2 1/2 years since I last took some photos of Queen Mary by Waterloo Bridge [see http://public.fotki.com/Magwa/ships/river_thames_-_rest/ ] we went to visit for a cup of coffee aboard, only to find her closed. Hopefully this is just due to the time of year and an annual spruce up. The previous main website now redirects one to http://www.caniseethat.co.uk/QueenMary/ which mentions nothing about a closure, nor was there an information board alongside with any detail. She is obviously not being used at the present time, but did not look derelict.

HARMONY II 696gt 1955 looking good alongside at Canary Wharf.
Built as a passenger & cargo ferry in Split, Croatia, by the Jadranska Linjska Plovidba company in 1954 this lovely vessel has had quite a life & was fully restored by her current owners, Pedley Marine, between 2002 & 2007 in Liverpool & Ipswich. She has for the past 2 years over wintered at Marsh Wall in Canary Wharf, London acting as a hotel & conference venue [summers in the Med on charter]. She is however now currently closed & up for sale/charter after a previously agreed sale fell through a few months ago.

For her full history please see http://www.harmony2.co.uk/H2%20History.html
and for details of her sisters' too
http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/Jadrolinija2.html#anchor3151072
A handful of photos of Lord Amory http://www.lordamory.org/ and ST Portwey too http://www.stportwey.co.uk/

For a short video clip see http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6507185206274408432

Nearly 2 years have passed since I last took some photos of Queen Mary by Waterloo Bridge. In August 2004 she was looking decidedly 'run-down' [see http://magwa.fotki.com/ships/river_thames_-_rest/queen_mary/ ]; what a difference this time! We even went aboard for a drink and something to eat.

PS Tattershall Castle, now a Pub/Restaurant & Function Facility, alongside Victoria Embankment at Hungerford Bridge - 3 July 2006

A River Humber Ferry built by William Gray & Company, West Hartlepool, 1934 for the London & North Eastern Railway Company (LNER). Launched 24 September 1934 by Miss Pamela Wilson, daughter of Sir Murrough Wilson, Chairman of LNER. PS Tattershall Castle was licensed to carry 1050 pax, along with a few vehicles, livestock & cargo. 556 gt [Sister to the Wingfield Castle, now berthed in Hartlepool, & Lincoln Castle at Grimsby]. See http://www.theheritagetrail.co.uk/maritime/ps%20tattershall%20castle.htm

RS Hispaniola ex Maid of Ashton - the first of four "Maids" to enter service for the Caledonian Steam Packet Co in 1953 [MV Maid of Ashton, MV Maid of Argyll, MV Maid of Skelmorlie, MV Maid of Cumbrae].

She has now been a static restaurant for over 30 years and was last fully refurbished in 2002 at Great Yarmouth. See http://www.clydesite.co.uk/clydebuilt/viewship.asp?id=11 and http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/tramways/MaidofAshton.htm for her history.

Visit http://www.hispaniola.co.uk for current information.

Various Thames Excursion Vessels spotted between Westminster & Waterloo bridges - 3 July 2006
City Cruises - Millennium City
http://www.citycruises.com/rliners.htm
Circular Cruise Westminster - Sapele, Sarah Kathleen
http://www.crownriver.com/
Bateaux London / Catamaran Cruisers - Naticia, Hydrospace Delta
http://www.bateauxlondon.com/
The Riverline [Thames Clippers] - Tate to Tate, Hurricane Clipper
http://www.thamesclippers.com/fleet/view/42
Thames Cruises Ltd - Viscountess
http://www.thamescruises.com/fleet.php
Westminster Party Boats - Mercedes
http://www.westminsterpartyboats.com/
Capital Pleasure Boats - Golden Jubilee
Sundance
http://www.cpbs.co.uk/
Rosewood & others

TSS Queen Mary, 1014gt, was built in 1933 by Wm. Denny's of Dumbarton, Scotland for Williamson-Buchanan Steamers, at a cost of £62,000. On trials she achieved 19 Knots & her Maiden Voyage was on 20th May 1933. Max 1500pax on her excursion services on the Clyde.

Her last cruise was from Largs to Rothesay on 27th September 1978. Now an entertainment venue moored at Victoria Embankment, London. See http://www.queenmary.co.uk
Became Queen Mary II in 1935 to allow her name to be used for the new Cunard liner, and renamed Queen Mary when Cunard's Queen Mary was removed from the register. At one stage she had a single funnel. See http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/tramways/QueenMary.htm

Views from the Thames & London Eye - 31 Aug 2004