A Summer Paddle with "Kingswear Castle"...

Hi all. Once we'd alighted from the foot ferry after our ride on the Dartmouth Steam Railway, we had a little time to kill before our river cruise on the paddle steamer. Our sailing was the first of the day: the midday departure. We were soon wandering along the pontoon towards the simmering vessel that was moored nearby...

Tickets clipped, we stepped aboard the 1924-built "Kingswear Castle". This must be the fourth time we've done this cruise. Again, much like the railway, I just love it. Its such a quaint piece of living history that I'll never begrudge spending the money on it and taking a trip. Maisie wasn't overly impressed with my chats about the glory years of steam powered shipping and the magnificent liners of the oceans of old...

Right on time, the "KC" signalled her departure from the Dartmouth pontoon with a blast on her hooter. Almost silently, she slipped away towards the sea as the crew began their interesting and humorous commentary about the vessel and her surroundings. The sun was now shining on this changeable day and the warmth on the deck dictated the need for a little beverage. We enjoyed a drink from the "KC"s own bar in the lounge below deck and I quite liked the steamer brew known as "K.C"...

The 1.25-hour cruise first took the paddle steamer out towards the sea...

Once it was time to turn back, the vessel bobbed on the waves as she made her large turn to starboard. The paddle wheels would then take us up through Dartmouth, passing the pontoon before continuing on towards Greenway...

One of the diesel cruisers - also operated by the DSR - was sailing alongside us as we steamed back up the river. I couldn't help but notice just how full it was compared to the "KC". Each to their own but I could sit on the paddle steamer all day. With a beer in hand and the warm sun being gently cooled by the sea breeze, the relaxing lull of the paddle wheels makes this one of the most enjoyable experiences I know of. Its certainly no comparison to the diesel contraption...

As the vessel continues on her voyage, the passengers are encouraged to explore her. The engine hatch is open above her double expansion engine and its a pleasure to watch it gently circulating with (it seems) so little effort. The engine is older than the paddle steamer herself, dating from 1904. The steam is first admitted to the high pressure cylinder, before continuing into the larger low pressure cylinder. The larger diameter piston in the latter makes up for the lower steam pressure. From there, the steam is condensed back into water and this results in nothing but smoke from the fire seeming to leave the vessel via the chimney. The condensing process results in extremely economical water consumption...

Just aft of the engine is the boiler. Below we can see the large boiler with its pressure gauge and left hand water gauge on display. The marine type boiler is coal fired and this is where "KC" gets her claim to fame. She is the last coal fired paddle steamer in the UK and arguably in the world. Overall its just a beautiful piece of engineering and a superb restoration. She was actually built in Dartmouth at the local Philip & Sons shipyard for use on river cruises on the Dart. Happily, 93 years later, she's still there doing the same job. A lesser man than me would get poetic about all this...

Whilst I admired the engine and boiler, the paddles continued to propel us through the waters of the Dart. After turning to starboard once again near Greenway, the "KC" made her way back towards Dartmouth...

It was a lovely day to be out for a paddle...

Everyone on board was sitting outside today: inside was empty...

All in all it was a fantastic experience once again aboard the "KC"...

All too soon the paddle steamer was mooring up once again alongside the pontoon. We alighted after a most enjoyable cruise and I do hope that one day we'll be back again. I cannot recommend this outing enough: its just lovely. "Kingswear Castle" is a credit to those who restored her and to the Dartmouth Steam Railway who now operate her. Really lovely, just beautiful. From the "KC" we had a walk around Dartmouth before taking the ferry back to Kingswear station ready to catch our return train to Paignton behind 7752.  For those interested, the railway post from today can be found by clicking here. Thanks all, Sam...