Paddle Steamer Resources by Tramscape
 The Internet's largest database of mainly European Paddle Steamers past and present

IMPORTANT : You are viewing the old version of the Paddle Steamer Resources website WHICH IS NO LONGER BEING UPDATED and will not include the latest information and photographs. Please do not use the links below which are now not activated, but go straight to the new, regularly updated version of the website by clicking on the link in red immediately below. Please also change any bookmarks you may have.

To go to the new website homepage, please click here

PS Britannia

Britannia in an official photograph obtained from P & A Campbell Ltd by Nigel Lawrence who kindly allowed its use on this web page
She is seen in her two-funneled condition on the South Coast, most likely in 1948 or 1949

Launched on 14th May 1896 by S McKnight at Ayr
Engines : Compound diagonal 37 and 67 in x 66 in by Hutson
Dimensions : 230 ft x 26.6 ft
459 Gross Registered Tonnes

Placed on the Bristol - Ilfracombe run, on which she spent most of her career
Served on the Clyde as HMS Briton during World War I
Reboilered in 1921 and emerged from her re-fit with ports in place of the main deck windows
Reboilered in 1935 with a larger funnel fitted. A deckhouse was also added
Requisitioned for World War II service as HMS Skiddaw, stationed on the Tyne and assisting at the Normandy landings.
Missed the 1947 season with boiler trouble
Reemerged in 1948 with two funnels serving a double-ended boiler. The deckhouse was also removed
Spent 1948 and 1949 stationed at Brighton. From 1950 to 1956 she was mainly at Swansea.
Made her last voyage on 26th September 1956, going later in that year to breakers at Newport
Return to:
P and A Campbell
P and A Campbell - Sussex Operations
British Paddle Steamer Index