1959

During September and October 1959, a number of letters appeared in the 'Telegraph' commentating on the sad and rapid decline of the paddle steamer around the shores of the UK. The first letter was written by Dr Alan Robinson who became the founder of the PSPS.

A public meeting was held at the Clwb y Cymry (Welsh Club) Oxford Circus on 30th October 1959 and a decision was made to form a Society. The first meeting of the Society was held at Southampton on 8th November 1959 when the name 'Paddle Steamer Preservation Society' was given to the society and the 15 persons present fixed an annual membership of 25 shillings.

1960

The first edition of 'Paddle Wheels' was published in March.

It was announced that following the retirement of Captain Philip St. Barbe Rawle from Cosens, Captain Haines would take his place on Embassy with Captain Iliffe taking command of the Consul. Captain Defrates woould be taking command of Monarch.

The 'newest' paddle stamer Maid of the Loch commenced her sailing season on 23 May from Balloch.

The Freshwater sailed from Southampton on 12 December for her new owners the Brighton & South Coast Steamers Ltd to berth at her new winter quarters at Topsham on the River Exe. She was to be refitted ready for operations from the Brighton station starting in June and would be renamed as Sussex Queen.

The Bristol Channel branch of the Society was formed.on 30 October when Mr Owen was elected Chairman and Mr Greed as Secretary.

1961

The Society's second AGM took place at Salisbury on 12 November 1961 and a membership target of 200 was set to be reached to coincide with the meeting.

PSPS members noticed that a six week old donkey was an unusual passenger abord the Cardiff Queen between Weston and Cardiff. The animal was carried down the gangway by her owner en-route for Cardiff and a special television appearance much to the amusement and delight of the many PSPS enthusiasts aboard the steamer..

The Golden Jubilee of the Embassy (launched on the Clyde on 25 August 1911) was celebrated with a champagne party aboard the steamer on 27 August 1961. A toast to the steamer and her crew was proposed by PSPS founder Alan Robinson.

Members were curious as to the whereabouts of the Emperor of India. She had supposedly left Weymouth in 1957 for the breakers yard in Belgium. Rumours circulated that her hull was in such a good condition that it was moored in Antwerp as a theatre.

1962

A PSPS Modelling Group was formed. At its first meeting in October, Mr Clements of Gravesend bought along a shipyard model of the Atalanta thought to be around 100 years old. Mr Lyle stated that he had found in an antique shop, a model of La Marguerite which once belonged to the New Palace Steamers Ltd. It was hoped to compile a register of all known models of paddle steamers.

During the year a scrapbook was compiled on paddle steamer topics. The scrapbook was to be made available to members at meetings and other events and the co-operation of members in sending in suitable material was appreciated.

Captain Larkin of Red Funnel Steamers retired after 38 years service with the company. The highlight of his career had been as master of the Gracie Fields from the time of her launch in 1936 until she was lost at Dunkirk in 1940.

A report appeared in a Bristol newspaper regarding discussions about the possibility of the PSPS and the Bristol City Museum co-operating together with the ultimate aim of acquiring a paddle steamer to be used as a floating maritime museum and moored in close proximity to the city museum's new premises.

1963

At a meeting was arranged by the PSPS and held at the Baltic Exchange on 18 October of parties interested in saving the Medway Queen. The 100 enthusiasts present overwhelmingly supported the idea of purchasing the steamer and forming a Medway Queen Trust. Alan Robinson was made Chairman of the committee to set this up. The acting appeal treasurer was Don Rose of London.

PSPS member Arthur Rickner of London looked forward to the day when nuclear power would provide the steam to drive paddle steamers.

At a meeting of the Sussex branch of the PSPS it was felt that the Society shouldn't become actively involved in the operation of a paddle steamer as this would do harm to existing operators. It was also strongly felt that the Society shoud change its name and drop the word 'Preservation' and become instead the 'Paddle Steamer Society'.

Peter Southcombe of the Bristol Channel branch of the Society organised a highly successful exhibition on the White Funnel Steamers at Weston-super-Mare Museum.

The Wessex branch of the PSPS raised over £10 for Society fuinds at a bring and buy sale. Items included garden produce (13s 6d), home produce (£3 3s 6d), general goods (£4 3s 7d) and a raffle (14 s 6d).

