We can dream....

[mjt60a]

I see the lottery 'euromillions' is up to £30 million again...........
.......imagine what you could do if you won that much.........

I wonder how much it would cost to get Medway Queens hull seaworthy....
...could the owners of PS Ryde be persuaded to sell (at a reasonable price) and if so, what condition is the ship in now? could it be moved 'as is' or would it involve stripping down to reduce the weight? is the hull even repairable now (or are we looking at building a new one and using just the engines and any other salvagable parts - if they haven't all been sold off/stolen)
...or Tattershall Castle....I'd love to put it back the way it was and back in operation but (as it seems o be a comparatively successful buisiness) would the owners even part with it (I'd be happy to have constructed, a big floating box disguised as a sternwheeler - like the Old Orleans at lakeside - as a replacement pub...)
OR.... could a replica be built from scratch? if so, which would it be? Royal Eagle (Crested Eagle might be better with all the bridges that exist on our rivers now) how about Caledonia? or Cardiff Queen? Maybe something along 'continental' lines?
I've no idea how much any of these projects would cost (and absolutely no expectation of winning ANYTHING on the lottery - except maybe the occasional £10!) but just imagine it. If you could, what would you like to do..... :roll:

[thewharfonline]

To restore one of our boats (full size oldies being raised from the river etc etc) would cost millions! Aren't your boats double our size....could be double the money!

[ancoaster78]

Great Question!

I have read many articles in books comparing the comparitive merits and failings of the Bristol Queen and Cardiff Queen (both favorites of mine although scraped yrs before I was born hence the appeal of this idea!), If had that much spare cash I would have a new ship built that combined the best featurs of both ships to create the 'ultimate' Bristol Channel paddle steamer, I would like to see it operate on the Bristol Channel in replacement of the Balmoral which in turn I would like to see based in the Solent and Thames for most of the year.

The only question left in my mind is what the new steamer should be called....

[Waverley]

Great Question!

The only question left in my mind is what the new steamer should be called....

Well... Campbell's first Bristol Channel steamer was named WAVERLEY - but I think that name is in use already ..  

David