Royal Daffodil prepared for her launch the following day.
23rd January 1939 Royal Daffodil
Royal Daffodil approaching Margate, 28th May 1939.
John Megoran recalls the heyday and decline paddle steamers, particularly the Weymouth based paddle steamers that he grew up with, hoping that one day he would captain a paddle steamer.
He did realise his ambition – and more – restoring, managing and as principal captain of PS Kingswear Castle for nearly 30 years on both the Medway and Thames.
John has written several books about paddle and pleasure steamers that may be found here.
22nd January 1953 Victoria
Victoria backing out of Weymouth Harbour.
On Thursday 22nd January 1953 Victoria left Weymouth for the last time for the scrapyard at Southampton.
21st January 1961 Monarch
Monarch laid up in Weymouth backwater, 1960.
The newly formed PSPS swings into action to save Monarch.
20th January 1937 Ryde
Ryde.
Framing almost complete in the construction of Ryde at the Clyde yard of Denny of Dumbarton.
19th January 1963 Tattershall Castle
On Saturday 19th January 1963, Tattershall Castle broke free from her Humber moorings in a storm.
18th January 1970 Eppleton Hall
Eppleton Hall working on the Tyne.
First day out in the Pacific for Eppleton Hall.
17th January 1961 Monarch
Monarch at Weymouth. Cosens's office at 10, Custom House Quay is the building on the left with the white lettering on a black background.
Dorset Evening Echo reports that Monarch has been put up for sale.
16th January 1950 Britannia & Ravenswood
Britannia with two funnels after having yet another new boiler fitted in 1947.
Britannia and Ravenswood leave Charles Hill’s drydock at Bristol.
15th January 1941 HMS Aristocrat
HMS Aristocrat ex Talisman as an anti-aircraft ship in WW2.
HMS Aristocrat ex Talisman on duty providing anti-aircraft cover on the Thames for convoys.
14th January 1968 Bristol Queen
A stern view of Bristol Queen alongside Scillonian at Penzance.
Bristol Queen rammed by the Liberian registered tanker Geodor.
13th January 1937 Sawbwa
Sawbwa built for the Irrawaddy Flotilla.
The paddle steamer Sawbwa was in the process of being deconstructed at the Denny yard at Dumbarton on the Clyde.
12th January 1989 SEETB Excursions Fair
John Megoran and Pat Bushell at a SEETB Excursions Fair at Wembley.
KC takes a stand at the South East England Tourist Board’s Excursions Fair at Wembley.
11th January 1942 Merstone
Merstone in more peaceful times.
10th January 1941 Merstone
Merstone in the Second World War.
Portsmouth blitzed by heavy German bombing.
9th January 1970 Eppleton Hall
Eppleton Hall working on the Tyne.
On Friday 9th January 1970 Eppleton Hall was one day away from arriving in Cartagena in Columbia.
8th January 1993 Kingswear Castle
New bottom for KC 1993.
Meeting with Crescent Shipyard to sign the contract for re-plating KC’s bottom.
7th January 1986 Sir Steuart Pringle
Sir Steuart Pringle bringing Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher aboard Kingswear Castle 11th June 1987. KC's then mate Chris Smith on the left.
Meeting with Lieutenant General Sir Steuart Pringle KCB, DSc, LLB.
6th January 1931 Medina
Medina.
Medina launched at the Woolston yard of John J Thornycroft and Co in Southampton.
5th January 1962 Captain Larkin
Red Funnel's Captain N R Larkin.
Friday 5th January 1962 marked the end of the first week of retirement for Captain Larkin after a long career as master with Red Funnel.
4th January 1948 Talisman
Talisman aground at Kilcreggan January 1948.
Hull survey of Talisman aground at Kilcreggan.
3rd January 1948 Talisman
Talisman in 1946.
Talisman aground at Kilcreggan.
2nd January 1884 South of Ireland
South of Ireland (left) and Aquila in Weymouth Harbour.
Cosens & Co’s passenger carrying paddle tug Queen leads the attempt to salvage the paddle steamer South of Ireland which had run aground on Christmas Eve.
1st January 1960 Consul
Consul leaving Weymouth.
Paddle steamers and Weymouth Harbour floods.
31st December 1958 Cosens’s Charles Kaile
Mr C H J Kaile (left) being presented with a silver tea service by Mr S F Thatcher.
Cosens & Co’s General Manager Charles Kaile retires after a career with the company spanning 56 years.
30th December 1967 Queen of the South
Queen of the South.
Queen of the South in to the scrapyard.
29th December 1993 Kingswear Castle
Kingswear Castle flying the EU flag.
Why was Kingswear Castle flying the EU flag?
28th December 1967 Queen of the South
Queen of the South Tower Pier 28th May 1966 Capt Woods on port bridge wing.
Queen of the South off Vlissingham.
27th December 1967 Queen of the South
Jeanie Deans off Denton on the Thames 29th January 1966.
Queen of the South leaves the Thames under tow for the breakers yard in Antwerp.
26th December 1902 Victoria
Victoria leaving Weymouth.
Friday 26h December 1902 was the first day of a new winter paddle steamer service between Bournemouth, Boscombe and Swanage.
25th December 1953 Embassy
Embassy 21st July 1952.
Embassy started to sink in Weymouth Harbour on Christmas Day.