Paddle Steamer Cardiff Queen

Paddle Steamer Cardiff Queen was built by the Fairfield Shipbuilding & Engineering Company in the Govan area of Glasgow. She was launched by Mrs W J Banks wife of the then chairman of P&A Campbell Ltd, on the 25th February 1947 and was completed in time to run her accepting trials on the Clyde, on the 12th June 1947.During her sea trials, she achieved a maximum speed of 18.25 knots.
She measured at 247.6 ft x 30.1 ft. Cardiff Queen was fitted with a Triple Expansion Steam Engine, 2,280 indicated horse power (1,700kW) built by her builders .
Cylinders, 25.5″, 39″ and 66″, Length of Stroke 60".
From her building until 1960 Cardiff Queen was registered in Bristol. This was changed to Cardiff for the rest of her career.
Cardiff Queen was the last ship to be built for P&A Campbell and arrived in Bristol for the first time on the 19th June 1947.
For the majority of her short life, Cardiff Queen was stationed in the Bristol Channel; apart from the 1952 & 1953 seasons which were spent on the South Coast.
Cardiff Queen's last operational season in 1966 saw her mainly based out of Swansea. With dwindling passenger numbers, Cardiff Queen was withdrawn from service in September 1966.
On the 24th January 1968, Cardiff Queen was sold to a Mr Critchley of Newport who had her towed to a desolate mud berth on the River Usk; where it was hoped she would have a second life as a floating night club.
The berth was totally unsuitable and as the tide fell, she broke her moorings and slid across the river bed . With this berth being unsuitable, Cardiff Queen’s fate was sealed.
Cardiff Queen was towed the short distance to ship breakers John Cashmore Ltd.
Her demolition commenced on the 1st May 1968 and one month later Cardiff Queen passed into history.
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