Early morning seafront walkers in Burnham-On-Sea were treated to a glimpse of the historic 50 year-old ship Balmoral as it glided past the town this morning (Tuesday, September 8th).
The Balmoral was on a trip up the River Parrett to Dunball, near Bridgwater, to collect several hundred passengers booked on an excursion around the Bristol Channel.
It was met at 7.40am in Burnham by the Harbour Master and docked in Dunball before setting sail a few minutes later, at around 9am, with its passengers onboard.
The ship cancelled its visit last year due to bad weather and was last seen sailing by Burnham in July 2007. [Click here for online video]
The Balmoral was built in Southampton in 1949 and operated under the Southampton Red Funnel Fleet for 20 years.
She then moved to the Bristol Channel where she became the last member of P&A Campbell’s famous White Funnel Fleet. When operations ceased in 1980, the 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.
She returned to service in 1986 and to this day operates her main summer season in the Bristol Channel, offering day excursions to various 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, thanks in part to a £750,000 contribution from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
The Balmoral can accommodate up to 750 passengers and has a restaurant onboard plus two licensed bars, a heated observation lounge and shop.
RELATED LINKS:
Online video of the Balmoral passing Burnham in July 2007
