returned to civilian service with New Medway Steam Packet Company 1953 – attended the Coronation Review for Queen Elizabeth II at Spithead 1963 – taken out of service, with the possibility of being broken up, but the Belgian shipbreaker declined to break up the "Heroine of Dunkirk" 1964 – sold, and later opened as a nightclub on the Isle of Wight 1970s – replaced by the larger PS Ryde'' and moved to the River Medina, but sank when the hull sprang a leak 1984 – raised and towed back to the River Medway on a pontoon by new owners ???? – abandoned and sank again, while moored against the wall of Chatham Dockyard 1985 – the Medway Queen Preservation Society formed, with the intention of preserving the ship 1987 – raised and moved to Damhead Creek, Kingsnorth on the Hoo Peninsula 2006 – the National Lottery Heritage Memorial Fund agreed a £1.8 million funding package to restore the structure, subject to the Society raising £225,000 2006 – deconstructed, as hull considered both unseaworthy and of sustaining lifting onto a pontoon. The hull and salvageable pieces were moved to Chatham Dockyard 2009 – restoration began in April, with new hull to be constructed at Albion Shipyard, Bristol. 2011 – Visitors' Centre opened at Gillingham Pier, funded by the European Heroes2c project with sister projects Association Tourville and de Steenschuit 2013 – new hull entered the River Medway at Sheerness under tow from Bristol on 18 November 2013 References External links Medway Queen Preservation Society Paddle steamers of the United Kingdom Ships built on the River Clyde 1924 ships Merchant ships of the United Kingdom Minesweepers of the Royal Navy World War II minesweepers of the United Kingdom Museum ships in the United Kingdom Tourist attractions in Kent Little Ships of Dunkirk Heroes2c Ships and vessels of the National Historic Fleet Maritime incidents in 1929