Mark Young from the Paddle Steamer Ryde Trust is urging readers to sign a petition to help save the Paddle Steamer Ryde. Ed
After many years of unsuccessful negotiations to acquire the Paddle Steamer Ryde (Ryde Queen/The Boat), the Paddle Steamer Ryde Trust finally seemed to get a promising opportunity to do so.
Unfortunately for reasons unknown negotiations have faltered at the last moment, and the administrators of the site have commenced breaking the vessel up.
Very much to the surprise of the PS Ryde Trust as they believed an offer of money was more in the creditors interest, than the expense of dismantling the vessel.
At the moment works have stopped, and this is likely to be the case for the next month as the demolition contractors now need to acquire licenses to break up the vessel in its current location (which is sensitive in its nature as an SSSI).
So, what can you do?
Please visit the Ryde Trust Website, and contact if you can offer help, and even if you feel there is nothing you can offer, if you believe in our cause to try and save Ryde, and in the event of failing, try and set a greater protection for vessels of her nature, please sign the e-petition.
Many thanks for any help you can offer, and for signing the petition.
Background
The Paddle Steamer Ryde, built in Peacetime as a ferry/excursion steamer, served during WWII on the beaches of Normandy, at Omaha, and as a minesweeper and anti aircraft vessel around the UK. On returning to peacetime service she continued her role as ferry/excursion steamer up until 1970, upon where she became a nightclub. By the mid 90s she had fallen into repair, and since then many many negotiations have taken place to save her. Now it is the eleventh hour, she is owned by administrators, and her rescue is about to go either way.
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Image: Auntie P
