Paddle Steamers KILLINGHOLME and BROCKLESBY

[Khephre]

Hi all,

Back in 1912 the Great Central Railway had a pair of double ended side paddle steamers built for their ferry service across the River Humber between Hull and New Holland.

The Killingham and Brocklesby both worked the Humber until the Brocklesby was withdrawn in 1934; the Killingham continued until 1941 and was scrapped in 1945.

I googled the ferries and found a few photos. Now I'm keen to have a squizz at the plans so I've sent a note to the NMM to ask them, but I also wondered if anybody in this group knows of (or has) any plans for either of these paddlers?

Many tks
Tony

[derekwarner_decoy]

Hi PD's - Tony - this vessel has a unique deck line that I have not seen [or noticed] before - she appears to have the full sponson foot print covered in [gunwale] to provide additional deck space or what ever?? - a bit hard to see from the snap - & is that a brass band on shore near the foredeck? -  :music  - Derek

[Walter Snowdon]

PS KILLINGHOLME and BROCKLESBY were sister ships built on the Humber by EARLES CO. LTD., in 1912. Dimensios were 195ft long, 31.1 ft beam, 8.7 ft. draft. driven by 2cylinder engines. During WW1 both were taken up by the admiralty and used as seaplane carriers, armed with three small guns and had derricks fitted to handle the seaplanes. I have a reference to the KILLINGHOLME being damaged in action and being lucky to be saved. (Action where? I havnt been able to trace that yet). KILLINGHOLME also saw service in WW2 as a barrage balloon ship.
There are several references and some very good photos in a book
THE HUMBER FERRIES by ALUN A D,ORLEY published by NIDD VALLEY NARROW GAUGE RAILWAYS LTD. in1968, there is no ISBN number. I think the photo you show was taken at the opening of Immingham dock by King George 5th, when killingholme was dry docked to be painted white and all her strakes were gilded an she had gingerbread gilding on her bow and stern, she was also temporarily renamed QUEEN MARY just for that occasion while she carried the King and his party. All the ships were dressed overall, and after sailing through the dock, the King asked to see the railway manager., Sam Fay. Somewhat worried, he rushed forward only to be ordered to kneel, whereby the king drew his uniform sword and knighted him in public, totaly unscriped and uexpected!. This hadnt happened for several centuries. I have some other leads to follow up and verify to be posted as soon as  .... Meanwhile If  you contact Hull library archives or local history section, they or the Transport Museum may have a source of plans. Worth a Try.
 all the best, Walter.

[mjt60a]

There's a couple of pictures in 'Paddlesteamers in camera' - Allan T Condie, (which I bought onboard Waverley a few years ago) one of Killingholme at Grimsby (page 40, photo 94) and a later pic of Brocklesby as Highland Queen at Leith in 1936 (page 44, photo 105).

[Khephre]

Well spotted Derek.

Both ferries had sponsons at deck level and the bulwarks followed the outer edge of the sponsons to provide additional deck space. There's another photo of Killingholme on the accompanying website which shows this feature much more clearly.

http://www.winstonmegoran.fsworld.co.uk/killingh.htm

Interestingly exactly the same approach was used with 'my' Britannia, designed in 1886 almost 30 years before Killingholme and Brocklesby were designed. The sponsons on Britannia are at deck height and full length, in the vein of the Acton Grange, Old Trafford, and co., stretching from stem to stern, and with the bulwarks on the outer edges.

The Britannia was also double ended and sported a substantial funnel to aid boiler room draft, so I'm obliged to respectfully, but firmly, disagree with the author of the website, who describes Killingholme and Brocklesby as "paddlers of a radically different and modern design".

The Ships Plans Curator at the NMM has advised that they don't hold plans for Killingholme and Brocklesby. But he did say that he believed the lion's share of surviving materials from the builders (Earle's Shipbuilding and Engineering) went to Hull University.  So next destination on this trip - www.Hull.ac.uk/lib

Grateful thanks for your comments, Mick and Walter. Sam Fay must have been fair worried when he was called forward!

Cheers, and on to Hull Uni.

Tony

[Khephre]

So much for Hull University. The archivist reports that they have no information at all on the Killingholme or the Brocklesby.

Any suggestions as to where else I might find the plans, anyone?

Many thanks in anticipation

Tony

[AlistairD]

 
 

 
So much for Hull University. The archivist reports    that they have no information at all on the Killingholme or the    Brocklesby.

Any suggestions as to where else I might find the plans,    anyone?
   
National Railway Museum,    York  
   
Alistair

[Khephre]

Many grateful thanks Alistair. And so the journey continues...

[Khephre]

Regrettably the National Railway Museum has advised that they hold no plans either.

Tony