Key Dates

1904: Kingswear Castle's engine built by Cox & Co. of Falmouth for the previous vessel of that name and transferred to the present vessel in 1924.

1924: Kingswear Castle built and enters service on the River Dart in Devon.

1939-45: Kingswear Castle requisitioned by the Navy and initially used as a stores depot at Dittisham pier but later used by the US Navy for use as a harbour tender.

1961-62: Reboilered and extensively replated.

1965: Kingswear Castle withdrawn from service at the end of the season.

1967: Kingswear Castle purchased by the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society for £600 for preservation.

1967: Kingswear Castle was slipped, surveyed and battened down and towed to the Isle of Wight where she arrived on 28th August to join the Medway Queen.

1969: First sailings under PSPS ownership when she was steamed to be filmed for a TV programme 'Bird's Eye View'.

1970: On 6th October, Kingswear Castle was towed down the River Medina to East Cowes ready to be towed to the River Medway.

1971: On 16th June, Kingswear Castle began her tow to the River Medway arriving two days later.

1971: Kingswear Castle arrives at her new home at Medway Bridge Marina to undergo restoration.

1970s: Restoration continues at a very slow pace.

1979: Restoration begins in earnest after many years of inactivity.

1982: On 20th November, the boiler is steamed for the first time.

1983: On the weekend of 4-6th November, Kingswear Castle sails out into the Medway to undertake steaming and manoeuvring trials.

1985: Kingswear Castle re-enters service on the River Medway as well as undertaking a number of cruises on the River Thames.

1986: Kingswear Castle won the National Steam Heritage Award.

1987: In June, Kingswear Castle carries Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher during the General Election campaign.

1995: Kingswear Castle became overall winner in the Scania Transport Trust Awards.