PS Cricket

Built and engined by W. Joyce and Co of Greenwich c.1846, for Halfpenny Fare Steamers, who operated a frequent shuttle service on the Thames. The boilers were made by William Trotman.

A description of the Cricket's engines. stated that 'The principal novelty introduced by Messrs Joyce in this vessel is the application of Woolf's double cylinders as oscillating engines.' The steam pressure was stated to be higher than ordinarily used in condensing engines.

The boat was described as very fast and extremely economical for her time, making 14 knots on 4½ lb coal/IHP/hour. There were two tubular boilers, each with about 70 return smoke tubes

The vessel suffered a boiler explosion in 1847, with the loss of 17 lives, and numerous serious injuries. An inquest concluded that the safety valves had been tied down.

The CRICKET was soon withdrawn, being found unsatisfactory, and replaced by the NEW CRICKET which was still less fortunate. On Friday, 27th August, 1847, whilst waiting near London Bridge at the busiest time of the day, the boiler of the NEW CRICKET unfortunately exploded. The NEW CRICKET had a compound engine. These boats must have been among the first examples of the utilisation of the dual expansion engine for navigation, and tragically unfortunate examples they were. The NEW CRICKET was replaced by a new boat named SUNSHINE.

The explosion of the NEW CRICKET’S boiler with the consequent loss of life made the public avoid the ha’penny boats afterwards, and the Company soon went into liquidation. This was very unfortunate for the Company, whose boats were as good as any of the others; the tragedy occurred through the foolhardiness of the engineer, who had screwed down the safety-valves because he thought the engines were somewhat sluggish, and afterwards went off duty without warning his relief. Of the 150 passengers on board, 17 were killed and 60 severely injured.

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