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 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Balmoral withdrawn by Red Funnel after running her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.
2010: The souvenir shop and observation lounge are
rebuild to reflect their heritage.
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