Dave Otridge
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Pleasure steamersWhy was the pier so long? Simple; when the tide was out the only channel capable of taking 2000 ton vessels was more than a mile over Southend's famous mud. There were 3 regulars so what of them now? The mv Royal Sovereign cruised down the Thames from Tower Bridge and on to Margate, Clacton or even the French ports. It was broken up in 1967. The mv Royal Daffodil used to follow a similar itinerary but from Tilbury. It's fate? The Italians made it into a lorry ferry! The third vessel though is far more interesting, the ps Medway Queen. Based at Chatham, its regular run was to Southend and back but did go down river from time to time. My Father took me to a Chatham "navyday" via the "Queen" - a visit that convinced me that the air force was for me!! The "Queen" also has a glorious past, having evacuated hundreds of men from the Dunkirk beaches. And now? She is still alive but only just; there is an appeal to raise funds to restore her. If you want to see a paddle steamer in action it has to be the ps Waverly operating in the Clyde.
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