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. In nearby Southwark Cathedral there is a Marchioness memorial stone.

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 reports the Southwark Cathedral memorial service planned for the 25th anniversary.

Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them

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...

Read More

Marchioness at London Eye

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

Read More

Marchioness at National Theatre

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

Read More

Marchioness at RFH

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

Read More

Other Subjects

Rachel Elizabeth Rackow

Rachel Elizabeth Rackow

Rachel Elizabeth Rackow was born on 5 July 1964, the youngest of the five children of Dr Francis Isidore Rackow (1922-2003) and Daphne Jean Rackow née Spittle (1928-2019). Her birth was registered ...

Person, Photography, Tragedy

1 memorial
Jodie O’Shea

Jodie O’Shea

Non-British, killed by the Bali bomb.

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Jeremy Mark Carrington

Jeremy Mark Carrington

United Kingdom citizen who died in the terrorist attacks in America on 11 September 2001. Jeremy Mark Carrington was brought up in Essex and moved to New York, USA, in 1989. On 26 February 1993 h...

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Colin J. Townsley G.M., Station Officer

Colin J. Townsley G.M., Station Officer

The officer in charge of Red Watch at Soho Fire Station. Died trying to rescue a woman from the blazing ticketing hall as the fire suddenly erupted. Fire-fighters attempting to re-enter the ticketi...

Person, Emergency Services, Tragedy

4 memorials
Fireman Richard Daniel Stocking

Fireman Richard Daniel Stocking

Richard Daniel Stocking was born on 19 November 1926, the third of the five children of Richard Daniel Stocking (1903-1953) and Rose Florence Stocking née Oates (1902-1951). His birth was registere...

Person, Emergency Services, Tragedy

2 memorials

Previously viewed

Lady Jane Grey accepting the crown

Lady Jane Grey accepting the crown

SW1, Little George Street, Supreme Court

At one time this was the site of nearby Westminster Abbey's Sanctuary Tower and Belfry. This building was designed by James S. Gibson an...

3 subjects commemorated, 1 creator
Edward VI at the Bull & Mouth

Edward VI at the Bull & Mouth

EC1, London Wall, Rotunda garden at Museum of London

This bust is at the top of the memorial along with the arms of Christ's Hospital, which Edward founded. The land belonged to Christ's Hos...

2 subjects commemorated
Raymond Gale Fusch

Raymond Gale Fusch

Raymond Gale Fusch was born as Raymond Gale Fuchs on 12 August 1916, in St. Louis, Missouri, USA, the son of Francis Xavier Fuchs (1890-1968) and Ermilie Fuchs née Pettingale (1891-1976). Accordin...

Person, Armed Forces, USA

War served, WW2
1 memorial