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:
June 2026:
Capt Arthur Escudier
Among the Weymouth Channel Island officers of the post‑war years, Capt Escudier was not one of the loud ones. He was one of the steady and highly competent ones —
May 2026:
Ouchy Shipyard Open Days
The CGN’s Ouchy shipyard opened its gates to the public on 18–19 April 2026, offering a rare chance to see the engineering, craftsmanship and behind‑the‑scenes work that keeps the Léman
April 2026 Updated 5th April:
More Weymouth Mariners
Looking through copies of the Dorset Echo from days gone by provides a fascinating insight into the ups, downs and other vagaries about Weymouth and its nautical community. The dominant
March 2026:
Paddle Steamer Captain Pensions
To some extent there has been some sort of support for the elderly since Medieval times through family, charity, guilds or the church but it was not until the 19C
February 2026:
Three Sandsfoot Captains
After the First World War a London builder named Edwin Denton set himself up in Weymouth. He bought the land overlooking Portland Harbour between Sandsfoot Castle and the beach in
January 2026:
Three Men in a Boat
Note the eau de nil green paint. This was around the time that surgeons started to wear green gowns in operating theatres allegedly because it was a more soothing colour
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