The History of Abandoned Paddle Steamer Willow | Benalmadena, Spain

Willow is a genuine American paddle ship with a very interesting history, how did she come to be abandoned in the south of Spain. Join me for a journey through her history
#abandoned #ship #spain

[@ChilliJonCarne]

Allow me this small passion project as a break from my regular stuff. Whenever I was in Spain I went to see Willow and was interested to learn her history, after the research I thought I would put this together

[@garrydealey1968]

Thank you that was very interesting and also thank you for all the work you put into this

[@anonnemo2504]

Bit of a departure but an excellent video nonetheless, CJ.

[@marc1128]

Walked past this many times and always wondered, interesting story, decent video 👍

[@simoncreesuk]

Really enjoyed this story Jon and you told it well. Sad that there's no happy ending for Willow. These paddle steamers are iconic and it's hard to believe there isn't somebody somewhere that could make this into a really viable venture as a tourist attraction of some kind.

[@robodonnell6072]

This is superb Jon. Can tell you've put a good bit of work into this.

[@bez750]

As I write this now in a bar at the harbour, I literally visited her an hour ago. She looks in a sad state. I stumbled across this video researching how she got here and wow, what a find. Great video

[@DisasterBreakdown]

I have been visiting Benalmadena all of my life. Its basically a second home to me as I spent all my summers there growing up. However the last time I was there was in 2019, before the world ended in the Pandemic. That was until just two weeks ago when I finally flew out there for the first time in nearly five years. I was so confused when I went back to the Marina I had been so familiar with all my life, where I would see the curious paddle boat hidden away at the back every time, wondering exactly what it was. I was so confused to finally go back and see that it had effectively sank lol I have been wondering what happened to it my entire trip. I am delighted to hear its had such an interesting history.

[@nicosogrecos]

How interesting and also sad, are there no billionaires who could save Willow? It's history is sad and filled with disappointment and failure. It needs a happy ending. Thanks for this Chilli, it shows you are a caring soul.

[@ParanoimiaUK]

An unexpected but welcome change from the usual content! I don't know if it's possible for inanimate objects to be lucky or unlucky, but that has got to be one of the unluckiest little boats on the planet. A real shame no-one picked her up and restored her to her former glory... would be a heck of an attraction if turned into a proper restaurant. Could maybe even find a way of mounting her permanently on land so that the water doesn't keep eating away at her.

[@acwdrivingservices9877]

Brilliant work Jon highlighting the plight of this historic and beautiful lady. She has a long history and its sad to see her in this state today. Lets hope some of our American cousins see this video and maybe start a fundraising campaign to save her, maybe even take her back to the USA and her birthplace on the Mississippi. Its not impossible, look at what we did to save the SS Great Britain, it can be done, all that is needed is the will.

[@ChilliJonCarne]

Allow this small passion project as a break from my regular stuff. Whenever I was in Spain I would always visit this boat. Seeing her rotting away was quite sad and I wanted to learn about her history and how she ended up in Spain. I think the history is quite interesting, so I thought I would share it with you

[@nam1956]

What an interesting story very well told. I'm visiting southern Spain next week (there for a month) & I'll be sure to take a look at Willow. Well done Jon, a brilliant & professional job.

[@joshuasmith4615]

Great work Jon. Looks like a huge project to get sorted.

[@paulthompson8613]

More of this kind of stuff if you have the time , loved it

[@MrJools70]

Love this,you have a talent for this mate

[@Val-from-Leigh]

What an interesting video and well put together, Jon!

[@darrenbyrne4657]

Brilliant video bud, proper interesting. Cheers for that Chilli,liked it loads. Bye for now bud. 😁🤗✌👍✋

[@loosedretrogaming2124]

Stunning video great story would really love to see more content like this.

[@marcothorsen950]

There are whole towns and Villages just abandoned in spain. Great editing John and something very interesting 👍

[@lionboy2006]

Fascinating! Love a paddle steamer, hope she gets bought and renovated, great video 👍👍

[@DavidHey-vd5wn]

This is very interesting -I think youve found your niche here !!

[@Mark-yk1ny]

A little bit different. I had to have an look at the channel name just to double check I was watching the right one.🤣 Great video thanks thanks 👍

[@lodg1e]

Brilliantly put together Chilli👏🏻

[@legendkiller2k]

This was fascinating Jon, very good video put together really well you have a really good voice over voice.

[@cplcabs]

What a shame. Thats what you call one unlucky ship. Sadly, I would say it's definitely a goner.

