SS Robin: The mother of invention.
SS Robin is a precious diamond, a national treasure and one of London’s best kept secrets. She’s the world’s oldest complete steamship and the last of her type in the world. She’s a survivor, with a life spanning three centuries and an amazing story to tell.
She was built in 1890 at the world renowned Thames Ironworks shipyard on the River Lea, where many notable vessels - including the illustrious HMS Warrior - were built.
She’s part of the National Historic Fleet and one of only three ‘Core Collection’ (Grade 1) vessels in the capital. Her sister ships, Cutty Sark and HMS Belfast, are celebrities. SS Robin is a true Londoner and the forgotten jewel of the three. She’s the very opposite of flash, fast or furious. Instead she’s the real deal, a symbol of tough East End survival, hardiness, ingenuity and hard work, in short true grit.
Her incredible story is one of risk, enterprise, determination and endurance. You can get a glimpse of her at London’s Royal Victoria Dock, where she’s undergoing final restoration work only a mile from where she was originally built, ready to take her place at the western end of the Royal Victoria Dock (close to the Emirates AirLine cable car), as a symbol of East London’s transformation when she re-opens in 2014.