Chatham in Medway, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)

Victualling Inshore Craft (VIC) 56

Photographed By Michael Herrick, May 5, 2018

1. Victualling Inshore Craft (VIC) 56 Marker

Inscription.
Victualling Inshore Craft (VIC) 56
Small wartime naval stores and munitions steamship

Supplying the Royal Navy, which had over nine thousand ships during the Second World War, was a huge challenge. By 1945, most were at anchor or moored to buoys. To supplement the requisitioned barges that served this role, ninety-eight VIC vessels were built using small shipyards. They had steam engines because of wartime shortages. They served in the UK and overseas — Malta, Hong Kong, Gibraltar, Chatham, Sheerness, Rosyth, Plymouth and Portsmouth.

VIC 56 was built in 1945 by James Pollock and Sons, Faversham. It worked mainly at Rosyth and is the last steamship built in Kent that is still in operation. Today it is operated by volunteers.

For more information see www.vic56.co.uk

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 51° 23.725′ N, 0° 31.548′ E. Marker is in Chatham, England, in Medway. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Western Avenue and Main Gate Road, on the left when traveling north. Located in Historic Dockyard Chatham. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Chatham, England ME4 4TZ, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. HMS Gannet, 1878 (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line);

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The Destroyer Memorial (about 90 meters away); First World War 100th Anniversary (about 120 meters away); No. 3 Dry Dock, 1820; No. 4 Dry Dock, 1840 (about 120 meters away); HM Submarine Ocelot, 1962 (about 120 meters away); HMS Cavalier, 1944 (about 120 meters away); The Victory Dock (about 120 meters away); The Old Single Dock (about 120 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chatham.

Also see . . .
1. VIC 56 1945 Steam Ship. (Submitted on June 7, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
2. Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust. (Submitted on June 7, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
3. Chatham Dockyard Historical Society. (Submitted on June 7, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
4. Chatham Dockyard on Wikipedia. (Submitted on June 7, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)

Victualling Inshore Craft (VIC) 56 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Michael Herrick, May 5, 2018

2. Victualling Inshore Craft (VIC) 56

Photographed By Michael Herrick, May 5, 2018

3. Victualling Inshore Craft (VIC) 56

Photographed By Michael Herrick, May 5, 2018

4. Victualling Inshore Craft (VIC) 56

Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 7, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 245 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 7, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.