Marchioness disaster

The Marchioness disaster was a fatal collision between two vessels on the Thames in London on 20 August 1989, which resulted in the drowning of 51 people. The pleasure boat Marchioness sank after being pushed under by the dredger Bowbelle, late at night close to Cannon Street Railway Bridge. A formal inquiry blamed poor lookouts on both vessels, and inadequate instruction of both crews. Four new lifeboat stations were later installed on the river.

The Marchioness was a pleasure steamer built in 1923 and was one of the little ships of Dunkirk in 1940.

On 19 August 1989, the boat was hired for a party organised by photographer agent Jonathan Phang to celebrate the 26th birthday of Antonio de Vasconcellos, who worked in a merchant bank. The pair were good friends and business partners in a photographic agency. Of Portuguese family background, Vasconcellos had studied Economics at Cambridge University.

Phang organised a three-part celebration: an eight-person dinner in a flat on Meard Street (only two of the diners survived); a birthday cake and champagne celebration for a group of 30 at the flat; and the party on the Marchioness. Many of those at the party were also in their twenties; some were former student friends and others worked in the fashion industry.

The Marchioness collided with the dredger Bowbelle in the early hours of 20 August 1989. In the initial instant of collision the anchor of the dredger cut through the side of the Marchioness, which rolled over and quickly filled with water, while being pushed under by the Bowbelle. As the Marchioness capsized, her entire superstructure became detached. The formal investigation put the time elapsed, from the instant of collision at 1:46 a.m. to complete immersion, at close to 30 seconds. Witnesses quoted in that investigation described the Bowbelle as "hitting it [the Marchioness] in about its centre then (mounting) it, pushing it under the water like a toy boat."

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