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

The connection of the White Funnel Fleet to Penarth is captured in various parts of this website but specifically the ships were regular visitors to the Penarth Pier and in the later years were repaired upon the Penarth Dock Pontoon. The remaining ships were laid up at the Penarth Dock prior to its closure in 1962.
A map from the Bristol Channel District Guide of 1914 showing the main points of call by the various companies operating passenger services. [353]  

The Edwardian era was the golden age of the passenger steamers just as it was for the coal trade in South Wales. Wars brought difficulties and the passenger services commenced decline which ended in the early 1960's almost mirroring the coal trade. Unfortunately, the diesel powered screw driven ships and Hovercraft services that followed never had the same romance and attraction as those wonderful paddlers of the Bristol Channel. Looking back, I am so pleased that I had the opportunity to experience three of these beautiful steamers.