Ce vapeur à roues à aubes, construit en 1888 en acier par R.& H.Green & Co à Blackwell sur la Tamise, transportait les passagers de la Cossens & Co jusqu'en France depuis les ports de Bournemouh, Boscombe, Swanage, Weymouth, Isle of Wight et Torquay. Il fut remplacé en 1951 par un ancien vapeur des compagnies de chemins de fer qui conserva le nom de Monarch.
(more pictures on Simplon).
Founded 1852 by Capt. Joseph Cosens and newspaper owner J. Drew wishing to link Weymouth to Portland transporting goods, workers at Portland dockyard, and tourists. Later also Channel crossings. Takeover of competitors Dodson (1858) and Tizard (1860). Ltd in 1876; expansion of company to include repair, engineering, towage, and salvage.
1946 : taken over by Southampton, Isle of Wight and S. of England Royal Mail Steam Packet Co./Red Funnels (separate flags). Last sailing Sept. 1966; Cosens Engineering Ltd had to close down in 1999. Cosens & Co, also known as Weymouth, Bournemouth & Swanage Steam Packets Ltd, was later taken over by the Southampton, Isle of Wight & South of England Royal Mail Steam Packet Co. Ltd (Red Funnel Steamers).
The once familiar Buff Funnel paddle steamers of Cosens & Co Ltd were part of the scenery along the Wessex coast of the south of England. They crowded Bournemouth Pier and Weymouth, offering excursions to the Isle of Wight, Swanage and landings on the beach at Lulworth Cove. To the west the paddlers called at Lyme Regis, and visited the south Devon resorts of Seaton, Torquay, Paignton and as far as Plymouth. Closer to home they offered cruises to see the warships in Portland harbour whilst their fleet of speed boats offered trips in Weymouth Bay.
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