Blog

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

Winter Paddling

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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KC On Times Radio

Tune in on Friday 4th November from 8.30pm for a feature about KC on the Michael Portillo Show on Times Radio

Kingswear Castle 1969

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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KC Rebuild Update

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

Stafford Ellerman’s Uncle Lewis

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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29th October 2018 Stadt Luzern

On Monday 29th October Stadt Luzern’s outgoing Captain Kuno Stein and her new master Roger Maurer spent the day clearing the ship’s bridge and office.

Slight Change In Venue For Bristol Meetings

We have just received some very good news from the M.V. Balmoral Fund.   “Balmoral”, which has recently used in the making of a feature film, is being allowed to remain at her current berth outside the M Shed Museum on Princes Wharf until the spring. This means that she will not be  moored at The…
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Chris Smith 1962 – 2022

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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End of 1960 Season

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

Annual Report and Accounts 2021 published

The society’s activities in and the financial results for 2021 are now available to download. These will be considered by our AGM on 22 October 2022, details of which may be found here. We apologise that the link published in Paddle Wheels is incorrect. Review of the Year2021 was severely disrupted by the Coronavirus pandemic,…
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The Queen

Click on the link to see a tribute to the Queen from Kingswear Castle: The Queen – Kingswear Castle

Consul 10th September 1962

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

New Model of PS Consul

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 Returns to Swanage

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 They Do It on Lake Geneva

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

KC Rebuild Fund Raising Cruise

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

Consul’s 1960 Season

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

First Lady Paddle Steamer Captain

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

Recording for Times Radio Aboard KC

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 in the 1960s

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

Waverley’s First Day in Service – 16th June 1947

Waverley’s first day in service.

Thames & Sussex Coast Revival 1969

In 1969 P & A Campbell set out to revive excursion sailings on the River Thames and Sussex Coast using the Queen of the Isles. For more details of the complex schedule they offered that summer, with sailings from London, Southend, Clacton, Margate, Ramsgate, Deal, Hastings, Eastbourne, Shanklin, Boulogne, Calais and Ostend check out the…
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KC to Return to Service in 2023

The plan of campaign for KC’s major rebuild had been to undertake the work over three winters. However so far this winter and spring things have gone so well that a decision has now been taken to keep her in the shipyard over the summer and autumn and continue working on her making use of…
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KC Rebuild Update May 2022

Work is continuing apace on the first phase of KC’s major rebuild at Dartmouth. Renewal of the hull strake beneath the deck port side aft of the paddle box New plating inside aft saloon port side Scrap steel cut away from the hull and bulkheads Ships are built for a lifespan of about 25 years.…
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PS Ripon Arrives at Southampton 3rd April 1864

General Giuseppe Garibaldi arrived in Southampton aboard PS Ripon for a meeting with Prime Minister Palmerston.

Waverley 2002 – Waverley at Easter

The mighty paddler came out of hibernation for five days over Easter 2002.

Waverley 2002 – Waverley out of Dry Dock

The mighty paddler left dry dock on Thursday 7th March 2002.

Waverley 2002 – Waverley in Dry Dock

On Monday 18th February 2002, Waverley entered the Garvel Dry Dock at Greenock for her hull survey.

Waverley 2001 – Waverley’s Winter Cruises

Report on the first of Waverley’s two evening pre-Christmas dinner cruises.

New Bristol Venue for Branch Meetings

Now to take place at the Underfall Yard Visitor’s Centre, Cumberland Road, Bristol, BS1 6XG.