Princess Freda Vessel History

The Princess Freda is a distinguished passenger vessel that operated on the River Thames and played a notable role during the Dunkirk evacuation. Built in 1926 by T.C. Letcher on the Isle of Wight for Whatfords, a company with a long history of operating river boats on the Thames, the Princess Freda was larger and more elegantly designed than earlier vessels operated by the company.

The vessel features topsides constructed from a single continuous sheet of metal, 150 feet long, bent around the stern and joined at the bow, fitted to her hull bottom. While her hull has remained largely unchanged since her construction, modern boarding includes an awning and lee-rail dodgers to protect passengers from weather and spray. With a low profile and modest freeboard, the Princess Freda was well suited for the task of evacuating troops from beaches during wartime.

During the Dunkirk evacuation, Sub-Lieutenant E.S. Forman commanded the Princess Freda. His seamanship was notable as he maneuvered the 65-foot vessel close to shallow beaches on a lee shore under fire, loading troops to capacity and ferrying them to an off-lying destroyer throughout the day. The operation ended when flotsam fouled the propeller, necessitating a tow home by the Dutch tug Betje.

After the war, Princess Freda returned to Whatfords until the business was sold in 1978. The new owners did not require the vessel, and she was subsequently acquired by Thames Passenger Services, a cooperative of up-river operators, who retained her as a spare boat for a period. In 1982, Cliff Phillips purchased the vessel to operate a daily passenger service from Westminster to Kew.

In early 2004, the Collier Family acquired Princess Freda. At that time, she was moored afloat at Westminster in a derelict condition and required extensive repairs. The Colliers, who operate three other passenger vessels on the Thames, dry docked Princess Freda and undertook a six-month comprehensive refit. This included the installation of new forward and upper decks, a new roof, and new windows. Considerable care was taken to preserve the vessel’s original 1926 appearance, reflecting her steel construction and historical significance.

In May 2005, the Colliers fulfilled their aspiration to return Princess Freda to Dunkirk for the remembrance celebrations. Arthur Collier, his three sons, and granddaughter sailed the vessel back to the site where she had served during World War II. Other family members joined the journey by ferry. The Colliers planned to return to Dunkirk in 2010 to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Dunkirk rescue operation.

Princess Freda proudly displays a plaque identifying her as a Dunkirk Little Ship. She remains available for hire in London alongside three other vessels operated by Colliers Launches.