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

Tata Duka

Tata Duka

Non-British, killed by the Bali bomb.

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Michael Joseph Cunningham

Michael Joseph Cunningham

United Kingdom citizen who died in the terrorist attacks in America on 11 September 2001. Michael Joseph Cunningham was born on 24 December 1961 in Forest Gate, London. He was one of the six child...

Person, Tragedy, USA

1 memorial
Norman E. Harrison, A.M.I.Mech.E.

Norman E. Harrison, A.M.I.Mech.E.

Junior 2rd Engineer on the RMS Titanic. A full résumé of his life can be found on the Encyclopedia Titanica website.  He is also commemorated on the Engineers Memorial, Andrews East Park, Above Ba...

Person, Engineering, Tragedy

1 memorial
Soloman Galaman

Soloman Galaman

For more information about this hero click on the picture of his plaque.

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Adrian Crotty

Adrian Crotty

Killed in the Moorgate tube disaster.

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial