The first commercial paddle steamer was the Comet of 1812.Soon competitive steamer services developed, resulting in bigger and more magnificent vessels, and 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 and now only three remain in service – Waverley, Balmoral and 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, and outlines the ongoing efforts to preserve what remains of pleasure steamer heritage in Britain.
