Event    From 20/8/1989  To 20/8/1989

Sinking of the Marchioness

Categories: Tragedy

The pleasure boat The Marchioness collided with another vessel and sank with the loss of 51 lives.

The following comes from a BBC report of the 20th anniversary of the Marchioness disaster: "The Marchioness had been hired to celebrate the 26th birthday of Cambridge graduate Antonio de Vasconcellos. On board were high-flyers from the worlds of finance and fashion, including Francesca Dallaglio, sister of former England rugby captain Lawrence Dallaglio. More than 130 partygoers were on the Marchioness when it collided with a dredger, the Bowbelle. A Marine Accident Investigation report blamed poor look-outs on both vessels." Chron used to give some details and many of the names of the dead but, 2014, that's now a dead link. We can't find the full list anywhere.

Our colleague, Alan Patient, points out the location of the three plaques contradicts the reports of where the accident happened. Wikipedia says "near Cannon Street Railway Bridge" - that's five bridges further downstream from the most downstream of the three plaques.

2014: Londonist reported the Southwark Cathedral memorial service planned for the 25th anniversary.

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This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Sinking of the Marchioness

Commemorated ati

Marchioness at Dulwich

The trees and plants on this green are in memory of Rachael Rackow and Julian...

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Marchioness at London Eye

Near this spot on Sunday 20th August 1989 the pleasure boat Marchioness was i...

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Marchioness at National Theatre

Near this spot on Sunday 20th August 1989 the pleasure boat Marchioness was i...

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Marchioness at RFH

This dark plaque, only about 3 inches square, is attached to a wooden lifebel...

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Marchioness at Southwark Cathedral

In remembrance of all those who drowned when the motor vessel Marchioness was...

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Other Subjects

Emma Ross

Emma Ross

Killed in the Camberwell Green air-raid, aged 48.

Person, Tragedy

War dead non-military, WW2
1 memorial
Bdsm. George James Mesure

Bdsm. George James Mesure

Born Redruth, Cornwall. He died aged 19 years, killed by the IRA Regent's Park bomb.

Person, Armed Forces, Tragedy

1 memorial
Gede Badrawan

Gede Badrawan

Non-British, killed by the Bali bomb.

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Anthony Richard Petch

Anthony Richard Petch

Anthony Richard Petch was born on 22 August 1945 in East Appleton, North Yorkshire, a son of Hugh Herbert Petch (1914-1996) and Peggie Petch née Smith (1921-1979). His birth was registered in the 4...

Person, Commerce, Tragedy

1 memorial
John Kenley

John Kenley

Role on the lost expedition: Petty officer on SS Terror. See John Franklin.

Person, Exploring, Tragedy

1 memorial

Previously viewed

Red Cross Garden 3

Red Cross Garden 3

SE1, Redcross Way, 50

The quotation comes from Genesis 1:31. The question is an addition.

2 subjects commemorated
Alderman Samuel Morris

Alderman Samuel Morris

Samuel Morris was Mayor of Doncaster in 1920-21 and 1936-37, with his wife, Anna, as the Mayoress each time.  We found this at Commercial Motor Archive, 11 March 1938: "The haulage industry has an...

Person, Politics & Administration, Russia

1 memorial
Daniel Arthur

Daniel Arthur

Role on the lost expedition: Petty officer on SS Erebus. See John Franklin.

Person, Exploring, Tragedy

1 memorial