Medway Queen update

[lenknight]

The dismantling of the Medway Queen paddle steamer, is going a pace; little will be left of her by the end of the month (September 2006)
For progress on this, please view www.medwayqueen.co.uk on “What’s New”
Regards Len Knight webmaster MQPS. :lol:

[thewharfonline]

Just took a look at the dismantling photos, pretty exciting to be able to see into the boat like that. Hull condition does look pretty bad. It was also interesting to see the engine and boiler. As I am used to Portables being used as engine it was exciting to see the Medway Queens engine and especially the boiler.

She doesn't look like a very big boat...how big is she?

[Brian]

She looks in a sad state (but she is over 80 years old), so it seems more of a "resurrection/restoration" than a "preservation". Keep up the good work - Medway Queen Preservation Society (MQPS). No doubt there are many folk who are eagerly looking forward to see her back in steam again.

A question was asked about the size of PS Medway Queen; she was built in 1924 (at Ailsa Yard, Troon, Scotland, UK) as an "Estuary Paddle Steamer", with a displacement of 316 tons.
 
Length (overall) = 186 ft - 0 ins
Breadth moulded (hull) = 24 ft - 2 ins
Breadth (over paddle boxes) = 48 ft - 3 ins
Depth, moulded (to Prom. Deck) = 15 ft - 1 ins
Depth, moulded (to Main Deck) = 8 ft - 0 ins
Draught = 5 ft - 7 ins
Camber of Prom. Deck = 0 ft - 7 ins
Camber of Main Deck = 0 ft - 7 ins
(Note - she was built using feet & inches, but it should be quite easy to do your own metric conversions.)

These dimensions were obtained from the Sets of Plans for Modelmakers (Sets A & B), copies of which can be purchased from the MQPS website (http://www.medwayqueen.co.uk - Sales List).  So, even if folk do not wish to build a model of the Medway Queen, the drawings are interesting to study for they do show the layout of the ship (inboard & outboard). All purchases from the Medway Queen Preservation Society will help save her and to get her back into action.

During WW2 she was requisitioned in 1939 by the British Admiralty for the Royal Navy as a Minesweeper (HMS Medway Queen) so although she was really designed originally for Estuary sailing (River Thames and River Medway) she crossed the English Channel for the Evacuation of Dunkirk (May/June 1940) seven times and has been estimated that she bought back to the UK about 7000 troops, and as a result of her hard work and the bravery of her crew (4 gallantry awards) she has been acknowledged as the "Heroine of Dunkirk".

[Eddy Matthews]

Len, it's sad to see the old lady being taken apart like that, but at least we know it's all for the good in the long term.....

Is there any time scale laid out for the construction of the new hull?

All the new health and safety standards must be a real pain to keep track of and to adhere to them must be a nightmare!

[thewharfonline]

I don't need to worry too much about metric conversions because when it comes to the Murray boats they are usually written in feet and inches so I can figure it out!

She's about 70 feet longer than the Pevensey...yeh I can picture her now!

Thanks guys!

[lenknight]

Hello Eddy,
Re timetable for new hull, we have yet to award the contract to the relevant shipyard. Three yards have shown an interest in this rebuild, awaiting final costs. These will have to be agreed by HLF, and also hinged on our raising the 25% of the cost, being £225.000, or showing the effort to do so.
The actual re build, we are told should be about three months from start to finish, seems quite fast to me, but not a ship builder. :lol:
Regards Len.

[mjt60a]

Hmmm...the old hull does look very rusty doesn't it! Would have been good if something similar could have been done with Ryde (would get over the problem of a hull in apparently similar condition and being practically land-locked) If only I could win millions on the lottery.... :roll:

[Channel]

The Ryde has started to fall apart, will post some recent pictures later (taken this week).

Great to see the Medway Queen project progressing. Will any of the original hull be incorporated into the new hull ?

Chris

[lenknight]

It is sad to see another paddler slowly rotting away, not for the want of trying to help from a small group on the IOW, headed by Mark Young.
We have had murmurs of support from all relevant bodies, but little else.
But without financial help, all is lost, and we are talking in millions of pounds.

It has taken the Medway Queen 20 years to get as far as a grant for the restoration of the hull alone. On the last inventory, possible another 3 to 4 million to get her back into service, and that is a conservative estimate.

As for how much of the old hull will be incorporated into the one, is very little if any. The old hull has had no replacement of plates as far as I know since she was built in 1924, It is amazing that she has lasted this long.

Len Knight.