Name Belle

BELLE was built at Kingston-Upon-Thames in 1894.  She sailed under steam around Lands End and up the Bristol Channel to Worcester, where she plied the River Severn for more than 80 years.  Rescued from oblivion in 1980, this beautiful vessel returned to the Thames and was lovingly restored with authentic Victorian décor throughout.  BELLE continues to delight passengers today and is licensed to carry 100 persons. 70 buffet guests can be catered for, or 28 may dine in the elegant lower saloon.  She is built in teak on oak with an overall length of 75 feet and is now powered by a Gardner 84hp diesel engine. Update Feb 2020; SL BELLE is currently stored on dry land at a commercial brick factory in Sittingbourne, Kent. 

Update, August 2021: BELLE now under new ownership.  Although she has been vandalised, initial surveys report that she is structurally sound.  The intention is that she is moved to a boat yard in Chard, Somerset for covered wintering and a thorough survey of her condition before being restored and returned to service.  The owners are investigating the viability of commissioning a new steam engine to be built for her or a steam powered turbine.  They hope that they will be able to finish SL BELLE to a standard that surpasses her original condition. 

 January 2023: This vessel has now been disposed.