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

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