Happy memories all at sea
THE sad sight of a famous floating nightclub engulfed in flames in a Teesside dockyard brought back memories of happy, hazy nights for our readers. The Tuxedo Royale, and its sister ship the Tuxedo Princess, were both popular nightspots for Newcastle and Gateshead clubbers when they were docked on the Tyne’s south bank. Between the two of them, they were a part of the Tyne’s riverscape for almost 20 years, until the Royale closed its doors in 2006 and sailed off to retire in Middlesbrough. There it decayed so much that the Environment Agency deemed the oncethriving party boat as “controlled waste”. On Wednesday, the Royale went up in flames after a dockyard fire, which sparked your memories of times dancing on the Tyne’s floating nightclubs. “Had some wicked nights on here if you didn’t mind sticking to the floor or walking on a slant,” wrote Sasha Haq on our Facebook page. The wisely thought-out idea of putting a revolving dance floor on a ship docked in a tidal river is remembered fondly by many. Beverley Johnston wrote: “Noooooo. Many a great night on the revolving dance floor.” Colleen Fahy posted: “Oh noooo! Revolving dance floor. Come a cropper there a few times.” Carey Mitchell has a family link to the boat and remembers it hosting some very special guests. She wrote: “My dad worked on the fitting out of this as a nightclub and my parents were at the opening night. “Also remember going to a special party held on board for patients and family of the RVI children’s cancer ward.”
And Elisa Mcevoy was downhearted to see the Royale go the way she did. “A sad end to a great place,” she wrote. According to Gazette Live, firefighters had the blaze under control by 8.50pm on Wednesday night. The cause of the fire is being investigated. The North East Ambulance Service says no casualties have been reported.