PS Wingfield Castle, Museum ship in Hartlepool, England.
The PS Wingfield Castle is a restored paddle steamer powered by a triple expansion steam engine and stretching about 209 feet in length. The vessel features multiple decks with exhibits about maritime history, engineering, and the daily routines of passengers and crew during its working years.
Built in 1934 by William Gray & Company, the vessel served as a ferry between Hull and New Holland for four decades until its retirement in 1974. During World War II, it was converted for military duty, transporting troops and supplies along the Humber River in support of wartime operations.
The ship's name comes from a medieval fort and reflects the region's deep connection to maritime transport. Walking through its decks today, you can see how ferries like this one shaped daily life and connected communities across the river.
You can walk through the restored decks and visit the engine rooms to see how the steam machinery operated. Wear comfortable shoes since climbing stairs and navigating the narrow passages between decks requires some physical effort.
During its working years, the vessel transported livestock alongside passengers, and there are documented cases of cows accidentally falling into crew quarters. This unusual side of ship operations reveals how unpredictable and makeshift transportation could be during that era.
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