The Millbrook Steamboat & Trading Company was a ferry operator on the River Tamar between Devon and Cornwall in England. It was started in 1894, and initially operated a ferry route from Millbrook in Cornwall to Plymouth. It expanded, and eventually became the largest river boat operator in the Plymouth area. From 1943 it operated the Cremyll Ferry.[1]
The company also operated bus services on the Rame Peninsula in Cornwall. The bus services were eventually taken over by Western National.
In 1980 the company was sold to Dart Pleasure Craft. In 1985 the new owners pulled out of operations in the Plymouth area, and the company closed.
| Name | Built | Company service | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| SS Despatch | 1884 | 1894–1900? | |
| SS Cornubia | 1895 | 1895–1921 | Used almost entirely on the Millbrook ferry |
| SS Devonia | 1896 | 1896–1918? | Excursion steamer, sometimes used on Millbrook ferry |
| PS Britannia | 1900 | 1900–1937 | Excursion & ferry services |
| SS Iolanthe | 1887 | 1900–1909? | |
| PS Hibernia | 1903 | 1903–1928 | Excursion steamer |
| PS Brunel | 1905 | 1909–1916 | Excursion steamer, originally from Thames service |
| MV Manna / Devon Belle | 1922 | 1927–1979 | River excursions. Renamed Devon Belle 1936. |
| MV Lady Elizabeth | 1924 | 1930–1979 | Various services |
| PS Whitsand Castle | 1903 | 1932–1935 | Unsuccessful Millbrook Ferry service |
| MV Tamar Belle | 1927 | 1932?–1959 | Millbrook & Cremyll Ferry |
| MV Western Belle | 1935 | 1935–1985 | River and coastal excursions |
| MV Southern Belle | 1925 | 1946–1985 | River excursions |
| MV Northern Belle | 1926 | 1946–1985 | Cremyll Ferry |
| MV Eastern Belle | 1946 | 1957–1985 | River excursions |
| MV Plymouth Belle | 1961 | 1961–1985 | Cawsand Ferry |
| MV Dartmouth Castle | 1948 | 1975–1977 | Returned to Plymouth from time to time between 1980 and 1985 |
| MV Cardiff Castle | 1964 | 1977–1985 | Occasionally returned to Plymouth after 1977 |
| Edgecumbe Belle | 1959 | 1979–1985 | Cremyll & Drakes Island Ferry |
| MV Queen Boadicea II | 1936 | 1980?–1985 | Drakes Island Ferry |