Wessex Branch – The Wessex Branch of the Society held its inaugural meeting on Saturday September 30th at the Lansdowne Hotel, Bournemouth. A film show was presented by Mr B F Cox, curator of the Society.

London & Home Counties Branch – On September 2nd members visited the ships of the Woolwich Free Ferry. The vessel on the slip was Will Crookes. Low tide enabled members to walk round the vessel on the grid and it was noted that the floats were wooden. The inaugural meeting of the Modelling Group took place on 19th August.

White Funnel fleet – Bristol Queen docked at Cardiff on 10th August 10 hours late at 7.14 am. It was on the return from Lundy that the radius rod pin, an integral part of the paddle wheel, came out and emergency repairs had to be made. When Cardiff Queen was tying up at Penarth on 23rd September one of the pier staff slipped and fell into the water. The paddles were stopped with commendable promptitude and the man was fished out via the starboard sponson and revived with brandy. Sailings were completed on 9th October when Bristol Queen left Weston with 600 on board singing Welsh airs, plus rockets, siren, whistles, and orange flares on board.

Clyde paddlers – After the termination of the Ayr excursions, Caledonia returned to Gourock for a week before taking up the Glasgow – Kyles of Bute service. She remained on this service until 22nd September when she returned to Gourock for her winter duties as a tender to the ocean liners. On Saturday 16th September a storm descended on the Clyde causing a considerable amount of disruption. Waverley was caught outside the “Garroch Head” en route from Fairlie to Lochranza and Campbeltown. She weathered the storm very well but three of the forward windows were smashed.

Golden Jubilee – A champagne party to celebrate the diamond jubilee of the steamer Embassy which took place onboard at Totland on 27th August was arranged by the society and attended by a number of committee and ordinary members, together with the officers and crew of the vessel.

Torbay steamers – Because the Princess Elizabeth persistently disregarded the ‘blue’ bad weather flag and put to sea, the Torquay Corporation withdrew the facilities granted to the ship for refuelling in the harbour.

STOP PRESS – The Swanage Queen is for sale. The price asked is £8,000 o.n.o.