Havengore

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Havengore is an ex-Port of London Authority hydrographic survey launch and ceremonial vessel, which is presently registered as a passenger ship to carry up to 30 passengers.

Commissioned by the PLA in 1955 and built along traditional lines in teak over an oak frame on the Thames by Tough Bros at Teddington, the vessel is 85 feet (25.9 metres) in length, 17 feet (5.1 metres) wide and is powered by a matched pair of 157 horsepower Gardner 8L3 diesel engines.

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. Following this honour, Havengore became the longest-serving PLA vessel, being finally decommissioned in 1995.

Given by the PLA to the charity Havengore Education and Leadership Mission to take underprivileged children on trips, she was given several rounds of restoration at Chatham Historic Dockyard in Chatham, Kent. However, in 2005 after upkeep on the boat became too expensive, an auction sale at Sotheby's expected to raise £1million,^[1] failed to reach the reserve after bidding only reached £780,000.^[2]

Subsequently sold to businessman Owen Palmer; restoration was completed at Gillingham Marina. Presently based at South Quay in London's Docklands and owned by Gloucestershire businessman Chris Ryland, Havengore undertakes a mixed program of both public service, under which she is used by various charities for fund raising purposes and in support of events of national significance; and is available for corporate hospitality purposes.