The cross-Channel paddlesteamer Paris (II) outward bound for France with a racing cutter astern of her

The steel paddle steamer Paris (II), 760 tons, was built for the London, Brighton & South Coast Railway's Newhaven to Dieppe service by Fairfield's of Glasgow. In preparation for the expected increase in passenger traffic to coincide with the Paris International Exhibition of 1889, Paris and her sister Rouen were completed in the summer of 1888 and entered service as the last two paddlers on this route. Each licensed to carry 706 passengers, they could make 19½ knots at full steam and were extremely popular because of their speed and comfort, Paris's best crossing being 3hrs. 25mins. on 11^th September 1888. Remaining in service until 1912, she was then sold to the Shipping Federation who ran her until she was purchased by the Royal Navy for use as a minesweeper in March 1916. Bearing the name Verdun and armed with a single 6pdr. gun, she stayed on in the service until April 1922 after which she was sold and finally scrapped in 1924.