Grimsby Heritage - PS Lincoln Castle

The PS Lincoln Castle was built in 1940 and served to ferry people and vehicles across the River Humber to Hull's Victoria Pier. It was the last coal burning paddle steamer operating a timetabled service in Britain and as such it attracted a lot of interest from shipping enthusiasts.

The PS Lincoln Castle could carry up to twenty cars and 1200 passengers. A special train service carried passengers from Grimsby to the four hundred metre long pier at New Holland. The crossing from New Holland to Hull took about twenty minutes providing that the weather was good. However the boat was sometimes marooned for hours at a time on sand banks or because of unfavourable tides.

The PS Lincoln Castle was also used for special trips to Spurn Point. After the opening of the Humber Bridge in June 1981 the ferry was decommissioned. New Holland Pier was taken over by Howarth Timber whilst Hull Pier lost its pontoon and today only its promenade is used. 

The PS Lincoln Castle eventually moved to Alexandra Dock, near to the Fishing Heritage Centre. It now serves as a popular bar and restaurant. The vessel still contains some relics of its steam days.

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