Despite the ravages of time and lack of recent TLC, Paddle Steamer Ryde (Southern Railway 1936) – marooned in a marina on the Isle of Wight – is not the hopeless case she appears to be at first glance. Behind the scenes the Paddle Steamer Ryde Trust cares very much. The Trust has a firm plan to rescue this magnificent sea-going coal-fired vessel – which is on the National Register of Historic Ships - and put her back where she belongs: taking people on pleasure trips along the South Coast.

Maybe with the odd major historical event thrown in, to celebrate the vessel’s role as HMS Ryde in the North Sea, at Dunkirk and on Normandy beaches during World War II. Truly a vessel worth saving.

Oddly enough, the next step is in the hands of a newly nationalized Irish bank, which owns the assets of the now-bankrupt marina. The Trust, which is just completing its registration as a charity, is pressing its case to take over the ship, which is effectively a liability rather than an asset to its new owners. Unfortunately, Ryde is just a small problem among the rather larger problems of the marina’s debts, so negotiations are taking longer than expected.

The Paddle Steamer Ryde Trust has been given a very promising opportunity to finally acquire Ryde and be able to further the project after many years trying to negotiate a way forward with previous owners of Island Harbour and PS Ryde. Now, on the 20th March 2009, Island Habour Holdings went into administration, leaving the Trust now in negotiaions with agents to the administrators to acquire the vessel and remove her to a shipyard for restoration. Fundraising is now of the upmost urgency to ensure the success of the project, and the survival of this very important piece of UK maritime history. Please visit the ‘Support Us’ and help us secure this venerable Southern Railways paddle steamer and return her to gracing the South coast once again.

After being contacted with many concerns with regards to Ryde’s console being sold at auction on the BBC TV show ‘Flog It’, the Paddle Steamer Ryde Trust can confirm that the console was safely acquired by the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society, as not to fall into the hands of a private collector.  Also it was suggested in the show, that Ryde is soon to be broken up.  This is nothing more than a rumour.  The Paddle Steamer Ryde Trust can confirm we are still working towards the future of the vessel.

After many attempts to acquire the vessel from its owners, to pursue the restoration and operation of Ryde, Island Harbour Holdings Ltd was placed into administration, leaving the Paddle Steamer Ryde Trust a very promising opportunity to secure the ownership of the vessel.  We are currently in discussion with agents of the administrators to acquire and remove the vessel from Island Harbour in order for further fundraising and restoration to take place.

To coincide with Ryde’s 70th birthday, her keel being laid in 1936 for the Southern Railways Company, The Paddle Steamer Ryde Trust has been formed, and registered with Companies House as No 05894625.

The Paddle Steamer Ryde website was started in order to bring people together to attempt to save this fine vessel from the bleak future she is facing.  It is the intent of the website to generate support and to create an opportunity to restore this vessel for generations to come.