CROOKHAM TRAVEL
11 Attlee Gardens,
Church Crookham, Fleet, Hampshire GU52 6PH
Telephone: 01252
628647 Fax: 01252 665652
E-mail: crookhamtravel@talktalk.net
PADDLE STEAMER
RYDE
Many of you are interested in coastal shipping
as well as trains and beer. So, you may be interested to know that a last-ditch
attempt is being made to save the paddle steamer “Ryde”, which used to ply the
waters between Pompey and the Isle of Wight. She is pictured on the left in her
latter days of service and, below right, in her present sorry state.
Paul Blowfield writes:
“We all have `childhood memories`, and
that is probably the main reason why so many of us are still into steam trains
to this day. My fondest memories are of Isle of Wight hols in the 50s and 60s.
4-COR to Portsmouth Harbour, then the P.S. Ryde (or Sandown or Whippingham) to
Ryde Pier Head, then an O2-hauled train to Shanklin - usually standing all the
way. We still have an O2, plus appropriate train. We still have a 4-COR (though
never again to the Harbour I`ll wager). I would willingly swop the next 100
appeals for restoration funds for main-line locos, or new-builds, or
whatever, to have the chance to sail aboard the Ryde again. Let`s hope lots of
people much richer than me think likewise!”
Paul has forwarded a
letter from the Paddle Steamer Ryde Tust:
“Paddle Steamer
Ryde - Rescue & Restoration Project”
“We need a great deal of funding to get off the ground. If you can
help please get in touch, if you have no spare time or money, then even a
letter would be useful. There is wide support for the project and some of the
Town Councils on the Isle of Wight are very eager to back the project; we trust
that this will develop into wider solid support that will help in grants from
Heritage Lottery funds or from other sources.”
“To the non-professional eye the ship does not appear to be in very good
condition. Obviously the condition of PS Ryde is only what can be expected
after many years rusting away, all ships of such an age would have been painted
each year and replated fully more than once down the years as with the post-war
Waverley for example. The Paddle Steamer Waverley has new plating; new bridge,
new deck & crew cabins, new boilers, new funnels and many more parts have
been renewed.”
“The appropriately qualified
experts & firms whom we have consulted have reported that the heavy duty
pre-war rolled & forged steel of the main frame of the ship is in general
excellent order but clearly a good deal of plating, missing bulkheads and
frames will need renewal in places. It is estimated that about 90% of her
plates and circa 10% of her frames will need strengthening or renewal; some of
the frames are fire damaged. The unique Denny machinery is intact and in good
general order. Much work was done years ago when rather a lot of grease was
applied to the main engines. The specialist firm we have been working with to
make the ship ready for a move need six months to replate & stabilise the
ship in situ, replace bulkheads, and to remove some of the superstructure for
re-use as appropriate. Phase one of the project is to move the ship from where she is now. The main
restoration could be at Falmouth, Bristol or South Wales.”
“The restoration will need major Heritage Lottery support, for
which the ship is grant-eligible, being on the National Register
of Historic Vessels. Initial inquiries indicate that such
funding should be forthcoming but we have much to do before making an
application; consultants will do this, as this is the most likely way in which
we will succeed. We are using the same firm as that used by the P S Medway
Queen group, you may know that one of our trustees is chairman of the
Medway Queen Society and that their bid for re-building the ship has
succeeded and work has far advanced at Abels in Bristol. The Lottery Fund and a
number of other firms support this.”
“Our intention is to restore the ship to either her Wartime guise as HMS
Ryde or as a traditional Paddle Steamer, the interior of the ship will have her
ornate mirrors and panelling restored (some still remains) and will offer first
and second class accommodation with all crew and stewards in full Southern
Railway 1930’s uniforms. Coal firing is our intent probably with two boilers
instead of the original single boiler. Modifications may be needed to carrying
passengers to current safety standards. Operation of the ship will be on the
Solent offering regular timetabled South Coastal cruises from various piers
between Bournemouth and Swanage, the Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton
from Easter to October. Such a strategy will ensure a sustainable future for
the vessel.”
“A realistic business plan is an essential part of any grant
bidding process and our present thinking is that we will operate the ship
for four days per week for as a long a season as is feasible. This approach
will enable us to benefit from the year round Solent visitor levels, and also
will mean that the ship will require just one crew shift per day.
The costs associated with two crews and a loss of potential revenue
earning space on board for crew cabin living quarters can be a burden. We will
also be able to maximise on local voluntary assistance and corporate sponsors
if we operate in home waters on a regular basis and also be proficient in
attracting profitable private charters.”
“Any donations or offer of other support would be much appreciated;
perhaps you can let us know what you can do to help? Our initial needs are for
around £400,000, for which a large part will be sought from Lottery sources. We
also need (and will need more) volunteers for all sorts of tasks including
help with our website for instance.”
“Yours sincerely,
for PADDLE STEAMER RYDE TRUST,
David Edwards, Trustee.”
Hopefully some of you may be able to help,
even if in a small way. Please take a look at the Trust’s website
http://psryde.co.uk/ or contact the Trust at 40 Belvedere,
Lansdown Road, Bath BA1 5HR (telephone 01225 448448)
CROOKHAM TRAVEL
11 Attlee Gardens, Church Crookham, Fleet, Hampshire GU52 6PH
Telephone: 01252 628647 Fax: 01252 66 56 52
email:
crookhamtravel@talktalk.net
"Quality Tours with Taste Since 1977"
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