The new Lorna Doone’s inaugural cruise from Bournemouth with invited guest
16th May 1949 Lorna Doone
Lorna Doone's sister Solent Queen in her earlier incarnation as Queen of Thanet
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.
15th May 1964 Consul and Princess Elizabeth
Consul and Princess Elizabeth both undergoing final preparations for starting their seasons running from Weymouth this Whitsun weekend in competition.
14th May 1985 Kingswear Castle
Kingswear Castle's office, 1985.
Running trials with the DTP, the then licencing authority for issuing the Passenger Certificates.
13th May 1955 Lord Elgin
Lord Elgin leaving Cowes.
Cargo paddle steamer Lord Elgin sails off for the scrapyard.
12th May 1949 Consul
Consul off Weymouth, 1949.
Consul was the last of Cosens’s paddle steamers to be returned to service after the Second World War.
11th May 1916 Captain Rawle
Captain Rawle.
Funeral of Captain Rawle.
10th May 1937 Glen Gower & Waverley
P & A Campbell's Waverley.
P & A Campbell’s Glen Gower and Waverley set from from Cardiff for Brighton.
9th May 1964 Jeanie Deans
PS Jeanie Deans.
Jeanie Deans on charter to the Scottish Locomotive Preservation Fund for a rare trip to Ardrishaig.
8th May 1934 Mercury & Caledonia
Caledonia.
Press cruise for the brand new Mercury and Caledonia.
7th May 2011 Kingswear Castle
Kingswear Castle passing Upnor Castle on the Medway.
Thames Estuary cruise from Chatham.
6th May 1960 Princess Elizabeth
Princess Elizabeth alongside at Torquay.
Princess Elizabeth arrives at Torquay for the first time.
5th May 1962 Cardiff Queen
Cardiff Queen.
Cardiff Queen rostered for the Cardiff/Weston ferry.
4th May 1953 Maid of the Loch
Maid of the Loch being built on the slipway at Balloch, 1952.
Maid of the Loch runs trials.
3rd May 1918 Duchess of Devonshire
Duchess of Devonshire in the livery of P & A Campbell.
Duchess of Devonshire being prepared for new season on Bristol Channel.
2nd May 1934 Sandown
Sandown in the fitting out basin at Denny’s yard at Dumbarton.
1st May 2019 Dresden
Diessen A/S Dresden, 1st May 2019.
Paddle steamer parade at Dresden.
30th April 1936 Kenilworth
LNER considering ordering a replacement for Kenilworth.
29th April 1961 Medway Queen
Medway Queen leaving Herne Bay.
London & Home Counties Branch visit Medway Queen at Strood.
28th April 1901 Majestic
Majestic pictured by expert Weymouth photographer Eric Latcham.
Naval architects pondering how to improve Majestic’s speed.
27th April 1964 Consul
On 27th April 1964 Consul leaves Weymouth for slipping at Poole.
26th April 1927 Waverley
P & A Campbells's Waverley.
P & A Campbells’s Waverley rostered for a day trip from Brighton to Eastbourne, Hastings and on to Folkestone for two hours ashore.
25th April 1963 Bristol Queen
Bristol Queen passing through Weymouth Town Bridge.
On 25th April 1963 Bristol Queen was towed out of Weymouth Backwater through the Town Bridge.
24th April 1960 Princess Elizabeth
Princess Elizabeth on trials, 26th April 1960.
On Sunday 24th April 1960 Princess Elizabeth was raising steam in preparation for running trials in Southampton Water.
23rd April 1977 Waverley
Waverley at Largs 1976.
Waverley’s first trip of the season.
22nd April 1920 Queen
Queen leaving Weymouth returning sailors to their warship.
Queen sold for further service at Ardrossan.
21st April 1962 Cardiff Queen
Cardiff Queen.
Cardiff Queen packs in a variety of trip options on Easter Saturday.
20th April 1961 Princess Elizabeth
Looking forward from the aft deck aboard Princess Elizabeth.
Princess Elizabeth sails from Dartmouth to Plymouth for her annual dry-docking 20th April 1961.
19th April 1966 Embassy
Embassy backing out from Bournemouth in 1966.
Embassy on the Admiralty slipway at Portland.
18th April 1949 Bournemouth Queen
Bournemouth Queen at Bournemouth for a few Easter sailings.
17th April 1947 Merstone
The Southern Railway’s paddle steamer Merstone rescues passengers from Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth which was aground on the Brambles Bank.