Category: Wessex & Dart Branch

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

Special Kingswear Castle Cruises Announced

The Wessex & Dart Branch have arranged two special cruises on Kingswear Castle in aid of the PS Kingswear Castle Centenary Rebuild Appeal.

Wessex Branch Charter of KC

Wessex Branch charter KC in association with PSKC Trust for an evening cruise on Saturday 24th July in aid of KC’s Rebuild Appeal.

Second PSPS Online Presentation

Watch again Peter Lamb’s online presentation “Punching the Tide”.

Solent Scene Fundraising Success

Over £1,600 was raised for Waverley’s Boiler Refit Appeal on the Solent Scene cruise.

Kingswear Castle Evening Cruise

On 22 June 2019, Wessex & Dart Branch again took advantage of one of the ‘promotional cruises’ agreed when KC returned to the Dart.

MV Solent Scene to Help Waverley Fundraising Appeal

The Wessex & Dart Branch has organised a special fundraising evening cruise from Poole Quay on the MV Solent Scene.

Nominated Sailings 2019

The Wessex & Dart Branch are reintroducing nominated sailings to hopefully encourage a more social aspect of the Society where members may be able to meet one another.

Kingswear Castle Fundraising Cruise – Report

A report on the Kingswear Castle evening fundraising cruise on Saturday 28th July.

Meet the Captain of Kingswear Castle

Kingswear Castle skipper Richie Swinglehurst will speak to the Wessex and Dart Branch on Saturday 13th October.

Kingswear Castle Sparkles

Richard Clammer reports on his first sailing of the season aboard Kingswear Castle.

Waverley’s First Visit to the South Coast

Waverley’s first journey to the South Coast – April 1978.

Waverley at Bournemouth in 2016

A selection of photographs of Waverley at Bournemouth supplied by Carl Draper (Waveslider Photography).

PS Embassy 1911 – 1967

Waverley’s cruise on 22 September 2016 celebrated the centenary of Embassy’s launch as Duchess of Norfolk, back in 1911. She became a very significant ship – the last of Cosens & Co’s famous “Buff Funnel Fleet’, and the very last paddle steamer to be based at Bournemouth. Waverley’s route retraced the chief services operated by…
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PSPS Members Meeting in Kingswear – Saturday 7th May 2016

In addition to the previously published Wessex and Dart Branch meeting syllabus an additional Members’ afternoon meeting at the Royal Dart Yacht Club, Kingswear has now been arranged.

Waverley – Around the Isle of Wight

On Saturday 19th September a hardy group of ten photographers boarded a small boat to follow Waverley as she circumnavigated of the Isle of Wight.

Wessex & Dart Branch Newsletter – Winter 2014

This is an abridged version of the quarterly newsletter circulated to Wessex & Dart Branch members.

CCA Solent Cruise – 24th January 2015

The Coastal Cruising Association have arranged a five-hour Solent Cruise that PSPS members are welcome to join.

Wessex & Dart Branch Newsletter – Spring 2014

This is an abridged version of the quarterly newsletter circulated to Wessex & Dart Branch members.

Wessex & Dart Branch AGM Chairman’s Report

Once again it is time to reflect on the past year in the annals of the PSPS Wessex Branch. The first change to report is a change of name!

Special Notice – MV Balmoral

The Balmoral Support Group have arranged the following public meeting in Southampton. Saturday 2nd November 2013 at 11.00. The venue is the Holiday Inn, Southampton SO15 1HJ. This meeting will precede the Wessex & Dart branch, Paddle Steamer Preservation Society meeting that follows at 14.00. Members of the group will outline their future vision for…
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Wessex Branch Grand Christmas Social Weekend

Invitation to the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society Wessex Branch Grand Christmas Social Weekend Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th December 2013 At the Suncliff Hotel, East Overcliff Drive, Bournemouth BH1 3AG All PSPS and associated societies and group members, families and friends, are invited to attend the Wessex Branch Saturday Christmas Lunch and Sunday river cruise.…
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Paddle Steamer Waverley South Coast Sailings

South Coast sailings from 6th until 26th September 2013. For full details of all sailings visit http://www.waverleyexcursions.co.uk  Phone 0845 130 4647 SOUTHAMPTON DEPARTURE POINT: Sail from Southampton Docks. Sept 7, 8,13,14 &15 sailing from 104 berth, dock gate 10, Western docks. Sept 20, 21 & 22 sailing from 49 berth, Eastern docks. Car Parking normally available – charges…
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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…
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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…
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Paddle Steamer Ryde

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

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…
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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…
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Balmoral and P & O 175th Anniversary 3rd July 2012

Views of the P & O liners taken from MV Balmoral during a special cruise from Portsmouth to view the seven liners in Southampton Docks and later in the day to view the ships sailing. MV Balmoral alongside at Portsmouth awaiting passengers Adonia Azur and Shieldhall   Ventura Aurora Oriana Oceana Arcadia