Leonard Bentley
LCC Steamboat service
On Saturday 17th June 1905 the Prince of Wales, later King George V, inaugurated the London County Council steamboat service on the River Thames. He embarked on the King Alfred at Westminster Pier and disembarked at Greenwich Pier. I believe the photograph shows the scene at Greenwich.
The King Alfred was one of thirty paddle steamers built for the LCC, this particular one by the Thames Ironworks at Blackwall. Each paddle steamer cost just over £6000.00 to build and in 1907 all were running at a loss and the service was discontinued. Fourteen of the boats were sold to a new private company named the City Steamboat Company who ran them until 1914. The King Alfred was sold in 1909 for £1050.00 and continued service on the Rhine.
LCC Steamboat service
On Saturday 17th June 1905 the Prince of Wales, later King George V, inaugurated the London County Council steamboat service on the River Thames. He embarked on the King Alfred at Westminster Pier and disembarked at Greenwich Pier. I believe the photograph shows the scene at Greenwich.
The King Alfred was one of thirty paddle steamers built for the LCC, this particular one by the Thames Ironworks at Blackwall. Each paddle steamer cost just over £6000.00 to build and in 1907 all were running at a loss and the service was discontinued. Fourteen of the boats were sold to a new private company named the City Steamboat Company who ran them until 1914. The King Alfred was sold in 1909 for £1050.00 and continued service on the Rhine.