8 MIN READ TIME
PRESERVED SHIP

BALMORAL

The historic motor vessel Balmoral, part of the National Historic Ships register, is currently under restoration in Bristol, having recently marked 75 years since her launch. Dene Bebington looks back at the ship’s long history, and how plans are progressing to get her sailing once again.
The fine sight of the motor vessel Balmoral, in all her pomp and splendour, at full speed, with day trippers enjoying the sunshine.

The motor vessel Balmoral, a 736grt excursion ship and the most travelled of her type, is currently in the care of the MV Balmoral Fund Ltd, a preservation charity, in Bristol, where she has been for a number of years. She has recently returned from Albion Dock Company’s dry dock in Bristol, where a Heritage Fund grant was used to enable improvement works on her hull to be undertaken.

Originally built for the Southampton, Isle of Wight and South of England Royal Mail Steam Packet Co and launched on 27 June 1949, Balmoral started life as a ferry in the Solent, operating for the most part between England’s south coast and the Isle of Wight.

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Ships Monthly
Feb-25
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