Wincomblee

[Whickham]

Mori Flapan has sent me these two excellent photos of TOWER BELLE at Bristol. She was built as WINCOMBLEE by Armstrong, Whitworth & Co Ltd at their Low Walker yard (882) in 1920.There have been various email exchanges with Tyne & Wear Archives, Mori and the current owner to try and piece together her history.
She was built for Armstrong Whitworth's own use at Scotswood, Elswick and Walker and originally had a well deck fwd and accommodation aft. In 1939-40 she was bought/transferred to Newcastle Council and used as (????). She then transferred to the Thames and was operating tours from Tower Bridge, hence the change in name to TOWER BELLE and then on to Bristol in 1979-80. Her current owners would love to find out more about her, especially her time on Tyneside and photos of that time would be wonderful. The Tyne Built Ships entry is basic and inaccurate (probably completed in 1920 and may have been twin screw) and will be updated soon. I will also update this entry, but now going away for a week.

Photo copyright of Mori Flapan

Photo copyright of Mori Flapan

See also: http://www.bristolpacket.co.uk/bristol-ferry.html
and: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tower_Belle

Any information and/or photographs gratefully received.

[northeast]

What a fine vessel and no-one seeing her at Bristol would suspect her origins as a working boat on the coaly Tyne.

[tynebuoy]

MORE HOLIDAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[northeast]

He deserves them it's hard work being a milkman ....

[Whickham]

Back in time to deliver tomorrow's pintas.

WINCOMBLEE entry now updated: http://www.tynebuiltships.co.uk/W-Ships ... e1920.html

[tynebuoy]

And you never even sent me a card, oh woe is me!!!!!!!!

[Whickham]

Can't trust the post these days. Here's another.

[northeast]

Looks nice and I really like your hire boat (the one on the near bank )