Seen on the Thames today

Sitting in my flat with not much to do..
I suddenly hear the sound of an S160 whistle.. ? as you do...
The only railway close by is the DLR and I doubt it's that, so I grabbed my camera went to the balcony and lo and behold theres a mini parade of old / steam boats heading up the Thames to London.

Any ideas whats the event ?

First boat was a generic boat with Church Bells and Bell Ringers ?
Second up a steam tug "Barking"
followed by another steam boat "Portwey"
a Dutch canal barge
another old barge named "Kent"
and finally an unnamed steam ship "VIC 96"

about 3.30pm today, livened up my otherwise dull afternoon.

 

I think "VIC 96" is the last "Clyde Puffer", it featured on a recent episode of "Coast".

 

http://www.thamesfestival.org/

 

Yes actually I looked that up today, it's coming in around 2 weeks.

Here's a few others.



Over the years Concorde, a Eurostar, an Aircraft Carrier, a Whale and various cruise ships have sailed past... amongst countless car tyres and used sofa's

 

The one on Coast was VIC32 from Crinan. I think that VIC96 now resides at Chatham having been at Maryport for many years.

 

Ah .... so Chatham now hosts VIC96, I wondered where she had gone. I looked for her at Maryport a while ago, in vain.
mystery solved. Thanks for the info.

Nice selection of steamers. That sight will have been interesting, nearly as good as steam on the DLR....
I've seen that tug "Portwey" before, I think in was at Bristol, in the 'Floating Harbour' but that was a couple of years ago.

Keep an eye on the Thames River Race for me, I have a feeling that a certain 10 oared lifeboat may be taking part!

Your view is definitely better than mine....

Regards
StoneRoad