11th April 2026 ~ Gateway to the World: The Great Port of New York ~ with Bill Miller ~
Ships, bridges, skyscrapers, history and a 250th birthday party ...
Called the greatest harbour anywhere, we tour the harbour & its highlights: the Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island, bridges & ferryboats, the grand liners & the great skyscrapers. 2026 is the 250th anniversary of America and a gala parade of ships in New York harbour is scheduled for July 4th. We welcome Bill back a few weeks before he narrates the parade from Queen Mary 2.
Bill Miller is an international authority on ocean liners & cruise ships - and great fan of New York. Great ships of the past, those “floating palaces,” as well as the current generation of cruise ships, the “floating resorts”. An international speaker, known as “Mr. Ocean Liner,” Bill has authored over 100 books on subjects from early steamers, immigrant ships and liners at war to passenger ships of today.
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9th May 2026 ~ Ferry Tales of the Eighties ~ with Steve Pink ~
From Thoresen’s Vikings to P&O’s Prides … over 20 south coast ferries …
After an early career at sea, Steve spent ten years in port operations and sales & marketing with Thoresen Car Ferries and its successors. From Thoresen's Viking I and Townsend's Free Enterprise II to P&O Ferries' Pride of Dover ... via freight ferries, the end of Southampton ferry services, requisitioning ferries for the Falklands, the P&O takeover, traumatic strikes and more ... all these stories provide a backdrop as Steve takes a look at over 20 south coast ferries.
Steve Pink is branch secretary and events organiser at WSS Dorset and a member of the Ocean Liner Society. A Nautical Studies graduate with a background in cargo-passenger shipping, ferries and cruising - Steve also acts as editor & promoter for ~Ships~Dorset~ facebook group and website content.
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12th September 2026 ~ Union Castle Line ~ with Robin Plumley ~
More details later…
Union-Castle Line operated a fleet of passenger liners and cargo ships between UK and Africa from 1900 to 1977.
Robin Plumley - Robin retired from a senior position with UK government scientific oceanographic research vessels following fifteen years in command of world-wide research vessels and experience with polar supply and research vessels. Robin is highly decorated … Polar Medal 1993 for outstanding contribution to Antarctic science … MBE 2015 for services to marine science … Freeman and Liveryman of Honourable Company of Master Mariners … Freeman of City of London … Past Captain of the Southampton Master Mariners’ Club.
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