Volume Twelve - Pre-Victorian to the Present Day - further aspects - The Bristol Channel District Guide - selected articles - [1934 Edition] . . . .

In this work Bristol boats played a meritorious part. In brief, we will tell the story of " the mysterious thirteen, " Bristol's famous White Funnel Fleet, which did so gallantly in the wondrous, but hazardous, occupation of mine-sweeping. [compiled from articles which appeared in the " Western Daily Press. "]

Earlier mine-sweepers had an unhappy way of finding the floating danger with the bottom of the ship, often with disastrous results, and it soon became evident that the great necessity was vessels of light draught.

Here, in the Old Port of Bristol, was a fleet of thirteen paddle-steamers which possessed the desired qualifications, and so successful were their early trials that every one of Messrs. P. & A. Campbell's fleet was requisitioned.

Though the first steamer fitted out was largely experimental, her trails proved so satisfactory that others which followed carried the same kind of gear, which did valuable work in the mine-infested waters and helped make navigation possible. In spite of the dangers encountered, only two of the Bristol fleet failed to return.

Zeebrugge and Ostend.

In August, 1915, the steamers took the lead for the bombardment of Zeebrugge, and successfully swept the way for our warships, in spite of heavy fire from the shore batteries. In the German reports of the Bristol paddle-steamers were described as " six light cruisers, " and as an officer of the " Devonia " very aptly remarked : " Very light ; namely the ' Brighton Queen, ' 'Westward Ho !, ' ' Cambria, ' 'Glen Avon, ' and two drifters. "

Next month the flotilla was again leading the bombardment of Ostend. Here the war career of the gallant " Brighton Queen " ended, for she was blown up, on the night of October 5th, off Westende, all the Bristol men aboard being rescued.

The unit then returned to the Thames Estuary sweeps, where the " Lady Ismay " fell victim to an enemy mine, and was blown up. Once again the Bristol men were saved.

Another ship of the flotilla, the " Duchess of Hamilton, " met the same fate as the " Lady Ismay. "