River Dart Steamboat Company – Arrangements have been made to install a new boiler in PS Kingswear Castle which will also mean the renewal of certain plates in the hull, all of which the Company hope will preserve her in good running order for a further period. Although it is a very expensive business maintaining these River Paddle Steamers, the Company intends to operate them for as long as they possibly can.

White Funnel steamer report – The sailings for 1962 have not yet been published, but the Company announced that the Bristol Channel steamers will again be the two “Queens” with PS Glen Usk in reserve. As reported widely in the press, the Company have applied for permission to operate Hovercraft in the Bristol Channel. The ports mentioned are Cardiff, Ilfracombe, Swansea and Clevedon,

London & Home Counties Branch news – The billiard room of “The George” in Old Bailey was packed with members to hear Mr W G Peake, Managing Director of The New Medway Steam Packet Co. speak on the topic of “Engines”. He traced his career with the Company since 1923 when he was Second Engineer of PS Eagle.

Bristol Channel Branch news – An ambitious scheme which this Branch has in hand, in association with the South Wales Branch of the World Ship Society, is the staging of an exhibition at the City Museum, Bristol, during July and August to commemorate 75 years of White Funnel sailing in the Bristol Channel.

Clyde notes & news – One bright spot in the Clyde Steamer Winter Timetable 1961/2 is the regular once daily opening of Hunter’s Quay Pier for a call by MV Maid of Ashton on the Holy Loch run. It will be recalled that the last steamer on the route was the PS Marchioness of Lorne.

Neyland ferry report – Although it not generally known, the most modern paddle steamer in Great Britain is the car and passenger ferry PS Cleddau Queen, operating between Pembroke Dock and Neyland. She is an open side-loading vessel built in 1956. The PS Cleddau Queen was out of service for repairs in November and her place was taken by PS Alumchine, a much older car ferry paddle steamer which has been out of service for many months.

Torbay Steamers Ltd. – PS Princess Elizabeth will be sailing from Brighton, Eastbourne and Hastings this year. The Torquay Corporation have lost a very fine vessel which will be missed by the holidaymakers.