Kingswear Castle Britain's last steam powered river paddle steamer
1924 - 2024
Sail on
Kingswear Castle
Kingswear Castle returned to service on completion of Phase 2 of her major rebuild on 15th June 2026.
Kingswear Castle is operated on behalf of the Paddle Steamer Kingswear Castle Trust by the Dartmouth Steam Railway and River Boat Company.
Click on the button below to visit the operator’s website for timetable and ticketing information.
Please note that whilst Kingswear Castle runs one hour harbour cruises from Dartmouth on a regular basis she does not run every day. To check if she is running on a specific date please ring 01803 555 872.
History of
Kingswear Castle
Built in 1924 for service on the River Dart in Devon between Dartmouth and Totnes, Kingswear Castle was withdrawn in 1965.
Purchased by volunteers in 1967 who painstakingly restored her to operating condition over ten years, entering service on the Medway and the Thames in 1985.
In 2012 she returned home to the Dart.
Support
Kingswear Castle
As the last British paddle steamer of her type Kingswear Castle continues to provide pleasure and delight to present and future generations more than 100 years after she first entered service.
Following major rebuilds during 2003 and 2006 we are continuing to raise funds to secure her future for the next twenty-five years
Click the button below to find out how you can help.
For information and enquiries regarding tickets, timetables and sailing updates please visit the Dartmouth Steam Railway & River Boat Company website www.dartmouthrailriver.co.uk or call 01803 555 872.
8th September 2026:
KC to Totnes
On Tuesday 8th September KC ran a special trip from Dartmouth at 3.30pm for Totnes 5.15pm with passengers mostly for the round trip back to Dartmouth but with some getting
15th June 2026:
KC Returns to Service
KC returned to service in sparkling form on Monday 15th June 2026 after completion of Phase 2 of her major rebuild. The first part in 2023/24 included renewing all the
18th April 2026:
Stadt Luzern Starts Season
The first steamship trip of the season on Lake Lucerne was taken by Stadt Luzern on Saturday 18th April sailing away from Lucerne at 11.12 to Fluelen 14.00 and back
John Megoran recalls the heyday and decline paddle steamers, particularly the Weymouth based paddle steamers that he grew up with. He did not know then that he would go on to help restore, manage and be principal captain of Kingswear Castle for nearly 30 years.
15th September 1960:
Princess Elizabeth
Princess Elizabeth’s sailings on the previous day, 14th September 1960, had been cancelled due to the weather but she was in steam and had shifted ship from her usual berth
15th September 1934:
Brighton Belle
Around 9am on Saturday 15th September 1934 whilst leaving Newhaven Harbour Brighton Belle’s high pressure cylinder cracked. In his excellent book “The Story of Campbell’s Steamers Volume 2” Chris Collard
14th September 1932:
Southsea & Whippingham
Just as on every Wednesday from 20th July to 21st September 1932, on Wednesday 14th September 1932 the almost brand new luxury Southern Railway paddle steamers Southsea and Whippingham were
13th September 1959:
Captain P St Barbe Rawle
Sunday 13th September 1959 was Captain Phillip St Barbe Rawle’s last Sunday in command of a paddle steamer retiring as master of Embassy the following Friday according to the Bournemouth
The latest threefour of 0 paddle steamer orientated articles produced monthly by John Megoran, author, manager and principal captain of Kingswear Castle for nearly 30 years on both the Medway and Thames as well as the River Dart.
September 2026:
Malcolm Cockell
Malcolm Cockell is one of that small number of people who made a real and substantial difference to Kingswear Castle. After withdrawal from service on the River Dart in 1965
August 2026:
Paddle Box Freeing Ports
Some paddle steamers, like Stadt Wehlen and others based at Dresden, were built with flat‑sided and decorated paddle boxes without venting through freeing ports because the Elbe offers no conditions
July 2026:
60 Years Since Embassy
Sixty years have now passed since Embassy left Weymouth for the last time, yet she remains one of those ships whose presence lingers long after the vessel herself has gone.
June 2026:
Capt Arthur Escudier
Among the Weymouth Channel Island officers of the post‑war years, Capt Escudier was not one of the loud ones. He was one of the steady and highly competent ones —
