Description

A stunning broadcast-quality documentary …

Balmoral, the motor ship which was the one time consort to paddle steamer Waverley, was during her years of operation Britain’s most travelled excursion ship.

In this film we join the ship on 27th June 2009 for a sailing round the Isle of Wight to celebrate the 60th anniversary of her launch from Thornicroft’s shipyard at Woolston, Southampton.

As well as key interviews with passengers and former crew from Balmoral’s Red Funnel days, the film includes quality archive footage and rare views of public rooms, engines and the bridge. The sailing was sponsored by Red Funnel Ferries, the ship’s original owners, who operated her from Southampton to the Isle of Wight, together with local cruises, from 1949 till 1968.

Balmoral is now berthed in Bristol’s Floating Harbour, undergoing restoration sponsored by MV Balmoral Fund Ltd. During 2024 she has spent several weeks in dry dock for hull repairs and repainting.

There are plans to restore the ship to full working condition, enabling her again to grace the waters of Britain’s coastline

Written and presented by Chris Phillips, filmed and edited by award winning director David Ellery, with original music by Jonathan Cohen.