Built as a steel hulled passenger- ferry under yard No 257 by Naval Construction & Armament Co. Ltd. (Vickers Maxim), Barrow for the Great Western Railway Co., Milford..
01 April 1897 launched as the REINDEER, one sister the ROEBUCK.
Tonnage 1,281 gross, dim. 280.0 x 34.5 x 16.8ft.
Two 6-cyl. triple expansion steam engines, 643 nhp., speed 20 knots.
June 1897 completed.
02 August 1897 made her maiden voyage from Weymouth to Jersey.
After World War broke out she was transferred to the service between Fishguard to Rosslare.
02 October 1914 hired as a mine sweeper by the Royal Navy. Armament 2 – 12pdrs.
After the refit to a mine sweeper send to the Mediterranean, where she took part in the Gallipoli campaign.
1919 Handed back to Great Western Railway; first she underwent a refit and repairs at Southampton before she on 30 January 1930 official was handed back to owners.
February 1920 again in the service between Weymouth and the Channel Islands.
1925 In reserve, from 1926 during the summer used for day trips to Guernsey.
When in 1928 her certificates expired not more used, February 1928 sold for scrapping to T.W.Ward Ltd. in Briton Ferry, where she arrived on 30 November 1928.
03 December 1928 scrapping commenced.
Jersey 1989 27p sg509, scott524. 2010 72p sg?, scott?
Source: Register of Merchant Ships completed in 1897. http://www.miramarshipindex.org.nz
Railway and other Steamers by Duckworth & Langmuir. Ships of the Royal Navy by J.J. Colledge Volume 2.