“We need to save this piece of Humber history.simple as...I kinda see Mr Johnsons predicament-its not saleable or profitable as is,but give it away to the preservation society and let the people who love it sort it out-Go down as the person who helped save the last one-or as the man who killed it? I know which one i'd rather be.and whatever he thinks of it now-it touched a lot of peoples lives.”

“Younger person -- Grimsby:

I've been 'high-fived' by people less than a quarter of my age 'up town' in the pasrt week over my stance concerning the 'Lincoln Castle'.

I can also spell.

Maybe you should take your own advice and read the relevant comments. The age matter did not concern youth per se. Read, mark learn and inwardly digest.

Du U stil uz the sayin gettagrip?”

“You have to be old to understand or care about something???. One thing I though this world had but a stop to was people like you acting as if your above someone simply because your older. If someone has an opinion about something they are free to voice it whenever and however they like. And just because you don't like it or agree doesn't give you a right to demand where someone got there imformation from. Just leave people alone if you dont agree and have a need to argue your boring point then don't read comments. Or maybe your too old to understand todays society!”

“Christopher -- it's not personal; it's merely professional interest. Below a certain age a person can't have worked on or used the 'Wingfield Castle' the 'Tattershall Castle' and the 'Lincoln Castle' in their orginal form and in their original service.

The 'Tattershall Castle' I have travelled many times and have used in its previous berths and formats on the Thames when I worked in Essex -st and Stamford-st (within earshot and 'eyeshot' of the river) on maritime matters. Also visited the three in various other berths from Hartlepool to the Medway. "The Tatty Cas" is getting less and less the 'Tattershall Castle' -- like my my 'Viking' axe with three new heads and five new handles approaches being the original!

A qualified opinion is one gained from personal experience and original documentation. Therefore when I ask for 'qualification' I merely seek an acceptable source for the opinion. For example, more people think the three vessels referred to above are sister-ships than don't. This doesn't make it right, of course -- and it isn't.

When one has read the orginal outline specifications, the memoranda relating to the concepts and purposes, the detailed specifications, the general arragement drawings, the tendder comparisons and the diaries of the people concerned, one tends to get some understanding of functions and locations in the vessels' operations.

As a matter of fact, Sisapon, J.F. Wood spent more time in Glasgow than he did in Grimsby during the construction of the 'Lincoln Castle', but it doesn't make him a Glaswegian! And the Lincoln Castle's home port AND port of registry were of course the same -- as David O. points out, the vessel's significance is as much due to its overall role in north east Lincolnshire's unique transport system as its position as the last coal-fired paddle steamer to operate a scheduled service. This is its importance to Grimland just as its future role would have been -- and it wasn't to be, as someone wrote in a previous commentary: "Another floating bar & restaurant -- trif!"”

“A.Grimlander - what has age got to do with anything? Why do I need qualifications to make an informed opinion? I am not the one having to resort to cheap insults to try and put my point across by describing those who disagree with me as "thick" and as not having travelled. I have a vested interest in our local history and have an extensive collection of books and films on the matter.

The Lincoln Castle has been in trouble for years. If people were that bothered, why has it taken so long for them to try and do something about it? Where is the website, the registered charity number, the fundraisers, the petitions? People are happy to sit back, do nothing and accept the status quo. Only when it becomes too late will they actually attempt to do something and the extent of that is usually just moaning on message boards such as this.

As previously stated, I am all in favour of preserving the historical heritage of our town, but I do not see any evidence that suggests the Lincoln Council warrants such attention and I am not in favour of public money being spent on something that I see as being financially unsustainable. If a trust or group or private individual can raise the funds to buy it themselves and pay for the restoration and additional running costs, then good luck to them.

In another post, you describe the PS Tattershall Castle, currently moored on the River Thames, as a travesty of its former self. It is currently under use as a floating bar and restaurant and recently underwent a refit costing several million pounds. If the PS Lincoln Castle was to survive, it would in all likelihood have to go the same way.”

“Christopher --

Still waiting for you.
Can you put some qualifications where your opinions are!!?”

“Christopher --

Yeah, well. Have it your way. You patently know more about it than I do.

How old are you?”

“A.Grimlander - "You'll note the picture (top, right) of the Grimsby man who was responsible for the vessel's design, construction and operation FROM GRIMSBY."

Would that be those well known Grimsby ship builders William Gray of Hartlepool or A&J Inglis of Glasgow?

Having the involvement of one person from Grimsby in the design and construction process is not a big enough reason to spend a small fortune on its restoration and continual upkeep. There are things of more historical importance and significance to this town that require funding ahead of this.

As for operating from Grimsby, I don't remember New Holland or Hull (where it spent the majority of its working life) ever being part of Grimsby.

I am all in favour of the preservation of the true heritage of Grimsby and those things of historical importance to this town, but the fact remains that its biggest contribution to Grimsby was as a (rather unsuccessful) floating bar.”

“keith, Somewhere in england grimsby born -- commented on 03-Jul-2010 09:02

Keith -- I know exactly how you feel. Contact p.s.lincoln.castle@gmail.com for a (free) A4 composite of colour photos (as a jpg) of the p.s.¿Lincoln Castle¿ in its prime. No obligations.”

“hopefull harry, grimsby - commented on 03-Jul-2010 10:11

Hello Harry --

Yes, but the items listed at that address are inconsequential and not particularly relevant to the 'Lincoln Castle'per se. We understand that the bridge/wheelhouse is totally stripped of any relevant equipment -- good job the 'Lincoln Castle' Trust has a first-class colour photographic record of the vessel in its operational prime! Sad thing is, we understand that the archive and artefacts are going to Louth! Also, it seems that the engine has been earmarked by a Yorkshire town for its engineering museum.

What a dump this place is!”