Family Member's Interests
Stephen - Grimsby in Picture - Paddle Steamer Lincoln Castle
It was the opening of the Humber Bridge in 1981 that spelt the end of the operational life of this fine vessel. It had a few years moored on the north bank of the Humber before being purchased for use as a bar and restaurant and it was then moved to Grimsby on the south bank.
After spending 16 years moored near to the Fishing Heritage Centre the Lincoln Castle was temporally moved and beached on an underwater platform in the Alexandra Dock next to the Corporation Road Lift Bridge in March 2006. Here essential works to the hull are being carried out and, following painting, she will be returned to her permanent mooring. I understand that the work was more extensive than expected and to date (January 2009) she has not yet been put back into use and work seems to have come to a halt.
Click on pictures for a larger image.
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Paddle Steamer Lincoln Castle in Alexandra Dock Grimsby
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The Paddle Steamer Lincoln Castle is currently moored in the Alexandra Dock in Grimsby near to the National Fishing Heritage Centre and since 1989 has been successfully used as a floating bar and restaurant. Originally built in 1940 at Glasgow, she is 208 feet in length and is 598 gross tonnes and was used along with two others as a ferry on the New Holland, Lincolnshire to Hull, Yorkshire crossing of the River Humber. When withdrawn she held the distinction of being the last operational coal fired paddle steamer in the UK.
The Lincoln Castle operated the New Holland to Hull route with the PS Tattershall Castle (built 1934, withdrawn 1972 and now a floating bar on the River Thames) and with the PS Wingfield Castle (built 1934, withdrawn 1974 and now a floating museum exhibit in Hartlepool).
Being prepared to move with the gangway removed |
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On the move after 16 years albeit not of course under her own steam! |
Beached on a temporary underwater platform alongside the Corporation Rd Lift Bridge. |
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Painting in progress on the port side. |
Painting in progress on the starboard side |
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Bows moored just a few feet away from the Corporation Road Lift Bridge |
30 March 2006 - On the move
June 2010 - an update
After 4 years of sitting on it's temporary platform, PS Lincoln Castle is up for sale, the Owners having had to admit defeat not being able to come up with the finance for the extensive repairs to it's bottom plates It is up for sale at just £20,000 but North East Lincs Council (owners of the mooring) want buyers to put up a further £60,000 bond in case the vessel is abandoned in the future. The Paddle Steamer Preservation Society have also been offered the vessel but have declined to take it on because of the costs involved.
A local businessman has stepped forward and has shown strong interest but to date it remains unclear if he can come up with the necessary finance for the purchase and the bond, there are also conflicting reports on the cost of repairs quoted as between £250,000 and £1,000,000. The future does not look good!
