Forth Princess | National Historic Ships

Registration number 313

Status Registered

a12admin

Forth Princess cruising under Forth Bridge

Plymouth Princess alongside - starboard side view

Previous names

1921 - 1921 Britannia
1921 - 1958 Britannia I
1958 - 1982 Thames Britannia
1982 - 2017 Plymouth Princess
2018 Forth Princess

Details

Function Passenger Vessel

Subfunction Excursion

Location Port Edgar

Vessel type Excursion

Current use Commercial Activity

Available to hire Yes

Available for excursions Yes

Web address www.forthtours.com.

Construction

Built in 1921

Hull material Wood

Rig None

Number of decks 2

Propulsion Motor

Number of engines 2

Primary engine type Diesel

Boiler type None

Boilermaker None

Dimensions

Length: Overall

76.95 feet (23.47m)

Tonnage: Gross

47.00

History

Built in 1921, at Haywards Boatyard, Southend, FORTH PRINCESS was one of two boats constructed to the same patterns the other being the ‘Julia Freak’ for the Southend Motor Navigation Company. Originally named BRITANNIA, she was owned and operated from Southend beach by brothers Charles & Arthur Myall.

As BRITANNIA I (presumably to avoid confusion!), the vessel participated in a 1921 regatta in Southend, where the Royal Yacht BRITANNIA also took part, skippered by King George V. A British Pathe film of this event can be watched here - the then BRITANNIA I comes into shot after seven seconds.

The Myalls added a second boat to their fleet in 1924 named the SOUTHSEA BRITANNIA. They became known as the LITTLE BRITANNIA and the BIG BRITANNIA and operated day trips from Southend.

Both boats were requisitioned by the Royal Navy on the 27 May 1940, and BRITANNIA I was listed by NSH, 1949, as “Britannia”. She was taken to Dunkirk with S/Lt. S.D. Ward, RNVR, in nominal Command, but by her regular Skipper & crew. She ferried troops to the larger ships offshore.

BRITANNIA I was retained by the Royal Navy after Dunkirk for service as an inshore minesweeper in London River, (See ADM 208/3-The Red List; 15-09-1940). She was also listed at Brightlingsea in 1943 as a liberty boat (www.naval-history.net/xDKWW2-4201-40RNShips2Home.htm) along with several other Southsea excursion boats.

After the war, BRITANNIA I was returned to her owners and continued to operate holiday trips at Southend from 1946 to 1958, when she was sold to the Thames Motorboat Company (now City Cruises) and operated on the River Thames as THAMES BRITANNIA. In 1982 she was sold to Plymouth Boat Trips and renamed PLYMOUTH PRINCESS. Substantial alterations were made, and the vessel was rebuilt with an upper deck to look much as she does today.

In 2018, Forth Boat Tours purchased the vessel and renamed her FORTH PRINCESS. She is now based in Port Edgar, Edinburgh and regularly undertakes year round sightseeing tours of the river Forth. She celebrated her 100th birthday in 2021.

Update, October 2024: Vessel for sale.

Key dates

1921
Built as passenger vessel and originally named BRITANNIA.
1921-1940
Operated from Southend as a passenger vessel by the Myall brothers, as BRITANNIA I.
1940-1945
Requisitioned by Royal Navy. Taken to Dunkirk with S/Lt. S.D. Ward, RNVR, in nominal Command, but by her regular Skipper & crew, where she ferried troops to the larger ships offshore. After Dunkirk, operated as inshore minesweeper in London, and later at Brightlingsea in 1943 as a liberty boat.
1946-1958
Operating in Southend as passenger vessel.
1958-1982
As THAMES BRITANNIA, operated as passenger vessel on the Thames.
1982-2017
As PLYMOUTH PRINCESS, operated as passenger vessel from Plymouth and along the River Tamar, after being re-built by Mashfords.
2018
Relocated to Port Edgar, Edinburgh and now undertaking sightseeing tours of River Forth