dart Free Houses, the owners of Dart Pleasure Craft. Edgcumbe Belle remained at Plymouth until 1985, when Dart Pleasure Craft withdrew from the area. She was moved to the Dart, officially joining the Dart Pleasure Craft fleet, and re-joining her sister Adrian Gilbert on the Dart ferry, and remained on the ferry service in 2004.


    Postcard of the Humphrey Gilbert in British Railways service.



    Edgcumbe Belle on the River Dart, working the Dartmouth-Kingswear ferry.
    Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1997.



    Edgcumbe Belle on the River Dart, working the Dartmouth-Kingswear ferry.
    Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1997.



    Edgcumbe Belle on the River Dart, working the Dartmouth-Kingswear ferry.
    Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1997.



    Edgcumbe Belle on the River Dart, working the Dartmouth-Kingswear ferry.
    Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1997.



    Edgcumbe Belle at Kingswear.
    Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1997.



    Edgcumbe Belle at Kingswear.
    Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1997.



    Edgcumbe Belle on the River Dart, working the Dartmouth-Kingswear ferry.
    Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1997.



    Edgcumbe Belle on the River Dart, working the Dartmouth-Kingswear ferry.
    Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1997.



    Edgcumbe Belle on the River Dart, working the Dartmouth-Kingswear ferry.
    Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1997.



    Edgcumbe Belle on the River Dart, working the Dartmouth-Kingswear ferry.
    Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1997.



    Edgcumbe Belle on the River Dart, working the Dartmouth-Kingswear ferry.
    Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1997.



    Edgcumbe Belle on the River Dart, with Devonair Belle passing.
    Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1997.



    Edgcumbe Belle on the River Dart, working the Dartmouth-Kingswear ferry.
    Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1997.



    Edgcumbe Belle on the River Dart, working the Dartmouth-Kingswear ferry.
    Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1997.



    Edgcumbe Belle at Dartmouth
    Photo: © John Hendy 2007
    Click to open larger image in new window






    Kingswear Belle
    (Dart Pleasure Craft: 1989- )
     
    Kingswear Belle was built in 1972, and was previously the Herm Trident II (Guernsey) before being bought by Dart Pleasure Craft. She had a major fire in 2006 and returned to service after a rebuild in 2007. The pictures below show how her appearance has changed somewhat below the wheelhouse. However she soon fell foul of an MCA inspection and it was deemed uneconomic to repair her.


    Kingswear Belle at Dartmouth.
    Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1997.



    Kingswear Belle on the Dartmouth-Kingswear ferry
    Note modified saloon appearance after rebuild winter 2006/2007
    Photo: © John Hendy 2007
    Click to open larger image in new window






    Devonair Belle (1991-2001)
    Dart Explorer (2001- )
    (Dart Pleasure Craft: 1991- )


    Postcard of Devonair Belle on the River Dart.



    Devonair Belle on the River Dart.
    Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1997.



    Devonair Belle on the River Dart.
    Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1997.



    Devonair Belle on the River Dart.
    Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1997.



    Devonair Belle on the River Dart.
    Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1997.



    Devonair Belle on the River Dart.
    Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1997.



    Devonair Belle on the River Dart.
    Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1997.



    Devonair Belle on the River Dart.
    Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1997.



    Devonair Belle on the River Dart.
    Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1997.



    Devonair Belle on the River Dart.
    Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1997.



    Devonair Belle on the River Dart, seen from Dartmouth Castle.
    Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1997.



    Devonair Belle on the River Dart, seen from Dartmouth Castle.
    Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1997.



    Devonair Belle on the River Dart, seen from Dartmouth Castle.
    Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1997.



    Dart Explorer ex-Devonair Belle on the River Dart
    Photo: © John Hendy 2007
    Click to open larger image in new window






    Dartmouth Princess
    (Dart Pleasure Craft: 2000- )
     
    Dartmouth Princess was originally the Devon Belle II of K.J.Bridge from new in 1990. She was acquired by G.H.Ridalls in 1995, and passed to Dart Pleasure Craft in 2000.



    Dartmouth Princess in Ridalls Boats colours.
    Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1997.



    Dartmouth Princess in Ridalls Boats colours.
    Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1997.



    Dartmouth Princess (left) and Dittisham Princess on the River Dart, in Ridalls Boats colours.
    Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1997.



    Dartmouth Princess in Dart Pleasure Craft service
    Photo: © John Hendy 2007
    Click to open larger image in new window






    Dittisham Princess
    (Dart Pleasure Craft: 2000- )


    Dittisham Princess was new to G.H.Ridalls in 1995, and passed to Dart Pleasure Craft in 2000.

    Dittisham Princess on the River Dart in Ridalls Boats colours.
    Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1997.



    Dittisham Princess on the River Dart in Ridalls Boats colours.
    Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1997.



    Dittisham Princess on the River Dart in Ridalls Boats colours.
    Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1997.



    Dittisham Princess on the River Dart in Ridalls Boats colours.
    Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1997.



    Dittisham Princess in Dart Pleasure Craft service
    Photo: © John Hendy 2007
    Click to open larger image in new window






    Baltic Star
    (Dart Pleasure Craft: 2002-2006)
     
    Baltic Star was built as the New Forester for the Hythe-Southampton ferry in 1982. She went from Hythe to the River Dart, and entered service there in 1999. She was owned by people at Baltic Wharf, Totnes, trading as Dart River Cruises, renamed Baltic Star, and was fitted out for charters. In 2002, she was taken over by Dart Pleasure Craft, and repainted in their colours with a blue hull and based at Dartmouth, but still used for charters. In January 2006, Baltic Star was sold to Capital Pleasure Boats on the Thames, and renamed Golden Star.


    Baltic Star after transfer to the Thames for Capital Pleasure Boats.
    Photo: © Scott Neicho






    Dart Venturer (2002- )
    (Built: 1982 - Dart Pleasure Craft: 2002-2006)
     
    Former Millbrook SB Co director Sidney Mashford designed and built the boat Plymouth Venturer for new rival Plymouth Boat Cruises, who initiated a fares war with Dart Pleasure Craft in the Plymouth area. Plymouth Venturer entered service in 1982, a year after Plymouth Boat Cruises was formed with the Plymouth Princess. Plymouth Venturer was later sold to Dart Pleasure Craft in 2002 as Dart Venturer.



    Postcard of Southern Belle, with Plymouth Venturer of rival Plymouth Boat Cruises, who acquired Southern Belle in 1985.



    Postcard of Southern Belle, with Plymouth Venturer of rival Plymouth Boat Cruises behind the pier.



    Dart Venturer at Dartmouth
    Photo: © John Hendy 2007
    Click to open larger image in new window






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