PS Albert Edward
1865 Built at Greenwich. 252 tons. 140 N.H.P.
1866 Acquired by the Woolwich Steam Packet Co
The ALBERT EDWARD and PRINCESS ALICE were sister boats and were built in 1865 Caird and Co, of Greenock, for the Wemyss Bay Railway Company and were named KYLES and BUTE respectively. After running a short time this railway abandoned ship-owning and sold both vessels to the Waterman’s Company in 1867. When taken over by the Woolwich Company in 1871 the names were changed to ALBERT EDWARD and PRINCESS ALICE. They were handsome vessels with flush decks, two funnels fore and aft of the paddle boxes and one mast. Constructed of iron they had the following dimensions: 219.4 ft. by 20.2 ft. by 8.4 ft.; gross tons 171; oscillating cylinders 44 in. by 45 in.; N.H.P. 140. Steam was supplied by two haystack boilers working at 30 lbs. per square inch. They were licensed to carry 936 passengers each for river service in smooth water.
To increase the passenger accommodation the Waterman’s Company erected on the flush deck a forward and aft saloon having a promenade deck on top. After the alteration the Board of Trade granted certificates permitting the steamers to carry 850 passengers to Gravesend and 460 to Sheerness in the summer. In April, 1870, the certificates were amended to allow 872 passengers to Gravesend and 462 passengers to Sheerness. In March, 1872, they were amended once again the complement being raised to 936 to Gravesend and 486 to Sheerness. The gross tonnage was increased from 171 to 250, but it greatly reduced the reserve strength of the already weak structure - the hull plates being only 3/16 inch thick. They were at the time the most popular passenger steamers on the Thames.
The ALBERT EDWARD continued on the Thames till 1888, when she was withdrawn and scrapped.
Owners
- Woolwich Steam Packet Co
- 1876-84 London Steam Boat Co
- 1885-1888 River Thames Steamboat Co
See Also
Sources of Information
- 'Steamers of the Thames and Medway' by Frank Burtt