1964

The Society helped the Medway Queen Trust in their efforts to save the old steamer. The Medway Queen was towed to the Nelson Dock, Rotherhithe under the command of Captain Leonard Horsham to undergo a survey that would determine her fate.

At its recent AGM, the Society decided by a reluctant majority that the cost of putting in order and of towage even on the reduced price offered for the Alumchine, was beyond the means of the Society. The Chairman revealed that the response from the membership to the project had been very poor indeed.

PSPS members were told that Kingswear Castle would be running for some years to come despite the withdrawal of Totnes Castle at the end of the previous season. It was felt that the fact that Kingswear Castle had been reboilered in 1961/2 and the fact that she had been replated under the engine room and boiler would confirm her fate for a number of years to come.

Subscription rates for the PSPS stood at 25 shillings for full membership, 5 shillings for juniors and 15 guineas for life membership.

1965

A PSPS member was delighted that the idea of the Society owning a paddle steamer was a real possibility and urged members to form a nucleus crew for any vessel acquired. He suggested that they be trained through articles in 'Paddle Wheels', through observing seamanship on cruises and by taking up dinghy sailing.

A paddle steamer museum was formed by London & Home Counties member Collard Stone. He had privately acquired a great deal of material from the 'Ladywell Collection' that included material from the Belle Steamers as well as steamers such as the Royal Sovereign. These were exhibited in a special room adjacent to his home.

Consul moved from Weymouth at 9.00am on Thursday 4 February bound for the River Dart where she would be converted to become a club ship and accommodation vessel for the sailing and travel club managed by Peter Blyth. On her departure, the 'Dorset Evening Echo' reported that "As she got under way for her westward cruise, with television cameras whirring from Weymouth's stone pier, the house flag and name pennant were run down".

1966

PSPS members were urged to give indications of financial support that they would be prepared to make in the Society's efforts to preserve the last River Dart paddle steamer Kingswear Castle.

The Coastal Steam Packet Company were congratulated on the name for the ex-Clyde paddle steamer Jeanie Deans that had just bee re-named Queen of the South. On her journey south, she was caught in a Force 10 gale midway across the Irish Sea and had to take shelter in the lee of the Isle of Man for a number of hours.

Queen of the South briefly returned to service in July with virtually a new crew but further breakdowns occurred and the steamer was withdrawn from service in August and offered for sale for further service.

The PSPS deliberated over what to do about the Kingswear Castle after the River Dart Steamboat Company withdrew her from service. The Central Committee met on 11 March to look at the size of the Preservation Fund and to decide on a future strategy.

1967

It was announced that the Kingswear Castle would be purchased by the PSPS for £600. The low offer made by the Society was accepted due to 'sentiment and the fact that the vessel was the last of the line'. It was intended that once the purchase was complete, the vessel would be chartered to Alan and Colin Ridett owners of the Medway Queen on the Isle of Wight. The Ridetts would be fully responsible for Kingswear Castle and would operate her in whatever manner they could achieve.

A PSPS charter sailing to Tenby by the Bristol Queen was planned. The trip was the first for many years that a cruise was offered along the Gower coast to Tenby. It was also the first trip from Weston to Tenby since before the Second World War. The full 14 hour cruise was offered to PSPS members for 28 shillings and sixpence which worked out at twopence per mile. A total of 13 piers were called at during the day.

1968

During the first quarter of 1968, 17 new members joined the PSPS and there were 17 resignations and lapses. It was proving difficult to get membership above the 400 mark.

After 11 years service on the Neyland ferry between Hobbs Point and Neyland Pier, the Cleddau Queen underwent an extensive refit when her engines and paddles were replaced. As the Cardiff Queen and Bristol Queen had been sold and Cleddau Queen converted, there were no longer any paddlers operating between the Solent and Clyde.

Charters organised by the PSPS were becoming more difficult to organise because of the rapidly declining number of paddle steamers in the UK. It was decided at the AGM that in the future, screw-driven vessels would have to be chartered to allow members to meet together socially and to promote coastal cruising around the UK.

