Paddle Steamer Bristol Queen

[@michaelsullivan3233]

I served on the ps Bristol Queen for 6 weeks in the Summer of 1966 as Mate. Our last trip of the season was to take a full complement of passengers (950) to see HM The Queen open the Severn Bridge. As HM drove over we were underneath dressed overall, but I doubt whether she saw us ! ! I am told I hold the (dubious) distinction of being the last surviving deck Officer of P&A Campbell.

[@russiannorth2440]

Thanks. very interesting. I posted a video of a paddle steamer. Built in 1911. This old man works in the north of Russia. Happy viewing. kzbin.info/www/bejne/n2OZfnVjdtOoqM0

[@sheilamorris8546]

Just realised I am on the film, just after the beginning,taking on stores at Cardiff Pier Head. NEIL O'BRIEN.

[@buckthomas1988]

Notice how orderly and well behaved everyone is

[@andsombris1]

I would have been on her at least twice in 1964 aged 8/9 - lovely ship, beautiful engines. Scrapping both her and the Cardiff Queen without giving anyone any chance to save at least one of them was a crime against humanity

[@harrybarry2291]

I agree Andy. Here in the states is probably worse. Our Marine preservation of priceless ships is deplorable. The "United States" for instance is rusting away. It was our beat liner. I love this "Bristol Queen" with a passion. What a work of art gone forever. The plain jane diesel ships today are cheap ugly tubs in comparison. I cried to read your comment here.

[@carltrotter7622]

@@harrybarry2291 if only britain had kept the Queen Mary allowing you to devote all your time to preserving the United States.

[@keithandres9253]

I worked on the Bristol Queen for 18months in 1956/7 I worked in the main dinning room with great friends food, the best time of my life,and without a care in the world, diving from the bridge when at Lundy Island was the best time ever.

[@PSPSScottishBranch]

Thanks for sharing your memories.

[@vincentneale2620]

I caught the Bristol Queen from Cardiff via Porthcawl to Ilfracombe - after leaving Porthcawl she hit a thunder storm and rough seas most people suffered sea sickness a experience to remember lol It was much better coming back Very fond memories of the Cardiff and Bristol Queens In the summer they used to have a band aboard for the showboat cruise

[@alanmoorhouse984]

I recall two trips on the ship. The first was from clevedon. We called in at Cardiff then crossed back to lynton and lynmouth, Minehead and got off at Ilfracombe for the afternoon. We rejoined Bristol Queen on her return from Lundy. It was so rough we could not dock at clevedon. We tossed around in the Bristol Channel till 1 am when the Captain deemed it safe to dock

[@SteamboatWilley]

It's a great shame that P&A Campbell are no longer with us. I think a car ferry across the Bristol Channel (say between Swansea and Ilfracombe) would be quite useful to shorten the journey between Wales and the West Country.

[@cymrocanuck]

Wonderful to see this. I grew up in Bridgend and went to Litchard primary school. In the last 3-4 years our school trip involved taking an early morning bus to Cardiff docks then boarding either the Bristol Queen or the Cardiff Queen for a trip over to Weston Super Mare. From there we either went to Bristol Zoo, Cheddar Caves or (once) to Wells Cathedral. We ended up at the amusement arcade on the pier at Weston before taking the paddle steamer back to Cardiff. The steamer trips were always the highlight for me and hanging over the 1/2 doors watch and smell the engine is probably what led to my career in Engineering.

[@sheilamorris8546]

For those interested the Chief Engineer in the film is Reg Neath,the gentleman being served the beer in the Dining Saloon was the then"Catering Superintendent" Mr C.L.Jones.He is being served by the 2nd Steward Syd"conger"Heal.

[@PSPSScottishBranch]

Hi Sheila. Thanks for putting names to faces.

[@cricciethcastle5077]

Syd "conger" Heal. Hilarious!!

[@LiveSteamPaddleWheelersPG]

Great "full ahead" engine and wheel views! Thanks!

[@PSPSScottishBranch]

Glad you liked the video. Hopefully we can share some more historic footage in the future.

[@PillSharks]

The guy at 1 min helping to pull the gangway in was Mr Wall who was my fathers uncle by marriage, he also got my father a job on her as a deck boy before going deep sea! The other man was the bosun and was from Malta, he started a fight with my father for some reason and they ended up under the table in the mess room, my father got the better of him, Dad was only 15 at the time so the bosun didn’t like!!

[@russiannorth2440]

Thanks. very interesting. I posted a video of a paddle steamer. Built in 1911. This old man works in the north of Russia. Happy viewing. kzbin.info/www/bejne/n2OZfnVjdtOoqM0

[@NUSORCA]

I wonder...do they actually brake a pedal boat by reversing the spinning?

[@PSPSScottishBranch]

Yes, the paddle steamers slow themselves by turning the engine and paddles in the opposite direction.

[@cricciethcastle5077]

The pronunciations sound so contrived to our ears. They leave us uncertain as to what comes from the elocution lessons, and what comes from the "real" person!