Prior to World War Two there was considerable movement of passengers and tourists between ports along the Kent coast, the London area, East Anglia and on cross channel trips to the French, Belgian & Dutch ports. It was for this traffic that the The Queen of the Channel was built by William Denny & Brothers, Dumbarton under their Yard No.1275 for the London & Southend Continental Shipping Company which was managed by the New Medway Steam Packet Company.
The ship was launched on May 3rd 1935 and was the first British diesel engined vessel for cross channel passenger/excursion use, being equipped with two 1,500hp Sulzer Type TS diesel engines. The use of diesels in the marine application had seen considerable successful development in the previous two decades but the initial cost of installation and running costs when compared to coal fired ships had hindered their use in the smaller vessels. However the larger dimensions of the Queen of the Channel when compared with the existing excursion/cross channel vessels allowed Denny's to install diesel engines.
Compared to the smaller paddle steamers that the Queen of the Channel was replacing, this ship was definately a step up with regard to the appointment of her fixtures and fittings.
On June 14th 1935 the ship was recorded as working its first run on a day excursion service between the Thames and the Continent. The profitably for this larger vessel would be its use on these cross channel 'no passport' workings from the Thames & North Kent ports following the easing of Government restrictions on this type of travel. This longer distance working would provide better useage of the ship rather than the expected sailings between London, Southend and Clacton. The ship would become a regular visitor to Ostend.
When the RMS Queen Mary commenced its maiden voyage from Southampton during May 1936 the Queen of the Channel worked a special excursion from the Medway to Southampton to celebrate the sailing.
The ship was sunk on May 28th 1940 by aerial bombardment at Dunkirk.
General Details
Builder: William Denny & Brothers, Dumbarton.
Launched: 1935
Length: 255ft
Beam: 34ft
Draught 9ft 3in
Weight: 1,162 tons gross
Engines: Two Sulzer 8 cyl two-stroke single acting 1,500hp engines, Type TS.
Screws: ??
Service Speed: 20 knots
Port of Registry: London
Crew: ??
Passengers: ??
Page added February 22nd 2009
Return to Ship index
Return to Picture menu
Return to Home Page
