Humber ferry vessels – The journey from New Holland to Hull, which usually takes about twenty minutes, took three hours and twenty minutes one day in March when PS Tattershall Castle was operating the service. A channel buoy became wedged under the sponson.

Weymouth Company move house – The familiar sight of Cosens offices at 10, Custom House Quay, Weymouth, can no longer be seen. During April the Administrative section of Buff Funnel Steamers was moved to the same site as the company’s workshops.

Clyde notes – PS Waverley is at the time of writing in Albert Harbour but is expected to be out for Easter, The main alteration to the vessel has been the mounting of the second new funnel. This regrettably removes a great distinguishing mark where at one time the stay-ring marked the change in colours from red to white in the famous colours which she carried during her first season. At Balloch, PS Maid of the Loch is on the slip with her mainmast lying on the upper deck. A new mast is being fitted for this season. There have been conflicting reports regarding the state of Whiting Bay Pier. This pier could be abandoned, leaving only Brodick on the East coast of Arran.

White Funnel steamer notes – The season opened on Maunday Thursday with the Cardiff – Weston ferry. There is, on 24th June, what must surely be the longest paddle steamer excursion to be operated in Britain for many years. Bristol Queen is scheduled to leave Cardiff at 8,35am for Penarth, Barry, Ilfracombe and Milford Haven with a cruise in the Haven. The day return fare from Cardiff to Milford is 32/6d (£1.62).

Controversy in Switzerland – PS Helvetia was once the pride of the fleet on the Lake of Zurich. This old vessel is not only the subject of a complicated lawsuit but is the cause of a “Diplomatic Incident” in Switzerland. Towed to a new resting place while lawyers argued over her ownership, PS Helvetia was pressed into service by a young peoples’ voluntary organisation. They fitted her out with accommodation for tramps and also a concert room. The local residents complained and the police towed her away up the lake and into the territorial waters of another Canton, Schwyz. This action has caused one of the sharpest Inter-Cantonal disputes for many years. Feeling ran high in. Schwyz when it was discovered that Zurich had moored its unwanted paddle steamer in their waters. The matter began to be widely discussed until the whole of Switzerland followed the story with amused interest.