It was announced that the motor vessel Balmoral would be withdrawn at the end of the season and that all excursion sailings by Red Funnel would then cease.

After an uncertain period, the Queen of the South was put up for sale by the Admiralty Division of the Court. It was announced shortly afterwards that she had sailed form Erith for breaking up at Antwerp. Just a few weeks earlier, her master Captain George Fowle who had been acting as watchman had a severe heart attack and died aboard the ship.

1969

Eighty members of the PSPS gathered in near perfect weather conditions aboard the Medway Queen for a special celebration tea to celebrate the 10th birthday of the PSPS on 20 July. After a brief welcome by the Chairman of PSPS, messages were read from the PSPS President and Patron. During the event, Eileen Pritchard the Wessex branch Secretary and only lady member of the Central Committee, was presented with a bouquet in appreciation of her work over the first 10 years of the PSPS.

The PSPS charter of Ryde on 7th September received huge support with the 850 ticket limit being reached. A sales stand for the PSPS did a roaring trade during the charter cruise. Ryde remained in steam until 21st September when she faced an uncertain future.

The PSPS charter of Lincoln Castle on 4th October brought all three steamers into service. Over 150 PSPS passengers enjoyed the 4.5 hour cruise from Hull. Lincoln Castle was well turned out and left Hull behind in a cloud of thick black smoke.

The PSPS Patron John Betjeman was awarded a Knighthood in the Queen's birthday honours list. A letter of congratulation was sent to Sir John by the PSPS Chairman on behalf of PSPS members.

1970

Douglas McGowan previewed the speical PSPS 'Royal Route' charter aboard the Waverley on Saturday 26th September when the steamer departed from Glasgow to Ardrishaig for this special cruise. It was felt that this would be the last time that the sound of paddle beats would be heard on the Clyde as rumours were circulating that Waverley was close to being withdrawn from service.

With the days of coastal cruising almost at an end, Balmoral undertook a very successful cruise around the Isle of Wight on 2nd May. Over 600 passengers were aboard for the cruise and the Society sales stand did great business during the day.

The PSPS made a presentation to the Balmoral to mark her 21st birthday which was celebrated on 27th June. A fine oil painting by John Nicholson of Balmoral's paddle steamer predecessor was made to Captain Wide with a large group pf PSPS committee members present in the Dining Saloon to watch the event.

1971

The Society's first Humber cruise on Sunday 15 August was hugely successful with a full complement of 500 passengers joining the Lincoln Castle. The charter was filmed by an Anglia TV film crew and over 200 disappointed passengers had to stay ashore due to the heavy bookings.

Princess Elizabeth was well on the way to becoming one of London's smartest new tourist attractions. It was moored below Tower Bridge and included extensive restaurant and conference facilities as well as the Dunkirk Museum. Her owner Captain Hickman (a PSPS member) had spent £104,000 on her restoration and conversion and he expected that another £6,000 would be spent before the project was complete.

Members of the London & Home Counties branch visited the National Maritime Museum at Greenwich to view the Reliant in the newly-created Neptune Hall. Members were told that the steamer had been cut up into four foot sections and welded and assembled in the new and exciting exhibition space. PSPS members were delighted with the results.

1972

The Society organised four charter cruises during 1972. On 21 May the Waverley was chartered for an afternoon Clyde cruise with the MV Bournemouth Queen being chartered for a July cruise from Bournemouth to Southsea and Portsmouth harbour, Lincoln Castle in August for an afternoon Humber cruise and lastly Waverley again in September for a full day Clyde cruise.

The PSPS published 'A Decline of the Paddle Steamer' that looked at the last paddle steamers in the UK. Over 700 copies of the book were printed.

Rumours circulated that one of the two older paddle steamers maintaining the Hull to New Holland service would be withdrawn in the near future. Society members were told that the 38 year old Tattershall Castle was the vessel most likely to go.

The PSPS held its annual raffle. 213 members of the Society managed to sell between them 5,325 tickets which resulted in a gross total of £266.65. The profit was given to the restoration of the Kingswear Castle. Prizes were drawn by Barbara the Medway Queen Club receptionist and included a sailing dinghy, power drill and a Kodak camera.

