PS Medway Queen

Over het museum

Medway Queen was ordered in 1923 and entered service in 1924 as an excursion paddle steamer on the Strood, Chatham, Southend and Herne Bay route. She ran on that route until the Second World War and also made special trips, such as the 1937 excursion to the Coronation Review at Spithead.

In 1939 the Royal Navy requisitioned her and converted her into a minesweeper. As part of the 10th Minesweeping Flotilla she took part in Operation Dynamo in May and June 1940 and made seven return crossings to Dunkirk. Her crew estimated that they brought home around 7,000 men and shot down three enemy aircraft. She stayed in naval service until 1944, when she was recommissioned at the minesweeping training base at Granton.

After a refit in 1946 and 1947 she returned to passenger work with the Invicta emblem on her funnel, and she made her last voyage to Southend on 9 September 1963. Preservation efforts failed at first, and in 1965 she was bought by three businessmen and towed to the Isle of Wight, where she became a restaurant and nightclub, the Medway Queen Club. She was brought back to the Medway in derelict condition in 1984 and the preservation society was formed the following year. With support from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the European Regional Development Fund her hull was rebuilt in Bristol, and in November 2013 she was towed back to Gillingham Pier, where fitting out has continued as funds allow.

Hoogtepunten

• Guided tours of a 1924 paddle steamer
• The ship's seven crossings during the Dunkirk evacuation of 1940
• Visitor centre with a graphics wall, photographs and artefacts from her whole career
• Aft saloon, galley and engine room
• Events held on board during the year

Vaste collectie

• Medway Queen Visitor Centre – A full-length graphics wall with photographs and artefacts tells the story of the paddle steamer from her excursion days through the Dunkirk evacuation to her rescue and rebuilding.
• Guided tour of PS Medway Queen – Guides lead visitors through the restored paddle steamer, including the saloons, galley and engine room, and explain her peacetime and wartime service.

Beheerder

Medway Queen Preservation Society

Toegangsprijzen & kortingen

Ship admission is 10 pounds per adult and is sold as an annual ticket: it is not transferable and is valid for 12 months from the first visit. Prices may differ for special events, and all admissions go through the Medway Queen Visitor Centre. Evening events on board cost 15 pounds per person (children under 16 free), except quiz nights.

Toegankelijkheid

• Deels rolstoeltoegankelijk
• Lift: geen informatie
• Aangepast toilet
• Gehandicaptenparkeerplaats: geen informatie
• Hulphonden welkom
• Tastmodellen / voelbare objecten: geen informatie
• Rondleidingen in gebarentaal: geen informatie
• Informatie in eenvoudige taal: geen informatie
• Audiodescriptie: geen informatie

The ship has a long ramp suitable for wheelchair users and a stair lift to the lower deck. One wheelchair and one walking frame are kept on the lower deck for visitors with mobility difficulties. A chair lift links the top deck with the main deck, and an accessible toilet is close to the aft saloon. Well-behaved dogs on a lead are welcome on board.

Kinderen & gezin

Erg geschikt voor kinderen & gezinnen

• Gezinsrondleidingen & workshops
• Kinderfeestjes

The museum describes a visit as an experience for the whole family and takes part in the Wheels of Time badge-collecting scheme run by museums and heritage sites across Kent. Children's parties can be held on the ship, and school and group tours include craft workshops.

Bereikbaarheid & parkeren

The ship is berthed at Gillingham Pier, Pier Approach Road. The what3words location is ///unable.label.actual.

Service & horeca

• Museumwinkel

Tea and coffee are served on board, and there is a gift, book and souvenir shop. A bar serves drinks at evening events.

Evenementen & zaalverhuur

• Ruimtes te huur
• Privéfeesten
• Zakelijke evenementen
• Bruiloften / trouwceremonies

The ship can be hired for children's parties, dinners, drinks receptions, music evenings, weddings and corporate events.

Je bezoek plannen