Clacton Belle was the first of the famous Belle Steamers. Like Woolwich Belle, she originally had a telescopic funnel, which was later replaced by a fixed one. Again like Woolwich Belle, she also had a bow rudder fitted to aid maneuverability in the busy Thames.
During the First World War, Clacton Belle was commissioned in August 1915 as HMPMS 930, and had direct contact with the enemy when she rescued sailors from a Zeppelin that had crashed in the Thames estuary in 1917. Her commanding officer, Commander Sutton-Smith, later received the DSO. She was said to have destroyed some 342 mines during her wartime service.
Due to the financial difficulties of her owners she was sold several times after Belle Steamer ownership and she was eventually sold to T. W. Ward in Grays for breaking up in 1929.