MV Balmoral (1949)

The MV Balmoral is a historic excursion vessel owned by the preservation charity MV Balmoral Fund and is part of the UK's National Historic Fleet.  The Balmoral was built as a ferry by John I. Thornycroft & Co. in Woolston near Southampton and launched on 27 June 1949.  The ship conducts excursion trips mostly in the Bristol Channel, accommodating 800 passengers and features a self-service restaurant, two licensed bars, a heated observation lounge, and a souvenir shop.

The MV Balmoral originally operated as a passenger and car ferry between the mainland port of Southampton and Cowes on the Isle of Wight, as well as conducting occasional excursion trips.  As dedicated car ferries began to enter service, the Balmoral focused increasingly on excursion trips by the Red Funnel Line and, later, P&A Campbell until 1980, after which she was sold as a floating restaurant in Dundee, Scotland. 

As the floating restaurant scheme did not succeed, the Waverley Steam Navigation Company Ltd purchased the vessel and undertook a major refit, converting Balmoral's car deck into an enclosed area subsequently used as a dining saloon.  Following the completion of this refit, Balmoral returned to the Bristol Channel in 1986 to commence summer excursion cruising, both in the Bristol area and elsewhere in the UK.  

Further work in 2002 saw Balmoral's original twin Newbury Sirron diesel engines replaced with a pair of new Danish-built Grenaa diesel engines.  In 2015, ownership of Balmoral was transferred to the MV Balmoral Fund Ltd, with the ship to be operated by its subsidiary, White Funnel Ltd., following a £300,000 refit.  

In December 2017, the MV Balmoral Fund announced that the ship would not undertake any cruises in 2018 due to the need for major repairs to her hull plating.  Repairs were carried out in the Albion dry dock in Bristol's Floating Harbour, with Balmoral departing on 19 July 2024 and undergoing additional maintenance work throughout 2025. 

Specifications: MV Balmoral (1949)

Displacement: 736 gross register tons

Length: 62 metres (203.5 feet)

Beam: 9.76 metres (32 feet)

Depth: 3.38 metres (11 feet 1 inch)

Propulsion: Two 800-horsepower 6-cylinder diesel engines

Fuel capacity: 23 tons of diesel

Service speed: 12 knots (22.2 km/h; 13.8 mph)

Maximum speed: 17 knots (31.5 km/h; 19.6 mph) 

Passenger capacity: Up to 784 (originally up to 800 + 10 cars)

Crew: 19-22

Photos taken 23 September 2015, Bristol Harbour, UK

MV Balmoral moored at Princes Wharf near the Prince Street Bridge in Bristol.