An appeal has been launched to raise funds for a permanent memorial to remember those who lost their lives during a tugboat accident almost 70 years ago.

Friends of the Steam Tug Cervia group are hoping to place a permanent granite tablet at Anchor Cove, Gravesend, to honour five local men who died on October 25 1954.

This year marks the 70th anniversary since The Cervia was contracted to pull the cruise ship Arcadia out from Tilbury port on the River Thames in 1954, when disaster struck.

The Arcadia moved ahead to avoid colliding with an oncoming ship, the Orcades, dragging the Cervia along with it.

The crew was unable to deploy the quick release for the tow rope due to a fault and it resulted in the boat capsizing and the engine room filling with water.

The Cervia sank in 30 seconds taking its captain and seven crew members down with it.

The tugboat Challenge came to the boat’s aide, rescuing three, but the captain, and four crew members died.

The Cervia now sits unseaworthy but afloat – having served as a tugboat until 1985 – in Steam dry docks in Ramsgate and was previously earmarked for disassembly but volunteers are trying to restore her.

The appeal, which officially launched last month, aims to raise £950 with hopes to unveil the new memorial for the anniversary in October.

Former Gravesend resident and current chairman of the group, David Walton said: “The Steam Tug Cervia sunk seven months to the day after I was born.

“These lads went to work and didn’t come home again, and we think it’s important to remember them.

“We would like Gravesend to support this memorial because the lads come from Gravesend.

“I know it will mean a lot to the families - it meant a lot last year when we did the first memorial service in October that had ever been held since 1954.”

Bill Russell, son of the Cervia captain Russell MBE, who died in the incident - was only ten-years-old at the time of his father’s death.

The 80-year-old said: “For me the memorial would be something I would be able to see and look at and remember because I was only ten when I lost my father.

“My family has been on the water all their lives - we’ve always been a waterside family, so it is important to us.

“It would also be good for my sons and my grandson, so it’s quite important.”

Last year was the first time the crew members were remembered in a public ceremony, with two events held to commemorate their lives.

Bill, who also worked on the water up until his retirement, attended the ceremonies with his son at St George’s Church.

“We think this is a worthwhile part of Gravesend’s history to commemorate some of the lads who have worked locally and the history of the river is so important to Gravesend,” David added.

The boat is currently moored in Ramsgate Harbour and The Steam Tug Cervia Preservation trust hopes to restore, repair and maintain the boat to a point where it could be used for tours and museum days - but is calling for support from the public.

The group continues to seek volunteers to work on the boat, as well as other volunteers and trustees to work behind the scenes on the project.

To donate to the appeal the bank details are: Sort Code 08-92-99 Account Number 67278215 and the name on the account is The Steam Tug Cervia Preservation Trust.

Please reference your donation as ‘Memorial’.

Cheques may also be sent to the Trust c/o 3, Brickfield Cottages, Brookland Road, Llandrindod Wells, Powys, LD1 6DE.

Details to donate to the restoration and appeal can also be found on the website and on Facebook at the Friends of the Steam Tug Cervia page.

A remembrance service will be held at St George’s Church, Gravesend at 11am on Saturday, October 26.

The steam tug, which was built in 1946, is one of only two surviving Thames tugs of her type.