Visit to Medway Queen – On 14th April 1962 fifteen members from as far afield as Worthing and Southampton were met at the ship’s side by Mr Frank Marshall, Secretary of the New Medway Co., and ex-Chief Engineer Barnes. Medway Queen was having a real inside out spring-clean and her big end bearings were adrift and lying on the gratings with their bolts. All metal work was covered with anti-rust coating.

Portsmouth paddlers – PS Sandown returned to Portsmouth on 27th March after spending some time at Southampton for repairs to her port sponson. PS Ryde was overhauled at Newhaven and was in service on 2nd June. This year the Whippingham was overhauled at Southampton. All three vessels are looking very smart after their overhaul and painting.

PS Swanage Queen – This vessel left the River Exe on the 8th May in tow of the tug Ocean Bull for Bruges where she arrived on 10th May for scrapping.

Clyde steamers – On Wednesday 6th May Waverley and Duchess of Montrose were held up at Gourock owing to the boat train running some 20 mins late. Waverley got away first. Duchess of Montrose was soon on her trail, but was
unable to catch her up before Dunoon. Waverley was berthed astern, but got off first once more. A real challenge now came from the Duchess of Montrose, but even with the stop at Innellan, Waverley managed to keep the Montrose at
her stern right up to the level of the pier at Craigmore. At this point the vessels went their separate ways in for Rothesay pier. On Sunday 10th June Waverley was on the round Bute and Cumbraes cruise ex Craigendoran, and traffic was good in view of the fact that so many other sailings are available.

River Dart steamers – PS Compton Castle is to be withdrawn at the end of this season. PS Kingswear Castle has been fitted with a new boiler and has also had extensive replating of the hull. It is expected that these replacements will give the vessel another ten years of life.