paddlesteamers.info : The Internet's leading website for
Side-Wheeled Paddle Steamers
Thames
Estuary, River Medway, Kent, Essex and East Anglia Coast, England,
U.K.
Medway Steam Packet
Co Ltd
Formed
in 1881 in
succession to a company operating a ferry service on the Medway
between Chatham and Sheerness. Lady Margaret was purchased in
1888, Princess of Wales was added new in 1897 as was a second City
of Rochester in 1904. Lady Margaret suffered a boiler explosion on
August 22nd, 1903.
These
two new-build vessels operated the service until they were
requisitioned for Admiralty service in World War I after which they
reappeared for the New Medway Steam Packet
Company.
Vessels taken over
City of Rochester (1849-1896)
Alma (1855-1892)
Lady of Lorne (1871-1889) Built
by GW Gill at Chatham, 116.7 ft. Engines : 2 x Oscillating by J
Penn (dating from 1844). Sold to a Parisian dealer and probably scrapped
Second-hand purchase
Lady Margaret (1888-1903)
Built in 1883 for Edwards & Robertson of Cardiff by Russell &
Co of Greenock. 139.9 ft. Engine : 2 cyl compound diagonal 22 and
37.5 in x 30 in
New-build
Princess of Wales (1897-1917)
City of Rochester (1904-1914)
Return
to:
New Medway Steam Packet Co
River Thames
Historical