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PS Ryde Fondly remembered by locals as both a Solent ferry and nightclub, the PS Ryde (or Ryde Queen) has also become something of a local landmark since taking up residence at Binfield Marina in the early 1970s. After closing for business as a nightclub / restaurant, years of neglect, the English weather and souvenir hunters have left her as little more than a derelict, rusting hulk. There have been various attempts at restoration, but it does now appear that time has finally run out for her. The development of Binfield Marina into Island Harbour means that she is shortly to be scrapped. A sad end, but it’s still interesting to note that she will have ultimately outlasted the diesel ferries that were designed to replace her, and also one of the catamarans that in turn replaced them... There are plenty of pictures showing her as she is now, but comparatively few depicting her in service. Here we have a lovely colour shot of her approaching Ryde Pier in 1968, towards the end of her Solent career.
Full colour print titled “PS Ryde” in lower left corner. Scanned directly from an original 35mm colour slide. Ref# 072 9” x 6” print ready mounted in pale ivory coloured A4 mount - £7.00
At the other end of route we see her at Posrtmouth Harbour, again towards the end of her working life. This shot was taken on the 18th August 1968. Brunel House (nearing completion) is to the far right, and an advertisment for the short-lived Seapeed service can also be seen.
Full colour print titled “PS Ryde” in lower left corner. Scanned directly from an original 2” x 2” colour slide. Ref# 073 9” x 6” print ready mounted in pale ivory coloured A4 mount - £7.00
Fast forward to September 1997 and she’s clearly looking rather sorry for herself...
Full colour print titled “Ryde Queen” in lower left corner with my signature overlaid in the lower right corner. Scanned directly from 35mm colour film. Ref# 086 9” x 6” print ready mounted in pale ivory coloured A4 mount - £7.00
Another decade has passed, it’s now June 2008, and further decay is easy to see. Both masts have now gone, her funnel (and part of her superstructure) has collapsed, the paddle boxes have disappeared... ...and time really is not on her side.
Sold out - this print is no longer available for purchase.
Despite the years of neglect and decay, some of her insides still remain... ...including her original steam engines. Click here to see some interior shots of the Ryde Queen taken shortly before her scrapping.
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