 The Great Western Railway’s principal routes and docks | |
| Predecessor | Ford and Jackson |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1871 |
| Defunct | 1948 |
| Successor | British Railways |
| Headquarters | , |
| Parent | Great Western Railway |
The Great Western Railway's ships operated in connection with the company's trains to provide services to Ireland, the Channel Islands and France.[1] Powers were granted by Act of Parliament for the Great Western Railway (GWR) to operate ships in 1871. The following year the company took over the ships operated by Ford and Jackson on the route between Wales and Ireland. Services were operated between Weymouth, the Channel Islands and France on the former Weymouth and Channel Islands Steam Packet Company routes. Smaller GWR vessels were also used as tenders at Plymouth and on ferry routes on the River Severn and River Dart. The railway also operated tugs and other craft at their docks in Wales and South West England.