The Norwich Belle

As mentioned in the above story, the Eastern Princess used to provide similar trips to scroby sands. I have searched high & low on the internet but have been unable to find any photographs etc. of her. Has anyone out there got any memorabilia of her to post on this site ?

HI, IN RESPONCE TO ALAN CRACKNELL'S REQUEST (14 02 2008) THE GOLDEN GALLEON AND EASTERN PRINCESS WERE BOTH FAIRMILE 'B' CLASS LAUNCHES DETAILS OF WHICH CAN BE FOUND BY DOING A GOOGLE SEARCH FOR GOLDEN GALLEON AND FOLLOWING THE LINKS.

My father was the manager of the Norwich Belle,he was also the man who used to go down in a deep sea diving suit.She was powered by steam when we had her.She was converted to Diesel shortly after my father died by the new manager. I used to go out to sea on her 3 times a day when I was on my school holidays. This photo has brought back many happy memories for me. Thank you.

Back in the 1960s I with mum,dad,sister & a couple that were staying in a guest house in Apsley Rd Gt Yarmouth went for a trip on the Norwich Belle and I still have a photo of that day , with the name of the boat shown on the photo

I am very interested in the activities of the Yarmouth and Gorleston Steamship Co and their 3 ships. I wonder if if would be possible for Mr Raymond Tatnell to contact me on 01624 617436. Thank you.

My father and grand father worked on the Norwich Belle and my father also worked as the diver.

My son's school asked me to say what I did on holidays when I was young. Do you remember Jack Bowles who was my grandfather and I remember he was also one of the deep sea divers who many times I would go with him on the Norwich Belle to see him dive every day. He lived to a ripe old age.

thank you for putting my daddy,s grandad on your website laurence

To David Reid.  Your grandfather Jack Bowles was my uncle, although I knew him as Johnny.  Like you, as a child I went every year for a trip out to sea with him and took my daughter in the 1960's as well.  As you said he lived to a ripe old age and I think he was still on the Norwich Belle into his 80s.  I have a good photo of him and his brother Regie together taken on the Belle.  He was a lovely man, a true gentleman.

Does anyone know of the final fate of the NORWICH BELLE? After the D.o.T refused to renew her passenger certificate she was sold for use a diving support ship leaving Great Yarmouth. Later it was reported that she had left the UK for use in Egypt.

When my family enjoyed trips on the Norwich Belle in the 1950s she was powered by two triple expansion steam engines, I think the maker's nameplate was Crabtree. They would probably be worth a lot of money now. In rough weather some passengers got their clothes wet and the crew in the engine/boiler room used to dry them in their warm location. The wreck on Scroby was said to be a Belgian trawler which sank in a storm in 1949. It's tripod foremast was a distinctive feature. In those days you could also see the occasional steam tram engine pulling wagons on the quay.