More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
A historic ship is to make a voyage around Kent next week before arriving in Ramsgate - where it will "tower over" the country's biggest Wetherspoon.
The Medway Queen, which saved 7,000 men from Dunkirk in the Second World War, is to undergo a £30,000 refurbishment at the Royal Harbour.
It is to leave its base at Gillingham Pier and arrive the following day in Ramsgate to coincide with high tide.
A specific day or time is yet to be nailed down, with Monday and Thursday both being considered.
Upon arriving in Ramsgate, the historic paddle steamer will be the largest vessel the harbour has welcomed for years.
It will be settled onto a cradle and winched up the slipway near to the Royal Victoria Pavilion Wetherspoon.
Diners sitting on the terrace at the restaurant will have a prime view of the boat's four-week restoration on the slipway.
Pam Bathurst, director trustee of the Medway Queen Preservation Society, said: "She really will tower over the Wetherspoon as she's such a size. The funnel is very tall.
"It'll be the biggest ship that slipway, and Ramsgate, has seen in years.
"The work is essential to help restore her to former glory and the repairs are really needed. She is such an important bit of history and we have to look after her otherwise she will deteriorate.
"She will look so grand with a full repaint as she currently looks tired.
"We'll be opening it up for the public to view on Saturdays, and potentially Sundays as well.
After the four-week project in Ramsgate, the vessel will return to its traditional base in Medway.
The Medway Queen was hailed as the 'Heroine of Dunkirk' for her vital role in saving 7,000 Allied troops from the beaches of northern France in the Second World War.
After the war she was refitted for civilian use and became a floating nightclub off the Isle of Wight, and also carried out pleasure trips to Southend and along the Kent coast.
After suffering damage to her hull, she was towed back to the River Medway on a pontoon, where she fell into disrepair.
The preservation society was formed in 1985 with an ambitious long-term mission to get repairs done, and through tireless fundraising efforts vital work has been carried out on the ship.
A £1.8 million grant was eventually secured from the National Lottery Heritage Fund towards rebuilding the ship's hull, and she spent years in Bristol while the repairs were carried out.
The voyage to Ramsgate for extensive work has been in the planning for two years, with numerous areas of the paddle steamer set to benefit from a refurb - including the paddle wheels, hull and the installation of new handrails.
Currently, a vintage super yacht is taking up residence on the slipway earmarked for the Medway Queen.
The luxury boat Te Vega, which served for the US Navy during the Second World War, is undergoing work on the dry dock but is expected to soon depart.
