Galley Flues
Ever wondered how long a paddle steamer galley flue lasts before disintegrating? To find out take a look at the February Pictures of the Month on the KC website: Galley Flues – Kingswear Castle
Supporting the preservation and operation of paddle steamers Waverley and Kingswear Castle
Ever wondered how long a paddle steamer galley flue lasts before disintegrating? To find out take a look at the February Pictures of the Month on the KC website: Galley Flues – Kingswear Castle
We are delighted to announce that this week the Paddle Steamer Kingswear Castle Trust has signed an extended contract with the Dartmouth Steam Railway and River Boat Company ensuring that Kingswear Castle will be operating from her base at Dartmouth on the River Dart for a further 25 years. A spokesperson for the Paddle Steamer…
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Kingswear Castle ran on the Medway and Thames from 1985 to 2012 from her then base at the Historic Dockyard Chatham. To see how we did it and attracted passengers up the gangway click here: 12th January 1989: SEETB Excursions Fair – Kingswear Castle
Guy Hundy, who has died aged 79, was a long standing PSPS member, a trustee of the Paddle Steamer Kingswear Castle Trust and a regular contributor to Paddle Wheels. For an obituary on the KC website click here: Guy Hundy 1943 – 2022 – Kingswear Castle
Fancy two trips down the Thames in the summer of 1949 aboard Royal Daffodil and the then brand new Queen of the Channel? Check out the January Pictures of the Month on the Kingswear Castle website: January 2023: Two Thames Trips 1949 – Kingswear Castle
Check out progress on KC’s major rebuild by clicking here: 24th December 2022: KC Rebuild Update – Kingswear Castle
On Sunday 17th December 1989 KC ran a Santa Special on the River Medway. To find out more click here: 17th December 1989: Kingswear Castle – Kingswear Castle
The Lake Geneva paddle steamer Rhone is set to continue with her Sunday lunch cruises from Lausanne into the New Year and beyond. And the Italie is scheduled to replace Vevey on the lunch cruises from Geneva from 18th December. To have a look aboard and see more click here: 11th December 2022: PS Rhone…
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Take a trip back in time with us to 16th December 1989 when KC ran a Christmas buffet lunch cruise on the River Medway from Strood. To see how the day panned out click here: 16th December 1989: Kingswear Castle – Kingswear Castle
The Lake Geneva diesel electric paddler Helvetie was towed from Lausanne to Geneva by the Leman on 7th November 2022 to free up a berth in the Ouchy shipyard for the newly built Navibus which is nearing completion in the yard. After relatively little use in the previous decade, and in need of a major…
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KC and Waverley as well as other vessels featured in recent episodes of the Stormy Weather series on Times Radio. To tune in and hear the programme again click here: https://shows.acast.com/belle-books-and-stories/episodes/stormy-weather-kingswear-castle
Lewis and Celia Wood took a “day” trip from London to Oban and round Mull on King Geoge V, with time ashore at Staffa and Iona along the way, out overnight on Friday 10th July 1936, back overnight the following day. To follow their adventure and see how they got on check out the December…
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Derek Gawn has sent in some more fascinating and unique pics of KC in her Isle of Wight years when she was in company with Medway Queen and Ryde. Take a look: 11th November 2022: KC 1969/70 Update – Kingswear Castle
Pining for a paddle steamer trip? Suffering from withdrawal symptoms as the long winter nights draw in because you can’t get aboard a paddle steamer? Can’t wait ’till next summer? Then help is at hand. Take yourself off to Dr Switzerland where no less than two paddlers are scheduled to be in service on Lake…
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Tune in on Friday 4th November from 8.30pm for a feature about KC on the Michael Portillo Show on Times Radio
Derek Gawn has sent in some fascinating pictures he took as a schoolboy in 1969 of KC making one of her very few trips under her own steam during her time on the Isle of Wight. For more pictures and other details check out the Kingswear Castle website: 11th November 2022: KC 1969/70 Update –…
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For an update on KC’s rebuild and to see all the excellent work being done in Dartmouth to give our ship an extended life check out the latest news on the KC website October 2022: KC Rebuild Update – Kingswear Castle
The late Stafford Ellerman left meticulous records of his extensive travels both in this country and abroad. In this he followed the example his Uncle Lewis Wood. He was a civil servant by day at the Royal Arsenal at Woolwich but in his time away from work, and maybe at work too sometimes, he dreamed…
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Chris Smith, who has died of a heart attack aged 60, played a central role in the return to service of KC in the 1980s and her subsequent operation and continued restoration on the Medway during the ensuing years for more than a quarter of a century. For more details check out the KC website:…
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When did the seasons end for the paddle steamers still in service in 1960? To find out take a look at the October Pictures of the Month on the KC website: October 2022: End of the 1960 Season – Kingswear Castle
Click on the link to see a tribute to the Queen from Kingswear Castle: The Queen – Kingswear Castle
What was the paddle steamer Consul doing on 10th September 1962. To find out take a look at a feature on the KC website: Consul 10th September 1962 – Kingswear Castle
For more details about a new model of PS Consul check out a feature on the KC website:New Model of Consul – Kingswear Castle
Waverley returned to Swanage for the first time in four years around 12.30pm on Sunday 4th September during a cruise from Southampton and Yarmouth to view the Bournemouth Air Show. For more pics of this happy event check out a feature on the Kingswear Castle website: Waverley Returns To Swanage – Kingswear Castle
How do they keep the paddle steamer on Lake Geneva solvent? To find out more check out the Pictures of the Month on the Kingswear Castle website: September 2022: How They Do It on Lake Geneva – Kingswear Castle
There are still some tickets available for the Rebuild Fund Raising Cruise aboard Dart Explorer on Saturday 13th August. For more details or to make a donation check out the Kingswear Castle website: KC Rebuild Fund Raising Cruise – Kingswear Castle
What was the paddle steamer Consul doing during the 1960 season? To find out have a look at the August Pictures of the Month on the Kingswear Castle website: August 2022: Consul’s 1960 Season – Kingswear Castle
The SGV Company has appointed its first lady captain. For more details check out the news feature on the Kingswear Castle website: First Lady Paddle Steamer Captain – Kingswear Castle
A recording about paddle steamers for Times Radio was made aboard KC in the shipyard on 14th July. For more details check out the Paddle Steamer Kingswear Castle Trust website: 14th July 2022: Recording for Times Radio aboard KC – Kingswear Castle
Embassy’s Catering For a look at Embassy’s catering in the 1960s check out the Pictures of the Month on the Kingswear Castle website: July 2022: Embassy’s Catering 1960s – Kingswear Castle