Demolition Of Benalmadena Steamboat Begins

Demolition Of Benalmadena Steamboat Begins. The landmark steamboat in Benalmadena marina is being scrapped after years of neglect.

Demolition Of Benalmadena Steamboat Begins

Work has begun to scrap the legendary and historic Willow steamboat in Benalmadena marina. Earlier this week demolition work got underway as the boat is being scrapped after years of neglect. The paddle steamer has been derelict since its owners went bankrupt in 1998, and began sinking following a storm in 2019.

Heavy machinery including a hydraulic claw is now dismantling Willow. The demolition has been ordered by the town hall, and is expected to take a month. Pedestrian walkways around the vessel have been closed and security are monitoring the site to prevent sourvenir hunters and curious visitors from trespassing.

Willow’s bell is being donated to The Brotherhood of the Virgen del Rocío de Benalmádena.

Steamboat Willow’s Bell

Willow’s bell is being donated to the Brotherhood of the Virgen del Rocío de Benalmádena, who will restore it and install it in the bell tower of their main building. The wood and metal removed from the boat will be sent for recycling.

A photo of Willlow in service on the Mississippi.

Historic Paddle Steamer

Built in 1925 in America, Willow is 65 feet abreast and 200 feet long. The huge steamer was originally used by the lighthouse service on the Mississippi where she remained in service until a collision in 1944 brought her work on the river to an end. The was then used by the US Army Corps of Engineers as an accommodation boat.

Willow’s Move To Spain

In 1962 Willow was moved to Florida where she lay derelict until a British company transported her to Belgium for refurbishment in the early 1990s. When the Belgian company went out of business, the partially restored vessel was taken to Birkenhead before being moved to Spain in 1996.

Willow began to sink after a storm in 2019.

Derelict Steamboat

Since her arrival in Benalmadena, Willow was operating as a restaurant and entertainment venue, but in 1998 her owners went out of business. The boat has been derelict since then, with plans to scrap the sinking steamboat announced last year.

Published: 06.02.2025

Written by Dave James.