PS Gracie Fields
PSS Gracie Fields was a paddle steamer built in 1936 by Thornycroft for the Isle of Wight Steam Packet Company.[1] The ship was 59 metres in overall length, with a tonnage of 393 GRT and a top speed of 17 knots. At the beginning of the Second World War she was requisitioned by the Admiralty and served as a minesweeper.[2] On 29 May 1940, the ship took part in the Dunkirk evacuation, rescuing 280 troops on its first trip, however on the second trip she was attacked by German aircraft and sunk with the loss of 8 on board.[3] Accounts differ; some say the ship sank within 3 minutes,[4] however others state that she was evacuated then sank under tow the next day.[5] Survivors were picked up by warships, however 8 on board were killed.
| History | |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | |
| Namesake: | Gracie Fields |
| Owner: | Isle of Wight Steam Packet Company |
| Port of registry: |
 |
| Builder: | J I Thornycroft |
| Launched: | 8 April 1936 |
| Fate: | Sunk by air raid 30 May 1940 |
| Status: | Sunk |
| Notes: | Requisitioned by Admiralty in 1939, used as minesweeper off Dover |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Paddle steamer |
| Tonnage: | 396 GRT |
| Length: | 195 ft (59.4 m) |
| Beam: | 24 ft (7.3 m) |
| Propulsion: | Compound diagonal steam engine |
| Speed: | 17 knots (19.6 mph, 31.4 km/h) |
References
- "Launching the paddle steamer 'Gracie Fields'". The Official Gracie Fields. Retrieved 2019-10-06.
- "Wrecksite - Gracie Fields". Wrecksite. Retrieved 2019-10-06.
- Winston, George (2015-06-20). "Grace Fields – The Martyr Steamer of the Dunkirk". WAR HISTORY ONLINE. Retrieved 2019-10-06.
- "BBC - WW2 People's War - The Gracie Fields". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2019-10-06.
- "Gracie Fields". www.paddlesteamers.info. Retrieved 2019-10-06.
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