Long Live The Steamship
Words: Eerie Rose | Steamship Artwork: Salad Doodles aka Helen Walpole | Photographs: 35mm photos from The Steamship by Rose and J, photographs from the fundraiser gig at The George Tavern by James Truss | With thanks to all at The Steamship
On what was supposed to be a regular grey London morning, I opened my phone to see images of The Steamship on fire. Smoke billowing, firefighters took control of the situation while residents, many my friends, sat helpless on the kerbside watching their home go up in flames.
The Steamship, once a functioning pub in Blackwall, had become a hotspot for London’s art and music scene, being used as artist studio spaces, hosting exhibitions, live music events and more. It was a regular spot for afters once venues like The George Tavern and The Windmill closed their doors for the evening, the residents of The Steamship always keeping theirs open, ready to welcome people any time of day or night. The residents lived in the rooms above the pub, forging a tight-knit family through cold winters in the old building and creating a co-op style community that has stood the test of time even through the loss of their home.
The fire has not just rendered it’s tenants suddenly homeless, but also resulted in the loss of materials and equipment needed for their livelihoods, as well as the studio space where they worked. London has lost yet another venue where musicians could practice and play, but also simply just crash for the night after a gig. Places like The Steamship are becoming increasingly few and far between, and it’s loss has reverberated throughout the whole creative community, who have responded with resounding support for the survivors of the fire. Offering up sofas and spare rooms, sharing housing advertisements and organising fundraisers, people have stepped up quickly to help rehome the residents and help fundraise for the sudden fees they will be faced with trying to find new places to live and re-purchase lost belongings. A GoFundMe was set up, and with the money raised being split between everyone depending on need, it’s clear the ethos and legacy of The Ship lives on through those it has left behind.
“We truly have so much pride in the community that we have built! The Steamship was, a living organism, providing so much more than affordable housing for us and the artists, friends and family who we have continuously shared it with over the years. The Ship was a unique space for artists to explore their art, take divining steps in their careers, collaborate, and showcase their work. It was also the place where we brushed our teeth and ate our pastas. If you haven’t lived in The Ship, then you have surely had a chance to attend an exhibition, performance or even visit us during one of its endless events and aftermaths, and memorize the space and its many opportunely horizontal surfaces.” - The Steamshippers, via the GoFundMe page
Photo by J
Photo by J
Photo by J
Nothing could have captured the spirit of The Steamship better than the fundraiser held at The George Tavern by Mare Zine. The night was full from start to finish, with residents and regulars coming together to celebrate it’s life. Kicked off by electronic solo artist Plutoz Beach, who played a dreamy yet energetic set of songs that danced between genres, including the upcoming single ‘Nobody Loves Me,’ which comes out on July 12th. The lineup of artists who played all had connections to the venue itself. House Arrest brought controlled yet vibrant chaos that got the crowd moving in a serious way with their loud and punchy post-punk, while The Ringards brought a devilish, raw punk energy with their experimental and unconventional sound. Neuro Placid played the headline slot with charismatic and catchy punk rap backed by a live band. Delivered with a larger than life stage presence complete with high energy tracks, fast bars and funny, sarcastic quips and in-jokes between songs, it was a brilliant end to the night, with the crowd completely involved especially with the latest single MDMA, the video for the song even having had some scenes filmed in The Steamship itself.
Feeling high from the energy in the room, beers shared between friends over stories about The Steamship, sorrow bandaged up with a dance and the satisfaction that the night had been a success. The pub began to empty out onto the street, a slight breeze picking up in the dark. It was at this moment The Steamship’s loss could be felt so tangibly, as explained by resident Karin: “It was really weird trying to figure out where to go so that we could still hang out. The house was right there.” The fire has not only displaced it’s tenants from a place to sleep, but also a social hub, this nearby, 24/7 inn where you could always turn up and find friends. It’s legacy will live on in the communities formed within it’s walls, who I’m sure will continue to stay connected despite losing this stable home.
“I’ll never forget the memories made there & meeting beautiful creative people!! Piggy in the middle, musical chairs, doctor who reenactment & the list goes on it was never a dull experience. Discovering the song “some girls” for the first time which is now at the top of my karaoke list! I’ll never forget the scooby doo gang in the dolls house, big love to the steamship, sail on xx” - Plutoz Beach
If you want to support the residents, please consider donating to the GoFundMe, or purchasing one of the T-Shirts or prints that feature an illustration of The Steamship designed by Salad Doodles, aka artist Helen Walpole. You can purchase them on the website here.
Keep up to date with The Steamship’s legacy, the GoFundMe, and any further fundraising events via Instagram