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PS Ryde

Discussion in 'Everything Else Heritage' started by WB2624, Apr 29, 2009.

  1. WB2624

    WB2624 New Member

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    It looks as though there might be a glimmer of hope for the Ryde (www.psryde.co.uk) :-

    Welcome to the Paddle Steamer Ryde website.

    14th April 2009

    Things have begun to move once again with PS Ryde.

    With the marina in administration, we are now working to agree a deal with the administrators, enabling us to forward the project. So please, please watch this space for iminent information.

    The Paddle Steamer Ryde Trust - a company limited by guarantee is currently in negotiation to purchase the PS Ryde, and see her on her way to restoration.

    She has been examined by experts and a full rebuild to incorporate all the modern maritime safety requirements is still viable.

    We are now urgently seeking donations to help fund the works required to enable removal of the vessel from the mud berth she has occupied for almost 40 years and to deliver her to a shipyard to return her to her former glory.

    Delay is not on our side, so please give generously so we might once again see this venerable Southern Railway Paddle Steamer gracing the South Coast again.
     
  2. channel

    channel Member

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    One would imagine removal would be mby means of cutting into sections as I'd imagine dredging her out and making her float is near impossible?

    It will be interesting to see how this project progresses. I have visited and been aboard the ship in recent years. I hope the project can capture the imagination of the public and 'steam ahead'.

    Have any estimates been done as to rebuild cost - I'd imagine it would be near £10 million and if this money came from heritage lottery funding would the vessel be able to trade - I understand the replica of the 'Medway Queen' will not be able to carry fare paying passengers due to the construction method being used?
     
  3. WB2624

    WB2624 New Member

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    After all this time I would hope that the proposed Trust have some sort of idea of restoration costs and a business plan.

    I think the problems you mention with the Medway Queen stem from the HLF insisting on original construction (ie riveted) while the MCA appear to be of the opinion that the original design is inadaquate (stabilty?) if riveted, hence the ridiculous current situation of a new hull that cannot be certificated for passengers.

    I imagine that the Ryde was built with heavier frames etc and so would meet current MCA regs.

    Best Wishes

    Nigel
     
  4. channel

    channel Member

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    I think the MQ has been classed as a newbuild by the MCA hense it must comply to newbuild standards.

    Chris
     
  5. stan the man

    stan the man Member

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    This is great news.

    My donation will shortly be on its way.

    Lets hope this project gets the attention and support it deserves.

    Stan
     
  6. channel

    channel Member

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    A few pictures of the Ryde at Island Harbour this week. A sad sight - I admire those who are trying to save her but think its too late. No way could she ever leave her current position afloat and in one piece . . . perhaps the current efforts being made should concentrate on saving some of her before it is too late and she is cut up for scrap. I can't see the receiver of the harbour wanting her being around much longer. ???

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  7. Guest

    Guest Part of the furniture Account Suspended

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    What a mess.

    I understand that the main problem is that whilst the hull - in the mud is reasonable, and the hull plate and frames in clear air still have some substance, that the frames and plates that have been constantly damp and in contact with air around the waterline have lost all structural integrity.

    i. e.

    Put a rope on a bollard and tug as if to move her and she will simply split right along the waterline and that will be that.

    A great shame - but this one is best gone
     
  8. Corbs

    Corbs Well-Known Member

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    Certainly looks like its suffered a lot in the past 5 years - the funnel coming down and the port side paddle cover now missing.

    The pic on the website (I assume from 2004) is quite generous.
     
  9. williamfj2

    williamfj2 Member

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    A quick plug for the November issue of Old Glory which has an article on Ryde that might be of some interest to some members.
     
  10. stan the man

    stan the man Member

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    It was indeed a great article and will hopefully bring much needed publicity (and hopefully funding) to a vessel that deserves better.

    She may be rough but it doesnt mean we should give up hope.

    Jim S
     
  11. Thompson1706

    Thompson1706 Part of the furniture

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    Perhaps you need stronger glasses, the preceding photos show that the hull is only fit for scrap.

