1st August 1936:
London to Shanklin via Brighton
On Saturday 1st August 1936 the Southern Railway and P & A Campbell offered a joint cheap afternoon excursion from London to the Isle of Wight by fast electric train
August 1966:
A Week in the Life of Balmoral
In 1966 we see a changed scene with Red Funnel’s excursion trade in serious decline. The paddle steamer Bournemouth Queen had gone in 1957, Princess Elizabeth in 1959, Medina in
31st July 1939:
Bournemouth
For any who loved paddle steamers, or getting afloat, Bournemouth offered a feast of paddle steamer activity in 1939. On this day Monday 31st July the original schedule was for
30th July 1962:
Consul
On Monday 30th July 1962 my ten year old self took my Auntie Mary, my Dad’s sister, for the morning cruise on Consul leaving Weymouth at 10.30am due back 12.30pm.
31st July 1963:
Embassy
On Wednesday 31st July 1963 Embassy left her overnight berth at Poole at 8.40am for Bournemouth Pier where she arrived at 9.40am in good time to load for her 10.30am
29th July 2008:
Kingswear Castle
On Tuesday 29th July 2008 Kingswear Castle ran afternoon cruises and an early evening charter on the River Medway from her base at the Historic Dockyard at Chatham and from
28th July 1960:
Princess Elizabeth
On Thursday 28th July 1960 Princess Elizabeth was scheduled to leave Torquay at 10am for a day trip to Plymouth due back at 8pm. I have her engine room log
29th July 1962:
Consul
Consul’s crew had Saturdays off in the early part of the 1962 season, but in the peak weeks from mid‑July they were rostered to run seven days a week. And
27th July 1899:
Brodick Castle
On Thursday 27th July 1899 Brodick Castle was scheduled to sail from Swanage (9.30am), Bournemouth (10.30am) and Boscombe (10.40am) for Totland Bay, Isle of Wight, (11.45am), Cowes (12.45pm) and Portsmouth
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 run a full Lundy day trip: Swansea at 8.45am, Mumbles at 9.05am, Ilfracombe at 10.50am and Clovelly at 12.10pm, landing
24th July 1964:
Jeanie Deans
On Friday 24th July 1964 the Clyde turbine steamer Queen Mary II was taken out of service with boiler trouble so her sailing “Down the River”, or as it was
23rd July 1935:
Killingholme
On Tuesday 23rd July 1935 Killingholme was scheduled to run a two hour afternoon cruise at 3pm from the Royal Dock Basin at Grimsby on the Humber to view the
Minerva Pier Hull
The Humber Bridge opened on 24th June 1981, after which Farringford, the last paddler to run on the Hull – New Holland Ferry service, was withdrawn. However, although some of
22nd July 1912:
Killingholme
On Monday 22nd July 1912 Killingholme was on charter to take King George V, Queen Mary and the rest of the royal party to open Immingham Dock. Killingholme and her
22nd-29th July 1934:
A Week in the Life of Balmoral
Balmoral was Red Funnel’s largest, fastest and most commodious excursion paddle steamer. Built to counter competition from P & A Campbell at the turn of the century she was in
21st July 1968:
Ryde
Some paddle steamers ran exciting long day trips to far flung and distant destinations many miles away. Some didn’t. One of the the latter was Ryde. So how did she
21st July 1947:
Bournemouth Queen
Although returned to Red Funnel in 1945 after war service it was not until July 1947 that Bournemouth Queen’s major rebuild was complete and she was ready to be returned