Remember seeing this stunning pleasure steamer on the Norfolk Broads?
The Queen of the Broads passenger boat moored at Great Yarmouth harbour in the 1960s. - Credit: Archant Library
She was built in the late 19th century and carried countless passengers on the Norfolk Broads for decades.
The Queen of the Broads was built at Cobholm Island, Great Yarmouth by Critten’s boatyard and launched in 1889.
Rebuilt in 1896, she was 74ft in length with a 13ft beam. A 70hp compound steam engine propelled her through the water.
Passengers packed onto the Queen of the Broads. - Credit: Archant Library
Smiling faces on a sunny day aboard the Queen of the Broads for a day trip in 1974. - Credit: Archant Library
Queen of the Broads leaves Great Yarmouth for a trip to Horning, with the Golden Galleon moored alongside the quay. Dated: 1971. - Credit: Archant Library
Up to 180 passengers could enjoy the idyllic Norfolk scenery aboard her during daily trips from Yarmouth to Wroxham.
When approaching low bridges, captains of the boat could lower her funnel to pass through safely.
She used her original boilers until she retired in 1976 as one of the last coal-fired pleasure steamers in Britain.
Queen of the Broads having a refit before the start of the tourist season. Moored at Great Yarmouth harbour Dated 1972 ( approx ) Photograph C1690 - Credit: Archant Library
THE BROADS BROADLAND JAZZ SHUFFLE ON THE 1889 QUEEN OF THE BROADS DATE 9TH JUNE 1957 PHOTOGRAPH GOULD - Credit: Archant Library
Transport - Boats Happy Jazz fans - about 160 of them are seen abroad the Queen of the Broads as she sailed up the River Bure from Great Yarmouth at the start of the Broadland Jazz Shuffle which was organised by the Bungay Jazz Club. The Queen of the Broads was built in 1889, carried enthusiasts from Norfolk and Suffolk on this shuffle. Dated 9 July 1957 Photograph C2394 - Credit: Archant Library
Her owners at the time, Pleasure Steamers Ltd of Yarmouth, had hoped a preservation society would take her under their wing after she became uneconomical to run.
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Alas nobody came forward and the Queen of the Broads was broken up at George Overy's boatyard at Lowestoft.
The Queen of the Broads sailing in 1974. - Credit: Archant Library
A new Queen of the Broads was commissioned and launched from Norwich in 1977.
We hope you have enjoyed these photos from our archive of the old Queen of the Broads.
For more old photos and articles about Norfolk history and heritage, subscribe to our fortnightly Through the Decades email newsletter. Sign up by clicking here.
THE BROADS BOATS QUEEN OF THE BROADS AND THE GOLDEN GALLEON WERE GETTING RE-PAINTED DATE 16TH MAY 1963 PHOTOGRAPH GOULD - Credit: Archant Library
The Queen of the Broads pleasure steamer passes under Haven bridge at Great Yarmouth. Date unknown. - Credit: Archant Library
Transport - Boats Happy Jazz fans - about 160 of them are seen abroad the Queen of the Broads as she sailed up the River Bure from Great Yarmouth at the start of the Broadland Jazz Shuffle which was organised by the Bungay Jazz Club. The Queen of the Broads was built in 1889 at Critton's Yard, Great Yarmouth and carried enthusiasts from Norfolk and Suffolk on this shuffle. For more pictures see C2394 and P5325. Dated 9 June 1957 Photograph C8874 - Credit: Archant Library
The Queen of the Broads sets out from Hall Quay, Yarmouth, with happy jazz fans waving at the start of the Broadland Jazz Shuffle. pic taken 9th june 1957 c12222 pic to be used in edp2 17th august 2009 - Credit: Archant Library
BROADLAND BOUND: the traditional pleasure steamer Queen of the Broads and the converted Royal Navy motor launch Golden Galleon, both crowded with passengers, leaving Stonecutters Quay 40 years ago. - Credit: Archant
Yarmouth pleasure steamer Queen of the Broads sets out from Beccles Corporation Quay in July 1957. On board was a jolly company of 150, comprising members of the local branch of the National Union of Printing, Bookbinding and Paper Workers, pensioners and friends. Yarmouth was their destination, the first trip of its kind by river from Beccles for very many years. DML Jul 2016 - Credit: Archant
DANCING ON DECK: the pleasure trippers Queen of the Broads and Golden Galleon, pictured in 1972, featured musical evening cruises. - Credit: Archant Library