    Bob.
     
  12. channel

    channel Member

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    . . . . . and with another ex railway paddler - afloat - and for sale it seems a shame funds could get split. With the Ryde you'd get another replica paddler like the Medway Queen . . . with the Lincoln Castle you get a real piece of history!
     
  13. stan the man

    stan the man Member

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    Oh, lets just let is get chopped up then shall we?

    For gods sake when will some folk wake up and realise we need to save what little is left of our maritime heritage. Because believe you me there is not a lot left.

    Look at all those miracles what have happened in preservation, things we thought would never happen.

    If some one wants to have a crack and save this old girl well good luck to em.

    Jim S

    Oh by way I dont wear glasses or need them!!
     
  14. m0rris

    m0rris New Member

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    I hate to be like this but... the money would be much much better put towards HMS Whimbrel, a last gasp attempt to save HMS Stalker etc, which all have rich histories, genuinely rich histories but aren't in such a state and are in serious need of saving, not a sort of they might go to the scrapman..... (certainly stalker) they have fairly obvious dates with death soon!

    m0rris
     
  15. paullad1984

    paullad1984 Member

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    speaking for myself i would love to see whimbrel brought back, we allready have 1 working paddle steamer, waverley, and poor old ryde is to be frank knackered, very sad to see her go but it would be lunacy to spend silly amounts of money on her, whimbrel and indeed Zenith and the other destroyer the egyptians have are in much better condition.
    If i had the money id be shipping zenith back myself, but sadly the lottery ticket has failed again!
     
  16. Thompson1706

    Thompson1706 Part of the furniture

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    There are many ships on the 'Ships at risk' register, most importantly the clipper ship 'City of Adelaide' which is in dire need of funding to prevent her being scrapped. The same situation applies to 'Manxman'. The cost of repatriating 'Whimbrel' & 'Zenith' is peanuts compared to some of the grants handed out by the National Lottery, even if the ships are just purchased then mothballed here until sufficient funds for restoration become available.
    We still have 'Plymouth' & 'Bronington' sitting in Birkenhead Docks awaiting new owners.

    Bob.
     
  17. noelist

    noelist Member

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    thread about PS Ryde

    what are all these comments about naval ships and other vessels that are not even paddle steamers doing here, this thread is about PS Ryde, please refer your comments to an appropriate thread.
    negative comments are for your own minds, were being positive about a particular paddle steamer that needs saving.
    put your comments about other ships on their apropriate threads please.
     
  18. Christopher125

    Christopher125 Part of the furniture

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    As much as it pains me to say this, i fear she's just too far gone. I suspect 'preserving' her would be little different to starting a replica from scratch.
    Personally i hope she's left to rest in peace. As sad a sight as she is, it'd be a great shame to see her cut up.

    Chris
     
  19. noelist

    noelist Member

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    if it pains you to say it, why say it.

    if you say you hope she's left to rot in peace, and then say it'd be a great shame to see her cut up, surely thats almost a contradiction in terms, and wouldn't you rather see her looking bright and shiny, even if it wasn't going anywhere.
    I remeber seeing 'Maid of the Loch' some years ago whilst on holiday looking dejected and listing, I joined the paddle steamer presevation society and although they have enough to do with Waverly etc, the local council had the foresight to help the preservationists by buying the vessel, and now she's once again looking much more pleasing to the eye, and ,I believe, is able to sail occasionally, although I've not updated myself about her for a few years.
    the point is, do the people who said about Tornado 'it'll never happen' realise they were just wasting space on forums entitled 'PRESERVATION'.
     
  20. Maunsell man

    Maunsell man Well-Known Member

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    Think your missing the point with PS Ryde though. It is so far gone as has been pointed out already that any scheme would entail building a replica. Funding and engineering for this would make a Barry rebuild look like a walk in the park. I can't see it being a viable scheme especially as Medway Queen has an active group. You can't save everything and there are far more deserving projects out there.

    Photograph it, measure it, salvage anything that can make a good doorstop or ornament and then put the poor old girl out of her misery.
     

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