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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
 
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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.
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Valulla at Tower Bridge
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 11th March 2006.
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Valulla at Tower Bridge
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 16th May 2006
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Valulla at Tower Bridge
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 16th May 2006
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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.
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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
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Viscountess of Thames Cruises.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 17th July 2007
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Viscountess of Thames Cruises.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 17th July 2007
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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
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Viceroy in use as a houseboat on the River Medway
Photo: Catamaran Cruisers - Scan: The Liquid Highway
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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
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Pridela on her way to Greenwich, near Canary Wharf
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 20th January 2007
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Pridela on her way to Greenwich, near Canary Wharf
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 20th January 2007
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Pridela passing Butlers Wharf
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 20th January 2007
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Pridela at the Catamaran moorings near Waterloo Bridge, on the last day of Catamaran Cruisers services
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th September 2007
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Sydney Hull
(Catamaran Cruisers: 1984-1990)
 
Sydney Hull was built for Greenwich Pleasurecraft in 1979. She passed to Catamaran Cruisers in 1984 after the collapse of Greenwich Pleasurecraft. Sydney Hull suffered some damage and was taken into dry-dock for repairs, where unfortunately she suffered a bad fire. She was rebuilt and bought by Crown River Cruises, who renamed her Salient.

Salient (ex-Sydney Hull) in service with Crown River Cruises
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 16th May 2006.
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Hydrospace Alpha
(Catamaran Cruises: 1994-2007 - Built: 1982)
 
Hydrospace Alpha was built for service in Paris in 1982 as the Regine. She was transferred to Catamaran Cruisers in 1994. Hydrospace Alpha carried 359 passengers on the Thames in later years (originally 400). She remained in the fleet until the termination of services on 30th September 2007.
 
More images of Hydrospace Alpha
 
 
The three Hydrospace boats in Paris prior to transfer to London
Note the completely enclosed sterns at this time
Photo: Catamaran Cruisers - Scan: The Liquid Highway
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Hydrospace Alpha at Embankment Pier
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 7th April 2005.
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Hydrospace Alpha at Waterloo Pier
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 11th March 2006.
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Hydrospace Alpha at Bankside Pier
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 11th March 2006.
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Hydrospace Alpha at Greenwich
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 31st March 2006
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Hydrospace Alpha at Greenwich
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 31st March 2006
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Hydrospace Alpha leaving Greenwich
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 20th January 2007
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Hydrospace Alpha passing under Hungerford Bridge on the last day of services
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th September 2007
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Hydrospace Alpha at Waterloo Bridge on the last day of services
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th September 2007
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Hydrospace Beta
(Catamaran Cruises: 1997-2004 - Built: 1982)
 
Hydrospace Beta was built for service in Paris in 1982 as the Le Paris, later Juliette Greco. She was transferred to Catamaran Cruisers around 1997, and renamed Hydrospace Beta. She was transferred back to Paris in 2004 and reverted to her previous name Juliette Greco.
 
 
The three Hydrospace boats in Paris prior to transfer to London
Note the completely enclosed sterns at this time
Photo: Catamaran Cruisers - Scan: The Liquid Highway
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Hydrospace Beta in early Thames livery with yellow hull
Photo: © Ian Boyle
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Photo: © Ian Boyle, 26th May 2003
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Photo: © Ian Boyle, 26th May 2003
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Hydrospace Gamma
(Catamaran Cruises: 1999-2007 - Built: 1982)
 
Hydrospace Gamma was built for service in Paris in 1982 as the Charles Tenet. She was transferred to Catamaran Cruisers in 1999, and renamed Hydrospace Gamma. She carried 359 passengers. She remained in the fleet until the termination of services on 30th September 2007.
 
More images of Hydrospace Gamma
 
 
The three Hydrospace boats in Paris prior to transfer to London
Note the completely enclosed sterns at this time
Photo: Catamaran Cruisers - Scan: The Liquid Highway
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Hydrospace Gamma at Tower Pier
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 26th May 2003.
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Hydrospace Gamma at Tower Pier
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 26th May 2003.
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Hydrospace Gamma at Bankside
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 31st March 2006
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Hydrospace Gamma passing under Hungerford Bridge on the last day of services
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th September 2007
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Hydrospace Gamma at Embankment Pier on the last day of services
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th September 2007
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Hydrospace Gamma at Bankside on the last day of services
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th September 2007
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Hydrospace Gamma at London Bridge on the last day of services
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th September 2007
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Hydrospace Gamma at Tower Pier on the last day of services
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th September 2007
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Hydrospace Gamma at Tower Pier on the last day of services
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th September 2007
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Hydrospace Delta
(Catamaran Cruisers: 2002-2007)
 
A more recent new-building developed from the earlier Hydrospace designs, carrying 390 passengers. She remained in the fleet until the termination of services on 30th September 2007.
 
More images of Hydrospace Delta
 
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 26th May 2003.
 
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 5th July 2003.
 
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 5th July 2003.
 
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 7th April 2005.
 
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 7th April 2005.
 
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 7th April 2005.
 
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 16th May 2006
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Bateaux London Fleet List
 
Catamaran Cruisers built their first restaurant boat, the Naticia, in 1980. From 1994 the restaurant fleet was marketed as Bateaux London.
 
 
 
Naticia
(Catamaran Cruisers/Bateaux London: 1980- )
 
Naticia is used on restaurant cruises from Embankment. She was built as a catamaran, but modified as a trimaran to improve stability in the late 1990s. She carries 250 passengers.
 
 
Restaurant ship Naticia when new in 1980
Photo: Catamaran Cruisers - Scan: The Liquid Highway
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Naticia and Symphony.
Photo: © The Liquid Highway
 
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 16th May 2006
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Naticia at Embankment Pier
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th September 2007
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Naticia at Embankment Pier
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th September 2007
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Naticia at Embankment Pier
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th September 2007
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Naticia passing the Tower
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th September 2007
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Symphony (1)
(Bateaux London: 1993-1997 - Built: 1989)
 
Symphony (1) was brought from Paris in 1993, previously the Eiffel Star. In 1997 she was replaced by the larger Symphony (2) and returned to Paris as the Le Symphonie.
 
 
Bateaux London restaurant ship Symphony (1) on the Denton slipway in 1994
Photo: © The Liquid Highway
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Bateaux London restaurant ship Symphony (1) on the Denton slipway in 1994
Photo: © The Liquid Highway
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Symphony (2)
(Bateaux London: 1997- )
 
Symphony (1) was replaced by Symphony (2) (ex-Le Cristal of Paris) in 1997. She carries 395 passengers.
 
 
Bateaux London restaurant ship Symphony (2)
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 31st March 2006
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Naticia and Symphony.
Photo: © Ben.
 
 
 
 
 
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