PS Royal Sovereign (1893)
1893 Built by Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Co and worked London Bridge to Clacton route for Palace Steamers. 891 tons.
Steamers of the Thames and Medway by Frank Burtt
The ROYAL SOVEREIGN was the second of the Thames large excursion steamers. This popular vessel, also constructed and engined by the Fairfield Company, was launched on 17th April, 1893. She was built to the order of the London and East Coast Express Steamship Service, but as previously stated worked under the management of the Victoria Steamboat Association, who ran her to Margate, etc., from the Old Swan Pier.
In appearance, the ROYAL SOVEREIGN was almost identical with the KOH-I-NOOR, excepting the position of the funnels, the forward funnel of the new boat being further forward of the paddles than that of the earlier vessel. The two boats were almost identical in their fittings, accommodation, appointments and dimensions - 300.2 by 33.1 by 10.6 ft., except that the KOH-I-NOOR had one foot more beam. The engines were similar in design and size, excepting an increase of three inches in the diameter of the L.P. cylinder, which was 83 inches, giving a slightly increased horsepower. The ROYAL SOVEREIGN had a deck bar forward of the funnels as well as aft; the KOH-I-NOOR had not.
In 1909, new boilers were fitted. During the war period she was laid up at Tilbury and in 1918 was sold to the Royal Sovereign Steamship Co. for the sum of £8,300. This Company intended to run her again as soon as conditions permitted. Difficulties arose, and another Company bearing the same name purchased her. Eventually, in March, 1929, she was sold to the G.S.N. Co. for £5,540, who ran her to Thanet during the 1929 season only, when she made 56 trips between London and Margate. During this season a black top was added to the cream-coloured funnels.
In February, 1930, she was sold for £3,500 to the Dutch shipbreaker T. G. Pas, Nieuw Lekkerland.