In the novel Dead Man's Folly, the Devon Belle is a well known pleasure steamer. It has the capacity of 230 passengers.
Departing from Brixwell, the boat travels up the River Helm. The steamer makes a forty five minute stay in the village of Gitcham, where the passengers can enjoy crab or lobster tea as well as Devonshire cream and scones. On the way towards Gitcham, the boat passes both Nasse House and the famous Gooseacre Rock.