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Catamaran Cruisers
Bateaux London
This
Simplon Postcards
page is one of a series on the excursion ships and ferries of the
River Thames in London
. This page covers Catamaran Cruisers -
list of boats on this page
.
Catamaran Cruisers Fleet History
Bateaux London and sister company Catamaran Cruisers were a leading operator on the River Thames in central London with a fleet of ten vessels providing public and private charter restaurant and sightseeing cruises. Catamaran Cruisers operated services from Embankment to Greenwich plus 50-minute circular cruises from Westminster. Catamaran Cruisers tourist services ceased on
30th September 2007
, apart from the two restaurant boats
Symphony (2)
and
Naticia
, which continue to run as
Bateaux London
.
Suerita
was built as the the first boat in the Catamaran Cruisers fleet in 1968. She was initially used on the Westminster-Hampton Court route, but her height gave problems passing under bridges at high tide. She was then used as a party boat. The new
Valulla
joined the fleet in 1973, remaining until tourist services terminated in 2007. The
Salter's
-built
Abercorn
and
Viscountess
also joined the fleet from
Thames Launches
in 1976 and 1977 respectively. The restaurant boat
Naticia
was built in 1980, only the second catamaran in the 'Catamaran' fleet. The ex-
Gosport Ferry
and
Thames Launches
boat
Viceroy
was acquired in 1981, having been converted to a double decked enclosed vessel.
1981 Fleet:-
Abercorn
,
Naticia
,
Suerita
,
Valulla
,
Viceroy
,
Viscountess
Viscountess
was sold later in 1981, and in 2007 remains in service with
Thames Cruises
. Two large excursion boats
Pridela
and
Chevening
were acquired in 1984 after the collapse of Greenwich Pleasurecraft, along with the
Sydney Hull
.
1985 Fleet:-
Abercorn
,
Chevening
,
Naticia
,
Pridela
,
Suerita
,
Sydney Hull
,
Valulla
,
Viceroy
In November to March 1988/89, Catamaran Cruisers were operating winter services from Charing Cross to Tower and Greenwich at 1030, 1115, 1245, 1330, 1415, 1500 and 1545 (the last departure returning only to Tower). The fleet changed little until 1993, apart from the sale of
Suerita
, and
Sydney Hull
.
The French
Eiffel Star
arrived in 1993, becoming the restaurant boat
Symphony (1)
. Soon all would change, with the arrival of the distinctive ex-Paris catamarans
Hydrospace Alpha
,
Hydrospace Beta
and
Hydrospace Gamma
, finally justifying the company name.
Viceroy
was sold in 1996.
Symphony (1)
was replaced by
Symphony (2)
(ex-
Le Cristal
of Paris) for 1999.
2001 Fleet:-
Abercorn
,
Chevening
,
Hydrospace Alpha
,
Hydrospace Beta
,
Hydrospace Gamma
,
Naticia
,
Pridela
,
Symphony (2)
,
Valulla
A new trimaran
Hydrospace Delta
was delivered in 2002, replacing
Abercorn
.
Hydrospace Beta
later returned to Paris, but otherwise the fleet remained unchanged until the termination of tourist services in 2007. After 1st October 2007, only the restaurant boats
Naticia
and
Symphony (2)
remained in service.
2007 Fleet (September 30th 2007):-
Chevening
,
Hydrospace Alpha
,
Hydrospace Gamma
,
Hydrospace Delta
,
Naticia
,
Pridela
,
Symphony (2)
,
Valulla
Catamaran Cruisers tourist services ceased on 30th September 2007, apart from the two restaurant boats run as
Bateaux London
.
