Steamboat Register

Banjo

Status: Active use

Owner: Philip Webster

Area: UK-East Anglia

New as a steam launch for Russell Coleman, Norwich, (of Mustard fame). Used on the Broads and at the R.N. & S.Y.C. as tender to family yachts. Converted motor 1920. Acquired 1986, hull restored and fresh plant fitted 1995. Approx miles steamed, 1996 - 50; 1997 - 100; 1998 - 200. (Boiler formerly in the Frolic ECCENTRICITY). Interior refitted 2003/04. Previously fitted with 1993 Swashplate Quadruple 4½" x 2½" by Phil Webster and 1983, 120 psi, 2-drum WTB by Thames Steam Launch Co., Chiswick.

Banshee

Owner: S. Schonherr

Area: Germany

New on Windermere for Sir W. B. Forwood. Originally fitted with 6" + 6" x 6" Plenty engine. 1897 fitted 61/2" + 10" x 7" Sisson, converted motor c1925. 1969 to John Ashton, completely rebuilt with forward saloon, wheelhouse and new machinery. Acquired 1988 restored to near original appearance 1989.

Basuto

Owner: The Boat Museum Trust

Area: UK-West Midlands

Former Clyde ‘Puffer’, used on Forth & Clyde Canal, owned by W.Cooper & Sons, Widnes during 1920s who converted her to a ‘dumb barge’. Later Manchester Dry Docks Ltd. reverted to steam with second-hand plant. Acquired Oct 1981 for preservation. Now at Ellesmere Port. Ref: Waterways World, Mar.1975.

Bat

Status: Museum display

Owner: G.H. Pattinson

Area: UK

Originally owned by I.Storey and Jack Kitchen, used for experiments with remote radio control on Windermere in 1904. 1932-64 motor work boat for Borwick’s (Windermere) Ltd. Acquired 1966 by L. D. Goldsmith, hull restored by Harry Berryman, Guernsey, steam fitted by A. J. Mothersele. Acquired by George Pattinson 1984, now in Windermere Steamboat Museum. (1963 engine fitted in cabin cruiser LANGSTON QUEEN).

Befur (SY-Befur)

Status: Steaming

Owner: Malcolm & Louise Duckett

Website: http://sy-befur.co.uk

Area: UK-North

Hull, engine, boiler and sailing rig constructed by owner between 2011 and 2018. Launched on Ullswater June 2018. Launched with Sailing Rig as steam yacht in June 2020, home Windermere. Engine rebuild winter 2021 with improved timing ...

Ben My Chree

Status: Undergoing renovation - Awaiting refit

Owner: Steven J. Harcourt, Wesley J. Harcourt

Website: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgCgOlZwldJuC5wf25u661Q

Area: USA West Coast

Name "Ben My Chree" means 'Woman of my heart' in Manx. John chose this name as his family hailed from the Isle of Man before emigrating to the US. This name has also adorned the transoms of no less than six ships of the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company. Hull is an enlarged version of Panatela from "Steamboats and Modern Steam Lanuches" Commissioned and fitted out by John York of "York Compound" fame with the very first of his engines. In 1990 he removed the steam machinery and refitted with an antique Hicks 10hp gas engine. The engine, boiler, patterns, and drawings were all subsequently sold. The hull was bought by current owner in 2015. The original boiler was located at a friend's house in California. After much detective work, the original was located in engine in possession of Kent Lacey Connecticut. After much negotiating, and with the kindness and understanding of Mr. Lacey, we were able to purchase original engine and reunite the original machinery once again. In process of refitting all machinery and returning her to the water.

Benson

Owner: P. Skehan

Area: UK

Built by first owner Keith Jones. Sold 1993 to Hilary Morgan. Acquired September 1994, engine rebored. All being re-fitted 2000.

Bertha

Owner: Bristol City Museum

Area: UK

Moves by means of cables placed around quayside bollards. Designed by I.K. Brunel for scraping silt from Bridgwater Docks. Owned by G.W. Railway Co. (No: P.W.M.171) Acquired by Exeter Maritime Museum from BR 1972 for preservation when docks closed. . Transferred to Bristol when Exeter M.M. closed.

Bertie

Owner: J.H. Findlay

Area: UK-Scotland

New boat, lines based on ‘FEEBLE’ drawings, published in ‘Steamboats & MSL’ in 1961. Entirely built and fitted out by owner. First steamed 1985. Steamed each year since new.

