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Video: Julian Swift of
The VIC 96 Trust talks about the vessel

by Dan Bloom

It has been lovingly restored by 12 enthusiasts who poured in
their own cash to stop it sinking.

Now the historic VIC 96 steamer needs public money for the first
time – to avoid blushing before the Queen.

The 67-year-old ship, which used to ferry supplies around
Chatham Dockyard, is due to join a 1,000-strong flotilla on the
River Thames for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Yet it has a huge dent in the stern, which will cost £20,000 to
fix.

The VIC 96 steamer docked
at St Mary's Island

VIC 96 Trust chairman Derek Gransden, 63, said: “We can’t
possibly go before the Queen with a huge dent. It would just be too
embarrassing.”

The dent was caused by a rogue tug which rammed the historic
ship, thought to be one of just three surviving in Britain, while
it was lying derelict in Maryport, Cumbria.

Trust members made 84 trips to Cumbria to strike a deal after a
bid to turn the ship into a museum piece failed. In 2009 it finally
made the 1,000-mile journey back to Chatham through the Caledonian
Canal.

It is now docked in Basin One, St Mary’s Island, where
visitors can examine the 5,000-litre coal boiler after members
drained out floodwater and used 100-year-old pier struts to replace
the decking.

There were 100 VIC ships, which stood for Victualling Inshore
Craft, and VIC 96 ferried victuals (food) and ammunition to Navy
ships in Chatham and Sheerness Dockyards until 1972.

Trust member Tony Slingsby, 70, a retired RAF
technician, said: “I’ve restored five steam engines, the
oldest from 1898. This is a hobby for all of us. Derek fancied a
steam ship so we went ahead and did it.”

VIC 96 will be one of 1,000 ships to pass under Tower Bridge on
June 3 for the Diamond Jubilee Pageant, led by the Queen herself on
the golden Royal Barge.

Roads and bridges will be closed, giant screens will line the
route and 30,000 flag-wavers will take to passenger boats.

Mr Gransden, whose father founded EC Gransden builders in
Upchurch, said: “The Navy would have had this ship scrapped.
Without people like us this heritage would have disappeared.”

To visit the ship or donate visit www.vic96.co.uk. Donate £3 by texting PUFF00 £3 to 70070.