Monthly paddle steamer articles written by John Megoran, author, manager and principal captain of Kingswear Castle for nearly 30 years on the Medway and the Thames as well as the River Dart.
You can read more of John’s paddle steamer reminiscences in his regular Megoran’s Musings features on the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society website here.
Choose a year to see more Pictures of the Month:
December 2007:
The Paddle Driven Dartmouth Higher Ferry
Tucked away in Kingswear Castle’s old home port of Dartmouth in Devon a paddler is still in service flapping her way backwards and forwards across the river from early morning
November 2007:
Paddle Steamer Captain Billy Read Retires
Pictured left to right are: Mr C Shears (chief steward), Mr W Palmer (mate), Mr S Goss (chief engineer), Mr R C Bowering (first mate, Capt Read, Mr J Halford
October 2007:
Lake Geneva Paddle Steamer La Suisse
The beautiful Lake Geneva paddle steamer La Suisse is scheduled to be withdrawn at the end of this season for a major rebuild. Built by Sulzer Brothers of Winterthur almost
September 2007:
UK Paddle Steamers Withdrawn 1947, 1957 & 1967
Sixty years ago, 1947 was quite a buoyant year for UK paddle steamers. Although a number had returned from the war in such poor condition that they ended up being
August 2007:
Last Trips of the Bournemouth Queen August 1957
Bournemouth Queen sailing down Southampton Water sometime after the Second World War and before 1954 when she acquired a main mast. There is a nice puff of health giving smoke
July 2007:
Paddle Steamer Trip from Bournemouth in 1947
Sixty summers ago, in 1947, paddle steamer services were beginning to re-establish themselves after the war. The following account, by the journalist Harry Hamilton, gives a fascinating insight into the
June 2007:
Paddle Steamer Lookouts
Compared with ships today there is not a lot of kit on the bridge of P & A Campbell’s Glen Usk (pictured above): an engine room and docking telegraph on
May 2007:
What Happened on a Poole Paddle Boat in 1959
The Bournemouth Evening Echo for Thursday September 10th 1959 records a sorry tale of a mixed up school girl who had run away from her home in Manchester and sought
April 2007:
Lake Lucerne Paddle Steamer Rigi
The Paddle Steamer Rigi, pictured above at Lucerne in her early days on the lake, was built by Ditchburn and Mare of Greenwich with engines by John Penn and Son,
March 2007:
Portsmouth Paddle Steamer Ryde
Where there is much optimism on Loch Lomond about a future return to service of the Maid of the Loch there is little but gloom about the paddle steamer Ryde
February 2007:
Loch Lomond Paddle Steamer Maid of the Loch
Built in 1953 by A & J Inglis for service on Loch Lomond, the beautiful paddle steamer Maid of the Loch (pictured top at Inversnaid) is fortunately still with us
January 2007:
Paddle Steamers in Fog
The picture above gives a good impression of the disorienting effect of looking out into fog and not seeing what you expect to see! Just before Christmas a certain level
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