Beryl of Avon

Status: Active use

Owner: Alfred Harwardt

Area: Germany

Built for and steam plant fitted by first owner Alex Moulton, with plant from ALICE. . (1976 - 1993 fitted with Blackstaffe & Wood , Canada, 1968 built boiler). Acquired July 1990 by Lord Strathcona Acquired Apr 2008 by Alfred Harwardt

Bess

Owner: John Liming

Area: UK-South East

Built 2005 by Alan Salisbury. Originally christened "India". Renamed "Bess" (with due ceremony) 25 August 2009. Sold 2017 to John Riley

Bethanne's Rival

Status: Steaming

Owner: Frank Rozelaar

Area: UK-Midlands

The first owner was an engineer at the railway works in Derby and his real interest was the steam engine which he made in the 1980's. He later bought the hull and undertook the detailed fitting out over a period of 3 years when he saw little of his wife which gave rise to the name Bethanne's Rival. The current owner bought the boat in 2011.

Billow

Owner: George W. Day

Area: UK-Scotland

Hull built to original owners requirements, plant fitted by original owner 1982, first steamed Sept ’82. Engine formerly in IRAS 1976-82. Purchased from original owner SBA founding member Bill Lowe in 2003.

Billy Boy

Owner: G. Bain

Area: New Zealand

Uncared for hull acquired from Lloyd Lewis, Rotorua. Steam plant acquired from John Goddard, Australia, who found it in England in 1933. To be completed by end of 2000. Boiler completely rebuilt 1990-2000

Birdie

Owner: Merseyside Maritime Museum

Area: UK

New to Hon. F.C. Wynn, owned by family until acquired 1986 for restoration and refitting original machinery which had been removed during 1930’s. 1989 first re-steamed after restoration.

Bitterling

Status: Steaming

Owner: Kim Richardson

Area: UK

New boat, designed by builder. Fitted out and steam plant installed by builder and owner. First steamed 1993, launched 1994. Rebuilt with new engine pumps and pipework 2020 Mounted on bespoke 2 wheel trailer Sold by John Sharpe in Spring 2020 to Kim Richardson

Black Crow

Owner: Rod Muller

Area: Australia

Designed and built by owner to make an attempt on the world speed record for reciprocating engined steam boat. Speed approx 32 knots.

Black Pig

Status: Undergoing renovation - resting

Owner: R.D. Parker

Area: UK-Wales

New boat built to owners specification, Reeves Commander steam plant fitted 1996-7, at first fitted with a borrowed VFT boiler. First steamed Nov. 1997. New Taylor compound engine 2¼" + 3¾" x 2½" and copper boiler installed 2004. New John King design water tube boiler and Taylor single 3 1/4" x 4 1/2" stroke engine being installed for launch 2021. Engine stripped during pandemic lockdown 2020, modifications included removal of two chain driven waterpumps originaly taken from Stuart Turner inboard petrol engines, replaced with single shaft driven 6A water pump, screw reversing wheel and mechanism replaced by lever and linkage. Repainted black and green.

Blue Belle

Owner: R.M. Kimbell

Area: UK-Midlands

Built by first owner Gordon Smith and first steamed 1988 with a horizontal boiler. Acquired 1999 with a possible re-naming to "Er’ Outdoors"

Blue Buccaneer

Status: Active use

Owner: M. Cole

Area: UK-North West

Joint project of orginal owners, started 1992. Unused machinery acquired from Bossom’s Boatyard, Oxford and fitted 1997.Orginal name Twite, Launched Oct 1997. Acquired present owner Spring 2013 and renamed. New boiler stays and tubes fitted winter 2013. New SBA WTB1 boiler pressure vessel by R. Havard , the rest by M Cole. stainless steel casing.

Bluebell

Status: Active use

Owner: Eileen Wallace

Area: UK-North West

Bluebell Was launched in 2013 and named in 2014 (see Funnel edition Summer 2014). She is currently steamed frequently on Windermere as her owner and leading stoker become familiar with the operation of a steamboat

Bos Murphy

Owner: P. Sewell

Website: http://www.steamlaunch.co.nz

Area: New Zealand

Hull built in Auckland in 1882. The top two planks and the deck has been replaced in 2002.

Brahminy

Status: Active use

Owner: Roger Fryer

Website: http://Northqueenslandplants.com

Area: Australia

Boat built in 2014-2015 by owner in Queensland, Australia, engine designed and built by his brother-in-law in Essex, England. Boat sails regularly on Lake Tinnaroo on the Atherton Tableland, providing there is enough water!! Modified by including a superheater and feed water heater in 2018. Engine oiler changed to condensing oiler in 2019 due to problems with the initial small pump. Auxilary engine is a 1975 Seagull long leg outboard.

Bramble

Status: Steaming

Owner: Iain and Rebecca Jubb

Area: UK-Midlands

Hull restored and plant fitted by L. D. Goldsmith in 1960’s. 1981 to J. Pownall, reconditioned by Tom Trevethick, Nottingham. Acquired 1990. Formerly fitted with a Merryweather B boiler. Acquired by Iain & Rebecca in April 2022

Branksome

Status: Museum display

Owner: Windermere Jetty Museum of Boats, Steam and Storie

Website: https://www.windermerejetty.org/collection/branksome

Area: UK

Built for Mrs Edna Howarth, named THE LILY. Acquired by George Pattinson 1959 and operated for many years on Windermere by the Windermere Steamboat Museum. 2006 Windermere Steamboat Museum closed and the collections transferred to Lakeland Arts in 2007. Branksome will be on permanent display at the new Windermere Jetty Museum of Boats, Steam and Stories from 2018.

