PS RYDE

[lenknight]

Hello All,
I seemed to have clicked on the wrong link, being for e-mails, re addresses, sorry, hopefully now put right!
www.psryde.co.uk
Jack, the Ryde site is up to date, 14th April 2009, albeit the News Page is not, then not much to tell at present. You can comment on the Message Page if you so wish.
Len Knight, MQPS 

[PaddleWheel]

Matt and Ian from Monarch were telling me that they have recently been on board to grease the engines for possible preservation. They also paid the last owners to go aboard and look for parts for Monarch. They were laughed at but they walked off with their mast, level console, engine room lights for Monarch and greasers for the engine! The also got the cast brass lever console from the engine room. It is to be sold at auction on 16th of June and is also so be featured on Flog It.

[monarch]

It's quite true that we were laughed at!  Poor old Ryde has had looters aboard for at least 20 years and it was believed that nothing was left...actually there wasn't really anything left apart from a couple of grease cups which had been slung around and the base of a light fitting which took a very long time to get even halfway restored!
The console was an amazing find though, it had been smashed up and scattered everywhere, including down in the mud under her sponson.  It took at least 2-3 months of hard work to bring the thing back into anything recognisable and we're very hopeful that the national publicity from Flog It will help not just our cause, but also raise a bit of awareness of the Ryde as well (we're in discussions with the programme makers to take them to Ryde on the Monarch and do some filming around her).  As the console is from the Ryde, the proceeds from it's sale will go to the 'Friends of Monarch' boiler fund account so that one paddler can help another.
The previous owners of Island Harbour were very proud of having the Ryde, but didn't quite know what to do with it, I think-it's a shame but I think that the cutting up operation must begin soon, for public safety.

BIG WORD OF WARNING!!
Ryde is in a perilous state now, DO NOT attempt to go aboard, keep your distance and be aware that even last year when we were on, the decks were very spongy and dangerous.  There really is nothing, apart from the engines left on board, but if you go for a walk around the houses at Island Harbour you might recognise quite a lot of things like telegraphs, pressure guages and the like sitting in a lot of conservatories!!

[mjt60a]

I see that PS Ryde is now on Ebay - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Paddle-Steamer-Ryde-Trust-Donations-Urgently-Required_W0QQitemZ330334216973QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Collectables_Nautical?hash=item4ce974230d&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1684%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A0%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50 - (OK, you don't actually get the ship for £10 - despite the bit that says 'Postage : Pick-up only - see item description...') what it says is;
The Paddle Steamer Ryde Trust  - a company limited by guarantee is currently in negotiation to purchase the PS Ryde,  and see her on her way to restoration.
She has been examined by experts and a full rebuild to incorporate all the modern maritime safety requirements is still viable.
We are now urgently seeking donations to help fund the works required to enable removal of the vessel from the mud berth she has occupied for almost 40 years and to deliver her to a shipyard to return her to her former glory.

[lenknight]

Albeit I am a member and supporter of the Medway Queen, I have a regard for the P.S. Ryde on the Isle of Wight. Both these paddlers were at one time a ‘Club House’ in the Island Harbour, now this status is long time gone. As you may know the Medway Queen after many years is now being restored. Not so the Ryde, laying derelict in the Island Harbour. There has been for many years an attempt to preserve her, in 2006 the ‘Paddle Steamer Ryde Trust ‘was formed.
 
It is but sad that parts were removed from the Ryde, at a time that the owner must have been aware of attempts by the ‘Trust’ to buy the paddler, shame on all involved in this. However more about this later, after I have collected more facts!!!! 

 There is now what could be the last attempt to save this historic vessel of Second World War fame, I have received a press report from the Trust as below.
Regards Len Knight.

As many people will already be aware, the Paddle Steamer Ryde Trust was set up to rescue this historic, last-surviving coal-fired paddle steamer from Island Marina in the Isle of Wight, where the vessel has been since the 1970s.

P S Ryde was built for the Southern Railway in 1936, and operated on the Portsmouth – Ryde route as well as running charters and excursions on the Solent. During World War II, she acted as a decoy ship in the North Sea and participated in the D-Day landings at Omaha Beach. She is therefore quite justly on the National Register of Historic Vessels, and the Trust is determined to make every effort to make her seaworthy again.

She will be quite capable of at least covering her costs once the expensive work of restoration is completed.

Following a full feasibility assessment by expert engineers, the Trust is at present negotiating with the receivers of the defunct Island Marina business, and has submitted a bid for the vessel. Our bid proposes initially making the vessel fit to travel to a shipyard for restoration.
As time will be of the essence once negotiations are concluded, the Trust will urgently need working capital, and donations from supporters and friends will be most welcome.

Like the Medway Queen and Waverley, the Ryde is not only a valuable part of our heritage; she can give pleasure again to thousands, providing the kind of service she was built for.
For more information, and where to send donations, please visit our website:
www.psryde.co.uk
or: 40 Belvedere, Lansdown Road, BATH, BA1 5HR[/b]

[PaddleWheel]

I notice some wag has removed the 'R' and the 'Y' from her name on her starboard side recently.

[Channel]

Following a full feasibility assessment by expert engineers, the Trust is at present negotiating with the receivers of the defunct Island Marina business, and has submitted a bid for the vessel. Our bid proposes initially making the vessel fit to travel to a shipyard for restoration.
As time will be of the essence once negotiations are concluded, the Trust will urgently need working capital, and donations from supporters and friends will be most welcome.

