RIVER TRIPS AVAILABLE ON HISTORIC DUNKIRK ‘LITTLE SHIP’ TOMORROW
One of the famous Dunkirk ‘Little Ships’ which played a key role in Operation Dynamo in the Second World War will be offering river trips between Richmond and Hampton Court tomorrow (Thursday)
Princess Freda, 65ft and built in 1926 by Isle of Wight boat builders will make two trips departing Richmond at 11am and 2pm for Hampton Court and leaving Hampton Court for Richmond at 12.45pm and 4pm.
Described as ‘one of the prettiest boats’ to make the original cross to Dunkirk she has not joined the flotilla of over 70 ‘war hero’ Little Ships gathered in Ramsgate to sail to Dunkirk commemorating the 85th Aniversary of evacuating over 330.000 allied troops.
The Princess Freda was elegantly designed and was the ideal ship for lifting troops off the beaches.
The seamanship of Sub-Lieut. E.S. Forman, who commanded her, must be admired when you consider that he manoeuvred this 65ft launch with a fast tide running close to shallow beaches on a lee shore under fire, filled her to capacity with troops and ferried them all day to an off-lying destroyer.
Princess Freda went back to Whatfords until the business was sold in 1978 and the new owners had no need of her.
She was then acquired by Thames Passenger Services, a co-operative of up-river operators who kept her for a while as a spare boat.
Then, in 1982, Cliff Phillips bought her for a daily passenger service from Westminster to Kew.
The Collier Family bought the vessel in early 2004. She was moored off afloat at Westminster, in a derelict condition, and in need of extensive repair.
The Colliers, who run three other passenger vessels on the Thames, were able to Dry dock Princess Freda in their own Dry dock. For six months she underwent massive refit, new forward and upper decks, new roof and new windows.
As the vessel is of steel construction great care was taken to keep the boat looking the same as she had been in 1926 when she was built.
The Colliers were keen to sail the Princess Freda back to Dunkirk in May 2005 for the remembrance celebrations, which they did.
Arthur Collier and his three sons and granddaughter returned the little ship to Dunkirk where she had `done her bit` in World War Two. Other family members travelling by ferry joined them.
Princess Freda proudly displays a plaque to show she is a Dunkirk Little Ship.
Please see website for confirmed times and ticket prices www.thamesriverboats.co.uk