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Registration number
3753
Status
Registered
paula.palmer
Previous names
- 1956 - 1977 Vesta
- 1978 - 2020 Duchess M
Details
Function
Passenger Vessel
Subfunction
Ferry
Location
Port Werburgh
Vessel type
Ferry
Current use
Private use
Available to hire
No
Available for excursions
No
Construction
Builder
Camper & Nicholsons Ltd, Gosport
Built in
1956
Hull material
Steel
Number of decks
1
Propulsion
Motor
Number of engines
1
Primary engine type
Diesel
Dimensions
Length: Overall
78.00 feet
(23.77m)
Breadth: Beam
18.00 feet
(5.49m)
Tonnage: Gross
72.00
History
VESTA was built in 1956 by Camper & Nicholsons Ltd in Gosport as one of the last "traditional" Portsmouth-Gosport ferries. In 1966 she was made a reserve vessel for the ferry route, and was also used on seasonal harbour tours. She was sold to Thames Pleasure Craft in 1974, and was running for Thames Launches by 1977.
She passed to A. Green as the DUCHESS M in 1978, and then to D.C & W.Tours in 1981. By 1983 DUCHESS M was under the Capital Cruises banner. In 1991 she was on the River Tyne running charter cruises for Rolls Royce Limousine Hire, passing to River Tyne Cruises by 1995.
In 1997 DUCHESS M had relocated to Southend-on-Sea, running services to Queenborough and Strood, as well as local sea cruises. By 1999, she was the sole fleet member, and was sold in 2002 to the Lower Thames & Medway Passenger Boat Co for use on the Tilbury-Gravesend ferry, which she did until 2016. She had new engine fitted and was then sold in 2020 to the current owners to be turned into a live-aboard motor boat.
Key dates
-
1956
Built by Camper & Nicholsons Ltd at Gosport
-
1974
Sold to Thames Pleasure Craft
-
1977
Sold to Thames Launches
-
1978
Passed to A. Green as DUCHESS M in 1978
-
1981
Passed to D.C.&W. Tours
-
1983
DUCHESS M sailing under Capital Cruises
-
1991
Owned by Rolls Royce Limousine Hire on the River Tyne
-
1995
Passed to River Tyne Cruises
-
1997
Based off of Southend-on-Sea, running ferry services to Queenborough and Strood
-
2002
Sold to Lower Thames & Medway Passenger Boat Co. for use on the Tillbury-Gravesend ferry
-
2016
DUCHESS M retired from service
-
2020
Purchased by current owner for private use as a live-aboard motor boat
Sources
Simplon - The Passenger Ship Website: Duchess M found here: https://www.simplonpc.co.uk/DuchessM.html
Own this vessel?
If you are the owner of this vessel and would like to provide more details or updated information, please contact info@nationalhistoricships.org.uk
