Author: Martin Longhurst+

Supporting the preservation and operation of paddle steamers Waverley and Kingswear Castle

Compton Castle Engine Move

The engine from Kingswear Castle’s sister Compton Castle has been moved from Blackgang Chine on the Isle of Wight to Kingswear for eventual display.

Dart Company’s Contribution Recognised

At a ceremony at Kingswear on 14 April, a Certificate conferring Honorary Membership of the Society to the Dartmouth Steam Railway and River Boat Company was presented.

All 2016 Waverley Timetables Published

The final section covering the Irish Sea was approved by the port authorities in mid-March and the whole season’s timetable may now be downloaded from the Waverley Excursions web site.

Historic Postcard Collection Acquired

The Society is delighted to announce that it has recently acquired a large and significant collection of steamer postcards and photographs.

PS Kingswear Castle in 2016

The Dartmouth Steam Railway and River Boat Company has published the 2016 timetable for the coal-fired paddle steamer Kingswear Castle, owned by the Society.

Waverley Ruby Anniversary Appeal Result

Altogether £33,700 has been raised for essential repairs to Paddle Steamer Waverley. To mark the 4oth anniversary of the paddler’s first voyage in her preservation era in 1975, the Society decided to launch an special appeal to fund some essential repairs to the steamer. *Two New Masts The mainmast is now due to be replaced during…
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Results of 2015 Grand Draw

The draw was made at the Society’s Annual General Meeting at Kingswear on 24 October 2015 by the Society’s President and Founder, Professor Alan Robinson.

Timeshift: The People’s Liners – Britain’s Lost Pleasure Fleets

Some of the Society’s historical footage appears in this BBC TV programme. Director/producer Robin Toyne has contributed a couple of paragraphs for us.

John Megoran Lifetime Achievement Award

John Megoran, PS Kingswear Castle’s skipper from 1985 to 2012 and a PSPS Trustee, was presented with a Transport Trust Lifetime Achievement Award by HRH Prince Michael of Kent.

Full Steam Ahead for Loch Lomond’s Maid of the Loch

The Heritage Lottery Fund announced that they are supporting the £5.5 million project to restore Maid of the Loch, Loch Lomond’s Paddle Steamer, to steam operation once more.

Kingswear Castle’s 30 Years of Operation

Richard Clammer writes:- Dartmouth’s paddle steamer “Kingswear Castle” celebrates a significant anniversary this year. Thirty years ago, on 18 and 19 May 1985, the ship set out on her first full public excursions since she had left the River Dart many years before. The 1924-built paddler operated on the Dart until 1965 when, becoming too…
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40th Anniversary Reception

The beginning of Waverley’s 2015 season was marked by a reception on 21 May on the paddler at Pacific Quay to celebrate the 40th anniversary of her first passenger sailing in preservation.

Sweden’s paddle steamer Eric Nordeval

The Society has been contacted by the operators of the Swedish Paddle Steamer Eric Nordevall II.

Paddle Steamer Waverley in 2015

Timetables covering the whole 2015 season are now available on the Waverley Excursions web site.

Paddle Steamer Kingswear Castle in 2015

The Dartmouth Steam Railway and River Boat Company has published the Timetable and Fares for PS Kingswear Castle in 2015 and details may be found here.

Grand Prize Draw Winners 2014

The draw took place on 25 October at the Society’s AGM at Chatham and was made by David Bassett, Chairman of the MV Balmoral Fund.

Outcome of General Meeting 22 March 2014

At the General Meeting of the Society held on 22 March, the following resolution was passed as set out in the Notice sent with “Paddle Wheels”

Kingswear Castle’s Refit 2013-14

Kingswear Castle is the Society’s coal fired river paddle steamer now on extended charter to the Dartmouth Steam Railway and Riverboat Company and used on summer excursions from Dartmouth and Totnes on the River Dart in South Devon.

PSPS Passes Funds to MV Balmoral Fund

MV Balmoral Fund Ltd. achieved charitable status in early January and PSPS has now fulfilled its pledge and passed over all the funds (£6,204.77) it was holding for the benefit of the Motor Vessel.

Balmoral Project Newsletter 25 December 2013

M.V. Balmoral Project published a newsletter containing important news on 25 December 2013.