PS RYDE

[lenknight]

Hello all,

I have just heard that the green light has been given to a major scheme
to redevelop the area around the PS Ryder on the Isle of Wight.

The project will see 119 holiday units built south of the existing
marina along with retail, parking and industrial units for boat
building and repair.

Members of the Isle of Wight Council's planning committee were also
told that the hulk of the paddle steamer Ryder will be dismantled as
part of the scheme and land on which the ship is currently lying will
be decontaminated. However, the historic vessel's engines are likely to
be retained on site and will form part of a static display.

Does anybody have any more news?

Len Knight.
__._,_.___

[lenknight]

Re: End of the PS Ryde?
(I can only think this is from owners of the “Monarch”)
We keep our paddle steamer at Island Harbour, where Ryde is sadly
rotting away and I'm afraid things are not as they may seem.

At a recent parish meeting, the owner of the marina said that the
engine was sold to america for use in a new build steamer; however,
since then nothing has happened and other potential buyers have come
forward making offers.

If nobody gets some money together quickly, then all will be lost of
the Ryde and a great ship will vanish to a pile of rust.

On the flip side, the harbour has for some months not been able to
pay its staff on time and many suppliers have been faced with unpaid
invoices which doesn't bode well for future development!

Engineers have recently visited Ryde and declared her fit for
restoration (I know, I was shocked to hear that as well!) so maybe
there is a glimmer of hope somewhere.

I think that the promise of keeping the engine as a static display
is a smokescreen, especially as it was planned to be housed in the
new hotel which was planned to be built-alas this has unsurprisingly
not been given planning permission and will now not happen!
(Pick up by Len Knight)

[Eddy Matthews]

Hi Len,

All I can say is that if the engineers have looked and said she is "fit for restoration", they must have been looking at a different ship to the one I've looked at!!

Eddy

[mjt60a]

Never seen Ryde myself but if the most recent photo (posted on here somewhere) was anything to go by, the only restoration would be one like Medway Queens' - ie build a new ship and re-use the engine and whatever fittings are still there....

[PaddleWheel]

As far as I am aware, Island Harbour (owners) are reluctant to scrap it because scrapping it will cost more than the ship is in scrap value because they would have to get in specialist asbestos removers, which due to the amount in dangerous places hiring them would cost a fortune. But if it was saved, what would you do with it? All of us want to see it saved, but is there any buisness for it? Where would you keep it? What would you use it for? I just hope that something good will come out of it.

Jack.

[Walter Snowdon]

 Hi jack et al. When I visited RYDE about 3-4 years ago I thought she was long past saving.
  As to a use for her if she was saved, there is a pressing need for a permanent exhibition centre for Paddle and excursion ship history? PsPs have masses of archive materiel with nowhere to exhibit so what about a FLOATNG museum in a paddler? Just think, such a ship moored at Chatham, in conjuntion with Wingfield Castle and John Amos - now there WOULD be a reason to travel down to the "softie south" several times a year! regards, Walter.

[Eddy Matthews]

Wingfield Castle, Walter??? Have they moved her from Hartlepool then? 

One of those senior moments again....  It's Kingswear Castle that's down in the softie south

Regards
Eddy

[PaddleWheel]

  As to a use for her if she was saved, there is a pressing need for a permanent exhibition centre for Paddle and excursion ship history? PsPs have masses of archive materiel with nowhere to exhibit so what about a FLOATNG museum in a paddler? Just think, such a ship moored at Chatham, in conjuntion with Wingfield Castle and John Amos - now there WOULD be a reason to travel down to the "softie south" several times a year! regards, Walter.

What an excellent idea!! Time for some fund-raising, me thinks

Jack.

[Walter Snowdon]

Alright Edmund er Edwin er Thingy starting with an E!!, Yes, a very senior moment. Why do so many paddlers have CASTLE in their names!. Walter ( I think).

[Channel]

How about putting her engines into Princess Elizabeth . . .

