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This website has no connection with any shipping company, cruise line, boat operator or other commercial organisation
 
 
Tidal Cruisers
Thames Cruises
 
 
This page is devoted to the Thames excursion boat operators Thames Cruises.
This is one a of series of Simplon Postcards pages devoted to River Thames Excursion Boats.
To sail on these boats contact: www.thamescruises.com
 
In 1981, the Tidal Cruisers fleet consisted of the ex-Mears/Thames Launches boats Hurlingham and Marchioness, plus the smaller Clairest of 1975, running charter trips from central London. Clairest had been replaced with Viscountess, another ex-Mears boat, by 1983. They were joined by the Royal Princess by 1985, when regular services between Westminster and Greenwich were being run. In 1988, Old London and Zodiac were acquired from London launches along with a Westminster-Thames Barrier service. Zodiac was soon disposed of leaving Hurlingham, Old London, Royal Princess and Viscountess which are all in the 2006 fleet. Tidal Cruisers had become Thames Cruises by 1999, and Thames Princess (ex-Feanprinses) joined in 2002, by which time the Greenwich services had ceased. Thames Cruises continue to run charter services only, between central London and Hampton Court. Chevening was added to the fleet after the cessation of Catamaran Cruisers services in September 2007, but did not operate during the 2008 season. meanwhile, Viscountess had been offered for sale.
 
 
Contact: www.thamescruises.com
 
Ships and Piers on this Page:-
Chevening - Thames Cruises: 2007- (built 1974)
Hurlingham - Joseph Mears, Thames Launches, Tidal Cruisers, Thames Cruises - (built: 1915)
Old London - Thames Cruises: 1988- (built 1979)
Royal Princess - Thames Launches - (built: 1935)
Thames Princess - Thames Cruises:2002- (built 1986)
Viscountess - Joseph Mears, Thames Launches, Catamaran Cruisers, Tidal Cruisers, Thames Cruises - (built 1926)
 
Lambeth Pier
 
Thames Passenger Boat Pages:-
River Thames Excursion Boats - Thames Header Page - Full List of Companies
River Thames - Harwich-Southend-Tilbury-Tower Pier Cruise
River Thames - Runneymede Circular Cruise
River Thames - Windsor-Maidenhead Cruise
River Thames - Maidenhead-Marlow Cruise
River Thames - Marlow-Henley Cruise
River Thames - Henley-Reading Cruise
 
Associated Pages:-
UK Excursion Ships
Ferry Postcards
Cruise Ship Postcards
Ocean Liner Postcards
Simplon Postcards - Recent Updates
Simplon Postcards - Home Page
 
References:-
Royal River Highway: Written by Frank L. Dix - published David & Charles 1984
Trip Out Guides - Written and published by G.P.Hamer - various editions from 1977 to 2005 consulted
Trip Out Guides are available from Geoffrey Hamer, PO Box 485, Southall, UB1 9BH
 
Search This Website:-

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Table of Individual Boat Pages

Name

Other names

 Built
 Hurlingham  

 1915
 Viscountess  

 1926
 
 
 
 
Thames Cruises
 
Thames Cruises run charter services only, between central London and Hampton Court.
 
 
 
Hurlingham
(Thames Cruises - built: 1915)
 
Hurlingham was built by Salter Brothers in 1915 for Joseph Mears. She was 101 ft long and carried 325 passengers. Hurlingham passed to Thames Launches 1947, when her steam engines were replaced by diesels. She was sold to Marine Transit Ltd in 1978, but was running for Tidal Cruisers by 1981, along with ex-Mears boat Marchioness. Regular services were run between Westminster and Greenwich between 1983 and 2002. Tidal Cruisers had become Thames Cruises by 1999, and Hurlingham remains in the 2006 fleet, which now operates charters only.
 
