PS. Medway Queen.

[oldgit]

Paddle Steamer "Medway Queen" is celebrating the centenary of her launching , Rochester Cruising Club was approached to enquire if we would like to get involved.
We proposed a short cruise from our moorings to the present location of the Medway Queen at Gillingham Pier to view the work being carried out to restore the paddle steamer to working order.
We invited members of the MQ. preservation society along with the local RNA group and anybody else interested to come along on the trip.
The Medway Queen promised to provided tea and cake on arrival.
Friday weather was not bad at all, gentle breezes and a little sun.
Saturday of course was cold wet damp and windy.
Veteran of the Dunkerque evacuation MAIMONDE came round to escort us on this somewhat less hazardless journey .
Less gunfire and more hypothermia !
MAIMONDE | The Association of Dunkirk Little Ships
Heres hoping to meet the boat and skipper again in 2025.



A bit of rafting required.

The "Queen."


Then back to club for a roast and refreshments.
About 50 folks turned out.
Photos from skipper and crew and courtesy of James Bell.

 

[Pump-Out]

Seven runs is an impressive record, especially the rear-guard evacuation.
It's disappointing that the log does not record how many passengers she put ashore on each occasion.

 

[oldgit]

Pretty certain there was a notice on board of the numbers carried, including those picked up from The Brighton Belle which was sinking on the beach.
Dunkirk
Have a personal connection, mum working on the Medway Queen in the late 1940s.
The building in the background in Canal Road is a still a pub.
Canal Road was where the entry lock to the Thames and Medway Canal was located.
The lock at the Thames end was at Gravesend, originally it had the normal number of lock gates ie. 2 but one was blown off during the war and nobody could be bothered to replace it.
Thames and Medway Canal - Wikipedia