Name Independence

INDEPENDENCE was built in 1927 as EREWASH PRINCESS. Her unique stern tunnel housed a recessed propeller, which presented challenges for shipwrights due to the complex curves required in her construction. She was built of pitch pine hull planks on oak ribs. Her original engine is unknown, and in 1960 she was fitted with a Lister Type Fr 3, 3 cylinder engine.

She was originally owned by Erewash Travel Services Ltd of Toton, Nottingham, and operated on the Rivers Trent and Soar and on the Erewash Canal. In 1976, she was purchased by R Lewis to be operated on the River Wye between Chepstow and Brockweir, demonstrating her versatility across various waterways. ​At this point, she was refurbished by Mashford Bros Ltd of Cremyll. It is presumed that it was then she was renamed INDEPENDENCE.

In 1980, she was acquired by the Bristol Ferry Boat Company, joining the fleet as a key player in the revitalisation of Bristol's harbour transport. Her arrival coincided with a broader movement to preserve and celebrate the city's maritime heritage, transforming the Floating Harbour into a hub for leisure and community activities.

As of 2025, INDEPENDENCE operates as both a waterbus and a private charter vessel. She accommodates up to 46 passengers for waterbus services and 30 for private hires. Her design features an open bow and a canopied stern, offering passengers a blend of shelter and open-air experience. Licensed to operate between Pultney Weir and Cumberland Basin, she continues to serve as a functional and historical asset to Bristol's waterways.