Monarch was constructed in Southend as a shallow draught beach boat, licensed to carry 73 passengers under sail. The vessel was equipped with a 12-foot long drop keel and a gaff rig. During the 1930s, two petrol/paraffin engines were installed to enable operation on calm days. It is believed that Monarch retained this configuration as of May 1940.

Following World War II, Monarch continued in commercial passenger service until 1972. During this period, her engines were replaced with Standard light diesel engines dating from 1958. This upgrade coincided with a profitable year harvesting white weed in the Thames Estuary, which likely financed the conversion.

In 1972, the vessel was sold to an owner on the River Orwell, located on the East Coast of England, for use in rod fishing parties. However, this venture was unsuccessful, and Monarch was subsequently offered for sale again.

The current owner acquired Monarch as a semi-derelict hull, intending to convert her into a living boat. The hull was reinforced with ferro-crete, and cabins were added. It was only after these modifications that it was discovered Monarch had participated in Operation Dynamo.

Over the years, Monarch has undertaken a variety of inland and coastal cruises. From her base in the Midlands, she has traveled north to York and Grimsby in Yorkshire, east to Boston in Lincolnshire and the Wash, and visited numerous ports between Grimsby and Dover. Her secondary base on the River Thames provided access upstream to Oxford and downstream to the estuary and the sea.

Regrettably, Monarch was lost after breaking up on the hard at Lowestoft, marking a sorrowful end to a distinguished vessel.