About VIC 96
VIC 96 many years ago, working as C668
The VIC 96 is a steam coasting lighter, previously known under Admiralty code C668. She was commissioned by the War Office and built in 1945 by Dunston's of Thorne. One of 98 VICs (Victualling Inshore Craft) built, some other VICs were built by Pollock of Faversham, coincidentally close to Sheerness and Chatham where VIC 96 spent a large part of her working life.
Having spent the last 25 years or so at the Steamship Museum in Maryport, Cumbria, VIC 96 was in danger of sinking in the harbour when the Trust was formed. We couldn't bear her to disappear, so with a huge effort (matched only in enthusiasm) we are restoring her and steamed her back to Chatham in the summer of 2009. SEEDA (South East England Development Agency) has most generously offered a berth in Chatham No. 1 basin, where VIC 96 will be a working exhibit, attending steam fairs and functions in the UK and hopefully Europe too!
If you'd like to fins out more about VICs and other steam ships, try some of these links:
www.ibiblio.org/maritime/photolibrary