IT was to have been the Severn Princess's crowning glory, a trip from a Wye shipyard to permanent moorings at the Old Pier, Beachley ... but she was beaten by the weather.
The former Aust-Beachley ferry, rescued from Ireland by local enthusiasts, has been painstakingly restored and is to become a showpiece vessel moored beside the Old Ferry Inn.
"We got her off the slipway no trouble at all and she sailed down the Wye all right. We rounded the point and went under the bridge but as soon as we did so an awful wind blew up," said restoration project co-ordinator Tim Ryan.
"We encountered six-seven foot waves and started taking a battering. We took advice and decided going in was too risky. We have come so far with her it would be so silly to chance it all at this stage – it would mean months and months of work all gone for nothing.
"So although it's disappointing round we went and back into the Wye. We'll make another attempt to take her round on a better day, perhaps on April 29 or 30 when the tides are right again."
The Severn Princess is now moored at the old Buffer Wharf by the tubular bridge, making it easier for another attempt as she doesn't need taking off a slipway.
She was skippered by riverman Fred Larkam for the beaching attempt with SARA craft standing by for safety.
"A lot of people said it was wonderful to see her sailing under the bridge again – worth all the effort we have put into it," said Tim Ryan.
He said the recent Review article about the Princess was the best he had ever seen.
"We have sent five copies off to Ireland for her former owners to see," he said.