Name Bristol Queen

Passenger vessel BRISTOL QUEEN was built by W.M. Denny & Bros. Ltd. of Dumbarton, and operated under the official number 165936. She was commissioned by the Caledonian Steam Packet Company on 6 January 1938 as one of two small motor vessels to be sister ships to the existing WEE CUMBRAE and operate as Clyde ferries. The hull construction was to be steel plate riveted and welded, with a pointed bow, a raked straight stem and a transom stern. The contract price was £4150 and delivery was to be by the end of May 1938. BRISTOL QUEEN was launched under her original name of LEVEN, yard number 1332, on 25 May, some days after her sister ship ASHTON, yard number 1331, which was launched on 11 May. Sea trials were undertaken on 25 and 30 May, with the vessel reaching just over nine knots. Her engines were by Gleniffer Engines Ltd. and consisted of two four cylinder DB4 diesels. The hull and superstructure were painted white, the rails and promenade deck were lined with canvas and awnings were fitted fore and aft. The final cost was £8318 10s for both boats. They put to work on the Clyde on 1 June 1938 and significant trips include carrying passengers to view the Great Empire Exhibition and the building of the great ocean liner QUEEN ELIZABETH. When the Second World War broke out, LEVEN, under the command of Captain Alex McNab, was ordered to take Glasgow doctors to board the destroyer HMS VIVACIOUS which was going to the assistance of survivors from the torpedoed liner ATHENIA. She then helped to land the survivors. Later in the war, she helped bring ashore the first German prisoners. After the war, LEVEN and ASHTON were laid up for some weeks until being requisitioned as tenders to the Clyde Anchorage and placed on the Gourock to Dunoon ferry service. By 1948, LEVEN had been transferred to the Largs to Millport service and the association continued until 1961. ASHTON and LEVEN shared a charter for carrying personnel from the East India Harbour at Greenoch to a floating dock at Gareloch. However, in 1965, the two ships were not re-commissioned and were put up for sale. LEVEN was bought by Mr. Joseph Miniford of Larne, but was re-sold almost immediately to the South Western Steam Navigation Company Ltd. at Paignton. She was renamed PRIDE OF THE BAY and operated between Paignton and the River Dart. In 1970, she was purchased by Mr. M. D. Barrow, who installed twin Thornycroft six cylinder diesel engines two years later, with direct control from the steering position. Also at this time, the lavatory was moved to the saloon. She was sold again to Mr. C.J. Wilson and operated from Torquay, around Tor Bay and to the River Dart. In January 2000, the current owner obtained her as a replacement for CANBERRA QUEEN, to be based at Weston-Super-Mare and work to Steep Holm Island in the Bristol Channel, with a possible ferry service to Cardiff.  September 2019: BRISTOL QUEEN is out of the water undergoing a very major refit/reconstruction. She is now about half way through although work started on her in 2014 she has now had a complete new and very much stronger keel, the lower parts of her watertight bulkheads have been renewed and upgraded with thicker metal, most of her frames are being replaced below the water line and she is being completely re-plated below the waterline from the new keel to just under her belting through all of her main compartments. Vessel is a good two years from going back into the water. Source: Owner, Sept 2019