This picture, provided by Peter Ford, was taken of Victoria in the Southampton scrapyard on Sunday 1st February 1953, just over a week after her arrival under her own steam from Weymouth under the command of Captain Moore.

As you can see the breakers haven’t wasted any time in starting her demolition and she is already without her funnel, bridge and handrails. A sad sight to see.

A clip from the Dorset Echo

The Dorset Echo recorded Victoria’s arrival in the scrapyard.

Victoria A/S Weymouth Pleasure Pier 21st September 1950.

Victoria in happier times waiting to load passengers at Weymouth.

Victoria heading up for the inner berth on the west side of Bournemouth Pier about 1pm on Thursday 14th August 1952.

Built for Cosens in 1884 with an oscillating steam engine (just like those still found on most of the Dresden paddle steamers today) and a coal fired boiler, Victoria was still running long distance trips from Weymouth to Swanage and Bournemouth (round trip 56 nautical miles) and to Swanage and Totland Bay, Isle of Wight (round trip 74 nautical miles) right up to 1952, her last season in service.

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