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.

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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...

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Marchioness at London Eye

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

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Marchioness at National Theatre

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

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Marchioness at RFH

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

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Other Subjects

William Lambert

William Lambert

Employed at the Silvertown Brunner Mond works and killed in the 1917 Silvertown explosion.

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Thomas Jopson

Thomas Jopson

Role on the lost expedition: Petty officer on SS Terror. See John Franklin.

Person, Exploring, Tragedy

1 memorial
Alan Lai
1 memorial

Previously viewed

Florence Nightingale Garden

Florence Nightingale Garden

SE1, Westminster Bridge Road, St Thomas's Hospital Gardens

{Left hand plaque:} The Nightingale badge awarded between 1925 - 1996. {Central plaque:} The Florence Nightingale Garden This garden cel...

6 subjects commemorated
Reverend Nicholas Richards

Reverend Nicholas Richards

Priest. Ordained as a deacon in 1966 and as a priest in 1967. He served in curacies in Coventry and Winchester before coming to Southwark.

Person, Community / Clubs, Religion

1 memorial
Britain Vietnam Association

Britain Vietnam Association

This non-political, non-commercial association is now known as the Mekong Club. The picture source website gives an account of the history of the association.

Group, Community / Clubs, Vietnam

1 memorial
West African Frontier Force

West African Frontier Force

Formed by the British Colonial Office and served in WW1 and WW2.  In 1928 became the Royal WAFF.  Disbanded in 1960.

Group, Armed Forces, Africa

1 memorial
St Antholin Church, demolished

St Antholin Church, demolished

From Geograph British Isles: St. Antholin's, completed in 1688 and regarded as one of Wren's finest City churches, stood on the corner of Sise Lane and Budge Row/Watling Street, roughly on the site...

Building, Religion

1 memorial