PADDLE STEAMER KINGSWEAR CASTLE

[Tony Wilding]

THE Preserved Paddle Steamer Kingswear Castle was towed from River Medway, her normal area of sailing, down to her original Port in Devon, her new Home, sheltered in Portland for a while as heavy weather forecast.

[alf corbyn]

hi tony.the coach pulled onto the dock in the medway and i said to my other half "that can't be the kingswear castle, i've been on bigger lifeboats" i had been thinking of the castle boats. when we got on board it was bigger than it had looked.i enjoyed myself looking at the steam engine and the stoker working away. the paddlewheels were enclosed in a large box but you could see them by looking over the side. we got a drink and asandwich and watched the shore as the medway emptied into the thames. we cruised across the thames to southend pier where we disembarked. a very enjoyable and interesting trip which i would love to do again. thanks for the memory tony. alf

[Tony Wilding]

hello Alf, yes she is very small. not much freeboard at the sharp end, have no idea why she returned to her Roots, but more scenic down there, not sailed on her, but a few times on on Medway Queen, i think Golden Eagle also, could have been Crested Eagle, i believe at one time she had a Sister Ship, all the best for Christmas, Tony W,

[alf corbyn]

hi tony. there were two or three regulars from tower bridge to southend, margate and various seaside ports around the coast including lowestoft and Gt yarmouth, although some of these were prewar. the royal soverign was very popular

[Tony Wilding]

some memorieseagle steamers.jpgroyal daffodil leaving southend.jpg