I hate to be negative but making the vessel fit to travel to a shipyard - get real! I had a close up look at her a couple of days ago and there is no way she could go anywhere without major works and a major dredge scheme taking place - that alone would cost many millions - probably exceeding the cost of a newbuild hull at least.

Personally I'd just like to see her stripped of anything useful including her engine and then look to build a replica to modern specs that could possibly prove viable. Perhaps some of the stolen parts could be located too!

The current plan as detailed above sadly will never be a viable proposal in its current form . . . .

I will be down near her on Friday and will get some pictures to share.

 

[monarch]

Excuse me, but I take great exception to your "shame on [you]" comment.  Parts of the Ryde were not removed, stolen or taken deceptively but were in fact-PURCHASED; and as you may know the receipt for this has been shown to one of the Ryde trustees in response to the unpleasant emails sent to us relating to the matter from their Chairman.

For me it is more worrying that there is a "charitable trust" which after 3 years has been unable to register with the Charities Commission, has no publicly available constitution and does not advertise what will happen to any donations (which are being very actively sought) should the aquisition of the Ryde fall on its face again.

Yes, I agree with Channel that Ryde is beyond salvation and would go further to say that cutting her up is now a public safety issue.  We can all eulagise about her current state-but I'm afraid you all sat there and watched it happen, the Ryde Trust was only set up 3 years ago at a time when she was already in a foul state.  It's been left too long, and there are too many excuses bandied about that "the owners wouldn't let us in the past etc"-the truth is, everybody missed the boat.

The Medway Queen project is one of the most amazing ideas that I've seen, and it must be seen through to completion-whether she ever sails again or remains a solid and evocative static exhibit.  Look at the amount of time it has taken the MQPS to get this far, could we really cope with another project such as this and could Waverley survive two extra paddle steamers in passenger operation?

Sorry to be in such a grump-having to deal with a man who wants Monarch banned from her harbour because he truly believes that paddle power is straight out of the arc and is dangerous....so foul mood today and on any warpath I can find!

Anyway, the engine room console from Ryde raised £620 which is going to towards the 15k boiler appeal.  The result of this will not just be a greater amount of steam but also......coal/wood firing as well!!!

[lenknight]

I take in what you say, not with out problems I admit, and have passed on your comments to the Ryde Trust, that I hope will respond to your sad input.
As I am a preservationist of many years, your comments are but sadly contrary to the cause!  
How sad when we should be all on the same side yet we are at odds. What gives you the right to say what condition the Ryde is in, as bad as what it looks Are you a valid authority on this I doubt it!  

Your input is as a Junior of your choice; please listen to the more cultured
I do at least declare my Credentials on site, what are yours?
I will say no more at present, but wait for input on this issue, the whole episode re the Ryde, no matter what, is some what sordid to say the least!
The Medway Queen was in a far worse condition to this when taken over, only dedication prove it can be done, not tales of distress that you spread!!!!. do not put down dedicated people, would it have taken so long if done so before!!!
Sorry,

Len Knight

[

[monarch]

MODERATED

Please refrain from personal attacks no matter what is perceived as a slight, can be easily mis-interpreted.

Jim

[Eddy Matthews]

Thankyou gentlemen,

Having received three complaints about this topic from people on both sides of the fence so to speak, can I please ask that we try to keep things civil.

I'm sure none of us want to see this degenerate into a slagging match, as that serves no purpose whatsoever. So if you have something to say of a personal nature then take it to email and discuss it privately with the individual concerned.

Regards
Eddy (Paddleducks Admin)

[jkemp1]

Hello All,

Just been given access to the forum, and note all comments previous re Ryde, well, I certainly do not want to fall foul of admin in any way. Yes, the Ryde is in a poor state, but as Len rightly says, MQ was in a lot worse, and we are being rebuilt in Bristol. It took over twenty years and a lot of hard work, keeping the ship together and the society. The Ryde was built far more strongly than MQ ever was. Yes the Trust has been set up a while, but like all before we have been dealing with private owners who simply would not be realistic, albeit some parts they were willing to let go, the trust is now trying to work with the receivers, and with the example of MQ, Waverely, KC etc a lot can be achieved with the will and effort. We certainly do not want to get personal or into arguments with others, there will be plenty of others to throw brick bats, hopefully then not from the paddle steamer world so to speak.

John Kempton

[monarch]

MODERATED


This post has been fully moderated. I remind you, as has been previously mentioned if anyone has a problem wth the content of the Paddleducks forum contact a Moderator. We will impartially attend to matters, promptly! If you continue to abuse the forum from which ever stance you have we will take action.

[lenknight]

May I first apologises to the Admin, all Paddleduck members if my comment seem over board re the future of the Ryde, and have offended, this was not my intention, as sadly the original remark was blown out of all proportion.
Only to bring her plight to more people, which I like to think I have done so. I fully respect that all have an opinion, and defend their right to express it freely, albeit not being what some may agree with.
I think I have made my point over this episode, and will rest my case on Paddlducks, nothing I had read has convinced me different to what I believe, however.
I would like to think the Ryde and her future can still be discussed freely, as I defend her right to exists as one of the few Historic Paddles of Great Britain, albeit the cost!!!

Kind regards to the Admin and members
Len Knight..

[Excelsior]

Thanking the heavens that for once I'm not the one responsible for offending people on the forum!!!  Maybe that last gin wasn't such a good idea!!! 

Night Gentlemen