Paddle Steamer Resources by Tramscape


P.S. Tattershall Castle (1934)
Original Operating Area - Humber Estuary, UK
Now in Preservation at London, UK

Tattershall castle Paddle Steamer.JPG
Tattershall Castle at her London berth in 2007, three years after her controversial refit
Launched on September 24th, 1934 by Wm. Gray at Hartlepool, England
Engines : Triple Expansion Diagonal, 18, 28.5 and 46 in x 51 in
Dimensions : 209,7 ft (overall) x 33 ft (excluding sponsons)
556 Gross Registered Tonnes

Built for LNER Railway (later British Railways) Hull - New Holland ferry service
One of three paddlers maintaining a year-round service for passengers, cars, cattle and cargo
Withdrawn in 1972 as construction work on the Humber Suspension Bridge was about to start
Moved to the Embankment, London, serving as an art gallery from 1975 to 1981
Sold to the Chef & Brewer group and taken to the river Medway for major hull repairs
Returned to her berth at the Embankment and opened as a pub and night club in August 1982
Main deck aft enclosed to provide additional covered accommodation
Wheelhouse replaced with the new "Bridge Suite" in 1988
Now owned by the Spirit Group who bought the Retail business of Scottish & Newcastle Breweries in 2003

Refit 2003-04:

At the beginning of October 2003, Tattershall Castle was towed to Tilbury and transferred to a barge for the final leg of her journey to Great Yarmouth, for refurbishment. Her paddle wheels have been removed and her bridge totally rebuilt (again). Larger windows have been cut in the forward lounge affording a better view of the nearby London Eye Ferris wheel opposite her berth on London's Embankment to which she returned ion May 19th, 2004.
The refurbishment cost a total of GBP 4.75million.

1970s

Still much as she was when withdrawn but with brown beige and black funnel

1983

With the main deck aft almost fully enclosed to provide space for a night club

1986

Showing the canvas enclosure on the main deck forward

1988

With new Bridge Suite replacing the traditional wheelhouse

1988

Picture taken aboard a thriving Tattershall Castle

2003-04

Under refit at George Prior's yard at Great Yarmouth. One photo by Syd Harper

2004

Minus paddles and vents removed, Tattershall Castle might not now appear as a paddler to the casual observer and whilst refitted to modern standards, her unique selling point may have been lost. Photos by Mark Young

s207037-026.jpg

2007

A detailed look at the "new" Tattershall Castle, from the riverbank, on deck and in the saloon on the main deck

A number of these photos are presented as part of an article about the "new" vessel in the Paddle Steamer Magazine
Follow this link

Click here for thumbnails of the full 2007 photograph collection


Wikipedia page : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PS_Tattershall_Castle

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Statically Preserved Steamers
British Steamer Index
Hull - New Holland Ferry