Described by Goeffrey Grimshaw as a "magnificent motor ship", Queen of the Channel was not as large as she appeared and was, in fact, smaller than the paddle steamer Royal Eagle. E C B Thornton, too, called her a "delight to the eye". It was sad, then that her active career was so short. Queen of the Channel was a single class ship, capable of carrying 1600 passengers. She was the first large pleasure vessel to be driven by direct acting diesel engines and had extensive accommodation for her passengers. Her forward funnel was a dummy, but gave her a very pleasing appearance and one which was much favoured by her public. She was built, as her name suggests for the cross channel excursions to Ostend, Calais and Boulogne. She initially sailed from Gravesend to Tilbury, Southend and Margate, but later sailed from the East Coast. She was bombed and sunk at the Dunkirk evacuation after only 5 years service. This wonderful picture shows her approaching Southend Pier on the first day of her last active season, in 1939.
