Fantastic to hear that PS Monarch managed today to raise £600 at auction, kick starting their campaign to raise £15,000 for a new boiler for the wonderfully cute Paddle Steamer that any of you visiting the Medina may have seen.
The owners of PS Ryde, aka Ryde Queen (pictured), which is soon to be cut up and disposed of, gave permission for PS Monarch Skipper Matt O’Crowley to go aboard and salvage any decorative items that might be left.
The result of the salvage was a solid brass engine console which has taken months of restoration work and was then sold today at the Island Auction Rooms as part of the BBC’s “Flog It” programme (we understand they shot footage for three one-hour shows).
Matt said,
“To achieve national publicity for not just the Monarch, but also the Ryde is something that doesn’t come about every day. There are plans afoot to rescue the Ryde’s engines at the very least and stop her from becoming a distant memory, exposure like this may lead to a new era for the ship which is something that is greatly needed.
“Each time we pass the Ryde, we give her a salute on our whistle to say thank you to her and I dream of the day that one day that might be reciprocated-although I believe this to be unlikely.”
After the busy bidding (from mainland buyers) and final sale of the console, Matt was amazed and astounded at the number of people bidding and the figure raised.
For full information about the auction, or to become a volunteer crew member on the Monarch, visit the PS Monarch’s Website.
Image: Auntie P