[@lesblack8996]

What an interesting video Mr Carne. I love things nautical and I love old stuff. This is perfect. 👍

[@stjut]

Very interesting story of Willow falling into disrepair. Hopefully someone will be able to restore her to a previous glory, though as time passes it looks unlikely.

[@jerrybootneck1736]

Awesome video Jon. You need to do a few more of these in the future.

[@LoveFalmouth]

We really enjoyed this video too. The back story about willow is so interesting. Brilliant narration, we forgot it was you 😂

[@thetopcat8946]

This is so interesting.

[@martinwalker3088]

A fascinating story Jon. Thank you.

[@nigelcarren]

Slick production mate! New respect 👍🏆

[@hi-tech55]

Very interesting Jon very well presented. Now you know where your future lies.

[@Emil-Antonowsky]

Great video, I would watch more if this kind of stuff. Cheers.

[@lenellittsthegame2k0]

This is brilliant Jon i really enjoyed it.

[@magnus9701]

beautifully narrated , David watch out Jons on the job

[@jackwatsonepic626]

I like " all this sort of stuff .

[@markdoble736]

Given how much interest and love abounds for historic craft in the UK, it seems strange that our US cousins aren't more driven in a similar fashion to rescue this beautiful old girl. She deserves so much more than this ignominious departure.

[@themole1944]

Brilliant thanks Chilli

[@rogerlanchbury869]

I remember when Willow arrived everybody was very excited, sadly the only thing I see happening to her is being towed out to sea and sunk for divers to explore. My appartment is just a 10 minute walk from there, uphill of course

[@ChilliJonCarne]

I don’t really visit down that way so regularly any more. So if you hear of anything happening to it do please let me know

[@rogerlanchbury869]

@@ChilliJonCarne will do

[@davarosmith1334]

It's had some bad times that paddle steamer!

[@nickerrison-davey9099]

Nice story....it's the sort of research I would like to do about a dilapidated yacht that,apparently was once owned by Peter Ustinov,was until recently in a yard in an industrial estate in Plymouth 👍

[@ChilliJonCarne]

Go for it. I enjoyed the research and finding the old pics and things. Was good fun

[@ianlamb9606]

If you can, more please.

[@wright427]

Quite a tragic story. Unlucky & unloved..

[@lesblack8996]

It's a travesty to see that lovely historical boat rotting away. It's a shame a multi millionaire can't restore it and turn it into an another commercial venture.

[@ChilliJonCarne]

I’d love to see some museum in the states bring her home.

[@lesblack8996]

@@ChilliJonCarne That would definitely be the nicest outcome

[@laceandwhisky]

If you get a chance chilliejoncarne go to Ramsgate WW2 tug called "Cervia" needs talking about rich in history and last of its kind. 😊

[@SharpblueCreative]

So Jon who’s arse is this at 7:10 come on spill the beans LOL 😂 really interesting story though.

[@dps8435]

I do this sort of thing,latch onto something obscure & like to find out all I can on some random snippet of information.

[@Utoob360]

You are as close as anyone I “know” to this so gotta ask do you have owner or city council contacts? I grew up in Dubuque Iowa and have been tracking down DBBW boats for a couple of years. It would sure be nice to get some relics back to the National Mississippi River museum that now occupies the space of the Dubuque Boat and Boiler Works. How can we connect?

[@faketelevision1]

was that used on the video of the Pussycat song 'Mississippi'?

[@laceandwhisky]

Awesome video, so sad for a beautiful girl to be neglected. She seems cursed. Maybe the UK government could buy her as a illegal migrants accomodation ship. 😊 Be sad using her like that but if it gave her life it would be worth it. When they have gone they will be no more and history will physically be lost😢

[@tonytasker489]

You'd need very deep pockets to save & restore her. Sadly, I reckon she'll be scrapped for what she's worth.

[@ChilliJonCarne]

They are having some issues confirming who own it I think, the council want to claim it so they can remove it I hear now Be a shame

[@nigelwcc4069]

Perhaps it could be Alan and Amanda next BBC funded rescue project 😂

[@grahamhardy1358]

All you need now is a little brolly and yiu can start giving guided tours.

[@joechiminh8725]

That butt earned you a like and sub :) hilarious!

[@pacmanseven2544]

What, no pun digs at the BBC in this video? 😢

[@Petertronic]

This video like his others are about a sinking ship...

[@tenbear5]

… best place for it, innit… & i bet there was a faint whiff of pi$$ and SKOL super in the rigging.

[@derekpimm7506]

It's time for it to be taken out to sea and given a decent sinking!

[@florjanbrudar692]

That would be called scuttling. Anyway, this video was published shortly after they announced the scrapping of this steamboat.