An iconic boat, which is famed for being everything from a café to a music venue and restaurant in Truro city centre, is due to be broken up and removed after 42 years of floating on the river at Lemon Quay.
Cornwall Harbours Board is due to approve plans at a meeting next week to dispose of the former boat cafe in Truro, the Compton Castle.
The ex paddle steamer, which has deteriorated in recent years, has recently become home to rough sleepers with evidence of antisocial behaviour onboard.
The Harbours Board is seeking match funding from the Truro Town Deal Board to have the boat broken up at an expected cost of around £200,000.
The Compton Castle was built in 1914 by Cox & Co of Falmouth for the River Dart Steamboat Company. In the Second World War she was requisitioned as a naval ammunition carrier on the River Dart. Her peacetime sailings on the Dart resumed in 1947 and continued until 1962. In 1964 she was sold to Baume & Woods of Kingsbridge and restored for use as a teashop and museum.
The Compton Castle pictured last month. It has now become home to rough sleepers
Since 1982 she has been moored at Lemon Quay serving a number of static roles, including as a former boat café in Truro.
Since 2020 the vessel's condition has deteriorated significantly and in May 2023 the vessel sank at its mooring. It was subsequently re-floated and temporary repairs made by the owner.
A report by the Harbours Board, for a meeting at Cornwall Council on Thursday, March 14, states: “Following the sinking, the maritime management team, with legal support, have engaged with the owner to seek that it is either returned to a serviceable condition, agreeable to the harbour authority, or to commence the process to remove the vessel from the harbour.
"The rent account has been on hold since March 2023 and in September the lease for the shore infrastructure was terminated. We continue to negotiate a settlement for the outstanding debts on the customer’s account and the site has been secured.”
The Compton Castle pictured in May 2023 when it sank (Pic: Port of Truro)
The area on Lemon Quay adjacent to the boat is the subject of Truro Town Deal investment and “the opportunity is available to work with the Town Deal to realise the site’s potential”.
A business case is being prepared but initial discussions with the board’s chairman have indicated support would be forthcoming to support Cornwall Harbours Board in the vessel’s disposal. This would reduce pressure on the Port of Truro reserve account, most of which is earmarked for other projects within the port.
The Compton Castle pictured last month. It has now become home to rough sleepers (Pic: Port of Truro)
The report adds: “In recent months the vessel has been broken into on numerous occasions and become home to rough sleepers. There are also reports of antisocial behaviour onboard – evidenced through inspections of the vessel.
“Disposal quotations from a waste contractor have been obtained. The vessel can be broken in its current position and the cost is expected to be £200,000. It is proposed to fund £100,000 from the Port of Truro Reserve and the remainder will be sought from match funding with Truro Town Deal Board to expedite the disposal.”
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