PS Merlin
1844 Built at Blackwall. 84 tons. 36 N.H.P. Originally named 'Waterman No. 10' when owned by the Waterman Steam Packet Co
The career of WATERMAN NO. 10 well nigh came to an end early one Saturday morning in April, 1844. According to the Illustrated London News, she had left Woolwich a few days earlier on a trial trip with coal for a five days consumption; she ran down to Margate in 4 hours 14 minutes, afterwards crossing over to Ostend against a strong headwind in 5 hours 12 minutes. On the Saturday she returned via Calais and raced back to Dover against the PRINCESS ALICE. In spite of the cross-Channel boat hoisting two sails to the wind, it only arrived at Dover two minutes ahead of the Waterman boat. No. 10 left Dover at noon on a pleasure trip arriving off Hastings about 2.30 p.m. She ran too close inshore and struck a dangerous reef known as the Castle Rocks. Passing over the obstruction, she badly injured her bottom. To save the vessel she was run on to the sands off the promenade, where she filled as the tide rose, and at high water was completely covered. A quantity of empty barrels were slung round her shortly afterwards, by which means she was got further in and on the day following she was pumped out and had her leaks stopped and eventually floated off. At the time of the accident several of the Waterman’s Directors and Mr. John Penn, the celebrated marine engineer, were on board.
Later acquired by the Woolwich Steamboat Co and renamed as MERLIN
Owners
- Waterman Steam Packet Co
- Woolwich Steamboat Co
- 1876-84 London Steamboat Co
- 1885-88 River Thames Steamboat Co