News / bristol packet
106-year-old vessel undergoes major restoration work
A 106-year-old passenger boat is undergoing major restoration work at Albion Dockyard.
Tower Belle, which has been owned by the Bristol Packet since 1977, is having more than half of its hull reinforced in what company director Luke Dunstan described as “essential maintenance work.”
The vessel is currently being worked on in the dockyard’s sheds and is set to be relaunched in around five weeks.
The cruising boat is on dry land for essential repairs – photo: Susie Long
“We want to make sure she’s fit to sail for another 100 years”, Dunstan told Bristol24/7, “so we have to take her out of action for a while and ensure everything is up to scratch.”
Tower Belle was built in Newcastle in 1920 by Sir W G Armstrong Whitworth & Co Shipbuilders, initially named Wincomblee after the nearby waterways.
Tower Belle has been popular for school trips, boat tours and parties in Bristol since the 1970s – photo: Bristol Packet
The ship was then moved to London, where it was renamed Tower Belle, before making its way to Bristol.
“She’s been with Bristol Packet for nearly 50 years”, said Luke.
We’ve been slowly working bit by bit to preserve her ever since.”
Main photo: Susie Long
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