PS Kingswear Castle facts for kids
PS Kingswear Castle in Whitstable Harbour
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Quick facts for kids History |
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 United Kingdom |
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| Name | PS Kingswear Castle |
| Namesake | Kingswear Castle in Devon, UK |
| Owner |
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| Operator |
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| Route |
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| Ordered | 1924 |
| Builder | Philip and Son, Dartmouth, UK |
| Launched | 1924 |
| Identification |
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| Status | Active |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Paddle steamer |
| Length |
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| Beam | 17.43 ft (5.31 m) |
| Draught | 3.43 ft (1.05 m) |
| Propulsion | Compound Diagonal Steam engine (1904) built by Cox and Co of Falmouth |
The PS Kingswear Castle is a special kind of boat called a paddle steamer. It uses steam power and has big paddle wheels to move through the water. This boat was built in 1924. However, its engines are even older, dating back to 1904!
For many years, the Kingswear Castle took people on fun trips. These trips were on the River Medway and the River Thames in England. In December 2012, the ship returned to the River Dart in Devon. This is the river where it was first built. Since 2013, it has been offering excursions there again. The Kingswear Castle is very important. It is part of the National Historic Fleet. This means it is a ship of "Pre-eminent National Significance."
Contents
The Ship's Journey Through Time
Building the Kingswear Castle
The Kingswear Castle was built by a company called Philip & Sons. They were located in Dartmouth, Devon. The ship was made in 1924. It was designed to work on the River Dart. It followed two similar ships, the Compton Castle and the Totnes Castle. The River Dart Steamboat Co operated these ships.
Interestingly, there was an older ship with the same name from 1904. That old ship is now just a broken wreck in the River Dart. But its engines were saved! These very same engines were put into the current Kingswear Castle. This makes the ship even more unique.
Service During World War II
During World War II, the Kingswear Castle played a role in helping out. The United States Navy used the ship. It helped carry supplies and people. This happened in Dartmouth.
A New Chapter: Preservation and Restoration
In 1965, the Kingswear Castle stopped its regular service. Two years later, in 1967, it became the first ship bought by the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society (PSPS). This group works to save old paddle steamers.
The ship was moved to the Isle of Wight. It stayed at Island Harbour Marina from August 1967 to June 1971. But the ship was getting old and worn out. So, it was then taken to the River Medway for repairs.
Returning to Service
Restoring the Kingswear Castle was a big job. It took a lot of effort and faced many challenges. Finally, in 1985, the ship was ready to sail again! The Paddle Steamer Kingswear Castle Trust operated it. This trust worked with the PSPS. They were based at Chatham Historic Dockyard in Kent.
Back to the River Dart
On December 18, 2012, the Kingswear Castle made a special trip. It returned to the River Dart. It was leased to the Dartmouth Steam Railway and Riverboat Company. Now, it takes passengers on trips around Dartmouth Harbour. It also travels up the river to Totnes.
Images for kids
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Detail of the paddle box on Kingswear Castle during restoration in 1973.
