PS Kingswear Castle

I am not sure of how long it is featured but members might be interested to know that I understand the Kingswear Castle makes an appearance in "A Time Team Special" at 21.00 this coming Thursday, 10th. November.

 

It did, and very nice it looked!

Was that the vessel that I recall seeing many years ago moored in Totnes, and used as a floating restaurant? (... with the emphasis on "many years ago"...!)

Incidentally it was remarkable that parts of the "Great Eastern" slipway has been preserved beside the Thames. I thought redevelopment would have swept that away long ago.

 

Google satellite view here:
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en...ondon+SW16+6,+United+Kingdom&t=h&z=18&vpsrc=6

Part of one slipway is in the grassed area inside the curve of Napier Avenue.

You can also see the two end sections of slipways on the muddy river bank either side of Masthouse Terrace Pier - the Time Team programme suggested that it was these two slipways having poor foundations and being at different gradients which may have caused the problems with launching the "Great Eastern".

More info here:
http://exploringeastlondon.co.uk/eel/Millwall/Millwall.htm#Greateastern
http://www.thamesdiscovery.org/frog-blog/the-great-eastern-rediscovered

and loads more photos here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thamesdiscovery/sets/72157623880776216/with/4531084066/

Richard

 

No - you are thinking of Compton Castle which was - the last time I saw it - a restaurant in Truro

Her engines were taken out and, I believe are now on the Isle of Wight

 

Photos of Compton Castle from 1987 until April 2011:
http://www.geograph.org.uk/search.php?i=26512570

Looks like she's had a lot of work done recently, but nothing very authentic.

Richard

 

Kingswear castle soon to return to the River Dart

 

.........and a very nice revision of their website is already in place for their new acquisition next season:

Paddle Steamer Kingswear Castle

 

KC has been taken on long term charter (not aquired) by the Dartmouth Steam Railway & River Boat Co - see Paddle Steamer Kingswear Castle for full details of the reasons.

Nigel

 

My apologies for opening an unnecessary new thread yesterday; somehow my search didn't reveal this one.

I said: "I read in today's Western Morning News that this coal fired paddle steamer is coming back to Devon and will take people on the Dart between Dartmouth and Totnes next year. No doubt she will be missed by the good folk of the Medway towns, but I look forward to a river trip on her.

She was built in Devon and left in 1965. Welcome back!"

I note that she was meant to come to Devon yesterday, but this was foiled by weather. A decision is to be made tomorrow. It should be quite a sight, coming down the coast and entering the estuary past the twin castles of Dartmouth and Kingswear.

 

Excellent news for those of us living in Dawlish !

A ride on the beautiful line followed by this ace vessel steaming on the Dart. I once chartered a large boat from Kingswear for a staff bash.......should have waited a year or two. What is the possibility of a cruise during the break on a steam spl to Kingswear? Dartmouth is always interesting and will shortly become even better. Well done Andrew and his team.

Ray mason

 

Sadly unable to complete the tow down today, so wisely decided to seek shelter in Portland. Looking forward to seeing her in the Dart as soon as there is a break in the weather.

 

Just about to enter the Dart as of 1600hrs. Look for Vessel "Christine" on Live Ships Map - AIS - Vessel Traffic and Positions

 

Now arrived and safely moored mid-stream. According to the Railway's blog page, PS Kingswear Castle was welcomed by many air horns, much flashing of cameras, fire hoses from all the company's boats and whistling from the loco on the Kingswear side before departure. I wish I'd been there!

 

Kingswear Castle under way on the River Dart under her own steam today for the first time since 1965. DSRRB running trials and crew training.

 

The Dartmouth Steam Railway & Riverboat Company have released the timetable for the Kingswear Castle 2013 season. Copy and Paste the link:

http://www.dartmouthrailriver.co.uk/userfiles/PSKC timetable 2013.jpg

Also today (7 Feb) the first Dartmouth - Totnes trail run took place and what I've heard it went very well.

 

2 and a bit weeks of trials and training now complete; The trip to Totnes, complete with turning in the traditional manner, went very smoothly. A low key arrival in Totnes, but a warm welcome from those who happened to be around the river at the time. Alongside at Totnes, if you get the camera angle right and select Sepia, you could be taking a photo of a scene from pre war. She is, understandably, very well suited to the Dart and very much at home. She is pretty quiet on board, with only the gentle hum of a generator and the splash of the paddles as she slides up the river and she makes minimal wake.

 

Kingswear Castle has now started its winter refit. You can keep up to date on the Dartmouth Steam Railway and River Boat Company's blog on their website to check out the progress.

http://www.dartmouthrailriver.co.uk/blog/

 

Home again. Real steam beauty.