The Yorkshire Belle

Bridlington retains another of Britain's holiday traditions - a pleasure boat taking visitors on a trip along the coast. This shot shows the Yorkshire Belle arriving back in Bridlington Harbour after such a trip.

This Yorkshire Belle was built and put into service in 1947. The previous vessel of the same name had been sunk during the Second World War while being used by the Royal Navy as a patrol and boom defence vessel.

This Yorkshire Belle was built in 1947 by Cook, Welton and Gemmell’s shipbuilders in Beverley. She was yard number 793 and was registered at 69 Gross Tons, 80 feet (24.4 Metres) in length and with a beam of 19 feet (5.8 Metres). She was fitted with twin Crossley 6 cylinder marine diesel engines. She was licensed to carry 207 passengers. She returned to Cook, Welton and Gemmell’s in March 1951 for the replacement of her Crossley engines with twin Gardner 8L3 diesel engines each producing 152 horsepower. She has worked from Bridlington every summer since then.

These pleasure boats were very popular in the 1950's and 1960's - I remember as a child on holiday in Bridlington that there were four such vessels based here. After the 1960s, the decline of such sailings began, and by 1998 the only traditional boat to sail from Bridlington was the Yorkshire Belle. There have been changes - more of the passenger accommodation is now under cover, and other facilities have been improved.

Ian

[Sarah Bremner]

Great to get a little history lesson as well as the lovely picture. I'm a bit of a fair weather sailor but nice to see things from the offshore perspective I'm sure.

[Bob]

Nice capture with a great history behind it.

[bruni]

Taking a boat ride is always fun. great picture and history.

[Pyrrhula]

In my time I did had a job on a ship. Love it as I was payed for what others has to pay for. Great shot of this nice boat and harbour.

[gloria jones]

Great shot and information

[Tony]

Beautiful scene and delightful that the old lady continues to provide pleasure. A pity that such simple pleasures are being phased out.

[Sandy]

Nicely composed shot with a lot to look at. I enjoyed reading the commentary too.

[Fisher Family]

@sarah19 @bobhuegel @bruni @pyrrhula @seattlite @tonydebont @skstein

Thank you all for your lovely comments - they are very encouraging! Sorry for the delay in replying to your comments, but Katharine and I had a long day out on Friday and spent yesterday recovering. Photos from that trip will appear on our project soon!

Ian

[Lee]

Nice shot, I was there myself the other day and took a shot of this boat myself.