Medway Queen returned from her ‘summer holidays’ in Ramsgate on Saturday 31 May and resumed her normal Saturday opening routine from 7 June. Moving PS Medway Queen to Ramsgate for the Dunkirk 85th commemoration and then back to Gillingham was a complex, and expensive, operation involving the Board, the Saturday Team, Workshop Team, Events Sub-Committee and many others.
Medway Queen was due to leave Gillingham Pier for Ramsgate on Wednesday 14 May, but due to high winds, the tow was delayed. The ship did not get away until 03:20 on Saturday 17 May and arrived at the Royal Harbour, Ramsgate, at 13:00 on Sunday 18 May.
The journeys, in both directions, were made by the tug Coastrunner, belonging to Knighton Towing and Salvage Ltd, from Richborough. They stepped in after previous contractor withdrew at short notice. Additional assistance with maneuvering, at both ends of journey, was provided by local craft.
Unfortunately, the delays meant that preparations to welcome visitors were not complete until later that day and she had to wait until the Monday morning to welcome her first guests.
Monday 19 May proved to be a busy day as people who had hoped to visit at the weekend came to see the ship. The big day was Tuesday 20 May, with a parade lead by a Royal Marine band and including Royal British Legion and naval contingents.
HRH Prince Michael of Kent unveiled a memorial to the Dunkirk Evacuation and the part played by Ramsgate, from where HMS Medway Queen operated during Operation Dynamo. Having considered the weather forecasts, the return journey was planned for Friday 30 May and Medway Queen returned to her berth early (very early) the following day. The Trust owes thanks to the event organisers, to visitors and to all customers, and to everyone who sponsored and supported the vessel’s part of the operation.
