From the Chairman – It is with great regret that I have to record the failure of Messrs Fortes & Co to get the Medway Queen berthed alongside the Embankment. They were defeated in the end by opposition from the Dolphin Square Tenants Association. After this the Medway Queen Trust was consulted and suggested berths below Tower Pier and at Greenwich. Even so, the outcome is uncertain and it is to be hoped that Messrs. Fortes will achieve the success that their continued efforts deserve.

Wessex Branch – For the first time a meeting of the Branch will be held on board a steamer before she goes into service. This will be on May 15th on the Princess Elizabeth.

Portsmouth paddlers – Sandown did not have a very happy Easter Monday. Reaching Ryde in the customary gale that afternoon, she experienced difficulty getting alongside the pier. Fenders broke, and when the few passengers had disembarked, with ropes snapping, it was decided to return to the Harbour “light”. We are hoping for a great change of weather by the end of May when either Ryde or Sandown will take us on a Solent Cruise.

Hull – New Holland ferry steamers – The paddlers Tattershall Castle, Wingfield Castle and Lincoln Castle will commence their short river cruises on June 6th. The vessels will depart Hull (Corporation Pier) at 3pm to view the docks and are due back at 3.50pm

Notes on Clyde steamers – In October it was decided to reduce the fleet by five. PS Jeannie Deans was put up for sale on March 30th. Her last day in service was September 28th when she was on three round trips to Rothesay from Craigendoran. Waverley is coming out at Easter and will be based on Craigendoran. Talisman, her fate in the balance, lay for two weeks in the Albert Harbour before her overhaul. She re-entered service in mid-December. On the two weeks beginning February 22nd she was on the Holy Loch and Millport routes. The Talisman is still in her old colours but nevertheless will be at Millport over the Easter weekend.

White Funnel notes – Bristol Queen’s first sailing was on the Cardiff-Weston ferry on May 1st. She is on Charter on 19/20th May and at this point Cardiff Queen enters service to maintain the ferry on these days and during Bristol Queen’s trip to the Scilly Isles the following weekend.