SS Robin facts for kids
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The SS Robin is a special kind of steamship called a 'coaster'. It's like a small cargo ship that carried goods along the coast. This ship, weighing about 350 tons, is the oldest complete example of its kind still around today!
Built in London in 1890, the Robin was originally for British owners. However, for most of its long life, it sailed along the Spanish coast under the name Maria.
In 1974, the ship was bought to be restored and given its original name, Robin, back. It's now recognized as a very important part of the National Historic Fleet, much like a famous historic building.
Today, the SS Robin is located at Trinity Buoy Wharf in east London. Since 2014, it has been a museum, a theatre, and an educational center for everyone to enjoy.
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Ship's Design and Features
When the Robin was first built, it was about 143 feet long. It was 23 feet wide and 12.2 feet deep. It could carry around 450 tons of cargo, which is a lot of goods!
The ship's engine was a powerful three-cylinder steam engine. It was built in Scotland in 1890. This engine allowed the Robin to travel at a top speed of 9 knots (about 10 miles per hour).
Even though it was a steamship, the Robin was also designed to use sails. It had three masts for sails when it was first built. This helped it save fuel and travel further.
A Journey Through Time: The Robin's History
The Robin was ordered by Robert Thomson, a shipowner in London. It was launched on September 16, 1890, from a shipyard in Blackwall, London.
After its launch, the ship was taken to Dundee, Scotland. There, its powerful steam engine and other important parts were installed. Once finished, it was officially registered in London.
Early Years in Britain (1890-1900)
The Robin began its working life on December 20, 1890. Its first journey was from Liverpool, carrying goods along the British coast.
Coasters like the Robin usually stayed within certain areas. However, sometimes they traveled further, like to Bayonne in France. The ship carried many different types of cargo. These included grain, iron, and even large granite blocks.
In 1892, the Robin was sold to a new owner in Glasgow, Scotland. It continued its important work of transporting goods.
Life as the Maria in Spain (1900-1974)
In 1900, the Robin was sold again and given a new name: Maria. For the next 74 years, it sailed under Spanish owners.
- 1900–1913: Owned by Blanco Hermanos y Compañia of Ribadesella.
- 1913–1965: Owned by Hijos de Angel Perez y Compañia of Santander.
- 1965–1974: Owned by Eduardo de la Sota Poveda of Bilbao.
During World War I, the Maria helped by carrying iron for the French government. It was even protected by warships to keep it safe from enemy submarines. Later, during the Spanish Civil War (1935-1939), the ship was kept safely in port.
From 1965 to 1974, it carried coal to fuel larger ships. This work was done along the northern coast of Spain.
The Maria stayed mostly the same until 1965. In 1966, it had a big update! Some parts of the ship were changed, like removing a mast and shortening the funnel. Its engines were also changed to use oil instead of coal. After these changes, it went back to work.
Return to the UK and Restoration (1974-2002)
In 1972, a group called the Maritime Trust found the Maria. They realized how special it was and decided to save it from being scrapped. In May 1974, they bought the ship.
It sailed back to London in June 1974 and was given its original name, Robin, once more. The ship was carefully restored in 1974 and 1975. It was then docked in London, but over time, it started to need repairs again.
In 2000, David and Nishani Kampfner bought the Robin for just £1! They wanted to turn it into a special place for learning. In 2002, the SS Robin Trust was formed. This group, with many volunteers, started working to restore the ship and share its history with everyone.
Major Restoration Efforts (2002-2010)
To help with the restoration, the SS Robin Trust received a large loan and a grant of almost £1 million. This funding came from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Before moving, parts like the masts, funnel, and lifeboats were carefully taken off. The ship was then towed to a temporary dock to prepare for more work.
In June 2008, the Robin made its first sea journey in 35 years. It traveled to Lowestoft for major repairs. Experts found that after 118 years, the ship was too old and fragile to float on its own again.
Replacing most of its steel would have meant losing its original history. So, the SS Robin Trust found a clever solution: a special floating platform called a pontoon. In 2010, cranes carefully lifted the Robin onto this pontoon. This way, the ship's original parts could be saved and displayed. It was then moved to Tilbury for a year.
The Robin Today (2010-Present)
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After three years of careful work in Tilbury, the Robin returned to east London in July 2011. This was the same area where it was first built! More restoration work was done inside the ship.
In 2014, with help from a grant, the SS Robin opened as a museum, theatre, and educational center. It is located in the Royal Victoria Dock in the Newham borough.
The ship was later moved to the Millennium Mills Dock for more work. It reopened to the public in 2015 at the western end of the Royal Victoria Dock. In 2023, the Robin moved to its current home at Trinity Buoy Wharf.
The SS Robin as an Educational Center and Museum
Since 2002, the SS Robin Trust, a charity, has been working to make the ship a special place. They turned it into an educational center and a gallery.
Volunteers carefully restored the ship's original parts, including its engine. From 2003, the Robin has hosted many exhibitions, talks, and workshops. It helps connect communities and works with local schools and businesses. The main cargo area of the ship was transformed into a flexible classroom and exhibition space.
 | Anna J. Cooper |
 | Mary McLeod Bethune |
 | Lillie Mae Bradford |
