The news of paddle steamers around the world
HEADLINE NEWS
Although not a paddle steamer, this vessel deserves as much attention from enthusiasts as any paddler. She is the turbine steamer Queen Mary, built 1933 and from 1948 to 1974 in effect a fleet mate of PS Waverley. She was the flagship of the Caledonian Steam Packet Co. until withdrawal in 1977 and a floating restaurant on the Thames at London since 1988.
I have heard rumours that her owners, Mitchells & Butlers plc have offered her for sale pending a decision on her future which could be a complete refit - or disposal. M & B have been hit hard by the current credit crunch in the financial markets and the collapse of a corporate restructuring plan which left the company with significant losses on the proposed changes. The share price has fallen considerably and the company has even been rumoured as being ripe for takeover by another major pub/restaurant corporation.
All this uncertaintly cannot be good. Do you know anything about this? What can be done to secure her future?. Please e-mail the contrubuter Gordon Stewart and go to Tramscape's "Queen Mary" website to learn more about the vessel, why she is unique in the world and must be saved for posterity.
01/01/08
This is the headline of an article in the latest edition (4/2007) of the Swiss steamer magazine "Dampferzeitung". The magazine editor heard rumours that the Koln-Dusseldorfer Rheinschifffahrt AG had asked around for a price for a diesel electric engine to replace the steam engine in their fleet's last paddle steamer. The rumour was found to be true, but that does not mean that Goethe will definitely be motorised. Last year's problem where a piston rod had to be replaced (with one being shipped down the Rhein at short notice from PS Cecilie's preserved engines) showed how vulnerable she is to unexpected mechanical problems.
OTHER NEWS
31/01/08
PS Monarch has come to the Isle of Wight! She Recently made a trip on a Low Loader to the the Isle of Wight to finish restoration and rune public trips. Her website can be found HERE.
31/12/07
If you have been trying to acsess the website either today or yesterday, I am sorry but it has been playing up badly and not working. Sorry for any inconvinience this may have caused.
10/12/07
First PS Stadt Zurich, followed by PS Stadt Rapperswil, leave the Bürkliplatz Piers after the static exibition to go for Winter Hibernation. This will be the last time they move under their own power until the next sailing season starts in 2008. See pictures below.
9/12/07
PS Stadt Zurich and PS Stadt Rapperswil both took part in the "Wiskey Ship" exibition at the Bürkliplatz Piers, along with several of the Motor Ships. (Picture Below)
22/11/07
New YPW Logo! I have made a brand new logo! (It will be in the website when I find out how to upload it!)
19/11/07
CHANGE OF EMAIL. YPW email now is youngpaddlewheels@yahoo.co.uk
29/10/07
PS La Suisse is out of the water!!!
La Suisse from Lake Geneva, Switzerland, is out of the water for a 2-year long overhaul. She is going to under-go a number of things: New Wheelhouse, her current one is modern, she will be fitted with an origianal style one ; Complete strip down of her engine; Modernisation of the dining saloons; and a complete re-paint. She will hopefully be back in 2009 if everything goes to plan.
Above: La Suisse
Below: Her engines
Below: Her engines
No more news for now.