Builders: R & H Green Ltd, Blackwall 1896
Propulsion type: Paddle two cylinder compound diagonal (by John Penn & Co of Greenwich)
Owners: Devon Dock, Pier and Steamship Co/ Cosens & Co (1938)
Service dates: 1896 - 1964
Tonnage: Net 107 Gross 257
Comments:
Whilst she operated on the South Coast from Devon and Dorset I have pictures of Consul from Sidmouth to Southend (on charter). She was, however, probably best known for her sailings from Weymouth to Lulworth Cove (for which she had specially strengthened bows). In addition to the owners detailed above, she was also owned by P & A Campbell for a time, as well as South Coast and Continental Steamers. She was noticeable as the only Weymouth steamer to have her deck saloon painted brown. When she returned to service in 1948 after the war her deck saloon had been extended to the full width of the ship, and towards the stern. As the deck saloon was now part of the ships hull structure it was painted white.
For many years she undertook excursion work from Torquay and Exmouth along the Devon Coast. During the First World War she served the Admiralty minesweeping in the Mediterranean and Dardanelles. In 1934 she was purchased for service from Cork, Eire, and for two seasons ran short afternoon and evening excursions from Cork. She was purchased the following season by Cosens & Co. Ltd. Considerable reconstruction was undertaken, the passenger accommodation being enlarged and inproved and a new funnel of slightly elliptical design was fitted. Her name was changed to fit in with the Cosen's "diplomatic" nomenclature (the others being such ships as Monarch, Embassy, Victoria, Premier and Emperor of India). Her former name of Duke of Devonshire could still be seen on her ships bell after she changed her name to Consul.
In the Second World War she was used by the Admiralty for a number of tasks such as patrol and examination services. Consul had a service speed of 13 knots. At the time she was scrapped in 1968 she was Britain's longest serving paddle steamer.
This picture is previously unpublished and was taken by the late Cyril Perrier. It shows Consul at Swanage on 21 September 1951. For a picture of her at Weymouth in the 1950's please click here.