The small paddle steamer Monarch (pictured) has started a new lease of life in Dorset. Launched at Chatham Historic Dockyard in 1994, the 42ft vessel is powered by a compound diagonal steam engine rescued from a factory and converted to marine use. Initially sailing on the river Medway, she later moved to the Stour in Kent, but from 2008 spent three seasons based at Cowes on the Isle of Wight before a further move to Morwellham Quay on the river Tamar in Cornwall two years later. In 2012 ps Monarch was acquired by Wareham Boat Hire for use on the river Frome, arriving by road at the Port of Poole at the end of July. KM
