H.M. The Queen Visits The Flood Areas of Kent And Essex. The Queen coming ashore at Gravesend where she put on a fur coat to continue her tour. This afternoon H.M. the Queen paid a visit to the flood areas of Kent and Essex, accompanied by the Lord Lieutenant of Essex Sir Francis Whitmore. Apart, from three factories in Purfleet which were flooded, the Queen also visited some of the flooded homes in Purfleet, Tilbury and Gravesend. February 13, 1953. (Photo by Fox Photos).