Kingwood Vessel History

Roland Hastings, descended from a traditional family of River Thames boatmen, began his maritime experience early in life. He recalls taking out his first passenger boat at the age of twelve during the war years, a period when the Thames holiday passenger trade was exceptionally busy. At that time, the seaside was heavily mined and off-limits to civilians, resulting in dense river traffic. Hastings often had to use his boathook to push other boats aside before docking his passenger vessel.

The Kingwood was a Salters-built passenger craft constructed in 1915 as a sister ship to the Hurlingham. Following her service during the war, ownership passed to Joe Mears, who retained the steamer until 1945. That year, Mears sold the vessel to Thames Launches, who operated the Kingwood for the next thirty years. In 1948, the vessel was converted from steam to diesel propulsion.

In 1975, a fire broke out aboard the Kingwood at Eel Pie Island in Middlesex, severely damaging the after section of the vessel. During the subsequent season, she operated essentially as an open boat, lacking her saloon, top deck, and bar facilities that had previously served summer passengers.

Subsequently, Albert Ellis purchased the Kingwood and relocated her to Robin's Lock at Limehouse, where he restored her to a modern appearance. In 1985, Charles Wyatt assumed ownership and used the vessel to provide passenger services from Westminster Pier.

A small display on the forward bulkhead of the Kingwood's saloon commemorates the owner's father, who served as a sapper in the Royal Engineers and was rescued from Dunkirk. The display includes his medals and photograph alongside a brass plaque honoring the Kingwood as a Dunkirk Ship.