Name Princess Freda

PRINCESS FREDA was built in 1926 by T C Letcher, Cowes, Isle of Wight for Whatfords who operated river boats on the Thames and is a steel hulled launch with a Leyland/Thornycroft engine. A substantial river launch, her topsides were built of one continuous sheet of metal 150 ft long which was bent round the stern and joined at the bow. During World War II she served at the Dunkirk evacuation, ferrying troops from the shore to a waiting destroyer. She was sold in 1978 but not used and acquired by Thames Passenger Services who kept her as a spare boat. She was bought by her present owner in 1982 and restored to passenger service between Westminster and Kew/Hampton Court.