Sunday 5th July 1970

The Paddle Steamer Preservation Society (PSPS) chartered the MV BALMORAL from P&A Campbell for a ‘GRAND DAY OUT’ to Ilfracombe and Lundy from Bristol’s Hotwells Wharf, Clevedon, Cardiff, Penarth and Weston.

In 1970 this was to be the second charter of the MV Balmoral by the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society. Earlier in the year she was chartered for a circumnavigation of the Isle of Wight. On this occasion, the charter was arranged by Pat Murrell for a voyage in home waters.Involving a return call at Barry, it would be necessary to  carefully choreograph all the coaches and excursions for the day. 

Pat described the excursion as successful, but at very short notice he was told that Balmoral couldn’t come up the Avon and the sailing now needed to start from Avonmouth. This was because Brunel’s SS Great Britain was due to be towed up the River Avon into Bristol, on the last leg of her long journey back from the Falklands.

In order to convey  Balmoral’s passengers down to Avonmouth, a significant number of double decker buses had to be parked at Hotwells. This restricted traffic flows, and blocked the views of sightseers eagerly awaiting to see the SS Great Britain sail into the heart of the city.

On the same day Captain Jack Wide received a painting onboard, portraying the vessels predecessor the Paddle Steamer Balmoral. In the painting, the PS Balmoral is portrayed with a white funnel.

She was owned by the Southampton, Isle of Wight & South of England Royal Mail Steam Packet Company, latterly known as Red Funnel. It was later in her career before the lively change to her funnel would be applied, as shown on the model below.