Sir Francis Drake

this photo was taken at fishguard hbr.whilst serving as a tender to visiting liners.

TSS "Sir Francis Drake" (1908, 478grt) was one of three tenders used simultaneously at Fishguard when Cunarders "Mauretania" and "Lusitania" called. She was the passenger tender. Two other vessels dealt with a) baggage b)mails. In summer, on days when not required for tender duties she ran coastal excursions. In background one of the Fishguard-Rosslare 'Saints' (St Patrick/David/George of 1906 or St Andrew of 1908).

She was used by the Royal Navy as an exam vessel during the war from Jan 1941 till June 1946,when she was handed back to her owners.She was sold and broken up in 1954.
peter.

Beautiful photograph of a most interesting (tug-)tender - one of a lost line of formerly essential vessels. Not much evidence of 'tugging' with this ship, though. That would vary, I presume. Donald

Quite right Donald she was purely a passenger tender. Worked at Fishguard while Cunarders ran from Liverpool. When they shifted services to Southampton she transferred to Plymouth for similar duties.