Advertisement

Historic Meeting of Two Paddle Steamers

On 31 August 2024 Dartmouth hosted a historic meeting of the UK’s only two operational paddle steamers. To celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Dart’s own PS Kingswear Castle, Waverley was welcomed to the river.

The two paddle steamers met just outside the river mouth, and then cruised in company through the centre of the town, accompanied by a fleet of smaller vessels. Waverley then sailed up river to Maypool, becoming the largest vessel this century to sail so far up river, turned, and then came back alongside in Dartmouth.

Later Waverley ran a circular cruise out to sea and back up river to Maypool, finishing with a grandstand view of the firework display, the culmination of the Port of Dartmouth Royal Regatta, which has been under way in the town for the last few days.

The decks of the paddlers were full of excited passengers for all cruises, as were the quaysides in the town. Waverley will run further cruises to Plymouth and the Isle of Wight from Dartmouth over the next few days.

This was a unique occasion for not only was it Waverley’s first call in Dartmouth this century, it was also the first meeting of the two historic paddle steamers since Kingswear Castle returned to the Dart in 2012.

Waverley and Kingswear Castle
Waverley and Kingswear Castle
Ships Montly - January 2024

Poole cruise ship callers come and go

The Port of Poole disappointingly had just three cruise ship calls scheduled for this year (all maiden visits), although only two ships actually arrived....
Advertisement

Related articles

Poole cruise ship callers come and go

The Port of Poole disappointingly had just three cruise ship calls scheduled for this year (all maiden visits),...

Jawar Al Khaleej takes delivery of three Damen Search and Rescue vessels

Three new Damen search and rescue vessels were handed over to Jawar al Khaleej (JAK) in a ceremony...

New direct service between the Port of Gothenburg and Asia

A newly launched RoRo (roll-on/roll-off) shipping route between the Port of Gothenburg and ports in China via Singapore...

Wallenius Lines acquires two vessels

Wallenius Lines has acquired the sisterships Thuleland and Tundraland from Baltic Container Shipping Ltd. The acquisitions are a...