Cosens material finds a home

The Paddle Steamer Preservation Society was lucky to acquire two items from the famous and well-loved South coast paddle steamer operators Cosens of Weymouth this weekend.

Many people will remember with great nostalgia famous steamers such as the Consul, Embassy and Monarch that plied to and from Weymouth and other resorts in the days after the Second World War.

One item is a pre-war china milk jug with the Cosens crest on the front. The crest is different in colour to later examples of Cosens china and may date from around 1920. Such examples are rare so we are particularly pleased to have acquired it.

The Second item is a little brass box advertising 'A. Grahams' who were caterers to Cosens & Co. of Weymouth. Grahams were located in New Street, Weymouth and were wine and spirit merchants and mineral water manufacturers. This little box advertises them and shows a photograph of the owner at the centre. Above is a banner advertising the fact that they were suppliers to Cosens.

There are still large gaps in our collection of Cosens material so we would always be pleased to hear from you if you would like to donate material to build up our collection.

Thames Paddle Steamer Exhibition at Westcliff

Several large items from the PSPS Colelction such as the Clacton Belle Dining Saloon chair, Crested Eagle deckchair, General Steam Navigation Company silverware as well as many pleasure steamer souvenirs are on display at the Beecroft Gallery at Westcliff-on-Sea from 1 March until 19 April 2008. These items from our collection are accompanying a group of paintings donated to the Beecroft showing Thames pleasure steamers as well as posters and other printed ephemera from the Southend Collection.

The Beecroft is open from Tuesday to Saturday between 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm. Admission is free.

The Beecroft is situated in Station Road opposite the Cliffs Pavilion.

Clifton Smith Cox Collection

The Society recently acquired the vast and important collection of the late Mr Smith Cox. Clifton Smith Cox was heavily involved with the famous Bristol Channel operator P. & A. Campbell and throughout his life was an enthusiastic collector of material relating to paddle and pleasure steamers. Over 8,000 items were acquired including Campbells' own archive of handbills from their Cardiff head office. These handbills give what must be a complete run of Campbell services on the Bristol Channel and South Coast from 1900 until the 1980s. Each handbill is in mint condition and now joins other handbills from Campbells' head office that were acquired from another kind donor some years ago. The Society is delighted that it now has such an important archive that will no doubt be used by generations of researchers in the years ahead.

In addition to handbills, the collection also includes a wealth of photographs, souvenirs and ephemera. Material is at the moment being sorted and catalogued onto the computer database. Researchers are very welcome to use this important material.

Clifton Smith Cox outside a P.&A. Campbell booking office on the South coast during the late 1960s.

Royal Eagle bell

The bell from the legendary Thames paddle steamer Royal Eagle was recently acquired for the collection. The Royal Eagle entered service in 1932 and quickly became a favourite with the public before being broken up in the early 1950s. Very few objects survive from old paddle steamers so the Society was particularly amazed to be offered this large and iconic object. The bell is currently on display at the Beecroft Art Gallery on Westcliff-on-Sea until mid April.

The bell from the Royal Eagle that has now been saved for the PSPS Collection.

Arthur Rickner

Sadly, Arthur Rickner of Eltham, London died in early December 2007 after a period of failing health. Arthur was born in 1920 and for all of his long life spent most of his spare time aboard the paddle and pleasure steamers of the Thames and Medway. When the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society was formed in 1959, Arthur quickly joined and at his death, still held the membership number of 181.

It was during the early 1960s, that Arthur became involved with the recently formed London branch of the Society and quickly joined the branch committee - a position he held until the late 1980s. For well over twenty years, Arthur was Models Secretary of the branch and annually organised model festivals at Blackheath Pond as well as for 'Woolwich Arts Week'. For many years, Arthur was also involved with the Paddle & Pleasure Steamer Historical Trust - the one time custodians of part of our collection.

During the 1980s and until a few months before his death, Arthur was a regular passenger aboard the steamers and in particular the Kingswear Castle. He had in fact been involved with this steamer since her restoration on the River Medway during the 1970s.

Arthur was one of the last of the old-time enthusiasts that could remember the 'Golden Age' of the Thames and Medway Steamers in the days before the Second World War as well as being involved with the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society since its inception.

Arthur is shown here (seated with cap) at a model rally at Blackheath during the 1960s.

Farewell Royal Sovereign

News has just been received that the former General Steam Navigation Company's motor ship Royal Sovereign was scrapped in December 2007.

The Royal Sovereign was built in 1948 and became a great favourite with passengers on the River Thames for many years before being withdrawn from service in mid 1960s. She was then taken to Italy and became the MV Ischia working as a ferry for around a further 40 years. Sadly, the Royal Sovereign was the last survivor of the GSNC's sleek motor vessel fleet.

Do you have any memories of the Royal Sovereign that you would like to share on the Forum? To see more images of the Royal Sovereign from the PSPS Collection click here.

The Royal Sovereign approaching Southend Pier.

Cine film wanted

The Society's film unit is currently working on its next DVD production after the success of its last DVD 'Day Trips with P&A Campbell' Volume 2. The unit is always looking out for any old cine film of whatever gauge to use in its ongoing project to bring paddle steamers of the past to life. It may be that you have just a small snippet of film in the attic or a reel or two showing a paddle steamer cruise in the past - whatever you have, the unit would be interested in hearing from you! If you would like to help us and at the same time have your film transferred, then please contact the film unit .

If you would like to purchase one of our DVDs, copies are available from Paddle Steamer Kingswear Castle.

Thirty Years of Waverley on the Thames

2008 marks the 30th Anniversary of the first visit by the Waverley to the Thames, Medway and South coast. Some of the treasures of the Collection will be shown online soon to mark this special event. If you would like to donate some of your material the Society to help us with this project we would be pleased to hear from from you! To do this, contact the Collections Manager.

Waverley arriving at Deal Pier on 10th May 1980.