Passenger Ship Website - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Simplon Postcards Home - Recent Updates - Search - Copyright Information - Contact Simplon - Contact Thames River Services
This website has no connection with any shipping company, cruise line, boat operator or other commercial organisation
 
 
George Wheeler Launches
1947-2006
 
This page is devoted to the Thames excusion boat operators George Wheeler Launches.
This is one a of series of Simplon Postcards pages devoted to River Thames Excursion Boats.
There is a Fleet List of George Wheeler boats below.
 
Before WW2, various boats were run by the Wheeler family in the 1930s. George Wheeler is listed in Dix as part-owning the Maud and Vera from 1938-1939. He is also listed as owning Queen Boadicea II from 1938-1970.
 
George Wheeler began Thames services after the war in 1948, running the Tilbury Hope between Westminster and Tower. Maid of Kent was used on Greenwich services from 1951 to 1961, joined by Golden Spray II in 1953 (sold 1971). George Wheeler died in 1956, and Alber Ellis became the general manager, and later managing director. My Queen arrived in 1962, replacing Maid of Kent. Maid of Kent was operating from the Palace Pier in Brighton in 1964.
 
In 1970, Wheelers ordered two new boats, Withycombe and Westminster. Both were built by Thomas Hughen at Woolwich. Hughens then built the Chay Blyth in 1972, which was hired to Wheelers until 1979. Hughens went on to form Greenwich Pleasurecraft for which they built the the Chevening and Pride of Greenwich, which subsequently passed to catamaran Cruisers. Chay Blyth was used by Greenwich Pleasurecraft from 1979 to 1983 after the hire to Wheelers finished. She later rejoined the Wheeler fleet and remained until it was finally disposed of in 2006.
 
In 1976, George Wheeler bought a controlling interest in Alfred Crouch Ltd, whose fleet was London Belle, Princess Marina and Thames Queen. The fleet was run as a separate concern. In 1978, Royalty was acquired for the Crouch fleet. Two new boats were built by Yorkshire Dry Docks and Pearl Tarn Ltd in 1980, the Hollywood and Rosewood. They remained in the fleet until it was finally disposed of in 2006.
 
The 2005 fleet consisted of Chay Blyth, Hollywood and Rosewood. They operated a service from Westminster to Greenwich and the Thames Barrier under the Thames River Services banner with Avontuur IV and London Rose of Viscount Cruises (previously Campion Launches), Mercia of Westminster Party Boats and Sarpedon of Crown River Cruises. George Wheeler pulled out of boat services in 2006 and Chay Blyth, Hollywood and Rosewood were all sold. Chay Blyth and Hollywood were bought jointly by Crown River Cruises and Westminster Party Boats and are operated by Thames River Services. Rosewood passed to Capital Pleasure Boats.
 
 
Contact: www.thamesriverservices.co.uk
 
Ships on this Page:-
Chay Blyth - built: 1972 (sold 2006)
Daphne (George Wheeler: 1946-1953 - built: 1922)
Duke of Edinburgh (George Wheeler: 1958-1971 - built c.1956)
Golden Spray II (George Wheeler: 1953-1971 - built: 1946)
Greenwich Belle - built: 1974 (sold 2005)
London Belle (George Wheeler: 1980-1987 - built: 1948)
Maid of Kent (George Wheeler: 1951-1961 - built: 1942)
Maud (George Wheeler: 1938-1939, 1946-1949 - built: c.1926)
My Queen (George Wheeler: 1962-1970 - built: 1929)
Hollywood - built: 1981 (sold 2006)
Queen Boadicea II (George Wheeler: 1938-1976 - built: 1936)
Rosewood - built: 1980 (sold 2007)
Royalty - built: 1913 (sold 1998)
Tilbury Hope (George Wheeler: 1948-1957 - built: 1921)
Vera (George Wheeler: 1938-1939, 1946-1949 - built: 1922)
Westminster (George Wheeler: 1970-19?? - built: 1970)
Withycombe (George Wheeler: 1970-19?? - built: 1970)
 
Associated Thames Passenger Boat Pages:-
River Thames Excursion Boats - Thames Header Page - Full List of Companies
Thames River Services
Campion Launches
Crown River Cruises
Viscount Cruises
Westminster Party Boats
George Wheeler
 
Associated Pages:-
UK Excursion Ships
Ferry Postcards
Cruise Ship Postcards
Ocean Liner Postcards
Simplon Postcards - Recent Updates
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 2005 consulted
Trip Out Guides are available from Geoffrey Hamer, PO Box 485, Southall, UB1 9BH
 
Search This Website:-

powered by FreeFind  
 
 
 
Table of Boat Histories

Name

Other names

 Built
 Rosewood  Golden Flame

 1980
 Westminster  

 1971
 Witheycombe  

 1970
 
 
 
 
George Wheeler Launches
 
Tilbury Hope
(George Wheeler: 1948-1957 - built: 1921)
 
Tilbury Hope wasbuilt in 1921, presumably for use near Tilbury. She was owned by P.J.& RF Hastings from 1946-1947before being bought by George Wheeler for use between Westminster and the Tower. She was sold to Frank Parr of Kingston in 1958. He replaced her with a new bought of the same name in 1993.
 
