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Published:
July 19, 2007
Historic
Balmoral sails past Burnham-On-Sea during annual visit

Walkers
along Burnham-On-Sea's Esplanade were treated to a glimpse of
the historic 50 year-old ship Balmoral as it glided past the town
on Thursday morning (July 19th).
The
Balmoral was on its annual 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 in Burnham by Harbour Master Chris Spencer and docked
in Dunball 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 onboard along with two licensed bars, a heated observation
lounge and souvenir shop.
RELATED
LINKS:
Pictures
of the Balmoral passing Burnham
Online video of the Balmoral
passing Burnham
What's On in Burnham-On-Sea
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