The bell from Cosens’ paddle steamer Emperor of India has turned up in a house clearance in Southbourne of a property owned by the estate of the granddaughter of a crew member who worked aboard the ship at Bournemouth in the 1950s. The bell has been sitting in a box in her attic for the last seventy years. It has been put into auction with a major London auctioneer. There was keen interest and it fetched an astonishing £28,950. Auctioneer Mr Ripla Loof said “The market for paddle steamer bells is red hot at the moment and we expect prices to rise significantly in the next year. There is a real and growing appetite for buying memorabilia particularly associated with Cosens and Co of Weymouth. We are on the lookout for more paddle steamer bits and bobs, and especially bells, so if you have one do get in touch and we will do our best for you.”
Kingswear Castle returned to service in 2023 after the first part of a major rebuild which is designed to set her up for the next 25 years running on the River Dart. The Paddle Steamer Kingswear Castle Trust is now fund raising for the second phase of the rebuild. You can read more about the rebuilds and how you can help if you can here.
John Megoran
