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Side-Wheeled Paddle Steamers
South
Coast of England : P & A Campbell - Southampton
Operations
Having established
themselves on the Bristol Channel after their move from Scotland in
1888, the Campbell brothers Peter and Alec sent their paddle steamer
PS Waverley on charter to the south coast to provide cruises to the
Naval Review of 1889. For the Review of 1897, three vessels were
assigned to the Solent - PS Westward Ho and PS Cambria going to
Southampton, PS Britannia to Bournemouth, beginning a tradition of
Campbell ships attending each Review.
PS Cambria completed the 1897 at Southampton with some success in
attracting general excursion trade resulting in two vessels ( PS
Cambria and PS Glen Rosa) being posted to the Hampshire port for the
1898 season. An ambitious cruise programme was inaugurated, including
trips to Cherbourg.
Cambria returned alone for the 1899 season, but in 1900-1902, PS
Albion strengthened the Campbell presence. The company was, however,
to make an unexpected departure from Southampton, having purchased
the vessels and goodwill of a Brighton-based company at the end of
1901 and for 1903, they concentrated their efforts on the Sussex
coast, where they could develop their business relatively untroubled
by the fierce competition that had existed on the Solent.
Campbell vessels were subsequently to be seen in the Solent from time
to time during the course of their excursions.
For vessel profiles, go to the main P & A Campbell page
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South Coast
P and A Campbell
P and A Campbell - Sussex
Operations