PS Ryde

I wish them well, but I can't help but think that this is a very ambitious scheme. I wonder what will happen when they chop the hulk into the 8 pieces that are referred to in one of the links and try to crane them away? I know that older ships were generally constructed from better quality steel than many modern vessels, but how badly has 10 years of tidal salt water washing on bare steel affected the metal?

 

Can a cradle be used to support the hull before its lifted, similar to a inflatable barrage to raise the hull clear of the water to start the drying out procedure ?

 

Does she have a riveted or welded hull ? I can't see the sections being easy to align & to weld back together. Has she asked the MCA for advice, as while they might allow welded patches on a riveted hull they might not be keen to approve a re-build combining both.
The lady must have access to at least £10m. or she is wasting her time, as there is so much expensive work required before any restoration can start.
I don't think that this will ever become a viable project.

Bob.

 

The MCA wont issue a passenger certificate for a ship with a new riveted hull, and has recently stopped any vessels with a 'doubler' repair sailing hence MV Balmorals withdrawal

 

How would you get it underneath? She's sitting in mud, don't forget, and is open to the sea. Manxman was scrapped even though she was sat in a covered drydock, so what chance has this old lady got?

 

It is not really sitting in lots of water see the picture below. You can see more pictures of its current condition here https://psrydetrust.co.uk/gallery

 

I really hope it is rescuable.

 

Nine and a half years since post#20 by Maunsell Man and I think that is still a good summary of the situation.
The only changes are more of PS Ryde has rusted away and her remains have ensnared another optimist.

Cheers, Neil

 

Everytime the saving of this paddler is mentioned, my heart sinks. Just look at the state of it. Sorry but it's too far gone.

 

The series Monster Moves covered the story of President in the USA. This was also cut in to pieces to transport for restoration. Many years later it's still a jumble of pieces with little hope of being reassembled.
I hope whoever is funding this latest scheme is fully aware of the true cost of restoration.

 

I've been following this story as it has unfolded over the last few months and I have some doubts about the project:

1. The primary driver behind the current project appears to be a lady named Lisa-Marie Turner who apparently has a company called Siward Ltd that was involved with the TS Dover. The records at companies house show that Siward has an issued capital of £10 and its accounts are overdue. The company is referred to in glowing terms when mentioned on FB, however I cannot find any records online of any actual achievements or involvement with any successful restoration project. Someone else has raised this issue on FB but has not received a reply.

2. A GoFundMe appeal has raised over £6000 (albeit a struggle at times), however it is currently unclear who this money will go to. "Ryde Preservation Ltd" is solely owned by Ms Turner. The "Paddle Steamer Ryde Trust" was registered during a previous rescue attempt and Ms Turner is not a trustee, however it is claimed on FB that the trust is being 'transferred'. The money was apparently needed urgently to pay for 'licenses' however it now turns out that the money wasn't used for this purpose and is still being held by GoFundMe - questions about the urgency and the ultimate use of the money seem to be met with waffle.

3. There seems to be a reluctance to share information about the purchase price - someone suggested/asked if it was a nominal £1 to rid the current owners of their liability, to which the response was along the lines of "It was a lot more than that". Now why would someone who is supposedly involved and knowledgeable about maritime matters, pay more than a token amount for a ship that is going to require a large chunk of money to remove the asbestos inside and then probably the best part of £100k to move out of the marina. Ms Turner keeps referring to the 'Lottery Heritage Fund' almost as though it is a foregone conclusion that money will be forthcoming to rebuild/replicate the ship, however I think a good start would be to get the name of the Heritage Lottery Fund correct to start with...

4. Possibly the most worrying part of the project are the pictures posted on FB with the (rather ridiculous) comments from supporters such as, "it just needs a good brush out and some paint" or "bit of plating here and there, job done". As much as I love paddle steamers, I think a blind man on a galloping horse can see that the Ryde is beyond any kind of rescue and unless someone with tens of millions (which Ms Turner appears not to have) comes along to build a replica, then, as others have said on this thread for several years, it would be better to recover any usable parts for preserved paddle steamers and scrap what remains.

I should mention that I do not have any connection with Ms Turner, her companies or the Ryde Preservation Trust, or have any axe to grind with them, however I feel very sceptical that this project can end happily.


Keith

 

Great digging there, Keith. If that doesn't set alarm bells ringing VERY loudly, then PT Barnum was spot on...

Mark

 

The story, as far as I understand was that Medway Queen's recovery was organised by a gentleman who was basically impecunious and the contractors duly towed the ship to Chatham only to find out when the bill was submitted that he could not pay..................

Unlike Medway Queen however sadly Ryde is not such an 'iconic' ship with a strong following in her old home port.

 

The 'Friends of PS Ryde' page has now disappeared from Facebook, although the 'PS Ryde Trust' website is still operational (however this really only deals with the ship's history).

Keith

 

Facebook page now back online

Keith

 

Some years ago John Megoran, Master of the Kingswear Castle surveyed the Ryde. I cant remember what the outcome was but I suspect that by now there is little that can be saved

 

I suspect that your suspicions are justified

 

The faceachebook page for the PS Ryde Trust has just been updated with the news that they are no longer able to rescue the remains as it had suffered from three separate collapses over the Christmas period and is unable to be moved without significant environmental damage. So thats it folks, razor blade time...

 

Consulting the right people in the first place would have told them not to bother !
Bob.

 

Made the BBC website now...........
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-46916755