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 2009:
Paddle Tug Beskydy
Operational paddle tugs have pretty much disappeared from rivers, estuaries and harbours everywhere, so it was good to see one survivor still in active service on the River Elbe in
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November 2009:
Paddle Steamer Captain Alois Kaufmann
After a long and distinguished career on Lake Lucerne, Captain Alois Kaufmann made his last voyage in command of the paddle steamer Stadt Luzern on Sunday 18th October before retiring.
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October 2009:
Paddle Steamer Theft
In many respects the 1950s may very well have been a golden, tranquill and safe age particularly when viewed through the rose tinted spectacles of memory but it was not
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September 2009:
UK Paddle Steamers Withdrawn in 1949
Sixty years ago, 1949 was not a good year for UK paddle steamers with no less than five withdrawn and ultimately scrapped: Dundee, Lucy Ashton, Monarch, Duchess of Cornwall and
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February 2009:
Paddle Steamer Model Maker Chris Wood
Chris Wood (pictured above left at the helm of the Fairmile B Poole Belle (2) with Neil “Smiler” Purdy, right) has not only enjoyed two highly successful professional careers simultaneously
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January 2009:
Paddle Steamer Pier for Sale
Anyone want to buy a pier? Totland Bay Pier on the Isle of Wight is up for sale. It featured in the auction of Barnard Marcus in London on 8th
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