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For 160 years the Eagle Steamers, owned by the General Steam Navigation Company, had provided a passenger service for Londoners to the Thames Estuary and continental Channel Ports. They could experience a taste of ocean cruising while sailing down the Thames and out in the North Sea. In fact, the Company promoted the notion of a cruise in their advertising by stating that passengers will experience sea breezes and health giving-air. Something that passengers, no doubt, found beneficial after a winter of breathing in smog. While on board, passengers could purchase from the purser postcards of ships on the service as well as booklets that pointed out and described places of interest to be seen on both banks of the Thames and out at sea. The day trips from the Upper Pool of London became an important summer activity for Londoners. In 1924, the Company operated two steamers, the Eagle, built 1898 and the Golden Eagle, built 1909. But in 1924 this was about to change when the Company introduced a brand new ship to the service the Crested Eagle and, with it, the concept of excitement, comfort and luxury. The Crested Eagle was joined in 1932 by an even more comfortable and luxurious ship the new Royal Eagle. In 1936, the Company provided a three boat service with the introduction of the Royal Sovereign, a renamed second-hand purchased ship. This was replaced by a new Royal Sovereign in 1939 and in the same year a new twin screw, twin funnelled Royal Daffodil joined the service. At the outbreak of Second World War, the Company’s ships were requisitioned. In September 1939, 19,578 children were evacuated from the danger zones of Gravesend, Dagenham and Tilbury to Felixstowe, Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth. At Dunkirk the Company’s Ships managed to bring off the beaches 16,000 troops. However the Crested Eagle was destroyed and both Royal Eagle and Royal Daffodil, making seven runs and bring off 9,500 troops, received bomb damage. With peace the Company could get back to its business. The service from Tower Pier to the Thames Estuary was opened in the summer of 1946 by the Royal Eagle. Throughout the 1950s, the Company ran a three ship service with new MV Royal Sovereign, MV Queen of the Channel and an old Royal Daffodil. With the decline in passenger numbers, the Company decided that they could not carry on. They announce on December 20th 1960 the closure of the service and the sale of the three ships. This ended 160 years of Londoner’s sea cruises to Southend-on-Sea, Clacton, Margate, Ramsgate and the near Channel Ports. |
