PS Gracie Fields facts for kids
The PS Gracie Fields was a special ship built in 1936. She was the very last paddle steamer made for a company called Red Funnel. This ship worked as a ferry, carrying people and cars, and also took passengers on fun trips.
She sailed on the route between Southampton and Cowes until World War II began. Then, the British Navy took over the ship. She became HMS Gracie Fields and worked as a minesweeper, clearing dangerous bombs from the sea.
The Gracie Fields played a brave part in the Dunkirk evacuation. She helped rescue many soldiers from the beaches. But on May 29, 1940, an enemy aircraft bombed her. She was badly damaged and sank the next morning.
Quick facts for kids History |
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 United Kingdom |
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| Namesake | Gracie Fields |
| Owner | The Southampton, Isle of Wight and South of England Royal Mail Steam Packet Company Limited (Red Funnel) |
| Port of registry | Southampton |
| Builder | John I Thornycroft & Co, Woolston |
| Yard number | 1149 |
| Launched | 8 April 1936 |
| Completed | May 1936 |
| Homeport | Southampton |
| Identification |
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| Fate | Sunk by air attack 30 May 1940 |
| Notes | Requisitioned by Admiralty in 1939, used as minesweeper off Dover |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Paddle steamer |
| Tonnage | 396 GRT |
| Length | 195 ft 11 in (59.72 m) |
| Beam | 24 ft 11 in (7.59 m) |
| Propulsion | Compound diagonal steam engine |
| Speed | 17 knots (31 km/h; 20 mph) |
Contents
Building the Gracie Fields
Design and Features
The Gracie Fields was built by John I. Thornycroft & Company. This company was located in Woolston, a part of Southampton. The ship was made for the Red Funnel company.
She was a paddle steamer and weighed 396 GRT. This is a way to measure a ship's size. The ship was about 195 feet (59 meters) long. She was also about 24 feet (7.5 meters) wide.
How the Ship Moved
The Gracie Fields had a special engine. It was a diagonal compound steam engine. This engine was also built by Thornycroft. It allowed the ship to travel at a speed of about 14 knots (26 kilometers per hour).
To help the ship turn easily, especially when going backward, she had a special rudder at the front. This is called a bow rudder. The ship also had space on its front deck for cars.
Life as a Ferry
Launch and First Trips
The ship was named after a famous singer, Gracie Fields. She even helped launch the ship on April 8, 1936. This means she was there to officially send the ship into the water for the first time.
After a special trip for guests on May 9, the ship started its regular service. She began carrying passengers and cars the very next day. During 1936, the Gracie Fields also took part in a few special cruises. These trips were often linked to her famous namesake.
Serving in World War II
Becoming a Minesweeper
When World War II started, the British Navy needed many ships. The Gracie Fields was taken over by the Admiralty. This is the part of the government that manages the Royal Navy. She was then used as a minesweeper. Her job was to find and clear dangerous sea mines.
The Dunkirk Evacuation
On May 29, 1940, the ship took part in the Dunkirk evacuation. This was a very important mission. Many Allied soldiers were trapped on the beaches of Dunkirk, France. The Gracie Fields helped rescue 280 troops on her first trip.
On her second trip, she had about 750 soldiers on board. German aircraft attacked the ship. Eight people on board sadly lost their lives. Other warships helped rescue the survivors. Another ship, HMS Pangbourne, tried to pull the damaged Gracie Fields back to England. But the Gracie Fields was too badly hurt. She sank during the night.
