Walkers along Burnham-On-Sea’s Esplanade were treated to a glimpse of an historic 50 year-old ship as it glided past the town on Friday morning (July 28th).
The Balmoral was on its annual trip up the River Parrett to Dunball, near Bridgwater, to collect 236 people booked on an excursion to Penarth in Wales.
It was met in Burnham by Harbour Master Peter Lee and docked in Dunball at around 8.30am before setting sail a few minutes later with its passengers onboard.
The historic ship was built in Southampton in 1949 and operated under the Southampton Red Funnel Fleet for 20 years.
She then moved round to the Bristol Channel where she became the last member of P&A Campbell’s famous White Funnel Fleet. When they ceased operation in 1980, Balmoral moved to Dundee to become a floating restaurant, and there she stood, gradually falling into disrepair until she was rescued by the friends and supporters of the Waverley.
She returned to service in 1986 and to this day operates her main summer season in the Bristol Channel, offering day excursions to popular coastal resorts, as well as making visits to other ports and piers throughout the UK in the spring and autumn.
In Winter 2002,the Balmoral was fitted with new engines. The project was dependent on nearly £150,000 being raised through the help of the public sector and local councils, supporter societies and on-board fundraising activities which in turn secured a further £750,000 contribution from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
The money was used to replace the engines but has also helped carry out additional improvements to enhance passenger comfort. The Balmoral can accommodate up to 750 passengers and has a self-serve restaurant on-board along with two licensed bars, heated observation lounge and souvenir shop.
The ship returned to Dunball, passing Burnham again, at around 8.20pm on Friday evening.
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