Watchful was built in Great Yarmouth, a fishing port on the east coast of England, sharing many characteristics with Scarborough, where she spent most of her operational life. Both towns are known for their fishing industries and exposure to harsh easterly winds from the Continent, which can create some of the most treacherous conditions in the North Sea. At the turn of the 20th century, small boat cruises to large steamers began to develop as a popular pastime, coinciding with the increasing availability of holiday time by the 1930s.

To accommodate the growing holiday trade, E. W. Longfield of Great Yarmouth commissioned a 90-foot pleasure steamer. The vessel was launched in March 1935 by Fellows South Down Shipyard and named Britt. Operating from the town quay at Great Yarmouth, she was the largest and fastest pleasure steamer in the local fleet.

The summer of 1939 marked the last season Britt sailed as a pleasure steamer before being requisitioned by the Admiralty on 16 September 1939 for wartime service. Renamed H.M.S. Watchful, she was deployed in various naval duties during World War II. Notably, Watchful participated in the Dunkirk evacuation, reportedly making three trips and rescuing approximately 900 lives. Following this, she continued to serve on the East Coast ports for the remainder of the war.

After the war, on 12 December 1945, Watchful was returned to her owners. She was repainted and prepared for the 1946 holiday season, at a time when public demand for coastal excursions surged following years of wartime restrictions.

In 1951, the vessel was sold to Scarborough Cruisers and renamed Yorkshire Lady. She underwent modernization and was repainted white with a yellow funnel. Her first cruise from Scarborough took place in late May 1951, initiating a long-standing tradition of pleasure cruises from the port.

In 1968, Yorkshire Lady was renamed Coronia, inheriting the name from a previous vessel that had operated from Scarborough since 1935. Coronia continued to operate from Scarborough until 1985, after which she sailed from Gibraltar for five years in warmer waters.

By the summer of 1990, declining passenger numbers prompted Coronia's return to Scarborough. She departed Gibraltar in May 1991 and arrived back in Scarborough on 5 June 1991. Following a period of rest and refit, Coronia resumed cruising from her home port. Alongside the vessel Regal Lady, Coronia continues a century-long tradition of pleasure cruises across Scarborough Bays.

Additional Information

• Coronia is recognized for her distinguished service during World War II, particularly for evacuating 900 servicemen from Dunkirk.
• She remains operational, offering scenic trips along the North Yorkshire coastline.
• Former captains and crew have expressed pride in her history and ongoing service.
• Despite challenges related to maintenance and repairs, efforts have been made to preserve her operational status.
• Coronia participated in the Great Yarmouth Maritime Festival in September 2010, providing river and coastal trips.