Classic ferries/steamers/warship links

Sea faring Heritage Links

http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/FerryCards.html

http://www.classicferries.fsnet.co.uk/

http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/tramways/

http://www.1uptravel.com/flag/flags/gb_brail.html

http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/Townsend-Thoresen.html

http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/SeaFranceNPDCalais.html

http://www.fleetairarmarchive.net/Ships ... epage.html

LSWR... Steamer Division

 

Now here's a worthy candidate for restoration. Tho old Southern Railway Isle of Wight Ferry PS RYDE, launched in 1937.
Has anyone seen her recently. Is there any hope that she will sail again. It would be great to see her, say at Swanage maybe doing heritage trips to the island.
http://www.psryde.co.uk/

http://www.psryde.co.uk/media/

 

A Woolwich Ferry web site.
http://www.yellins.co.uk/woolwichferry/index.html

 

SS SHIELDHALL

Just updating this thread/list.
This site is for the SS Shieldhall, the last twin-screw steam vessel of its size, berthed and opperated from Ocean Village in Southampton.
There are many Voyage Excursions throughout the summer. This website is and excellent introduction to the vessel with history, voyage dates and membership details.

http://www.ss-shieldhall.co.uk/index.htm



More Pictures,
http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/Shieldhall.html#anchor139855

 

The PS RYDE is beyond saving . . . .I had a look at her last year.

Pics on my website - http://www.channelimages.com along with some others that may be of interest.

 

Your url is incorrect should be http://www.channelimages.com .

After I got into the site, I found you have some very interesting photos.

Ryde certainly looked in a bad way though.

 

Thanks - just edited it.

The Ryde is a sad sight, going down hill fast.

The paddler I'd like to see preserved is the PS Compton Castle - sistership to PS Kingswear Castle thats based on the Medway. Compton's engines still survive in a museum on the IoW.

Glad you enjoyed the site - its due a update . . . . . there's a few steam train pictures in the 'other' section although thats something I've only started taking in the last couple of years.

Chris

 

I remember the same being said about Duke of Gloucester.
If there people out there willing to save this old Lady then good luck to them.

Jim S

 

I too think she is beyond but I hope saviour comes one day, she was used to promote Gilbeys Gin a while ago. My great great grandmother was a Gilbey involved with the Gin

 

Another new site is dedicated to the MV Balmoral of 1949 and the fight to return her to operational status:

http://www.mvbalmoral.org.uk/

 

Now in 2014 I feel that Ryde is beyond help. The funnel fell off some time ago and I believe an attempt was made to start scrapping her but was stopped.
It is a dangerous structure and a wire fence prevents access for safety reasons. It is possible to stand at one side and see clear through the engine room which
appears to have some machinery intact.
It can be seen on Google Earth.

 

An earlier post (2007) mentions Kingwear Castle. Since then she has moved to Devon and is operated, but not owned, by the Dartmouth Steam Railway and Riverboat Company.

She is a highly popular and well patronized vessel.

http://www.dartmouthrailriver.co.uk/days-out/paddle-steamer-kingswear-castle

 

About time to.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-29655649

 

A railway ferry and two wars to her history:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-32249670

 

If you think locomotive preservation is expensive, better not look at the costs for ships, even smallish ones. As an example, "Manxman" spent the last few years of her life in a drydock, but still succumbed to the gas axe when the cost of making good her hull - which in some places had more holes in it than a pair of lace knickers - became too great. Likewise the TS "Dover", partially sunk alongside in Middlesbrough. She has asbestos issues too, of course... Indeed, "Shieldhall" came close to being lost very recently; again, steelwork costs to replace some frames were high. Sad, I know, but that's financial reality, particularly these days. Then, of course, you have issues such as where to berth your ship, harbour dues, Classification Society and Insurance fees if you're going to operate her etc etc.

 

The former Mersey ferry 'Royal Iris' mysteriously caught fire yesterday at her berth on the Thames. I would imagine that she will now be scrapped.
Who pays for the asbestos removal is the question, as this will far exceed the value of the scrap steel and aluminium.

Bob.