[PaddleWheel]

Last year




Ho hum

[lenknight]

Do not despair too much about the state of the Ryde concerning the hull repairs and floating in relation to the condition of the vessel. Her frame work was built to a standard to carry out the job intended for her, being a Ferry, to take considerable weight, and stress.
Her structure is of a good sound nature, things may look worse than they really are. Albeit I have not seen her recently, other than by various photos recently, I compare her with the Medway Queen.
 The Medway Queen is a much older 1924 vintage, has endured more up and downs than I care to remember, she still existed in 2007, before dismantling for rebuild. She was built in 1924 to a tight budget, so was not “over engineered” as some vessels were at that time, her framework was rather slight, her whole structure is lightly constructed, but prove quite adequate at the end of the day.
As far as I remember the Medway Queen had spent about 10 to 14 years of her latter life under water, from the IOW to parts of the River Medway, from and up to, the main deck to the promenade deck, and been buffeted by river traffic while on the Medway, leaving holes on her starboardside, destroying her paddlbox as well..
On my seeing her at Chatham Dockyard in 1985/6, she seemed beyond redemption, we were informed by “people that knew about these thing” that we were wasting our time as she would “break her back“alone float.
Never the less the ‘Few’ rolled up their sleeves and set about this gigantic task, considered by the ‘know alls’ to be a waste of time. Basically 10 people laboured at this project, with some coming quite considerable distance to do so, with no thought of reward, other than success, some sadly are no longer with us. But grim determination alone, not just talk about it!!!
18 months of backbreaking labour, of moving tons of mud from the hull, plus repairs to the hull, that was like a ‘colander’ and a hole aft that one could easily get though, other than the frames, was just a challenge to overcome. By a system of using common senses, we even over come this by the use of chicken wire, plywood and cement, we eventually sealed the problems. All this carried out weekends, between tides, if not, worked above water line, cleaning decks, and so on.
We raised the ship and moved her down steam, some 10 miles, without much problem leak wise.
The ten or so were the last crew to sail her, and very proud to do so, I being one.
I could go on and on, but little use talking about it, rollup sleeves instead and get to it!!!
I am now 82, and have done my input, what more!!!
I had in the past along with John Kempton MQPS visited the Ryde, and met the two people that have, and are still trying to save her. Mark Young and David Edwards, that I believe had formed a Trust to this end, sadly little help from other quarters, other than talk. We gave the hull a look over inside, was in a better condition than the Medway Queen was in 1985. This was in 2006; the underlying condition structure wise was surprisingly good then, certainly fewer holes than the Medway Queen had in 1985. The condition of paint work, plus rust areas, is somewhat disheartens at times, but is not so bad once clean up, this from first hand experience, and encountered in my profession in the building trade,
Need I say more; under the circumstances the Ryde looks a reasonable good bet to me. I think this part, being less of a problem. As long as her ‘keel’ is sound, and I see no reason why not, her basic structure sound, all else can be replaced if need be, she can be saved, just the will to do so!!! 
The ownership, a convincing, plausible part for her to play, finance, and somewhere to move her, without this it is all wishful thinking, needs more positive action, not just talk about it!!
I know at times we are told do not let your heart rule you head, but many a project has succeeded by doing just that, many famous people of yore, have seen their dreams mature, just a matter of determination one has to start, and finish, resolve not to fade between!!!

Len Knight MQPS. 
PS have tried to add some photos of Medway Queen at Chatham Dockyard 1985-87. One being of myself emerging from the depths of the mud, others as seen when we first saw her.

[lenknight]

As an after thought, I have sorted a few photos out re the above, and will try to upload them, not sure if right or not, but will try.
However, if OK, they will show the engine (2), a shot of the engine-room deck-head.
A shot of the lower interior aft end and shot of Mark Young (left) David Edwards (sitting) and John Kempton MQPS. aboard the Ryde.

Len Knight

[lenknight]

Hello All,
I have received information about the P.S.Ryde, on the Isle of Wight, that there is now, what could be a last attempt to save this historic vessel.
She is now in the hands of ‘receivers’ that are asking for as ever over the top for her ownership, leading to any hope of restoration.
Please go to www.psryde.co.uk. To follow progress.
Len Knight, MQPS.

[PaddleWheel]

www.psryde.co.uk. To follow progress.
Len Knight, MQPS.

The site doesn't appear to have been updated for a while (2004)? Is it going to be updated soon?