Builders: H McIntyre Paisley 1885
Propulsion type: Paddle
Owners: P & A Campbell Ltd
Service dates: 1885 - 1919
Tonnage: Gross 245
Comments:
After operating on the Clyde for many years, the Campbell family, in the form of Peter and Alec Campbell became threatened by the development of the Caledonian Steam Packet Co, which was a subsidiary of the powerful Caledonian Railway. In 1887 they chartered their steamer Waverley to a Bristol concern, The Bristol Channel Marine Excursion Co., for excursion work during the season. This proved successful and the Campbell brothers decided to move their operations from the Firth of Clyde to Bristol, which they considered had better prospects for them. Such was their success over the next three quarters of a century, that the Bristol Channel was dominated by the company of P & A Campbell Ltd, who swallowed up all their rivals.
The Waverley was thus the first of many White Funnel steamers to sail in the Bristol Channel. Originally with an open fore deck, she soon benefitted from the addition of a forward observation saloon . Her career was brief as after seeing service in the First World War she was considered unfit for reconditioning and was broken up. Her place in the history of the Bristol Channel, however, is assured. She also sailed for Campbell's on the South Coast and she is shown here in 1911 at Eastbourne. This picture comes from the Brian Fisher collection.