Key Dates

1947: The order for Balmoral is placed with J.I. Thornycroft as a for a replacement for Red Funnel's paddle steamer Balmoral.

1949: Bamoral was completed and launched by Mrs C.B. Pinnock from the Thornycroft yard at Woolston on 27th June.

1949: Trials took place between 12th October and 3rd November. In her six runs up the Stokes Bay mile she made an average speed of 16.55 knots with her engines running at 303rpm.

1949: Balmoral was officially handed over to Red Funnel. Her first master was Captain A.G. Gattrell.

1950: Balmoral made a profit of £5,000 for her owners Red Funnel. This compares against £11,000 made by Vecta and £198 by the Lorna Doone.

1952: Red Funnel use the Balmoral motif on their handbills for the first time.

1953: Balmoral was present at the Coronation Fleet Review at Spithead.

1954: Balmoral calls at the re-opened Sandown Pier. Over 300 passengers board for a cruise.

1954: Balmoral recieves a new full-height main mast.

1958: Balmoral enjoyed Royal patronage when HRH the Duke of Edinburgh sailed on her to open the new locks at Shoreham by sailing her to break the silk ribbon stretched across the lock entrance.

1959: Balmoral's restaurant is converted to self-service from silver-service at a cost of £1,125.

1964: In July, Balmoral has radar fitted.

1967: The Balmoral accompanies the RMS Queen Mary into Southampton on her final arrival from New York on 27th September.

1967: The Balmoral accompanies the RMS Queen Mary on her final departure for Long Beach, California on Tuesday 31st October.

1968: The Balmoral became Red Funnel's only remaining excursion ship. The cost of the full cruise round the Isle of Wight was £1.13.

1968: Balmoral withdrawn by Red Funnel after running her final sailing to Cowes on Saturday 7th September.

1968: Balmoral placed in the hands of Cory Brothers Shipping Ltd. for sale at £65,000.

1969: Balmoral chartered by P. and A. Campbell from Red Funnel for an initial period of one year for further service on the Bristol Channel for a fee of £10,000.

1969: On 29th September, following the success of the first season, P. & A. Campbell took a further charter of 10 years on the Balmoral that involved a payment of £30,000.

1970: Balmoral inherited the annual Scilly Isles mini-cruise.

1976: Balmoral made a rare call at Plymouth for a cruise to the Eddystone Lighthouse on 11th April.

1977: Participation of Balmoral in the Silver Jubilee Fleet Review at Spithead.

1979: Balmoral met Waverley for the first time on the 2nd June at Ilfracombe on Waverley's first visit to the Bristol Channel.

1979: Balmoral's 10 year charter from Red Funnel was completed and ownership passed to P. & A. Campbell.

1979: P. & A. Campbell announced the cessation of operating pleasure steamers at the end of the season.

1980: A new company named 'White Funnel Steamers Limited' was formed by Sidney Clifton Smith-Cox and the Landmark Trust with the view of operating Balmoral.

1980: The first ever landing by White Funnel from Bristol was made to Steep Holm by the Balmoral on 27th September.

1980: The last sailings on the Bristol Channel are made by Balmoral and she is laid-up on 14 October.

1982: Balmoral purchased by Craig Inns Ltd. of Dundee for £30,000 to become a floating restaurant and disco named 'The Inn on the Quay'.

1984: Balmoral offered for sale after the collapse of the Dundee venture.

1985: Balmoral acquired by the Waverley company to sail as a consort to the Waverley. She sailed through the Pentland Firth to Glasgow in March.

1986: In January, Balmoral entered the Clydedock Yard at Govan to be rebuilt for service as a consort to Waverley.

1986: On Easter Monday, 31st March, trials were run at Skelmorlie. On 12th April, Balmoral arrives at Bristol to be greeted by large crowds.

1986: Balmoral officially re-enters service by undertaking a cruise to Ilfracombe.

1987: Balmoral completes a busy season and carries over 100,000 passengers.

1987: Balmoral undertakes Waverley's sailings on the Thames and South coast as the paddler encounters boiler problems.

1987: Balmoral meets up with the Kingswear Castle for the first time.

1991: Ownership of Balmoral was transferred to Waverley Steam Navigation Co.

1991: In May, Balmoral was chartered by the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company Limited to deputise for the Scillonian III on the hectic Penzance to Isles of Scilly route.

1992: Balmoral receives a new livery comprising of dark green hull with a gold strake line, off-white superstructure and a yellow funnel.

1995: Balmoral makes her first visits to Leith and Rosyth.

1995: On 17th July, Balmoral was under charter to Cunard to convey HRH the Princess Royal and other passengers out to the Queen Elizabeth 2 in the Firth of Forth.

1996: After many changes, Balmoral has her livery changed to that of P. & A. Campbell.

1996: In May, Balmoral attends the 'International Festival of the Sea' at Bristol.

1996: Balmoral makes her first visit to Eire when she visits Bantry Bay and Castletownbere.

1996: On 29 June, Balmoral undertakes her first ever international voyage when she conveyed 200 passengers from Eastbourne to Boulogne.

1996: The bow and sterm section were replated over the winter period.