P & A Campbell facts for kids

The Bristol Queen paddle steamer in the Camel Estuary.

P & A Campbell was a company that ran ships, mostly paddle steamers, in the Bristol Channel. They were based in Bristol, England. The company operated for many years, from 1893 until 1979.

History of P & A Campbell Ships

Peter and Alexander Campbell were the sons of Captain Bob Campbell. Their father ran a steamboat on the River Clyde in Scotland. In 1887, Peter and Alexander moved their paddle steamer, the Waverley, to the Bristol Channel. Here, they started their own group of ships, known as the White Funnel fleet. These ships were used for fun trips along the coast.

Early Days and Challenges

The company had a bit of a rough start. In July 1887, they were called to court in Bristol. This was because they had an engineer on the Waverley who did not have the right certificate.

The P & A Campbell company was officially formed in 1893. They used the "White Funnel" image as their special company logo.

Ships During World Wars

During the First World War, many of their ships helped with the war effort. Twelve ships from the White Funnel fleet were taken by the Admiralty. They were used as ships to clear mines from the sea or to carry soldiers. Sadly, two of their ships, the Brighton Queen and the Lady Ismay, were lost during this time.

When the Second World War started, the fleet was again taken by the government to help. After the war, the company planned to build four new ships. However, only two were actually built: the PS Bristol Queen and the PS Cardiff Queen. These two ships sailed until 1967 and 1968. After that, the company started using ships that ran on motors instead of steam. The company finally closed down in 1979.

Fast Hovercraft Experiment

For a short time in the summer of 1963, the company tried something new. They used a very fast experimental craft called the SRN2. This craft was like a hovercraft and carried people between Penarth and Weston-super-Mare.

Ships Operated by Campbell

Here is a list of some of the ships that P & A Campbell operated over the years: