Chatham steamers : the paddle steamers of the London Chatham & Dover Railway /John Hendy.

"The London Chatham & Dover Railway was the operator of the prestigious Dover to Calais cross-Channel service between 1864 and 1899. During this time it underwent a huge period of change from small, wooden hulled vessels of basic design to large, fast and efficient paddle steamers of steel construction. Within the period under review, Victorian inventiveness saw the appearance of what were known as the 'peculiars'; three strange vessels of unusual design which it was hoped would save the long-suffering public from sea-sickness. As a railway company, the London Chatham & Dover Railway was frequently criticised for the poor quality of its rolling stock and its lamentable punctuality. In sharp contrast, under the control of Captain William Morgan RN, its Marine Department rose to the highest levels of efficiency and set the standard which was forthcoming throughout the entire period of railway ownership."--Provided by the publisher.