Cruiser (charter vessel)
Encyclopedia
Cruiser is a vessel owned by Clyde Marine Services Ltd operating in the River Clyde
as part of the company's charter cruise fleet. Former names are Southsea Queen, Hythe Hotspur and Poole Scene.
for use on its Hythe Ferry service just four years later. It was repainted from its green with red band livery to a red and white livery, and was renamed Hythe Hotspur. It was withdrawn from this service in 1995 and chartered to Brownsea Island Ferries Ltd
for service in Poole Harbour
. It initially kept the name Hythe Hotspur but was later sold and renamed Poole Scene. In 1999, she was sold to Clyde Marine Services and renamed Cruiser. As such, she operates as a charter cruise vessel operating out of Greenock
and cruising the Clyde
.
River Clyde
The River Clyde is a major river in Scotland. It is the ninth longest river in the United Kingdom, and the third longest in Scotland. Flowing through the major city of Glasgow, it was an important river for shipbuilding and trade in the British Empire....
as part of the company's charter cruise fleet. Former names are Southsea Queen, Hythe Hotspur and Poole Scene.
History
The vessel was built in 1974 for the Gosport Ferry Company Ltd for cruising and standby ferry duties, she was built at the same shipyard as 'Solent Enterprise', (James & Stone of Brightlingsea). she was similar to the Solent Enterprise, but had a flared pointed bow, she was named Southsea Queen. However, at 119tons she proved too small for its job and was sold to White Horse Ferries LtdWhite Horse Ferries Ltd
White Horse Ferries is a company that operates ferries along the English south coast. They operate the Hythe Ferry and the pier as well....
for use on its Hythe Ferry service just four years later. It was repainted from its green with red band livery to a red and white livery, and was renamed Hythe Hotspur. It was withdrawn from this service in 1995 and chartered to Brownsea Island Ferries Ltd
Brownsea Island Ferries Ltd
Brownsea Island Ferries Ltd is a company that operates ferries to Brownsea Island in Poole Harbour from Poole and Sandbanks. It also operates cruises around Poole Harbour, Bournemouth, Sandbanks, the Jurassic Coast and the Isle of Wight. The vessels operated by the company are the Maid of Poole,...
for service in Poole Harbour
Poole Harbour
Poole Harbour is a large natural harbour in Dorset, southern England, with the town of Poole on its shores. The harbour is a drowned valley formed at the end of the last ice age and is the estuary of several rivers, the largest being the Frome. The harbour has a long history of human settlement...
. It initially kept the name Hythe Hotspur but was later sold and renamed Poole Scene. In 1999, she was sold to Clyde Marine Services and renamed Cruiser. As such, she operates as a charter cruise vessel operating out of Greenock
Greenock
Greenock is a town and administrative centre in the Inverclyde council area in United Kingdom, and a former burgh within the historic county of Renfrewshire, located in the west central Lowlands of Scotland...
and cruising the Clyde
River Clyde
The River Clyde is a major river in Scotland. It is the ninth longest river in the United Kingdom, and the third longest in Scotland. Flowing through the major city of Glasgow, it was an important river for shipbuilding and trade in the British Empire....
.