Historic Benalmadena Paddle Steamer Sinking

Historic Benalmadena Paddle Steamer Sinking. The famous US Willow paddle steamer in Benalmadena marina is sinking.

Historic Benalmadena Paddle Steamer Sinking

A famous Benalmadena landmark is heading for a watery grave. The Willow steamboat which has been moored at the marina since 1996 is sinking. Emergency repairs were carried out on the vessel last night, but they weren’t sufficient to keep her afloat.

The US Willow is sinking in Benalmadena Marina

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 was abandoned in the late 1990s.

The Move To Spain

In 1962 the boat 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.

A photo of Willlow in service on the Mississippi.

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.

Published: 28.03.2019

Written by Dave James