Marchioness passenger boat

In August 1989, the pleasure boat Marchioness was sailing down the Thames in London, holding a private birthday party.
 (132 passengers celebrating the 26th birthday of Antonio de Vasconcellos)

In the early hours of the morning, it was rammed by the dredger Bowbelle. The dredger first cut through the side of the Marchioness, then pushed it underwater, in less than 30 seconds. 51 of the passengers drowned. Poor visibility was blamed, and the fact that both boats were using the centre of the river.

"I determined my best course of action was to get clear of the area, and at the time I didn't think of launching the lifebuoys," the captain said. Captain Henderson...

In 1991, Captain Henderson was formally acquitted of a charge of failing to keep a proper look-out after juries twice failed to reach verdicts

Relatives of the victims of The Marchioness disaster watch as floral tributes are placed in the River Thames on August 20, 2009 in London, England.

The Marchioness pleasure boat sank in the River Thames with the loss of 51 people on August 20, 1989 after colliding with a dredger

 

 

 

Site Map
Navigate site
Welcome
Medieval Travel