New Steamer for the Ryde to Portsmouth Service

“DUCHESS OF RICHMOND” STEAMER 1910

In July of 1910, the news that a new and up-to-date steamer will to be added to the Joint Railway Company’s fleet of steamers for their service between Ryde and Portsmouth was read with pleasure, especially those who had agitated for so long  to get an improvement in the vessels.

The new vessel, which was successfully launched on the 11 June that year, was a paddle wheel steamer, and was to be known as the “Duchess of Richmond.”  Her dimensions were— length 190.2 feet, and breadth 26 feet, and depth moulded, nine feet.  She would be fitted throughout in the most up-to-date manner, the first-class accommodation aft being of the most complete character, while the second class would have comfortable quarters forward.  The vessel had compound diagonal engines, with cylinders 27 inches and 31 inches respectively, and a stroke of 34 inches.  She had one double ended boiler, working at a pressure pf 130 lbs.

Notes:
The vessel was built by D & W Henderson & Co., Glasgow and was completed on 7 July 1910.

First owner was London and South Weston Railway and London, Brighton & South Coast Railway.

On 17 May 1916 the vessel was requisitioned by the Admiralty for use as an auxiliary Patrol Vessel based in Malta.

On 20 April 1919 it was converted into a minesweeper.

On 28 June 1919 the vessel was still working in the Aegean Sea on mine sweeping duties when she was struck by a mine with the loss of two of her crew.

Source: IW Observer
Image: Caledonian Maritime Research Trust
Article Ann Barrett