The Pearl of the Dane, England

The Pearl of the Dane is an abandoned floating restaurant moored at the riverbanks in England. From the outside, the Pearl is a curious sight that looks like she would be more at home cruising the Mississippi River in the 1920s. Around 25 years ago, the restaurant closed, leaving the Pearl in a state of abandonment. She is little more than a derelict shell, albeit a curiously beautiful one.

History – From fishing trawler to faux 1920s paddle steamboat

Despite its appearance, The Pearl of the Dane is not a 1920s Mississippi River paddle steamer! The origin of the vessel is, in fact, a little fishy.

It began life as a 1970s Danish deep-sea fishing trawler, its robust oak hull measuring 60 feet long. In the mid-1990s it was purchased by a businessman with a dream and grand plans. This chunky boat had quite a journey to get here, as it now resides in a very landlocked area of England! It travelled from its mooring in Wales via sea, river, canal and eventually road, accompanied by a police escort.

The Pearl of the Dane was refitted to resemble a 1920s Mississippi River steamboat, with the cost estimated as £150,000 to £300,000. The conversion involved removing the industrial fishing gear, as well as adding an upper deck. To complete the faux steamboat aesthetic, a paddle-wheel housing and a tall funnel were added.

A few years later, the new 80-seater restaurant opened. The menu was ambitious and exotic, serving seafood as well as shark, crocodile tail and ostrich stew. The first year was a success; turnover hit £200,000.

Unfortunately, the novelty soon wore off. Only 18 months later, the restaurant closed its doors. Over the subsequent years, ownership of the boat changed hands several times, but it still sits rotting at the edge of the river.

Inside the Pearl Of The Dane

The Pearl of the Dane features a heavy timber hull, the sturdy frame of the original Danish trawler. Its modified design now features three decks. The lower saloon area that once housed the bar and lounge. The main deck held the main restaurant and kitchen. The upper deck was reserved for alfresco dining. Interestingly, the original trawler masts were reused as columns in the restaurant’s centre. Unfortunately, vandals have destroyed or stripped the internal fixtures.