Kingswear Castle Britain's last steam powered river paddle steamer
1924 - 2024
Sail on
Kingswear Castle
Kingswear Castle will celebrate her 100th anniversary year with sailings between mid June and September 2024.
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.
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Built in 1924 for service on the River Dart in Devon between Dartmouth and Totnes, Kingswear Castle was withdrawn in 1965.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
Kingswear Castle returned to service in 2023 after the first part of a major rebuild. We are continuing to fund raise for the second phase.
Find out how you can help with this to secure her future for the next twenty five years.
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.
23rd July 2024:
KC Update 23rd July 2024
KC is currently out of service due to an issue with her air pump (arrowed in the pic). The engine driven air pump is essential for the operation of the
19th July 2024:
KC Update
KC returned to service in June and usually runs harbour cruises connecting with the steam railway in fine weather from Dartmouth every day except Fridays. On deck with a good
16th March 2024:
Online Tickets Now Available
Two special trips have been organised during 2024 to raise funds for the Kingswear Castle Rebuild Appeal during KC’s Centenary Season. All proceeds of these sailings go directly to the
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.
26th July 1934:
Lorna Doone
On Thursday 26th July 1934 Lorna Doone was scheduled to run a day trip from Southampton at 9am around the Isle of Wight. She then called at Ryde (10.15am) before
25th July 1959:
Humber Paddle Steamers
On Saturday 25th July 1959 one of the three Humber paddle steamers Lincoln Castle, Tattershall Castle or Wingfield Castle sailed down from Hull to the Royal Dock Basin at Grimsby
25th-27th July 1924:
The King’s Spithead Inspection
Looking back through the history of excursion paddle steamers we find that some summers were really good with endless sunshine and light airs. Others were terrible with loads of wind
24th July 1958:
Cardiff Queen
On Thursday 24th July 1958 Cardiff Queen was scheduled to sail from Swansea (8.45am), Mumbles (9.05am), Ilfracombe (10.50am), and Clovelly (12.10pm) to Lundy Island to land (1.15pm – 4.15pm) and
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.
July 2024:
The Weymouth Paddle Steamer War
In 1964 just as overseas travel became a viable option for many, and widespread car ownership opened up opportunities previously only within the province of the better off, Weymouth suddenly
June 2024:
Boilers
Why did some paddle steamer boilers last longer than others? How come some elderly paddle steamers with careers way beyond their design lives took the same boiler with which they
May 2024:
Embassy 21st August 1958
Here is a lovely picture of Cosens’s Embassy coming into Totland Bay Pier on the Isle of Wight taken about 11.30am on Thursday 21st August 1958. Captain Rawle is on
April 2024:
Kingswear Castle 1988
For this month here is a short reminder of KC’s happy days on the Medway. It is difficult to believe now just how much the world has changed since those
