Support Us

Kingswear Castle returned to service on Monday 15th June 2026 on completion of Phase 2 of her rebuild.

The first part in 2023/24 included renewing all the steelwork below the waterline throughout the ship as necessary, the hull strake just under the deck both sides from the engine room to the stern, the frames, stringers, keelsons and bulkheads throughout and all the decking aft of the wheelhouse. You can see some pictures showing the extent and quality of this work here.

Phase 2 included renewing the hull strake just below the deck both sides from the engine room to the bow and renew all the decking forward of the wheelhouse at a cost of around £200k.

The overall cost has therefore come in at just over £700k which has been funded from surpluses from the trading income during the Medway years, grants from the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society (PSPS), fund raising through our website and PO Box and in-house donations in kind of the River Dart Steam Railway and River Boat Company’s labour costs and use of their facilities at the Dartmouth shipyard at no cost.

If this sort of rebuild had taken place in a commercial yard charging commercial rates the cost would more likely have been between £2 and £3 million.

So a big thank-you to the River Dart Steam Railway and River Boat Company, the PSPS and to everyone who has so generously donated to the cause.

As a result Kingswear Castle is now in much better structural condition than for very many years and fingers crossed should not need any similar major structural work for the next 25-30 years.

However running an historic ship is never easy. We live in a changing world which ever brings its own pressures of which new regulations, environmental impacts and customer expectations are just three.

The Paddle Steamer Kingswear Castle Trust therefore has a continuing need for donations to help safeguard her and provide a cushion against future difficulties.

As ever your support makes a real difference in helping to keep Kingswear Castle in service as the last British paddle steamer of her type, providing pleasure and delight to present and future generations.

You can optionally elect to have a name or personal message appear on our virtual donor wall on behalf of yourself or a loved one.

Please support us by making a donation by clicking on one of the three links below. If possible please select Bank Transfer as it avoids the handling fees charged by PayPal.

And do also consider leaving something in your will to the Paddle Steamer Kingswear Castle Trust.

Thank you.