Paddle Steamer Kingswear Castle returning to the River Dart

Kingswear Castle is set to return to the River Dart on a 15 year charter by Dart Pleasure Craft in association with the Dartmouth Steam Railway & River Boat Company. Kingswear Castle has operated successfully on the River Medway and Thames Estuary since 1985 and it is 47 years since she last sailed her home waters.

Weather permitting the ship will be towed from Chatham in Kent next week and then undergo a periodic winter refit before entering service on the Dart at Easter. The announcement of the ship's return was made by Andrew Pooley, General Manager of the Dartmouth Steam Railway & River Boat Company at the PSPS AGM in Bath.

On Friday 29th March 2013 (Good Friday) Kingswear Castle is offering a special cruise to celebrate her return to the Dart. She will depart Dartmouth at 10:30 for a River Cruise on the Dart (returning to Dartmouth at c.11:45). The round trip will view Bayards Cove, Kingswear and Dartmouth Castles, Britannia Royal Naval College, Dittisham Village, Sir Walter Raleigh’s Boathouse, Greenway Quay and The Estate of the late Dame Agatha Christie. All proceeds of this cruise will be donated to the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society. Tickets are priced at £25.00 (children under 16 years of age £15.00; no concessions). Tickets will be on sale online from noon on Friday 14th December 2012 and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

For more information visit the Dartmouth Steam Railway & River Boat Company website-click here.


Paul Semple

Festive Cruise 2012

The annual Festive Lunch Cruise will take place on Saturday 29th December aboard M.V. Cruiser from Greenock to Loch Goil. Cruiser will depart from Victoria Harbour Greenock at 11am and return at 3.30pm, she will call at Blairmore for a brief visit ashore before sailing up Loch Long and into Loch Goil. Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased using the booking form sent out with the autumn edition of Paddle Wheels. Non-members are very welcome and can purchase tickets by downloading the booking form below.

Tickets should be ordered by post before 18th December but will also be available at the next Branch meeting on Friday 14th December subject to availability. The Branch meeting on Friday 14th December is the annual joint meeting with the West Highland Steamer Club when Iain Quinn presents "In the Wake of the Comet-A Glance at the British Paddle Steamers". The meeting begins at 7.30pm in the Renfield St. Stephen's Church Centre, Bath Street, Glasgow.

Scottish Branch Committee