PS Monarch

Had my first sailing of the year yesterday and lovely it was too.
PS Monarch is planned to be taken out of the water at Ridge Marina in the near future.
Fingers crossed for a period of good weather. Work on anti-fouling of hull, and some minor works whilst on dry land, being undertaken.
See website for proposed sailing dates for remainder of season (May to September): https://paddlesteamermonarch.wixsite.com/ps-monarch/paddle-steamer-monarch-wareham

 

Currently scheduled to re-enter the water in time for Saturday 18th May's sailings.

 

Just came back from a trip on Monarch this morning, and me and my (normal!) Mum both very much enjoyed it. I would thoroughly recommend it to anyone in the area, especially as it’s up for sale so may not be on the river for much longer.

 

Now you should give her a real paddle steamer experience. Get her down to the River Dart and on the Kingswear Castle paddle steamer. Of course you may have already done so.

 

I suspect that the owners of Monarch would be rather insulted by the implication that Monarch is not a real paddle steamer. She may be small but was built as a small paddle steamer hull rather than a conversion of anything else and she is steam powered. What more do you want?

 

I think she is very much a real paddle steamer although it’s a very different experience to KC and Waverley (which we have done)!

 

Its many years since I did it but The Diesbar in Dresden is magnificent - Oscillating Engines by John Penn of Greenwich dating back to 1845

 

I really meant the magnificent scenery and choice of trips on Kingswear Castle, rather than the suggestion of one being better than another. I should have made that clear I guess.

 

Technical issue cancelled yesterday's sailings apparently and it was hoped to resume this afternoon but I was unable to go to Wareham Quay to see results of repairs.
I believe 'normal'service' was intended to resume next weekend - subject to no other issues arising of course.
Keep watching website: https://paddlesteamermonarch.wixsite.com/ps-monarch

 

I forgot to update the website to say that sailings were cancelled this afternoon. Test runs will be carried out tomorrow now. All being well the issue has been solved. Mid week trips may be added in due course.

 

What was the issue?

 

Monarch will be running at the weekend and also Wednesday the 14th of August. As I am not the owner of Monarch I will not divulge details of the issue other than most of the problem was with diagnosis not solution!

 

Running Sunday for trips, Saturday for trial runs due to waiting for delivery of consumables.

 

Unfortunately not running today but don't know reason.

 

Monarch did run today, albeit a later start, unfortunately I was informed after I had changed the website and was unable to change it back as I was not near a PC. She will be running all bank holiday weekend although tides are not ideal so actual times will be added to the website once confirmed.

 

Trust me to turn up for the first sailing!

 

Latest from the website: https://paddlesteamermonarch.wixsite.com/ps-monarch/monarch-wareham-paddle-steamer
Paddle Steamer Monarch (is still for sale)
Due to Family issues the decision has been taken to end the season early.
Back next spring.
Take a trip on Orca instead, daily until the end of September.

 

Thanks for the reminder Peter, I have updated the website with the real reason Monarchs season has ended early which is due to modifications needed to the high pressure cylinder.

 

I know he's fond of it but didn't think it was part of the family just yet!
I'll get me coat ..............

 

Still for sale it seems but, in the meantime, the 2020 season's dates have been published:
https://paddlesteamermonarch.wixsite.com/ps-monarch/paddle-steamer-monarch-wareham