i was lucky enough to get a job on the queen of the isles when i left school in the late 60s sailing between penzance and scillys also st ives to the scillys and we aleo done about a week running from torquay to the channel islands really enjoyed my time working on there great crew great snip soory she ended up like she has but thank you for bringing back memories will keep coming back here

I followed the career of the ship as a teenager in the 1960s but sailed in her only once, from Barry to Ilfracombe in September 1968. She was a versatile ship that did so many things in her six years in the UK.
In a week's time, on 16 November, it will be fifty years since she was launched in Bristol. It's great to have this website to keep our memories of the ship alive.

Well done on a brilliant website.

I stumbled across the site when researching the Queen of the Islands for a build of a 1/250 scale card model that I am building.

Did you know you can download a free card model of her from the following website?

In 1985 I worked for months on the MV Noel Buxton which was always six months booked out in advance. 33 on board, 7 crew and 26 guests which were always Australian couples. We left Monday evenings, reached TI Thursdays and returned by Saturday. One night off and back again. Martin was the skipper then. Other crew came and went. We had some amazing experiences whilst steaming to and fro Torres Strait. Love to hear from some who experienced the unique Buxton experience!

Thanks for setting up this website. I came across it whilst digitising photos from a cruise I did on Queen of the Isles in July 1990. I still have the travel documents and lots of photos. It was an interesting trip and very enjoyable.

Sailed on the Queen of the Isles aged 4 in 1964 with Mum & Dad on 1st ever visit to Scilly (it must have been her first year in service). The crossing was very rough and everyone was very seasick, except me! No one to look after me on the trip - Mum & Dad where in the bowels of the vessel incapacitated! However, it obviously didn't put us off; we spent every annual holiday on Scilly for the next 15 yrs and then I left home to work there at Tregarthens Hotel. Met husband to be there - thanks Queenie!

1987 Journal Entry for my then husband Ed Hartley and myself.In Cardwell we had booked and paid for a week long, Maiden Voyage Cruise Of the MV Noel Buxton from Cairns to Thursday Island. When we arrived in Cairns we looked for the address of the Steamship Company to find it was vacant. Nerves were settled when we found the office at a different address and we checked in.

A ‘Paddle Wheel’ boat ride around the Harbour and we get our first glimpse of the MV Noel Buxton. A better look, once we are back on shore, is a little disconcerting. Welders are frantically welding the rail around the Fan Tail shaped stern. Painters, delivery vans, buzzed around like bees, Ed, suffering a panic attack. We met the crew and fellow passengers and the anxious new owner. Eighteen passengers, and six crew have drinks in the salon. At 8P.M. It is dark and we leave, on time.
Soon it is raining heavily and the seas become rough and the passengers head for their cabins. Choosing the lee side washrooms to avoid ‘backwash’ of the direct flush toilets.
March 10
Sleep eluded us and several people did not show up for breakfast. “Col” busily dispensed seasick tablets and tea as we head for Lizard Island.
The weather gradually clears but the sea is still choppy when we reach the Research Station Island, and are transferred by dingy. We are in the first boatload and while we wait we walk along the shore spotting

Beeing always interested in vessels having some remarkable history, I came here just by chance, but stayed to read all. She was quite a beautiful ship, and the stories told are fascinating.

Thank you for running this site!

I remember going on a "school trip" aboard this fantastic little ship. it was either in 1969 or 1970. a long time ago now come to think of it but I still have vivid memories. she seemed enormous at the time. a shame to see her beached now but what a varied life. Great site. Nick

Amaceing this site is still running - must be genuin feelings for the ship.
We - my wife and daughter(6) did the first season sailing in may 1991 to Thursday Island on the Queen. We jumped on our around the world journey in 8 mnds. It was a unique wonderful cruise with a remarkeble crew who took personal interest of our welbeeng. We where only 25 passengers on board - we the 3 Norwegians and 2 from Netherland - the rest aussies. The crew almost outnumberd us - what a threat. One day I found my doughter streering the ship on the bridge sided by the captain. Yhe ships history says she is bulid and saild initially in England. My mysteri is - why did we find signs and markings of sequirity in norwegian languish text on board? I did a lot of video and took a lot of pictures of sites , ship ,crew and passenders - if that is of interest.
Sad to realise the Queen is dead.
Bjorn