1973

The Caledonian Steam Packet Company was renamed Caledonian MacBrayne on 1st January. The closure notice was published for Craigendoran Pier.

More than £1,000 was spent on shot blasting the hull of Kingswear Castle. PSPS volunteers came into their own after the shot blasting when they quickly painted the hull before the tide came in on the tidal slipway.

Waverley. the world's last sea going paddle steamer was withdrawn from service by Caledonian MacBrayne and was offered to the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society for the sum of £1.

PSPS members participated in a an open day at the Medway Bridge Marina. Many members too the opportunity to visit to see work being undertaken aboard the Kingswear Castle and sandwiches, cakes and cups of tea were served on the deck afterwards.

1974

Glasgow Corporation presented the PSPS with a grant of £6,000 to help with the maintenance of the Waverley pending preservation.

PSPS members paid a visit to Waverley whilst she was on the slipway at the Port Glasgow yard of James Lamont on 23 February. Waverley later left the slip on 5 March after undergoing surveys for both the PSPS and the Department of Trade. An opportunity was also taken to clean and repaint the hull below the waterline and to do other essential maintenance jobs.

£20,000 had been contributed in response to the Waverley Appeal.

1975

Waverley returned to service on the Clyde after moving out of the James Watt Dock on 14 May ready for trials. An inaugural cruise for VIPs was held on 22 May. It was a great achievement for the PSPS and all involved in her restoration.

The Lincoln Castle completed another successful PSPS charter on 3 August when the steamer penetrated the navigable limits for the cruise. It was a cruise that aroused a great deal of public interest including one woman who took a coach-load of people aboard for the cruise to see their own homes from the paddle steamer.

The PSPS had its first cruise on the Norfolk Broads on Saturday 30 August when the Queen of the Broads was chartered to coincide with a connecting coach from London offering the combined trip of just £3.95. Unfortunately, the new PSPS flag was christened in Broadland water as the flag was too high for the bridge and ended up in the Broads.

1976

It was announced that the target for the restoration of the Kingswear Castle would be autumn 1977. £3,500 was needed to complete the restoration. This included timber, steel and paint as well as mooring and slipping fees. The restoration of 'KC' was seen as the most important work of the PSPS south of the border.

Waverley completed an outstandingly successful Clyde season after carrying a total of 194,300 passengers - an impressive 54.3% increase on figures for 1975. The steamer performed particulalry well and didn't miss a single day of service.

Balmoral completed a PSPS charter round the Isle of Wight. The cruise was an outstanding success. Unfortunately, Balmoral's appearance was quite poor with unpainted and unvarnished parts of the ship visible.

1977

The PSPS organised a charter aboard the Waverley on 18 June from Glasgow to Tighnabruiach. It included Waverley's first call at Helensburgh for over ten years. The Scottish branch liaised with the Severn Valley Railway Association who arranged a special train from the Midlands to Gourock to connect with Waverley.

The Wessex branch arranged two cruises to view the Silver Jubilee Fleet Review at Spithead. The MV Boscombe Queen and the MV Island Queen were chartered for these special sailings.

Waverley visited the Mersey at the beginning of May with vast crowds turning out to welcome the steamer at every pier. Over 800 passengers joined the steamer from Liverpool to Llandudno where passengers were greeted by 3,500 people, many in Victorian costume. Waverley was the first paddle steamer to call at the pier for almost forty years.

1978

Waverley made history when she made her first ever sailings to and from Irvine.

The Scottish branch placed a special plaque aboard the Maid of the Loch to mark her 25th Anniversary. It was unveiled by Mrs More.

Russell Plummer stood down as full Editor of 'Paddle Wheels' after 46 issues. Since 1966 when he took responsibility for the journal, the number of operational paddle steamers had dwindled from 12 to just Waverley and Maid of the Loch.

A special plaque was unveiled aboard Waverley by Mrs Anna Summers to commemorate the part in the Waverley story that her husband - the late William Summers had played as Chief Engineer from 1947 to 1969 and as well as being Superintendant Engineer for Waverley Steam Navigation between 1975 to 1977.

1979

Waverley met up with the QE2 on the Solent. Waverley was just completing a long and challenging journey from home on the Clyde whilst the QE2 was completing a world tour. "Follow the QE2" said the Harbour Control.

