Paddle Steamer Resources by Tramscape : In Greater Depth : Paddle Steamer Magazine

Paddle Steamer Tattershall Castle : A Paddle Steamer rebuild that dismayed the purists - but the former Humber ferry has been saved for many more years service as a floating pub and night club
Have a look around the paddler as she is now (in photographs taken on 1st September 2007) and make your own judgement

Tattershall Castle is one of the three remaining Humber paddle ferries and plied from the city of Hull on the north bank of the Humber estuary past constantly shifting sandbanks to the pier and raihead at the north Lincolnshire village of new Holland until 1972. Her sister Wingfield Castle survived a further two years and quasi-sister Lincoln Castle until a road suspension bridge (the world's longest at the time) brought an final end to services in June 1981.

The paddler was saved for a new life, initially as an art gallery, but soon as a floating pub and night club moored at the Victoria Embankment in central London where she has become a very popular venue. For many years she remained her original form, and fortunately, her engines and boiler were retained in situ. The first change was to enclose the main deck aft which provided extra covered accommodation and space to open a night club. The original design of the vessel (and her sister Wingfield Castle and quasi-sister Lincoln Castle) featured a wide open deck which was used for cargo, barrows, cars and, if required, livestock. It has to be remembered that these paddlers were ferries on a service which normally took around 20 minutes so extensive passenger accommodation was not really required. First class passengers had use of the forward saloons and deck where a snack bar was provided and this accommodation was far superior to that of her predecessors. Third class passengers were restricted to the rear of the vessel, including a cramped "lounge" largely below water level beneath the open deck aft. The vessels did offer a limited cruising programme, especially pre- and immediately after World War II with some evening cruises and Sunday trips from Hull to Grimsby. A limited cruise schedule continued until 1967. In latter years, Lincoln Castle did undertake the occasional enthusiast charter cruise on an estuary which, unfortunately cuts through very flat land with little obvious attraction for the casual excursionist.

In the late 1980s a further concession was made to Tattershall Castle's commercial role : the traditional wood panelled wheelhouse was removed and replaced by a bridge deck with enclosed accommodation spanning the entire breadth of the vessel and reaturing large picture windows and designated the Bridge Suite, available for private hire. This change attracted much criticism from steamer enthusiasts as it made a major change to her aspect. Whilst the enclosed main deck aft radically changed her original design, it was not out of keeping with that for a paddle steamer, the new "bridge" was certainly not a design which stood comfortably on a historical vessel.

Tattershall Castle left her berth in London in October 2003 and was towed to Tilbury and then barged to the yard of George Prior at Great Yarmouth for a major refit. What was to reappear at London in May the following year horrified paddle steamer enthusiasts. The photo above shows the "new" Tattershall Castle - and it was not just the striking colour scheme that attracted attention. Where were the paddle wheels and the vents on the paddle boxes? What was this "bridge" - even less like a traditional wheelhouse than the last one ?  What were those massive picture windows cut into the hull on the main deck forward - and why only on the port side of the vessel ?  What would it be like inside ? Would the engines still be there ? Thankfully the historic engines were still there and not turned into additional space for drinkers and dancers, but comfy seats and tables stood inside the port side sponson instead of wheels. The geometry of the ship had changed as whilst the port side alleyway had effectively disappeared, it was retained on the starboard side, and the starboard sponson was now housing service and store rooms. The main bar area has been refurnished and admittedly is very comfortable and the new picture windows afford a good view over the Thames' south bank, including the "London Eye", the enormous Ferris Wheel erected to mark the Millenium in 2000. The bar servery has been moved to the starboard side so there is no need for any windows on that side - the view over Victoria Embankment being sacrificed. On deck, not too much has changed, with the exception of a new "Bottle Bar" behind the funnel and a "barbeque" servery on the port side. A "Dumb Waiter" is a welcome service, hoisting food up to deck level from the kitchen in the lower deck aft. Historical displays retain recognition that in fact this is a highly historical vessel despite the changes wrought upon it.

Before going on to view a selection of photos from the Tramscape collection taken on September 1st from which you can make your own judgement, here is my view on things.

The 2003/04 refit was a massive vote of confidence in the vessel by her owners and as such indicates that she is a going-concern with a long term commercial future now secured by the completion of necessary structural work. So, anything which guarantees her medium to long term future is to be welcomed. The internal refurbishments are also to be welcomed. The traditional "pub" atmosphere was probably not enough to guarantee commercial success in the new century and she is definitely now comfortably appointed. The views of the London Eye are certainly impressive and make the main deck bar a popular place to sit and have a drink. The loss of the paddle wheels are definitely to be lamented. From outside she is now not immediately recognisable as a "paddle" steamer, but in reality, how many of her customers really care or notice ? The new "bridge" is no worse than the previous one.
Let's face it -Tattershall Castle will never return to operational service unless there is an extraordinary turn of events or a billionaire makes this their pet project. Enough money could buy new paddle wheels and restore the engines to service. If she was ever to return to service, the plush saloons would definitely be a benefit in the modern age - remember, she was never a cruise boat and never had main deck observation saloons for sitting out in and enjoying passing scenery. The new picture windows could actually be of benefit to her - so why not cut new windows on the starboard side to match? In such a form she would definitely be a good candidate for potential new owners to use her to cruise around the British coastline.  Finally, the loss of her traditional style and profile is not the loss it might otherwise be regarded as : her sister Wingfield Castle remains as a historic exhibit at Hartlepool Museum, restored very much to her original appearance, and Lincoln Castle is not substantially altered.

These views are of course, controversial and may upset some people. If you have a view and want it published on this site send me, Gordon Stewart, an e-mail and then we can get a range of views and conduct a straw poll ......

For full details of the vessel and other photographs, return to the Tattershall Castle page in Paddle Steamer Database Main Menu
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