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A newspaper cutting that helped to start the PSPS Medway Queen withdrawn during the early days of the PSPS Alumchine - the steamer that the PSPS tried to acquire during its early years PSPS members at Margate in 1964 Charter of the Consul by the PSPS in 1961 PSPS Blackheath Model Rally in 1962 The PSPS charter of Princess Elizabeth to Torquay in 1965 A typical PSPS 'Nutter'
Committee members admiring a model paddle steamer in 1964 Letter from the PSPS patron - Sir John Betjeman Charter of the Bristol Queen to Tenby by the PSPS in 1967 Kingswear castle laid up on the River dart in Devon prior to purchase by the PSPS for £600 Kingswear Castle undergoing restoration at medway Bridge Marina during the 1970s Consul in the Upper Pool of London in 1963 Waverley on a PSPS charter during the early 1970s Waverley is sold to the PSPS for £1!
watch film of Waverley's first visit to London in 1978 The four PSPS members that travelled south with Waverley in 1978 Menu for the 25th Birthday dinner in 1984 Bernard Cox hands the plaque from the Freshwater to PSPS founder Alan Robinson at the Savoy Hotel in 1980 Menu from the 21st Birthday Dinner at the Savoy Hotel in 1980 Douglas McGowan, Johnathan Cohen and Pat Bushell at the Savoy in 1980 Balmoral departing from Great Yarmouth in 2003 Waverley and Kingswear Castle during the 'Grand Parade of Steam' in 1985

Paddle Steamer Alumchine
P S Alumchine - the first attempt to buy a paddle steamer by the PSPS
PSPS members at Margate in 1963 The Paddle Steamer Preservation Society Looks for a Steamer

From the start, the PSPS looked at acquiring a paddle steamer for operation rather than to preserve one in a static role. At its first meeting in November 1959 with just 15 members present, the Society had raised the sum of £640 towards the purchase of a paddle steamer.

By 1961, the PSPS was approaching various operators including the Royal Navy who had two tugs for disposal Pert and Camel. In 1962, The PSPS made a tender of £806 for the purchase of the Alumchine from Pembroke County Council. By 1963, the Alumchine project foundered due to technical problems. The Society felt a great blow as its first attempt to purchase and preserve a paddle steamer had failed.

 

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