Blog

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

Paddle Steamer Kingswear Castle’s first public sailing from Totnes

On Sunday 16th June Wessex Branch members and friend travelled by coach from Bournemouth and Dorchester to board PS Kingswear Castle for her first public sailing from Totnes since her return home from the Medway. Kingswear Castle approaching Totnes Steamer Quay View from Kingswear Castle approaching Totnes Chris Wood Chairman of the Wessex Branch presenting…
Read more

Branch Evening Charter 2013

The PSPS Scottish Branch charter will take place on the evening of Thursday 11th July. This year the itinerary has been changed to offer an evening cruise to view the north Arran coast. Waverley will depart Millport at 1805 and Largs at 1900, returning to Millport at 2145 and Largs at 2215. A return time…
Read more

Waverley Report on BBC Wales News

On Friday 7th June BBC Wales broadcast a news item about Waverley and her current sailings on the Bristol Channel. The report can currently be seen using the following link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-22823089 P Semple

Waverley departs for Liverpool

Waverley finally left Glasgow at 1630 on Saturday 1st June heading for Liverpool after being delayed due to a technical issue. Over the past few days both crew and volunteers put in a tremendous effort to try and ensure that Waverley was able to reach Liverpool for her first sailing on Saturday but unfortunately circumstances prevented…
Read more

Kingswear Castle Trip – 22nd May 2013

Peter Devrell has been on his travels again and has sent in some ‘stills’ and a short video of a trip he did on the river Dart aboard the paddler Kingswear Castle.  The link to the YouTube video is HERE KC alongside at Dartmouth Lifebelt Ships bell and builders plate Approaching Dartmouth from the sea…
Read more

Waverley Leaves Dry Dock

The following pictures were taken today (Monday 20th May) by Roy Tait showing Waverley being re-floated and then being guided out dry dock before she ran trails and compass adjustments.

Waverley in Dry Dock

After returning to the Clyde following her visit to the Western Isles Waverley entered Garvel dry dock  on the morning of Wednesday 8th May for her annual visit.

Waverley Western Isles 2013

Waverley began her 2013 sailing season on Friday 3rd May with her traditional programme of cruises around the Western Isles based in Oban. Last year those venturing north were rewarded with 11 hot and sunny days. This contrast this year could not have been more pronounced.   Truncated to five days of cruising, Waverley departed…
Read more

Waverley STV News Report "All aboard the world’s last seagoing paddle steamer for 2013 season"

Scottish Television (STV) have broadcast a report as Waverley is about to begin the 2013 season. The following link will open up the report. It was filmed over several days during the winter refit with further footage recorded as she prepared for sea trails earlier this week. Click Here Paul Semple

Waverley Sea Trials

Waverley sailed down the River Clyde for the first time in 2013 on Wednesday 30th April on sea trials ahead of her annual visit to Oban. 2013 marks the 39th year of Waverley operating in preservation. She left Glasgow shortly after 2pm and sailed down river to Loch Long and then returned to the city…
Read more

Philip (Clive) Power – Scattering of Ashes

The ashes of Captain Phil (Clive) Power will be scattered at sea, on Saturday 1st June (12 noon ?). The RNLI Penarth Lifeboat will be carrying out this duty, just off Penarth Seafront. The family would like all those who knew or worked with Phil to attend.  There will be a ‘do’ after the scattering, at…
Read more

Branch AGM

The forty-third Annual General Meeting of the Scottish Branch will take place on Friday 19th April at 7.30 p.m.at the Renfield St Stephen’s Church Centre, 260 Bath Street, Glasgow to transact the following business: 1) To receive apologies for absence2) To approve the minutes of the forty-second AGM3) To receive a chairman’s report4) To receive…
Read more

Monarch Sailings 2013

A website has now been set up giving some details about PS Monarch and the sailings she will be offering this year. She is due to enter service at the end of May with a charter to the Wessex Branch. The poster below has been produced to promote her sailings from Wareham Quay. Monarch Website.…
Read more

Kingswear Castle on BBC Spotlight

On Kingswear Castle’s first public cruise on Good Friday a BBC film crew recorded the event while also interviewing Andrew Pooley, General Manger for the Dartmouth Steam Railway & RiverBoat Company. The following link shows the report from BBC Spotlight which was broadcast. Click Here! Paul Semple

Balmoral 2013 Fund

You will have read in the current edition of Paddle Wheels the article about Balmoral written by Nick James. The proposals for static use in Bristol this year are still under discussion, and we hope for an outcome shortly.

