PS Compton
CastleOperating Area : River
Dart, England
In operation as a florist's shop at Truro
in 2004, prior to her conversion to being a restaurant. Photo courtesy of Michael
Young.Built 1914Older sister of the still-operational
Kingswear Castle of 1924, Compton Castle was withdrawn from service
in 1962 and remained in south-western England. Although it once
seemed that she would survive her elder cousin, the "Kingswear" was
taken over by the Paddle Steamer preservation Society and after many
years of dereliction, returned to service. Compton Castle remains in
a much altered form, with engines removed and in need of attention, but survived as a florist's
shop at Lemon Quay, Truro (Cornwall, UK). Reports in 2007 suggested that her position was under
threat due to plans for the redevelopment of Truro city centre. However
in 2008 she will be run by well-known "celebrity" chef Kevin Viner
and friend Jill Richards who are now refurbishing the vessel for re-opening
as a restaurant with a nautical theme, with a traditional English tea-room planned
for the lower deck.
Opening of the
new reataurant is planned for Christmas, 2008. It is tied in with plans for
a general redevelopment of this part of Truro : a welcome case where local authorities
and developers (Porthia) wish to retain a moored vessel as part of the development.
