World’s oldest steamship returns to London

After successfully completing two years of major conservation works the historic ship, one of London’s only three Core Collection ships, left Lowestoft last Friday, arriving at Tilbury the next day. After being delayed by adverse weather conditions since Sunday 12 September, London’s SS Robin arrived back on the River Thames having celebrated its 120^th anniversary on Thursday.

The £1.9m programme of conservation works, funded by Crossrail, was completed on SS Robin this summer, converting the 1890 built ship into a dynamic floating museum for 21st Century London. Before it reaches the capital, the SS Robin has been given a temporary home by Forth Ports PLC, owners of the Port of Tilbury, while the Trust which owns it evaluates options for its future base in the capital.

Regarded as one of the most important British built ships, SS Robin will spend the final stage of its journey to London at the capital’s Port of Tilbury after being restored to its former glory at Lowestoft.

SS Robin project director David Kampfner said, ‘The ambitious, world first concept which has been created for SS Robin displays the entire ship to the world for the first time. Observers, followers and friends of the Trust will now be able to see the newly restored ship on her brand new bespoke floating dock. We’re delighted to bring SS Robin to Tilbury. After two years of intensive conservation work, Tilbury offers a secure base to assess her future long term home in London. We’re very excited to finally bring this important historic vessel back to the Thames.’

Perry Glading, managing director of the Port of Tilbury said, ‘The Port of Tilbury was open for business in 1886, just four years before the SS Robin was launched, and both have made an important contribution to the history of industrial entrepreneurship that made this country so successful. Shipping remains vital to our economy and as London’s major port Tilbury continues to have a crucial role in boosting the capital’s economy. This is a great opportunity for us to have the SS Robin at Tilbury and to play our part in ensuring this vessel is able to continue to make her own contribution to the capital’s economy by bringing the history of merchant shipping alive for future generations.’

London’s Mayor Boris Johnson has voiced his support for the project, saying, ‘I fully support the ambitious plans to transform this historic ship into a dynamic educational museum that will be a great learning source for schools. History is immensely important and I can think of no better way of learning than aboard a floating museum, packed with interesting facts and hidden treasures.’