Breezo

Status: Dismantled - Retired

Owner: N Guild

Area: UK-South West

Salcombe cove boat, built for hire trade in 1930s by J Murch of Salcombe; originally powered by Stuart Turner 1.5 HP petrol engine. Acquired by owner in 1991, conversion to steam 2005/6. Retired in 2016: plant removed and hull donated to a Salcombe business for display.

Brent

Owner: R. Hall

Area: UK

New for MoWT as TID 159. Acquired by PLA before completion and renamed. 1971 acquired for preservation and restored. 2004 - still at Maldon, but now alongside the promenade so you can view her close up.

Britannia

Owner: J. Thickett

Area: USA

Built to first owner J. Tilley’s specification, steam plant fitted by J. Tilley. First steamed May 1991, with James Tilley built single engine and David King boiler. Named BOY BLUE. Machinery replaced 1993 with present plant. 1996 sold to U.S.A. Engine formerly in FINCH 1986-1988 and AL HADIR 1989-1991

Bruin

Status: Steaming

Owner: Adrian Thomas

Area: UK-North West

1984 new launch fitted out by builders for first owner John Murch. 1987 aquired by Mike Comben. 1989 by Richard Jensen. 1996 by BM Cooke. 2000 by Ken Challice. First engine: D.C. Burnage, Bedford, 1984, Compound, 2¼" + 4½" x 3", sv, SLRG, On 6 turned columns, lever driven air and fp off Xhead, 5 IHP, 650 rpm, keel c. Previous owner: Ken Challice

Bruin II

Owner: A. & D. Ritchie

Area: UK-East Anglia

New hull built for John Murch to receive machinery from his former BRUIN II, ex MARY ANNE. Acquired 1997 by J. Alex Ritchie and steamed from Poole to River Stour April 1998, Ref Funnel 100,101 & 102.

Brunel

Owner: E. Biemer

Area: Germany

Fitted out with Stuart Turner engine by first owners Brian Lee and A.D. Daniels, first steamed July 1987. Acquired by Ken Challice 1992, engine changed to Beaver compound in 1999. Acquired by Geoff Vasey 2002, engine rebuilt 2003. Acquired by Roger Martin Feb 2004 for use in Forth Clyde Canal and Southern Highland Lochs. Boiler casing rebuilt. Sold to Ernst Biemer, Germany, Dec 2008.

Brunette

Owner: J.P. Gauban

Area: France

Hull new to Mr. Brooks, Totnes Harbour Master, with Kelvin. Acquired c1950 by Messrs Deller, Dobson & Hoare, Stoke Gabriel who converted her to steam. 1984 to N. Somers and others, Acquired c1995 shipped to France. Approx miles steamed, 1996 - 80; 1997 - 100; 1998 - 130; 1999 - 200.

Bunnahabhain

Status: Active use

Owner: Martin Warnock

Area: UK-Scotland

Originally named Lady Marguerita. New boat, designed and entirely fitted out and steam plant installed by owner, Alan Howarth. First steamed 1995 and steamed each year since. Originally fitted with a 1994 Reeves Commander (modified) engine 2" + 2" x 2½", 2 ftc, 2 cbs, 500 rpm, sv, SLRG with 3 blade, 15" x 26" propeller. Replaced 2003. Originally fitted with coal fired VFT built by Alan Howarth at Preston in 1994-95. 150 psi. Shell 16" dia x 31" high, all copper, silver soldered, SS superheater, W.kettle, twin cyl Weir type fp. Replaced 2002. 2011, sold to Stuart Russell. August 2014, sold to R Martin and renamed Bunnahabhain in April 2015. 2017 - Formed part of flotilla accompanying the Queen's 'royal barge' along with Silkie and Vesuvius when she opened new section of Forth & Clyde canal from Kelpies to the Carron river. Also spent week on Lago Maggore in Italy with Magician and Vesuvius. 2018 Appeared on BBC TV 'Grand Tours of Scottish Lochs' on Loch Awe - view result on www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p06kfnt1

Buttercup

Owner: J. Hargreaves

Area: USA

New boat built and fitted out by owner and steam plant installed 1995. Approx miles steamed; 1997 - 50; 1998 - 100; 1999 - 50.

Buttercup

Owner: P.R. Stokes

Area: UK-Chiltern

Motor dinghy hull, fitted out and converted to steam by Brian Smith in 1974. Then named CHUFF. 1979 to Ian Jameson. Acquired by present owner in 1983 and re-named. Ref. FUNNEL 12.