More images of Hurlingham
 
 
Hurlingham passing the Royal Festival Hall
Scan: www.riverthames.co.nr
 
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 16th May 2006
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Hurlingham and Viscountess
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 16th May 2006
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Hurlingham of Thames Cruises.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 14th June 2006.
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Hurlingham of Thames Cruises.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 14th June 2006.
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Hurlingham of Thames Cruises.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 24th June 2006.
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Hurlingham of Thames Cruises.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 24th June 2006.
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Hurlingham of Thames Cruises.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 24th June 2006.
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Hurlingham of Thames Cruises.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 17th July 2007
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Hurlingham of Thames Cruises.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 17th July 2007
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Hurlingham of Thames Cruises.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 17th July 2007
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Hurlingham of Thames Cruises on a lunchtime charter
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Greenwich, 12th September 2007
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Photo: © Ian Boyle, Limehouse, 12th September 2007
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Photo: © Ian Boyle, Tower Bridge, 12th September 2007
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Hurlingham of Thames Cruises, plus Avontur
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th September 2007
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Hurlingham of Thames Cruises.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th September 2007
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Hurlingham of Thames Cruises.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th September 2007
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Hurlingham of Thames Cruises.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th September 2007
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Hurlingham and Royal Princess of Thames Cruises at Lambeth Pier
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 27th October 2008
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Old London
(Thames Cruises)
 
In 1988, Old London and Zodiac were acquired from London launches along with a Westminster-Thames Barrier service.
 
 
The Viscountess coming alongside the Old London moored at Lambeth Pier.
Scan: www.riverthames.co.nr

 
 
The Old London at Westminster.
Photo: www.riverthames.co.nr
 
 
Old London of Thames Cruises
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 23rd September 2007
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Old London of Thames Cruises
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 23rd September 2007
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Old London of Thames Cruises
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 23rd September 2007
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Old London of Thames Cruises
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 23rd September 2007
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Old London of Thames Cruises at Lambeth Pier
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 27th October 2008
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Royal Princess
(Thames Cruises - built: 1935)
 
Royal Princess was built in 1935 by Rowhedge Ironworks (near Colchester) for Alfred Crouch, with whom she served until 1965. She was the first up-river Thames excursion ship of over 100 gross tons. Her engine was supplied by Crossley of Manchester, driving a single screw. Initially Royal Princess had two dummy funnels, which gave her an imposing appearance, although the engine exhausts on the waterline. Her original service consisted of three daily cruises from Westminster to Richmond. In 1984 she passed to Tidal Cruisers, who became Thames Cruises by 1999, who remain her owners in 2006.
 
 
Photographic postcard of the impressive Royal Princess
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Photographic postcard of the Royal Princess at Westminster Pier in the 1950s
Note both the tram and then modern bus on the Embankment.
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Photo: © Scott Neicho, 2005.
 
 
Royal Princess of Thames Cruises at Lambeth Pier
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 24th June 2006
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Royal Princess of Thames Cruises at Lambeth Pier
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 24th June 2006
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Royal Princess of Thames Cruises at Lambeth Pier
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 24h June 2006
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Royal Princess of Thames Cruises at Lambeth Pier
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 24th June 2006
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Royal Princess of Thames Cruises
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 23rd May 2007
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Royal Princess of Thames Cruises
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 23rd May 2007
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Royal Princess of Thames Cruises
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 23rd May 2007
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Royal Princess of Thames Cruises
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 23rd May 2007
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Royal Princess of Thames Cruises
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 12th September 2007
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Royal Princess of Thames Cruises
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 12th September 2007
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Royal Princess of Thames Cruises
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 23rd September 2007
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Royal Princess of Thames Cruises
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 23rd September 2007
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Royal Princess of Thames Cruises
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th September 2007
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Royal Princess of Thames Cruises
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th September 2007
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Royal Princess of Thames Cruises
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th September 2007
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Royal Princess of Thames Cruises
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th September 2007
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Royal Princess of Thames Cruises
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th September 2007
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Royal Princess of Thames Cruises
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th September 2007
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Royal Princess of Thames Cruises
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th September 2007
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Royal Princess of Thames Cruises
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th September 2007
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Royal Princess of Thames Cruises
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th September 2007
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Royal Princess of Thames Cruises
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th September 2007
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Thames Princess
 
