Tower Belle
{{Short description|Passenger boat based in Bristol, England}}
{{EngvarB|date=October 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}}
| {{Infobox ship begin |display title=ital}}
{{Infobox ship image | Ship image=File:Tower Belle in Cumberland Basin adjusted background.jpg]] | Ship caption=Tower Belle in the Cumberland Basin }} {{Infobox ship career | Hide header= | Ship country= United Kingdom | Ship flag= {{Shipboxflag|United Kingdom|civil}} | Ship name= Tower Belle | Ship namesake= | Ship owner=Bristol Packet Boat Trips | Ship operator=Bristol Packet Boat Trips | Ship registry= | Ship route= | Ship ordered= | Ship awarded= | Ship builder=Armstrong Whitworth, Newcastle upon Tyne | Ship original cost= | Ship way number= | Ship laid down= | Ship launched= | Ship sponsor= | Ship christened=Wincomblee | Ship completed=1920 | Ship acquired=1976 | Ship in service= | Ship out of service= | Ship renamed=1960 | Ship reclassified= | Ship refit= | Ship struck= | Ship reinstated= | Ship homeport=Bristol | Ship identification= | Ship motto= | Ship nickname= | Ship fate= | Ship status=In service | Ship notes= | Ship badge= }} {{Infobox ship characteristics | Hide header= | Header caption= | Ship class= | Ship type= River launch | Ship tonnage={{GRT|32}} | Ship displacement= | Ship length= {{Convert|67.97|ft|m|abbr=on}} | Ship beam= {{Convert|13|ft|m|abbr=on}} | Ship height={{Convert|12|ft|m|abbr=on}} | Ship draught={{Convert|2.83|ft|m|abbr=on}} | Ship depth= | Ship decks= | Ship deck clearance= | Ship power= | Ship propulsion=Diesel | Ship speed= 10 knots | Ship range= | Ship endurance= | Ship boats= | Ship capacity=95 passengers | Ship crew=3 | Ship sensors= | Ship notes= Mercantile Navy List number 144933{{cite web|last=Jones|first=Charles H|title=Mercantile Navy List, 1921|url=http://collections.mun.ca/u?/mha_mercant,12926|publisher=Committee of Lloyd's|date=1 January 1920|access-date=7 August 2013|page=683}} }} |
Tower Belle is a passenger boat based in Bristol Harbour in England. The vessel is operated by the Bristol Packet Boat Trips company on pleasure and educational trips in the City Docks, on the River Avon to the Chequers Inn at Hanham Lock and Beese's Tea Gardens at Conham. Tower Belle was built in 1920 in Newcastle upon Tyne by Armstrong Whitworth, originally known as Wincomblee. In the 1950s and 1960s she worked in London, finally coming to Bristol in 1976.
History
Originally known as Wincomblee after a place in the Walker district of Newcastle, details of her early history are not known. She was operated by the Armstrong Whitworth company that built her, either as an executive launch or a company ferry for shipyard workers. In 1939 she was transferred to Newcastle City Council and was likely used as a ferry on the River Tyne during the Second World War. In 1946 she was moved to London and then commenced passenger services on the River Thames from Westminster Pier, downriver to Greenwich and up to Hampton Court.{{cite news|last=Houseman|first=John|title=Sailing down memory lane on a tour around the harbour|url=http://www.lexisnexis.com/uk/nexis/results/docview/docview.do?docLinkInd=true&risb=21_T17924724586&format=GNBFI&sort=BOOLEAN&startDocNo=1&resultsUrlKey=29_T17924670749&cisb=22_T17924670748&treeMax=true&treeWidth=0&csi=166254&docNo=3|access-date=7 August 2013|newspaper=Bristol Post, archived at Lexis-Nexis|date=22 October 2012|url-access=subscription }}{{cite web|title=Tower Belle|url=http://www.nationalhistoricships.org.uk/register/333/tower-belle|work=National Register of Historic Vessels|publisher=National Historic Ships UK|access-date=7 August 2013}} A single screw powered by diesel engine replaced the original steam powered twin screw arrangement. Her operators on the Thames were H G Hastings (1947–45), Thames Launches (1955–59) and, renamed Tower Belle, W R Witham (1960–76).{{cite web|title=Tower Belle|url=http://riverthames.sosugary.com/displayimage.php?album=3&pid=1169#top_display_media|work=The Liquid Highway|access-date=7 August 2013}}
In 1976 she was abandoned, no longer considered river-worthy, at Eel Pie Island in Twickenham. There she was found by the owner of the Bristol Packet Boat Trips company, which operated narrowboat harbour tours in Bristol City Docks. Tower Belle was brought by lorry to Bristol, sustaining further damage en route. After repairs she was re-launched into the docks in late 1976. Trips down the Avon Gorge, to Avonmouth and back were offered, in addition to journeys upriver to the Chequers Inn at Hanham and Beese's Tea Gardens. Private parties, sometimes with an on-board jazz band were also offered. In subsequent years, improvements to the vessel included the replacement of the wooden flooring with a more durable steel deck, and the addition of an electrical generator, enabling power for DJ parties and refrigeration for refreshments.{{cite web|last=Staff|title=Tower Power|url=http://www.shipshapebristol.co.uk/2012/03/tower-power/|work=Shipshape Bristol|publisher=The Group of Seven|access-date=7 August 2013}}{{cite news|last=Staff|title=Harbour pleasure boat gets makeover|url=http://www.lexisnexis.com/uk/nexis/cart/cartDocRenderer.do?format=GNBFULL&returnToKey=20_T17925225708&randomNo=0.5948577150415936&csi=166254&docNo=1|access-date=7 August 2013|newspaper=Bristol Post at Lexis-Nexis|date=14 March 2006|url-access=subscription }}
In 2010, the 90th birthday of Tower Belle was celebrated with a special commemorative cruise which included the attendance of Lord Mayor Colin Smith, who cut a cake and said, "It is remarkable that this boat can still be around after 90 years and, with the renaissance in the city docks, that boats such as this have come back into huge popularity and add to the city's culture."{{cite news|title=Night-time party boat The Tower Belle marks 90th birthday|url=http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Night-time-party-boat-marks-90th-birthday/story-11255210-detail/story.html#axzz2bGg1BsAK|access-date=7 August 2013|newspaper=Bristol Post|date=30 September 2010}}
Technical information
Tower Belle is powered by a diesel engine which drives a single propeller. Her overall length is {{Convert|67.97|ft|m|abbr=on}} and her beam is {{Convert|13|ft|m|abbr=on}}. The draught is {{Convert|2.83|ft|m|abbr=on}} and the air draught is {{Convert|12|ft|m|abbr=on}}. The ship is licensed to carry 95 passengers and is equipped with life rings, inflatable life rafts and life jackets. There is a small bar and toilet facilities.
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category|Tower Belle (ship, 1920)|Tower Belle}}
- [http://www.bristolpacket.co.uk/boats.html Tower Belle at Bristol Packet Boat Trips]
{{National Historic Ships}}
{{coord|51.4480|-2.6194|type:landmark_region:GB|display=title}}
Category:Tourist attractions in Bristol
Category:Ships and vessels on the National Register of Historic Vessels