PADDLER EMBASSY IN THE FOG
On Saturday 5 June 1965 the paddle steamer Embassy was rostered to carry passengers on a positioning run from her winter berth at Weymouth to Swanage and Bournemouth and then continue with a day trip around the Isle of Wight. This caused great excitement among some in the enthusiast community, who expected a sell-out, as such a long day trip from Weymouth was then a rarity.
However, during the previous afternoon fog started to form. I was on the Pleasure Pier to await the paddle steamer Princess Elizabeth, which was due back from her slipping at Southampton to start her season at Weymouth. Some concern was expressed that Embassy was in Lizzie’s expected berth and that she might therefore inadvertently run into her in the fog. So an oil lamp was set on Embassy’s port quarter to warn the other paddler to be aware.
Looking back, one wonders why they did not just call on the radio to’s officers had gone home for the night, and getting a message through to the involved contacting Niton Radio on the Isle of Wight and asking them to pass it on.
