MV Balmoral Fund Limited

2017

THE BALMORAL IS LAID-UP

THE BALMORAL IS LAID-UP

MV Balmoral seizes to operate under White Funnel Limited and the ship is laid up at Bristol Harbourside for the foreseeable future. The Balmoral continues to grow her educational activities onboard, becoming a floating classroom and interactive environment for schools in the region.

2015

RE-ENTERING SERVICE

RE-ENTERING SERVICE

The Balmoral is relaunched back into active service on June 19th 2015 under White Funnel Limited, a revival of the name by a subsidiary of the, then, current board of directors at MV Balmoral Fund Limited.

Waverley Steam Navigation Company

2012

FINAL YEAR

FINAL YEAR

It’s the last year of Balmoral operating under the Waverley Steam Navigation Company, with the vessel being chartered for the Olympics, before ending the year with the opening of an off-shore wind farm in the Irish Sea.

2007

IRISH ADVENTURE

IRISH ADVENTURE

In 2007 the ship travels via the Isle of Man to the Republic of Ireland, before re-opening the ship canal to Newry.

1996

SAILING TO FRANCE

SAILING TO FRANCE

The Balmoral undertakes another foreign trip, this time to Boulogne in France, in the June of 1996.

1994

TOWER BRIDGE CENTENARY

TOWER BRIDGE CENTENARY

Balmoral participate sin the Centenary Tower Bridge celebrations in 1994.

1993

BATTLE OF THE ATLANTIC

BATTLE OF THE ATLANTIC

The Balmoral marks the 50th Anniversary of the ‘Battle of the Atlantic’ with a Fleet Review off the coast of Anglesey in 1993.

1989

40 YEARS OF SERVICE

40 YEARS OF SERVICE

Balmoral celebrates her 40th birthday on the Solent, managing to carry some 109,504 passengers over the course of the Summer season.

1988

EXPANDING THE TIMETABLES

EXPANDING THE TIMETABLES

By the time of the 1989 season, the Balmoral has established an exciting annual timetable, calling at approximately sixty different ports per year. She provides cruises along the South Coast, North Wales, the Irish Sea and River Thames, with plans for more in the future.

1986

INVESTMENT & OVERHAUL

INVESTMENT & OVERHAUL

By January 1986 enough capital had been raised for the Balmoral to head for Govan Dockyard and begin work on a major rebuild. It includes plating over her former car deck, the provision of a galley, dining saloon, new mast, wheelhouse, lifeboats, and the refurbishment of all passenger accommodation. The ship emerges with a sleek white hull, yellow funnel and a new port of registration – Bristol, England.

1985

STEAMING FOR GLASGOW

STEAMING FOR GLASGOW

After inspection from the Waverley organisation, she is purchased and steams to Glasgow under her own power in March 1985 for restoration and overhaul.

Craig Inns

1980 - 1985

BALMORALS SCOTTISH ADVENTURE

BALMORALS SCOTTISH ADVENTURE

After being laid up in Bristol, the Balmoral is acquired to become a floating restaurant and disco venue in Dundee, Scotland. The venture fails, and Balmoral is placed up for sale. Shortly afterwards, she is idefntified as a suitable consort for the Worlds last sea going pleasure steamer, the paddle steamer Waverley.

P&A Campbell

1980

ACQUISITION & SUB-CHARTER

ACQUISITION & SUB-CHARTER

In 1980 the Balmoral is chartered to the fleet of P&A Campbell, and chartered to a new company: White funnel Steamers.

1977

SILVER JUBILEE FLEET REVIEW

SILVER JUBILEE FLEET REVIEW

The ship participates in the Silver Jubilee Fleet Review, and continues to undertake a range of charters across the Country.

1971

THE LAST SURVIVOR

THE LAST SURVIVOR

Balmoral becomes the sole member of the Campbell fleet, regularly operating out of Swansea to Lundy Island, via Ilfracombe.

1970

CHANGE OF LIVERY

CHANGE OF LIVERY

The ship appears in the full Campbell livery for the first time. She operates the 1970 season around Bristol Channel resorts.

1969

CHARTERED

CHARTERED

The Balmoral is chartered from Red Funnel by P&A Campbell for operation in the Bristol Channel.

Red Funnel

1968

END OF AN ERA

END OF AN ERA

Red Funnel quietly withdraw Balmoral from service, and her days of being the flagship of the fleet come to an end.

1967

RMS QUEEN MARY

RMS QUEEN MARY

RMS Queen Mary leaves Southampton on her final voyage in September 1967, the Balmoral joins her in bidding farewell.

1958

HRH DUKE OF EDINBURGH

HRH DUKE OF EDINBURGH

The Balmoral welcomes Her Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh on board in May 1958.

1953

CORONATION

CORONATION

Balmoral participates in the Coronation Fleet Review.

1949

DELIVERY OF BALMORAL

DELIVERY OF BALMORAL

The Balmoral is launched in June 1949, instantly becoming a popular ship on the Cowes ferry route.

1947

ORDER PLACED

ORDER PLACED

An order is placed by Red Funnel in 1947. Thornycroft are contracted for the delivery of MV Balmoral.