Havengore

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Havengore is a hydrographic survey launch and ceremonial vessel. Built by Tough Bros at the request of the Port of London Authority (PLA) in 1955, the ship saw her greatest role on 30 January 1965 when she was used to carry the coffin of Winston Churchill from Town Pier to Festival Pier on the River Thames as part of his state funeral. It was the longest-serving PLA vessel, being decommissioned in 1995.

After 2 rounds of restoration at Chatham Historic Dockyard in Chatham, Kent, she is now available for exclusive use charter on the Thames. Clients use her for exclusive dinners, sailing receptions, meetings and moored receptions.

The owner of the vessel, Chris Rylands, has now completed the restoration work needed to allow her to operate as a passenger vessel on the Thames and further afield.

Havengore will be attending Cowes Week during July 2006 where she will be offering corporate hospitality. Havengore is now operated by Venues of Distinction, a company that offers exclusive and distinctive venues for corporate and ceremonial use.

The vessel is 85 feet (25.9 metres) in length and 17 feet (5.1 metres) wide.

[edit] Quotes

"And so Havengore sails into history... ...not even the Golden Hind had borne such a great man"
Richard Dimbleby [1]

[edit] References