Contact:
www.bateauxlondon.com
Sections on this Page:-
Bateaux London
Catamaran Cruisers
Boats on this Page:-
Abercorn
-
Joseph Mears
(1925-1946),
Thames Launches
(1947-1976),
Catamaran Cruisers
(1976-2002) - built: 1925
Chevening
- Greenwich Pleasurecraft (1974-1983),
Catamaran Cruisers
(1984-2007)
Hydrospace Alpha
-
Catamaran Cruisers
multihull ship
Hydrospace Beta
-
Catamaran Cruisers
multihull ship
Hydrospace Gamma
-
Catamaran Cruisers
multihull ship
Hydrospace Delta
-
Catamaran Cruisers
multihull ship
Naticia
- Bateaux London restaurant ship: (1980- )
Pridela
- Greenwich Pleasurecraft (1975-1983),
Catamaran Cruisers
(1984-2007),
Cruise London
(2008- )
Sydney Hull
- Greenwich Pleasurecraft (1974-1983),
Catamaran Cruisers
(1984-1990)
Symphony (1)
- Bateaux London restaurant ship
Symphony (2)
- Bateaux London restaurant ship
Valulla
-
Catamaran Cruisers
(1973-2007)
Viceroy
-
Gosport Ferry
(1902-1929),
Thames Launches
(1965-1970),
Catamaran Cruisers
(1981-1996) - built: 1902
Viscountess
-
Joseph Mears
(1926-1946),
Thames Launches
(1947-1976),
Catamaran Cruisers
(1977-1981),
Tidal Cruisers
,
Thames Cruises
- built 1926
Thames Passenger Boat Pages:-
Catamaran Cruisers - Page 1
- company history
- this page
Catamaran Cruisers - Page 2
- the last day
Bateaux London
River Thames Header Page
- other operators
City Cruises
Crown River Cruises
London River Cruises
Thames Clippers
Associated Pages:-
www.bateauxlondon.com
- company website
UK Excursion Ships
Ferry Postcards
Cruise Ship Postcards
Ocean Liner Postcards
Simplon Postcards Home Page
References:-
Royal River Highway -
Written by Frank L. Dix - published David & Charles 1984
Trip Out Guides
-
Written and published by G.P.Hamer - various editions from 1977 to 2007 consulted
Trip Out Guides are available from Geoffrey Hamer, PO Box 485, Southall, UB1 9BH
Search Simplon Postcards
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Table of Individual Boat Pages
Name
Other names
Built
Chevening
1974
Hydrospace Alpha
1982
Hydrospace Delta
2002
Hydrospace Gamma
1982
Pridela
Pride of Greenwich, Pride of London
1975
Valulla
1973
Viscountess
1926
Catamaran Cruisers
Fleet List 1968-2007
Suerita
(Catamaran Cruisers: 1968-1984)
Suerita
was built as the first boat in the Catamaran Cruisers fleet in 1968. She was initially used on the Westminster-Hampton Court route, but her height gave problems passing under bridges at high tide. She was then used as a party boat, being joined by
Valulla
in 1973.
Suerita
was sold by Catamaran Cruisers in 1984, and was working for
Crown River Cruises
by 1991. From February 2007
Suerita
worked for new operator
London River Cruises
.
Contact:-
www.londonrivercruises.com
Suerita
working for Crown River Cruises
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 7th April 2005.
Suerita
working for Crown River Cruises
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 7th April 2005.
Suerita
working for Crown River Cruises
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 7th April 2005.
Valulla
(Catamaran Cruisers: 1973-2007)
Valulla
joined
Suerita
in the Catamaran Cruisers fleet in 1973. She is 112 grt, 78 feet long and carried 254 passengers. This was later reduced to 188. She remained in the fleet until the termination of services on
30th September 2007
. She was the last of the Catamaran Cruisers fleet to be sold when bought by Dave Reed and his brother in spring 2008, presumably for charter use on the Thames.
More images of Valulla
Catamaran Cruisers official postcard of
Valulla
, as built with enclosed roof.
Valulla
later had her roof removed
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 5th July 2003.
Valulla
at Tower Bridge
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 5th July 2003.
Valulla
at the Catamaran Cruisers moorings near Waterloo Bridge
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 26th May 2003.
Valulla
at Tower Bridge
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 26th May 2003.
Valulla
at Southwark Bridge
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 11th March 2006.
Click to open larger image in new window
Valulla
at Tower Bridge
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 11th March 2006.
Click to open larger image in new window
Valulla
at Tower Bridge
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 16th May 2006
Click to open larger image in new window
Valulla
at Tower Bridge
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 16th May 2006
Click to open larger image in new window
Abercorn
(Catamaran Cruises: 1976-2002 - Built: 1925)
Abercorn
was built by
Salter Brothers
for
J.Mears
in 1925. She was sold to Thames Launches in 1947, and to Catamaran Cruisers in 1976.