Lincoln Castle was bought by a night club owner who hoped to moor her in Hull Town Docks.

Bow and bulwark replating was under way on Kingswear Castle.

1980

Terry Sylvester thanked PSPS members for their tremendous support during Waverley's spring visit to England and Wales. During this time, Waverley had carried 63,747 passengers. Sailings were badly affected by a press strike and £27,00 of revenue was lost because of this. During the early season, Waverley took part in the 40th Anniversary commemorations of Dunkirk when Captain John Cameron (Waverley's first master) laid a wreath from the steamer off of the french coast during a cruise from Deal.

An old Clyde favourite - the Caledonia was destroyed by fire on Sunday 27 April whilst moored as a pub and restaurant ship on the Embankment in London. More than 50 firemen were employed to fight the blaze. Three staff that were sleeping on the Caledonia were rescued during the incident.

Plans were announced to save the Lincoln Castle. Support to save the steamer had been incredible with nearly 2,000 names on several petitions. It was announced that the preserved Lincoln Castle would have three bars, a restaurant, an outdoor sun-deck , an aperitif bar, souvenir shop and a children's amenity room.

1981

The newly-restored Prince Ivanhoe entered service as a well-needed consort for Waverley. Only weeks after her entry into service, the Prince Ivanhoe was lost off of the Gower coast in South Wales. The Prince Ivanhoe was purchased for £25,000.

On 25 July, a special memorial service was held aboard Waverley to remember PSPS and Waverley stalwart Bunty Collinson. After disembarking passengers at Tighnabruiach, around 70 of Bunty's many friends remained on the steamer to cruise to Loch Riddon where a short service was conducted by Waverley's Chaplain after which Bunty's ashes were scattered in the Loch. Bunty had been Waverley's popular shopkeeper for the first six years of her preservation era.

Waverley welcomed many VIP guests during the year. These included Lord Mansfield the Minister of State for Scotland who had special responsibility for tourism. Earlier in the year, Waverley played host to two BBC Radio Scotland programmes. Popular entertainers Andy Cameron and Robin Hall were also aboard during the year.

1982

Maid of the Loch was offered for sale on 18th January. She had suffered a deficit of more than £212,000 in 1981.

The PSPS moved towards gaining charitable status for the Society. A special meeting was held in September to discuss the matter and to move things forward.

1982 was the busiest year to date for Waverley with 240,267 passenger journeys during the season. Full complements were carried on many days in July and August with over 1,000 passengers being landed at Tarbert for two weeks running.

New decking was added to the Kingswear Castle on the River Medway by PSPS volunteers.

Medway Queen was refloated and moved to a new River Medina mooring in late August. It was still the intention of a Kent businessman to return the steamer to the River Medway for restoration.

1983

At 01.30 on Monday 7 November, Kingswear Castle returned to her berth at the Medway Bridge Marina at the conclusion of a weekend of steaming trials held on the River Medway with Captain David Neill in command of the steamer.

Kingswear Castle's engine became operational again after fifteen years - much to the delight of her PSPS volunteers.

1984

Waverley's highlight of the season was attending the official opening of the Thames Flood Barrier by HM the Queen on 8 May.

Members of the Society celebrated the fact that the Kingswear Castle had become fully operational in the previous twelve months.

On 22 April, Medway Queen returned under tow on a barge to the River Medway after beinmg away for over twenty years.

1985

Waverley faced a year of challenging weather with only three dry days in July and August. September was the wettest on record since 1860. Waverley had some good news on the fuel front though - the price of a ton of heavy fuel had dropped £46 since the previous year and cost £114.

Highlight of the year was the meeting on the Medway of the Waverley and Kingswear Castle. The two steamers paraded happily together with hundreds of PSPS members aboard. It was the first rendezvous of two fully-certified paddlers in home waters for more than a decade.

The engine of the Caledonia were to be restored at Holleycombe Steam Museum.

1986

Kingswear Castle won the 'Steam Heritage Award' to mark the restoration and re-entry into service of the steamer. PSPS volunteers that took part in the restoration joined a special cruise on the River Medway to receive the special award.

