Builders: William Denny & Bros 1893
Propulsion type: Paddle, triple expansion
Owners: Belle Steamers Ltd, PSM Syndicate, Royal Sovereign Steamship Co
Service dates: 1893 - 1929
Tonnage: Gross 738
Comments:
London Belle was the largest of the Belle fleet and was the first to have triple expansion engines fitted, a practice that was followed in the subsequent Belles. She was electronically lit and sumptuously fitted out in mahogany and velvet. She had a fixed funnel from the start and in photographs she is noticeable by having a larger funnel than all her fleetmates. London Belle was a fast boat of 19-20 knots and was a good seaboat. In June 1895 she found her self on the same route as the larger Koh-i-nor and beat her in an unofficial race to Clacton. This picture shows her on her morning run to Clacton. She is berthed at Tilbury landing stage to take on passengers and supplies. Like her fleetmates she was sold after her owners hit financial troubles and after changing hands again she was scrapped at Wards in Grays in 1929. For an 1893 picture of her First Class Social Hall, click here. For two previously unpublished photos of her taken on board a 1925 trip, please click here.