PS Medway Queen: The Heroine of Dunkirk
The PS Medway Queen is more than just a vintage vessel; she is a symbol of courage and resilience. Built in 1924, this paddle steamer transitioned from a leisurely passenger ship to a decorated war hero, eventually surviving decades of decay to become a preserved piece of maritime history.
Early Years and Civilian Service
The PS Medway Queen was constructed by the Ailsa Shipbuilding Company in Troon, Scotland. After successful trials on the River Clyde, she joined the "Queen Line" fleet of the New Medway Steam Packet Company, based in Rochester, Kent. For nearly two decades, she served as a vital link for passengers traveling between Strood, Chatham, Sheerness, Herne Bay, Margate, Clacton, and Southend.
Her early career was not without incident; on August 3, 1929, the vessel suffered extensive bow damage after colliding with Southend Pier in Essex. Later, in 1937, following her attendance at the Coronation Fleet Review for King George VI at Spithead, she was modernized with oil-fired steaming by the Wallsend Slipway & Engineering Company.
World War II and the Rescue at Dunkirk
The outbreak of war in 1939 saw the Medway Queen requisitioned by the Royal Navy. Her initial duties involved evacuating children from Gravesend to East Anglia before she was refitted as a minesweeper (a vessel designed to clear naval mines from a body of water). Armed with a 12-pounder gun and two machine guns, she served in the 10th Minesweeping Flotilla, patrolling the English Channel and the Strait of Dover.
Her most defining moment came in May 1940 during Operation Dynamo, the massive evacuation of Allied soldiers from Dunkirk, France. As part of the "little ships" flotilla, the Medway Queen made seven perilous crossings.
During her first trip, she rescued approximately 600 soldiers from De Panne beach. Upon returning to Dover, she successfully shot down a German aircraft during an air raid and rescued the entire crew and passenger list of the sinking Brighton Belle. On subsequent trips, she navigated the damaged Dunkirk port, picking up men from a concrete mole (a large stone breakwater).
Her final trip on June 3 was marked by a violent collision when a destroyer, driven by an explosion, smashed her starboard paddle box. Despite the damage, she limped back to Dover with 400 French soldiers. In a strange twist, the Admiralty had already reported her as sunk, a mistake they corrected the following morning.
For her bravery and the rescue of 7,000 men, the ship earned the title "The Heroine of Dunkirk," and her crew received seven awards for gallantry. She spent the remainder of the war as a minesweeping training ship before returning to her owners in 1946.
Post-War Transition and Decline
After being rebuilt by Thornycrofts of Southampton in 1946, the Medway Queen returned to civilian service and attended the 1953 Coronation Fleet Review. However, her sailing days ended on September 8, 1963.
Destined for a Belgian scrapyard, the ship was saved when the ship-breaker refused to destroy a vessel with such a gallant history. Following a campaign by the Daily Mail, she was sold and converted into a nightclub and marina clubhouse on the Isle of Wight, opening in 1966. Over time, the vessel fell into severe disrepair.
The Long Road to Preservation
Preservation efforts began in 1978, but the journey was fraught with difficulty. The ship sank in the River Medina after a hull leak and remained submerged until 1984. After being salvaged and towed to Chatham, the Medway Queen Preservation Society was formed in 1985.
By 2006, a £1.8 million funding package from the National Lottery Heritage Memorial Fund was secured. However, because the hull was deemed too fragile to be lifted onto a pontoon, the ship had to be carefully deconstructed and moved to Gillingham Pier for professional restoration.
The hull was eventually restored using traditional plate riveting at the Albion Dry Dock in Bristol. On July 27, 2013, the ship was rededicated, marking the culmination of years of painstaking work.
The Medway Queen finally returned to her home on the River Medway on November 18, 2013, arriving at Gillingham Pier to the cheers of a large crowd and media coverage.
Key Facts
- Built: 1924 by Ailsa Shipbuilding Company, Scotland.
- War Record: Rescued 7,000 men during Operation Dynamo.
- Nickname: "The Heroine of Dunkirk."
- Military Role: Minesweeper and later a minesweeping training ship.
- Restoration: Hull restored using plate riveting at Albion Dry Dock, Bristol.
- Current Location: Gillingham Pier, River Medway.
| Period | Primary Role | Key Event/Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1924–1939 | Passenger Steamer | River Medway and Thames Estuary |
| 1939–1945 | Naval Vessel | Operation Dynamo (Dunkirk) |
| 1946–1963 | Passenger Steamer | Return to civilian service |
| 1966–1970s | Nightclub | Isle of Wight |
| 1985–Present | Preserved Historic Ship | Gillingham Pier, Kent |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the PS Medway Queen called the "Heroine of Dunkirk"?
She earned this title for her extraordinary service during Operation Dynamo in 1940, where she made seven crossings and rescued approximately 7,000 Allied soldiers from the beaches and mole of Dunkirk.
What happened to the ship after its civilian service ended?
After being saved from a Belgian scrapyard, the ship was used as a nightclub and marina clubhouse on the Isle of Wight starting in 1966 before eventually falling into disrepair.
How was the ship restored in the 21st century?
Due to the fragility of the hull, the ship was deconstructed and the hull was professionally restored using traditional plate riveting at the Albion Dry Dock in Bristol, funded largely by the National Lottery Heritage Memorial Fund.
Did the ship face any combat during World War II?
Yes, while returning from her first Dunkirk trip, the Medway Queen shot down a German aircraft outside the harbour in Dover.
Where can the PS Medway Queen be found today?
The vessel is currently located at Gillingham Pier on the River Medway, where she was returned in November 2013.