PS MEDWAY QUEEN - VIRTUAL TOUR
Now follow the guide down the lower forward companionway to the lower saloon which currently serves as a cinema to show short films on Medway Queen's history.
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Lower Forward Saloon
In excursion days this was yet another bar and forward were the crew’s quarters. Slatted bench seating was provided along the sides. During the war the whole compartment was given over to housing the seamen's quarters. In Isle of Wight days this area was the restaurant with a kitchen area forward. Surviving film clips suggest that it was a compact, even intimate, space and diners needed to keep their elbows tucked well in! That more or less completes the tour and we can head back to the visitor centre and shop to buy gifts or perhaps treat ourselves to a book or other souvenir of our visit. The story of this ship truly is amazing; from the childhood excitement of a holiday sea voyage to the terror of Dunkirk and the monotony of sweeping for mines on a cold winter’s day in the North Sea. From the glamour of a Spithead Coronation Review of the Fleet to the late night frenzy of a ‘60s night club. If ships wore T-Shirts this one would have quite a collection! To find out more browse the remainder of this website, especially the history pages. If your interest is Dunkirk or WWII there are a number of PDF download files which you might like to view. Photos left Top: The lower forward saloon as a cinema. Judith Maguire. Middle and bottom: The lower saloon in the Medway Queen Club. "Cosy" is perhaps a polite description! (Stills from a 1967 documentary, courtesy of the BBC) |
