The first commercial paddle steamer was the Comet of 1812. Soon competitive steamer services developed resulting in bigger & more magnificent vessels & before long no seaside resort was complete without a pleasure steamer moored alongside the pier. By the 1970s however the ships had almost all disappeared & now only three remain in service
- Waverley Balmoral & Kingswear Castle
- delighting a new generation of daytrippers. Andrew Gladwell gives us a wonderful glimpse into the bygone age when a pleasure steamer trip was an essential part of countless seaside holidays & outlines the ongoing efforts to preserve what remains of pleasure steamer heritage in Britain.