Balmoral was virtually re-built during the early months of 1986 ready for re-entry into service to act as a consort to Waverley. Balmoral undertook her first trial sailing from Bristol to Ilfracombe on 13 April.

After a break of 19 years, the Avon Gorge once again echoed to the beat of paddles as Waverley made her first visit to the city at the beginning of October. Many motorists abandoned their card to see Waverley majestically navigate the Avon.

Balmoral completed her first season under the Waverley flag and was universally acclaimed as a great success! She proved to be a happy and reliable ship due to the dedication of her Master Steve Michel and Mate Ted Davies.

1987

Medway Queen was refloated in early November and moved to a new berth at Damhead Creek on the River Medway. Visitors after the move commented on the vastly improved look of the Medway Queen since the move.

Eileen Pritchard - PSPS member number 1 died in December. Eileen was a founding member of the PSPS and remembered the early days of the Society when committee meetings were akin to 'fireside chats' followed by refreshments provided by Mrs Pritchard. She reacted to the first mention of a paddle steamer society in 1959 and Southampton (her home town) immediately became an important city for the PSPS. Her late husband had been a designer of several paddle steamers for Day, Summers & Co. She was a great fundraiser for the Society and also a keen and hard-working member of the Wessex branch.

Premier Margaret Thatcher MP travelled aboard Kingswear Castle during her General Election campaign.

1988

Former Red Funnel paddler Princess Elizabeth was towed across the English Channel to France to become a floating museum on the River Seine in Paris. Princess Elizabeth spent several days at Dover before the tow across the Channel and initially made for Rouen for the conversion work to take place.

Clyde favourite TS Queen Mary arrived at Chatham Historic Dockyard after being acquired by Charringtons for use as a floating bar and restaurant to be moored at the Embankment in London. Queen Mary spent several months at the Historic Dockyard being converted for her new role.

Kingswear Castle became the French Packet vessel Le Bonheure for the film 'Around the World in 80 Days' starring Robert Morely, Peter Ustinov and Eric Idle.

1989

Superb weather saw huge crowds of passengers aboard the steamers during the season. By the end of July, Waverley had already carried more than 100,000 passengers with Balmoral past the 70,000 mark in the same period. Balmoral was within 20% of her total revenue for the previous year.

Clevedon Pier was re-opened by a visit from Waverley on 27 May.

Waverley won the first prize in the prestigious 1989 'Scania Transport Trust Awards'.

The former Clyde turbine steamer Queen Mary opened in December on the Thames Embankment in London as a flaoting restaurant and bar. Photographs of the ship's Clyde career were prominantly displayed around the steamer.

1990

The Maid of the Loch was sold on 16 September. The Francis Leisure Group were the new owners of this historic vessel. It was expected that the Maid of the Loch would return to service in the spring of 1992.

Alex and Rena Weir were married aboard Waverley. The service was conducted by Waverley's Chaplain. The Observation Lounge was used for the wedding ceremony.

The Scottish branch of the PSPS organised a special trip to cruise aboard the Lake District steamers. Enthusiasts were treated to the delights of the steamers on Ullswater, Windermere and Coniston Water.

1991

The Ryde faced an uncertain future on the Isle of Wight as the developers of the site that the Ryde occupied close to the River Medina, indicated that they wishes to dispose of her. A special Ryde Project Sub-Committee was formed to keep a watch on developments.

Waverley visited Northern Ireland and by doing so became the first paddle steamer to visit for fifty years. Cruises were undertaken to Donaghadee as well as to the Isle of Man from Belfast and Donaghadee. These were the first such excursions to the Isle of Man since the famous Greyhound in 1923.

The 'Captains Club' was introduced for young members of the PSPS.

A plaque was unveiled aboard the Kingswear Castle to mark the work of the late Nick Knight who was an early Chairman of the PSPS and a key member of the restoration of Kingswear Castle on the River Medway.

1992

An appeal was launched to raise £350,000 to enable Waverley, Balmoral and Kingswear Castle to comply with stringent new maritime safety regulations.

Kingswear Castle undertook a cruise to visit the Medway Queen at Damhead Creek where passengers on Kingswear Castle were able to step aboard the Dunkirk veteran for the first time.