Kingswear Castle enters service on the Dart

On Friday 29th March Kingswear Castle was once again offering cruises on the River Dart. Her last public sailing on the Dart was in 1965 before she was purchased by the PSPS for the sum of £600. Kingswear Castle’s first sailing in 2013 on the River Dart from Dartmouth was advertised as a Homecoming  Charity Cruise where…
Read more

*UPDATED* Bristol Channel Timetable 2013

The timetable for Waverley’s Bristol Channel sailings is now available on the Waverley Excursions website.

PS Monarch Charter

The small Paddle Steamer Monarch is due to enter service in May this year offering cruises along the river Frome from Wareham Quay. Monarch was built in 1984 and has seen service in Kent and on the Medina in the Isle of Wight. Extensive refurbishments have been carried out which involved her sponsons and paddle…
Read more

PS Monarch Charter

The small Paddle Steamer Monarch is due to enter service in May this year offering cruises along the river Frome from Wareham Quay. Monarch was built in 1984 and has seen service in Kent and on the Medina in the Isle of Wight. Extensive refurbishments have been carried out which involved her sponsons and paddle…
Read more

Notes from Branch Meeting – 24th March 2013

Some news from todays meeting: Waverley will be sailing on the Bristol Channel from 3rd June to 23rd June inclusive. Waverley timetable for the Bristol Channel should be on-line in the next few days – the paper timetable should be out in the next two weeks. Ways of utilising Balmoral in a static role (for…
Read more

New Chairman for PSPS

Members will no doubt be interested in the following announcement that was posted on the PSPS web site on 13th March.

Paddle Steamer Ryde

The sad sight of PS Ryde taken on Saturday 2nd March 2013  

Maid of the Loch Appeal Launched

The Maid to the Loch was first lowered into the waters of Loch Lomond on 5th March 1953 having been built at the Pointhouse yard of A & J Inglis Glasgow. It was yesterday (5th March 2013) that a public appeal for funds to return the Maid to service on Loch Lomond was launched. The appeal for £4.9M to restore…
Read more

Paddle Steamer Monarch Refit

The following pictures of P S Monarch show the work being undertaken to return the steamer to servicesailing from Wareham The boiler is due back within the next month from being overhauled and repaired with new tubes fitted. The engine is currently being modified so as the main drive shaft also drives the Water Feed…
Read more

Kingswear Castle Refit

Visit the following link for details of PS Kingswear Castle’s refit http://www.dartmouthrailriver.co.uk/boats

PS Kingswear Castle returns to Totnes

On Thursday 7th Febuary Kingswear Castle steamed up the River Dart from Dartmouth to Totnes on a trial run. This was her first call at Totnes since 1965. Since her last visit Steamer Quay has been widened so there is now a reduced turning space to allow KC to cant before heading back down river…
Read more

Kingswear Castle Returns to Totnes

On Thursday 7th Febuary Kingswear Castle steamed up the River Dart to Totnes on a trial run. This was her first call at Totnes since 1965. Since her last visit Steamer Quay has been widened so there is now a reduced turning space to allow KC to cant before heading back down river to Dartmouth.…
Read more

PHILIP POWER (Capt, retired) 19/3/27 – 29/11/12

Some sad news that has just been brought to my attention, for anyone who may remember Captain Phil Power.

Ship Ahoy! – Maritime Heritage Exhibition

An exhibition of photographs and other artefacts from the organisations involved and a rare opportunity to view material and items from the Clyde River Steamer Club Archive is being held on Saturday 13th April, 2013 – 11 am until 4pm   Carmichael Hall, Eastwood Park, Rouken Glen Road, Glasgow  G46 6UG ADMISSION IS FREE!! There will…
Read more