The MV Western Belle is a twin screw passenger vessel with a rich history dating back to her construction in 1935. Built by Fellows & Co of Great Yarmouth for the Millbrook Steamboat & Trading Co Ltd, she was initially used for excursion services from Plymouth, covering routes across the River Tamar, to the River Yealm, and coastal cruises extending as far as Looe in Cornwall. Her design features twin screws, which provided reliable propulsion for her diverse service routes. During World War II, Western Belle continued her operation as the Millbrook ferry, playing a vital role in transporting people from Plymouth to the countryside each night to avoid the Blitz. In 1955, she was briefly chartered to British Railways for the Dartmouth-Kingswear passenger ferry service, after which she resumed her Plymouth-based excursions. Her service life in Plymouth lasted until 1985, when the Millbrook company, then owned by Dart Pleasure Craft Ltd, ceased operations in Plymouth due to increasing competition. Post-1985, Western Belle was transferred to the River Dart, where she operated on several 'River Link' services, including routes between Dartmouth and Totnes, the Dartmouth-Kingswear ferry, and circular cruises from Dartmouth. The vessel remained active on these routes until 2000, when Dart Pleasure Craft acquired G.H. Riddalls and Sons, their main competitor. Due to fleet expansion, Western Belle was deemed surplus and subsequently sold to Chris Cruises of Hampton Court, where she was used for charter work. In 2008, she was sold again to Ullswater 'Steamers'. The vessel was laid up at Maryport in Cumbria before being transported overland to Ullswater in July 2010. She was refitted and launched on Ullswater later that year, continuing her service as a passenger vessel on the lake. The vessel’s long service history, spanning over 75 years and multiple regions, underscores her maritime significance as a versatile and enduring passenger craft.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.