Waverley re-opened the Old Pier at Millport at Easter. More than 500 people enjoyed the splendid cruise from Millport.

Balmoral re-opened sailings from Blackpool's historic North Pier bu offering cruises to North Wales.

1993

The PSPS presented the Provost of Dumbarton District Council with a special brass plaque to mark the 40th birthday of the Maid of the Loch.

Former P & A Campbell captains and crew members were invited aboard Balmoral to celebrate a special P & A Campbell cruise on 24 July.

Sailings to and from Weston-super-Mare were restored for the first time since 1979.

Waverley made a special Easter call at Otter Ferry Pier - the first call by a steamer since 1914.

1994

Roddy McIsaac - Waverley's Bosun for 18 years and Donald (Angus) McKinnon who had worked aboard for 12 years, both retired from the steamer. Both men had contributed a great deal to the Waverley story and were well-loved by passengers and crew alike.

On 6 October, the Pool of London saw the launch of 'Heritage Afloat' when Waverley was joined in a parade with Vic 56, Provident and Thames barges Ironsides, Wyvenhoe and Hydrogen.

Kingswear Castle received a new hull. The entire hull shell-plating was renewed from bow to stern on both the port and starboard sides. In addition new life saving apparatus was purchased; two inflatable life rafts, 239 life jackets, 12 parachute rockets, 2 scrambling nets and 6 additional hand bilge pumps. The total cost for this work was in excess of £90,000.

Balmoral undertook a number of highly successful cruises to commemorate the Centenary of Tower Bridge. The cruises culminated with an impressive fireworks spectacular.

1995

£360,734 was raised by PSPS members for the 'Restoration and Preservation Fund'. This wonderful effort by PSPS members, ensured that the steamers were able to comply with new safety regulations. The money had taken 3.5 years to raise.

Dumbarton District Council took a giant step forward in the plan to restore the Maid of the Loch when they accepted a report on the future of the steamer and voted to take steps to establish a trust that would ultimately take over the ownership of the steamer.

The building of a new paddle steamer was proposed. The Paddle Steamer Cruise Line was formed to design and operate a fleet of traditionally powered paddle steamers in tourist areas throughout the world. The first of the new steamers would be called New Caledonia. It was hoped that the new steamer would be based on the Clyde to the West coast of Scotland and the Republic of Ireland during the summer with the vessel moving to the Mediterranean during the winter.

1996

Waverley undertook sailings at Bristol in connection with the 'International Festival of the Sea'.

The steamers took part in a number of cruises in connection with the 'Year of the Pier'.

Penarth Pier recieved £400,000 towards its renovation.

1997

Waverley was awarded a HLF grant of £2.69 million towards her 'Heritage Rebuild' in her Golden Jubilee year. Former Bosun Roddy McIsaac cut Waverley's special birthday cake during a special sailing on the Clyde.

A special exhibition was organised by the PSPS and held at the Mitchell Library in Glasgow to celebrate the first 50 years of Waverley.

PSPS members were told of the exciting plans to rebuild Waverley to her original 1947 condition.

1998

Reg Collinson - one of Waverley's most special and memorable PSPS volunteers died. Reg and his wife Bunty spent a huge amount of their time helping in the Souvenir Shop throughout the 1980s and gained many friends aboard the steamer. They were typical of that special band of volunteers that made the Waverley story possible during the 1970s.

PSPS members travelled from all over the UK to cruise aboard the Balmoral on 11 August for a special excursion sailing. It was the first for over a century to and from the River Parrett calling at Dunball near Bridgwater.

1999

The Paddle Steamer Preservation Society celebrated its 40th Birthday in November.

Balmoral celebrated her Golden Jubilee.

2000

Waverley re-entered service in Glasgow on Friday 18 August having left George Prior's Great Yarmouth shipyard at midnight two days previously after the completion of the first phase of her 'Heritage Rebuild'.

Waverley calls for the first time at the Queen Elizabeth II Pier at Greenwich to disembark visitors for the Millennium Dome.

An incredible response was made by PSPS members to the appeal to raise funds to complete the 'Heritage Rebuild' of Waverley. Within a fortnight, Society members had sent in £200,000 and the Society branches more than £30,000. An extra £35,000 was then pledged by Glasgow Development Agency and a further £100,000 by Glasgow City Council.