Abercorn
was sold on to B.Murphy in 2002, and suffered a bad fire in 2005.
Abercorn
was sold on to B.Murphy in 2002
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 26th May 2003.
Click to open larger image in new window
Abercorn
was damaged by fire in 2005.
Abercorn
was damaged by fire in 2005.
Abercorn
was damaged by fire in 2005.
Viscountess
(Catamaran Cruisers: 1977-1981 - Built: 1926)
Viscountess
was built by
Salter Brothers
in 1926 for
Joseph Mears
of Richmond. She was 110 feet long, and was converted to diesel power in 1945.
Viscountess
passed to
Thames Launches
with the rest of the
Mears
fleet in 1947. From 1977-1981 she was owned by
Catamaran Cruisers
, followed by service with Tidal Cruises with ex-
Mears
boats
Hurlingham
and
Marchioness
. Tidal Cruisers had become Thames Cruises by 1999, and
Viscountess
remains in service with them in 2007.
More images of Viscountess
Viscountess
in 1927.
Photo: © Roland Hastings:
www.riverthames.co.nr
Viscountess
is seen passing Greenwich on the 09/08/1995, in service with Tidal Cruises.
Scan:
www.riverthames.co.nr
The
Viscountess
coming alongside the
Old London
moored at Lambeth Pier.
Scan:
www.riverthames.co.nr
Hurlingham
and
Viscountess
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 16th May 2006
Click to open larger image in new window
Viscountess
of Thames Cruises.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 17th July 2007
Click to open larger window in a new window
Viscountess
of Thames Cruises.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 17th July 2007
Click to open larger window in a new window
Viceroy
(Catamaran Cruisers: 1981-1996 - built: 1902)
Viceroy
was built at Gosport for the Portsmouth-Gosport ferry service of the Port of Portsmouth Steam Launch & Towing Co in 1902. She moved to the Thames in 1929 for George Wheeler Launches, who kept her until 1946. Whilst reports indicate that she was re-engined as a diesel before entering service, the postcard below would indicate otherwise.
Viceroy
later served for PJ & RF Jackson of Hammersmith (1946-1964),
Thames Launches
(1965-1970) and Jackson Bros (1971-1980). In 1980 she was rebuilt with two fully enclosed decks and acquired by Catamaran Cruisers. She was sold in 1996 for use as a houseboat at Hoo Marina on the Medway.
Postcard of
Viceroy
in Teddington Lock, on the River Thames
Click to open larger image in new window
Viceroy
in use as a houseboat on the River Medway
Photo: Catamaran Cruisers - Scan:
The Liquid Highway
Click to open larger image in new window
Chevening
(Catamaran Cruisers: 1984-2007 - Built 1974)
Chevening
was built in 1974 for Greenwich Pleasurecraft. She is 129 grt and carried 300 passengers. This was later reduced to 250. She passed to Catamaran Cruisers when Greenwich Pleasurecraft failed in 1984. She remained in the fleet until the termination of services on
30th September 2007
.
More images of Chevening
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 7th April 2005.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 7th April 2005.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 7th April 2005.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 26th May 2003.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 9th October 2004.
Pridela
(Catamaran Cruisers: 1984-2007 - Built: 1975)
Pridela
was built in 1975 for Greenwich Pleasurecraft as
Pride of Greenwich
. She is 154 grt, 88 feet long and carries 250 passengers. This was later reduced to 250. She passed to Catamaran Cruisers when Greenwich Pleasurecraft failed in 1984, and was renamed
Pridela
. She remained in the fleet until the termination of services on
30th September 2007
. She passed to
Cruise London
, working on charters only.
More images of Pridela
Pridela
at Waterloo Bridge
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 26th May 2003.
Pridela
passing
HMS Belfast
at the Tower
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 7th April 2005.
Pridela
passing houseboats near Butlers Wharf
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 31st March 2006
Click to open larger image in new window
Pridela
on her way to Greenwich, near Canary Wharf
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 20th January 2007
Click to open larger image in new window
Pridela
on her way to Greenwich, near Canary Wharf
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 20th January 2007