Pockett’s Bristol Channel Steam Packet Co

1840 The Pockett family’s business commenced in 1840 when Capt. Walter Pockett (1794-1856), began taking passengers from Swansea to Weston-super-Mare and Ilfracombe aboard the smack ‘Elizabeth’ on summer weekends and bank holidays.

Acquired three paddle steamers, the PS Troubadour, the PS Lass of Gowrie and the PS Lord Beresford, the business expanded rapidly.

1852 James Wathen Pockett took over from his father as proprietor. At that point he had three paddle steamers under his control, the aforementioned ‘Lord Beresford’, together with two newer vessels, the PS Princess Royal and the PS Prince of Wales. (It is interesting to note that the ‘Lord Beresford’ was the first ship to enter the North Dock when it officially opened on the 1st January 1852)

The business was to become known as Pockett’s Bristol Channel Steam Packet Company, and involved James Pockett’s two younger brothers, William and Henry as paddle steamer Commanders.

1871 The company relocated to the South Dock Basin and by 1879 had acquired yet another paddle steamer, the PS Collier, followed by the PS Rio Formoso in 1887. The ‘Prince of Wales’ was by then obsolete, having been built in Neath in 1842, and was put up for sale. In 1896, after 28 years service, the PS Velindra was also disposed of and was replaced that same year by the paddle steamer PS Brighton, built in Govan in 1878. The last vessel known to have been purchased by Pocketts was the paddle steamer Mavis, acquired in 1909. Built in 1888 at Kinghorn, Fife, the 'PS Mavis' was to prove unreliable and lasted just four years before being withdrawn from service in 1913. She was scrapped two years later at Briton Ferry.

1906 Adverting the PS Brighton with trips from Swansea and Mumbles Pier to Lundy Island, and Ilfracombe.

Ceased in business during WWI

Ships

• PS Troubadour
• PS Lass of Gowrie
• PS Lord Beresford
• PS Princess Royal
• PS Prince of Wales
• PS Collier
• PS Rio Formoso
• PS Velindra
• PS Mavis
• PS Brighton
• PS Philomel

See Also

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Sources of Information

• Swansea Docks