2001

Steam was raised for the first time in Kingswear Castle's new boiler.

Waverley offered a number of attractive cruises from Dublin onher first visit since 1985. Waverley also sailed form Liverpool for the first time since 1980 to commemorate the 180th Anniversary of the link between North Wales and Liverpool by the St. George Steam Packet Company.

Terry Sylvester stepped down after several highly successful decades of being at the helm of marketing for Waverley and Balmoral.

Waverley calls at Halfpenny Pier Harwich for the first time.

2002

PSPS members reacted swiftly to the Balmoral Regeneration Fund that had a target of £50,000. Over £8,000 was donated on the first day alone. The money was needed to re-engine the ship in 2002 and then in the winter of 2003/4 to refurbish the Dining Saloon and part of the Promenade Deck.

The Trustees of the HLF confirmed funding for the completion pase of Waverley's 'Heritage Rebuild'.

HRH Princess Anne The Princess Royal visits the Maid of the Loch during a visit to open the 'Loch Lomond Shores' on 24 July. Whilst aboard the Maid of the Loch she was shown photographs of her previous visit in 1971.

2003

Waverley emerged resplendent from the second phase of her 'Heritage Rebuild' looking like a new paddle steamer!

Balmoral's Sirron diesel engines are removed after 54 years of good service.

Balmoral undertook a number of cruises from Southwold Pier in Suffolk. She was the first ship to call at the newly-restored pier since 1928.

Maid of the Loch celebrated her Golden Jubilee. A special cake was cut by PSPS supporters Timothy West and Prunella Scales aboard the steamer.

2004

The tiny newly-built paddle steamer Monarch sailed on her first charter excursion on 3 July when she took a Golden Wedding party on a short trip from Sandwich in Kent. The Monarch had been built by PSPS member Brian Waters who had assisted with the restoration of Kingswear Castle during the 1970s and 1980s.

Two Medway paddle steamer favourites - the Kingswear Castle and Medway Queen celebrated their 80th birthdays.

Balmoral emerged from her refurbishment with an elegant new Dining Saloon and greatly improved new passenger facilities.

A special cruise took place on the Medway to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Kingswear Castle's first sailing after restoration. Special certificates were given to John Megoran and Chris Smith who who been with the steamer for the entire 20 years.

2005

Kingswear Castle celebrated her 20th season of sailing under preservation with the PSPS.

Work started to clear and restore the derelict steam slipway at Balloch.

2006

Medway Queen was awarded a grant of £1.86 million by the HLF to restore the hull of the vessel - a vital basis for further funding to complete her rebuild.

Maid of the Loch used the newly restored slipway at Balloch utlising the newly restored and unique steam winch.

Balmoral undertook a special cruise from Bridport in Dorset.

HRH Princess Anne The Princess Royal unveiled a plaque to commemorate the restoration of the Balloch Steam Slipway on 14 November.

2007

Waverley celebrated her Diamond Jubilee with a number of special cruises around the UK.

The PSPS acquired the vast collection of paddle steamer material from the collection of the late Clifton Smith-Cox.

2008

Waverley and Balmoral experienced a season of terrible weather. In addition, Waverley had problems with her port paddle wheel which resulted in her spending part of her early season in a shipyard.

The various parts of the hull of the Medway Queen were removed to the Albion Dry Dock at Bristol for the hull to be rebuilt as part of a HLF project. The hull will be rebuilt to the 1924 design using traditional techniques.

Maid of the Loch received her new masts as a present from the PSPS.

News of the demise of the Ryde on the Isle of Wight was widespread and her future remained very uncertain.

The John H. Amos was moved by crane onto a brage from the Boat Slip at Chatham Historic Dockyard in preparation for eventual restoration.

Passengers abord the Balmoral witnessed the emotional final visit of the QE2 to the Clyde (her birthplace) in October.

2009

Golden Jubilee Year of the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society. It is celebrated with a number of events around the UK.

Balmoral celebrates her Diamond Jubilee.

The hull of the Medway Queen is rebuilt in Bristol.