PARADE OF PADDLERS
Visiting paddle steamers over the years
By Derek Longly
At the time British Railways ran the ferries around the British Isles they would send many of their ships to Newhaven Marine Workshops, with their iconic sheerlegs, for annual maintenance.
Amongst these would be the paddle steamers that served the Isle of Wight from Portsmouth and Lymington, prettiest of which perhaps was the little Freshwater from the Lymington route. She also returned to Newhaven much later when in service as the excursion ship Sussex Queen.
There were also other visiting excursion paddlers from time to time with the Glen Gower of P & A Campbell being the most regular of these to call in the summer season.
I was lucky enough to see many of these vessels at the time and the photos will no doubt bring memories of them back to others. The shot of Glen Gower was unfortunately taken with a poor quality camera but is included as it is the only view of her I have.
Glen Gower of P&A Campbell
Derek Longly
Frehswater on the gridiron
Derek Longly
Bow view of Freshwater being worked on
Derek Longly
Freshwater from astern
Derek Longly
Whippingham under the sheerlegs
Derek Longly
Sandown looking smart at completion of overhaul
Derek Longly
Sussex Queen the former Freshwater
Derek Longly
Ryde laid up
Derek Longly