Paddleducks
Paddler Information => Preserved Paddle Ships => Topic started by: Walter Snowdon on January 19, 2009, 06:00:45 AM
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Ive just read some disturbing news on the scuttlebutt. Apparently the last Clyde turbine steamer, TS Queen Mary (at present a floating pub on London embankment) has closed for buisiness and the owners dont want her as they have a "new project " for her moorings. I had heard that there was a group on the Clyde who are interested in preserving her, but that was some time ago.
I know she isnt a paddler but she has long association with the Clyde paddle steamer fleets and is worthy of saving as she is unique. Regards, Walter.
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Walter,
Hadn't heard that news about the QM, do you know any more about the group that wanted to bring her home? She is the only other clyde steamer that I can remember (just). Hope she doesn't accidentally catch fire or anything now she's closed.
I hope something can be done.
regards
Clark
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....Apparently the last Clyde turbine steamer, TS Queen Mary (at present a floating pub on London embankment) has closed for buisiness ....
I had a feeling something like that was going to happen, last time I went there, they had declared the entire ship a no-smoking area (tattershall castle has three smoking areas on deck, under and behind each side of the bridge and right up the front) given that (so I've read) two pubs close each day on average in london since the ban for want of an outdoor area, it seemed to be inviting failure not to use any of the ships vast deck area...
...seems a pity as it looked to be a successful buisiness before that (at least you couldn't get a table in summer).
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I heard that the company has been hit by the credit crunch in September and that it was only a matter of time...I didn't know she had actually closed now. Her website seems to be still up (http://www.caniseethat.co.uk/QueenMary/index.html). If she is preserved I don't think operation beckons, but some sort of museum if she is flogged off.
Jack.
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A last look at the ship...
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I am amazed no effort has been made to save her . .
She is unique after all!
Chris
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It would be good, yes, though without boilers and (more to the point?) turbines, I don't know what the chances would be of finding replacements....
....besides, even with sufficient money for such a project, wouldn't we all have considered P.S.Ryde first?
Another ship seemingly abandoned on the banks of the river is Royal Iris, I can't help but wonder what's going on there as Waverley passes it every year. A few years ago it got completely repainted from the (horrible!) two-tone blue to this white/silver grey but last year the rust seemed to be reappearing and nothing more had been done, externally at least...
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I could be wrong but ...
Did one turbine not stay on board and the other two donated to the science museum or maritime museum?
Even if she was converted to diesel wouldn't that be better than see her being scrapped?
After they way PT Reliant was dispatched from the maratime museum i dont hold out much hope for QM. Glasgow city have knocked her back as a mueseum before so dont see them helping out.
Note to self... must remember to do lottery this weekend :)
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Personally if i did win the lottery i would set her up as a floating hotel in the Holy Loch with a watersports centre attached.
Now who's going to give me a blank cheque.... form an orderly Q please ...
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I wished I had never got rid of my 7foot QUEEN MARY model now.
And Talisman, please, lets leave the Holy Loch alone, its nice and peaceful since we got rid of the Polaris subs, but as yet the cod and whiting haven't returned!
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Ok Sandy Loch Striven is looking bare since all the oil tankers left... Now about the balnk cheque ....
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It would be good, yes, though without boilers and (more to the point?) turbines, I don't know what the chances would be of finding replacements....
....besides, even with sufficient money for such a project, wouldn't we all have considered P.S.Ryde first?
Another ship seemingly abandoned on the banks of the river is Royal Iris, I can't help but wonder what's going on there as Waverley passes it every year. A few years ago it got completely repainted from the (horrible!) two-tone blue to this white/silver grey but last year the rust seemed to be reappearing and nothing more had been done, externally at least...
Diesel electric would be the best 'new option' in my oponion. I doubt the old ship will get a chance though . . . . I have heard they would take £50k for her. That price will attract the European shipbreakers with the £ being weak . . .
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Hi Talisman,
Regarding Loch Striven, there was an article in the Dunoon Observer last week about the possibility of a couple of container ships laying up there due to lack of work.
Would prefer the Queen Mary though. I wonder if she ever visited that loch in service.
Clark
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Its a rollover this Friday £66 million should be enough i would have thought to get her back to work ?? :)
Interesting to know Clark i do get the Observer collected for me by a nice lady in Dunoon which i pick up when i'm down so Dunoon news does get to me slowly....
I have heard they would take £50k for her. That price will attract the European shipbreakers with the £ being weak . . .
'£50 K' - I'd be inerested to know if that is an official figure
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Understand she is sold to a french buyer.
Chris
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djcf
Hi Fitz,
I was on a charter sailing on QUEEN MARY II ( special train from Tyneside to Largs thence cruise) and she entered Loch Striven but never really went far up. I was privledged to be on the bridge, as the master (fleet commodore) was a near neighbour from Blairmore, - Captain Pugwash or rather Malcolm MacLean!
Sandy
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Looks like she is off to France.
To open as a business 2010, at least she has been saved from the scrap heep for now.
http://turbinesteamers.awardspace.com/QueenMary.htm
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Hope they don't change her apearance beyond recognition though :-\
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Just saw on BBC news (London regional) that QM2 was towed away today, apparently (if I didn't misunderstand what was being said) the main reason was to allow the Savoy Hotels' private pier to be greatly enlarged....