S.R. Steamers
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The through “rail” service between Portsmouth and Ryde, on the
Isle of Wight, was by railway owned and operated passenger ferries. SeaLink was
the maritime portion of British Railways. MV “Southsea” is
seen packed with passengers during the 1977 Silver Jubilee Naval Review at
Spithead.
photograph by Michael Taylor |
| In earlier years the service was operated by paddle steamers,
such as the PS “Ryde” of 1937, photographed here from
another ferry. Following the disposal of Sealink by British Rail the Portsmouth
- Ryde ferry is run now by Wightlink.
photograph by Ray Soper |
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Another photograph of “Ryde”, taken whilst out of the
water at Newhaven during 1969. She still exists today but is nothing much more
than a hulk at the Wight Marina between East Cowes and Newport, Isle of Wight.
photograph by John Hendy |
| Efforts are being made to save “Ryde” but time is short! Visit the Paddle Steamer Ryde website for further information. |
| PS “Freshwater” at Lymington Pier in 1955.
photograph by Mike Morant |
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This page was last updated 24 August 2003