No image available
 
 
 
 
 
 
Westminster
(George Wheeler: 1970-19?? - built: 1970)
 
Westminster was built for George Wheeler Launches in 1970. She passed to Thames Tripping c.1988 and joined the initial City Cruises fleet along with the other Thames Tripping boats Eltham and Witheycombe.
 
 
Westminster in service with City Cruises
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 26th May 2003.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Withycombe
(George Wheeler: 1970-19?? - built: 1970)
 
Witheycombe was built for George Wheeler Launches in 1970. She passed to Thames Tripping c.1988 and joined the initial City Cruises fleet along with the other Thames Tripping boats Eltham and Westminster.
 
More images of Witheycombe
 
 
Witheycombe in service with City Cruises
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 16th May 2006.
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
 
 
 
 
Chay Blyth
(George Wheeler - built: 1972)
 
107grt - 76ft long - 199 passengers
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 5th July 2003.
 
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 11th March 2006.
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, St Thomas' Hospital, 11th March 2006.
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 16th May 2006.
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
 
 
 
 
Greenwich Belle
(George Wheeler: 1981-2005 - built: 1974)
 
86grt - 68ft long - 150 passengers
 
Greenwich Belle was built in 1974 and served with the Thames Motor Boat Co, but passed to George Wheeler Launches before 1981. She was acquired by King Cruises in 2005.
 
 
Greenwich Belle at Milbank, after sale to King Cruises.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 11th March 2006.
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
Greenwich Belle at Milbank, after sale to King Cruises.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 11th March 2006.
 
 
Greenwich Belle at Milbank, after sale to King Cruises.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 11th March 2006.
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
 
 
 
 
Hollywood
(George Wheeler: 1980-2007 - built: 1980)
 
187grt - 90ft long - 200 passengers
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 5th July 2003.
 
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 26th May 2003.
 
 
Photograph: © Ian Boyle, 7th April 2005.
 
 
Photograph: © Ian Boyle, 7th April 2005.
 
 
Photograph: © Ian Boyle, 7th April 2005.
 
 
Photograph: © Ian Boyle, 7th April 2005.
 
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 16th May 2006.
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
 
 
 
 
London Belle
(George Wheeler - built: 1948)
 
London Belle was built by Rowhedge Iron Works in 1948 for Alfred Crouch. 65 feet long and diesel-powered with twin screws, she was re-engined and converted to a single screw in 1972. In 1980 she passed to George Wheeler Launches, and c.1987 to Campion Launches. In 2003 she was sold to London Party Boats (www.londonpartyboats.co.uk) and is their sole vessel in 2006.
 
 
London Belle of London Party Boats (www.londonpartyboats.co.uk)
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 14th June 2006.
Click to open larger window in a new window
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rosewood
(George Wheeler: 1980-2007 - built: 1980)
 
164grt - 85ft long - 230 passengers
 
Rosewood was built for George Wheeler Launches in 1980. She operated the daytime trips to Greenwich. In 2007 she was bought by Capital Pleasure Boats and completely refitted for charter use, returning to service as the Golden Flame.
 
Complete history of Rosewood
 
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 5th July 2003.
 
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 26th May 2003.
 
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 7th April 2005.
 
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 26th May 2003.
 
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 26th May 2003.
 
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 26th May 2003.
 
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 26th May 2003.
 
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Lambeth, 11th March 2006.
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Lambeth, 11th March 2006.
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
 
 
 
 
Royalty
(George Wheeler: 1977-1998 - built: 1913)
 
Royalty served with Wheelers between 1977-1984. She was built for Joseph Mears by Salter Brothers in 1913. She later served with Thames Launches (1947-1976), and was owned by George Wheeler between 1977-1998. She has since been owned by Absolute Pleasure Boats.
 
 
Royalty in service with Absolute Pleasure Boats
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 7th April 2005.
 
 
Royalty in service with Absolute Pleasure Boats
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 16th May 2006.
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
Royalty in service with Absolute Pleasure Boats
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 16th May 2006.
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
Royalty in service with Absolute Pleasure Boats
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 22nd March 2008
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
Royalty in service with Absolute Pleasure Boats
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 22nd March 2008
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
Royalty in service with Absolute Pleasure Boats
Photo: © Ian Boyle,
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
Royalty in service with Absolute Pleasure Boats
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 22nd March 2008
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
Royalty in service with Absolute Pleasure Boats
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 22nd March 2008
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
Royalty in service with Absolute Pleasure Boats
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 22nd March 2008
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
Royalty in service with Absolute Pleasure Boats
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 22nd March 2008
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
Royalty in service with Absolute Pleasure Boats
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 22nd March 2008
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
 
 
River Thames Header Page
UK Excursion Ships - Ferry Postcards - Cruise Ship Postcards - Ocean Liner Postcards
Top of Page - Simplon Postcards - Recent Updates - Simplon Postcards - Home Page
 
   
 
 
©1999-2007 Copyright Ian Boyle/Simplon Postcards (all pages on web site)
All Rights Reserved
 
Free Web Counter
Times viewed since 18/07/2007: