Volume Eight - Pre-Victorian to the present day - more aspects - The White Funnel Fleet - P & A Campbell Limited

It's the mid-1890's at Ilfracombe - nearest the quay is 'Bonnie Doon', then Lorna Doone', 'Scotia', 'Westward Ho', 'Cambria' and outermost is 'Brighton'. It is thought that only 'Westward Ho' and 'Cambria' belong to P.& A.Campbell when this photograph was taken. [000] [002]

The early twentieth century was a time of great progress for the White Funnel Fleet and ships were added as occasion required. During this period, or before the turn of the century, such well-known names as the 'Lady Margaret' (1895), 'Glen Rosa' (1897), 'Scotia', 'Bonnie Doon' and 'Albion' (1899) and 'Princess May' (1902) were added to the fleet.

Of these, the 'Bonnie Doon' must perhaps hold the distinction of being the excursion steamer with the largest number of owners. Built in 1876, she was operated by Captain Bob Campbell on the Glasgow-Kilmun route. Subsequently, she did duty for other owners between Glasgow and the Kyles of Bute. Later, Messrs. Gillies and Campbell purchased her ; then the Liverpool, Llandudno and Welsh Coast Steamship Co. ; afterwards Mr. A. Campbell of Glasgow, and she then plied the Belfast Lough. In 1887 G. Nurse of Bristol, in 1891 Edwards, Robertson & Co. and 1896 J. Gunn of Bristol, owned her, before Campbells purchased her in 1899. She was sold in 1913.

The Bristol Company's activities were extended early in the twentieth century when they purchased from the Brighton, Worthing and South Coast Steamship Co., Ltd., the first 'Brighton Queen', destined to become one of the most famous of British excursion steamers.