Thames Princess of Thames Cruises at Lambeth Pier
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 14th June 2006.
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Thames Princess of Thames Cruises at Lambeth Pier
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 17th July 2007
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Thames Princess of Thames Cruises at Lambeth Pier
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 4th October 2007
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Thames Princess of Thames Cruises at Lambeth Pier
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 4th October 2007
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Thames Princess of Thames Cruises at Lambeth Pier
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 27th October 2008
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Thames Princess of Thames Cruises at Lambeth Pier
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 27th October 2008
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Thames Princess of Thames Cruises at Lambeth Pier
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 27th October 2008
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Thames Princess, Hurlingham, Royal Princess and Old London at Lambeth Pier
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 27th October 2008
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Scan: Ben: www.riverthames.co.nr
 
 
 
 
 

Viscountess
(Thames Cruises - built: 1926)
 
Viscountess was built by Salter Brothers in 1926 for Joseph Mears of Richmond. She was 110 feet long, and was converted to diesel power in 1945. Viscountess passed to Thames Launches with the rest of the Mears fleet in 1947. From 1977-1981 she was owned by Jackson Brothers (Catamaran Cruisers), followed by service with Tidal Cruises with ex-Mears boats Hurlingham and Marchioness. Tidal Cruisers had become Thames Cruises by 1999, and Viscountess remains in service with them in 2006. She was offered for sale in 2008.
 
More images of Viscountess
 
 
Viscountess in 1927.
Photo: © Roland Hastings: www.riverthames.co.nr
 
 
Viscountess is seen passing Greenwich on the 09/08/1995, in service with Tidal Cruises.
Scan: www.riverthames.co.nr

The Viscountess coming alongside the Old London moored at Lambeth Pier.
Scan: www.riverthames.co.nr

 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 16th May 2006
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Photo: © Ian Boyle, 16th May 2006
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Hurlingham and Viscountess
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 16th May 2006
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Hurlingham and Viscountess
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 16th May 2006
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Hurlingham and Viscountess
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 16th May 2006
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Viscountess of Thames Cruises (Royal Princess behind) at Lambeth Pier
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 14th June 2006.
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Viscountess of Thames Cruises at Westminster Pier
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 17th July 2007
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Viscountess of Thames Cruises at Westminster Pier
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 17th July 2007
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Viscountess of Thames Cruises leaving Westminster Pier
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 17th July 2007
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Viscountess of Thames Cruises.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 17th July 2007
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Viscountess of Thames Cruises.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 17th July 2007
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Viscountess of Thames Cruises.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 17th July 2007
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Chevening
(Built: 1974 - Thames Cruises: 2007- )
 
Chevening was built in 1974 for Greenwich Pleasurecraft. She is 129 grt and carries 300 passengers. She passed to Catamaran Cruisers when Greenwich Pleasurecraft failed in 1984. She was withdrawn on 30th September 2007 when Catamaran Cruisers ceased their tourist services to Greenwich. She was sold to Thames Cruises, but remained moored at Westminster in April 2008.
 
Complete history of Chevening
 
 
Chevening has been bought by Thames Cruises
She remained unmodified at her mooring by Westminster Pier in April 2008
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 15th April 2008
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Chevening has been bought by Thames Cruises
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 15th April 2008
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Chevening has been bought by Thames Cruises
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 15th April 2008
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Chevening has been bought by Thames Cruises
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 15th April 2008
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Chevening has been bought by Thames Cruises
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 15th April 2008
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Chevening has been bought by Thames Cruises
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 15th April 2008
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Lambeth Pier
 
Thames Cruises are based at Lambeth Pier, adjacent to Lambeth Bridge and Lambeth Palace on the Southbank.
 
Contact: www.thamescruises.com
 
 
Thames Princess, Hurlingham, Royal Princess and Old London at Lambeth Pier
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 27th October 2008
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Thames Princess, Hurlingham, Royal Princess and Old London at Lambeth Pier
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 27th October 2008
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Thames Princess, Hurlingham, Royal Princess and Old London at Lambeth Pier
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 27th October 2008
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Thames Princess, Hurlingham, Royal Princess and Old London at Lambeth Pier
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 27th October 2008
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River Thames Header Page
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