Steamboat Register

Maasnymph

Status: Under Construction

Owner: D. Boutkam

Area: Netherlands

Hull by unknown builder and unkown vintage, fitted out with an 18HP Yanmar diesel engine. Boat acquired in 2012. To be converted to steam with a modified Stuart Turner 6A engine and a vertical centre drum watertube boiler.

Mabinogion

Owner: R.I. Watkins

Area: UK-Chiltern

Thought to have been built as a motor boat tender for tanker SAN GERONIMO. Acquired by Jim Whale, steam plant fitted 1975 named LITTLE GEM. Sold 1978 to Ted Martin, Thames. 1981 sold to Chris Fincken, Kent and used on Royal Military Canal for a time, then layed up in a barn for 15 years. 1999 acquired by Adrian Grimmett and resold to present owners later in year. Being restored and renamed.

Maggie B

Owner: R.M.W. Willis

Area: UK-East Anglia

Former transom stern fishing boat hull named TIGRESS acquired Jan 1984 by previous owner, Frank Birchall, restored, counter added, steam plant fitted and steamed on River Fal, Cornwall. Acquired by present owner Dec. 1990 and taken to Broads. Ref: Classic Boat Sept/Oct 1988. Broads No. W578. Boiler in JASON 1967-71.

Magician

Status: Steaming

Owner: Angelo Boglio

Area: Italy

Acquired by first owner Mike Raahauge partly completed from Derek Burnage, Bedford, building completed by owner, at first with a porcupine boiler by John Tilley, 3" x 4" Clinker Boat engine. Fresh steam plant fitted spring 1993. Acqired by Marcus Croone in 1996 for use on Warwickshire Avon. (Engine formerly in BROWNIE 1987-8 and MELISANDE 1985-6). (Boiler in COLUMBINE 1980-88). Aquired by Roger Martin Dec 2008. Intended to fit Steeple engine. Sold to Dr. Angelo Boglio, Quaregna, Italy November 2014 with Porcupine Blr and Steeple Engine as 'kit of parts' - KJS

Maid of the Loch

Owner: Loch Lomond Steamship Co.

Website: http://www.maidoftheloch.co.uk/

Area: UK

Built in pieces and re-erected at Balloch, launched 5th March 1953. New to British Transport Commission, 1957 transferred to Caledonian Steam Packet Co. Ltd. Withdrawn August 1981. Acquired by various owners but allowed to go derelict. The present owners, a registered charity, are fund raising in order to restore her to service in 2001. Contact 01475 639754.

Majucanda

Owner: A.P. Tuthill

Area: UK-Thames

New launch built, fitted out and steam plant fitted by owners. First steamed Oct 1989. Engine & boiler formerly in JAMIE 1969-1978 and MORVEN 1978-1980, then test engine for G.L. Jones’ new hulls to 1988. Not used 2003-2005 while engine rebuilt.

Mallard

Status: Active use

Owner: John Reid & Mike Linward

Area: UK-Cambridgeshire

New launch fitted out and plant installed by the first owner K. Cirket and first steamed in 1982. Originally with navy blue hull. Acquired 1985 by Charles Gardner. The interior was relined by Bossoms and a new canopy fitted in 1986. Layed up between 1997-2003. Acquired by John Gibbs in early 1998 and refitted 2003/04. Canopy removed. Acquired by John Reid and Mike Linward in 2007. Extensive repair and modification to the boiler and engine carried out between 2010-2013. New stainless steel, four jet burner bar for the boiler, designed, constructed and fitted during 2016 to improve reliability.

Manning 2

Owner: N. Roberts

Area: UK

New to Isle of Man Harbour Commissioners, had trials 11 May 1936, named MANNIN. Retired 1972, renamed, then various owners until acquired 1981 by Derek Edisbury for preservation. Kept at the Boat Museum, Ellesmere Port Ref: Ships Monthly March 1979. Aquired Sept 1996, may be moved to Essex. ON 145309.

Margaret S.

Status: Steaming

Owner: Fred Rosse

Area: USA

We have enjoyed cruising along much of the USA Northeast, from Newport News Virginia to Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire, although most of the cruising has been on lakes, or on the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers near Philadelphia Pennsylvania. Of course I named the steamer after my Aunt Margaret, a fine woman who was born in 1903 near Rose Bud, South Dakota. She left me enough funds to build the boat when she died in 2005.

Marlin

Status: Undergoing renovation

Owner: Alistair Scott

Area: UK-Solent

New launch fitted out by previous owner, Mack Scott with mahogany and pine, plant installed and first steamed May 1985. Steamed each year since. Previously fitted with an original Liquid Fuel Engineering Company (LiFu) compound engine from 1999 for a number of years before reverting back to the Stuart Turner 6A.

Martha

Status: Under Construction

Owner: Lars Hansen

Area: Denmark

The project began in August 2008 where I went to Sweden to visit Bernt Breding and Lars Quist to pick up my new 18 foot glass fiber hull - just the hull I wanted after having seen Pauline (German) owned by Hubert Paulus at the steam boat festival in Vejle, Denmark, in 2006. My father and I drove some 800 km to Forsvik in Sweden, a nice spot at the Göta Canal, to pick up the boat at Bredings workshop. We returned with the valuable load of a future steamboat on the trailer. In August 2015 another trip was made to visit Breding in Forsvik. This time to pick up the pressure part of a new boiler I had purchased for the boat. Other good stuff was included in the deal such as a very nice Mollerups mechanical lubricator to supply cylinder oil for the engine. Currently (2022) the project is estimated to be 75% complete.

Mary Ann

Status: Steaming

Owner: Matthew McGregor

Area: UK-Thames

Plant fitted by builder, (originally with Stuart ‘Cygnet’ built K Moore). First steamed June 1981 on L.& L. Canal. Commissioned by Alan Appleton, 1983 to Mike Crumpton, later Malcolm Proud, acquired late 1989. 1981-82 engine fitted in small launch WREN. 2005 In storage. Has not steamed for 10 years. Purchased by Matthew McGregor (London) in June 2019.

Mary Jane

Status: Sold

Owner: Unknown

Area: UK-South West

Fitted out as a steamer by Arthur Fildes, Windermere, with Stuart Turner ‘S’ type engine. Later owned L.D. Goldsmith, c1972 N. Cole, Sidmouth. c1977 Anthony Jennings, Falmouth. 1987 to John and Roger Quarmby, laid up 1991-2000. Acquired March 2000.

Mary Jane

Status: Undergoing restoration

Owner: Paul Andrews

Mary Jane was built as a tender in about 1885 by Guy and Sons of Cowes. Unknown whereabouts until fitted out as a steamer by Arthur Fildes, Windermere. Later owned by L.D. Goldsmith. c1972 N.Cole, Sidmouth. c1977 Anthony Jennings, Falmouth. 1987 to John and Roger Quarmby, laid up 1991-2000. Laid up with unnamed West Sussex owner, then acquired by current owner 2006, laid up since.

Mayflower

Status: Active use

Owner: Bristol Museums and Art Gallery (M-Shed)

Website: https://www.bristolmuseums.org.uk/m-shed/whats-on/mayflower-rides/

Area: UK-South West

The Mayflower is believed to be the oldest working tug in the world and marked her 160th birthday in 2021. 1861 Built on a slip adjacent to Pools Wharf in Bristol harbour (https://maps.app.goo.gl/7HgmNmGFvPGBW3Ft5) for Timothy Hadley, a towage contractor to Gloucester & Berkeley Canal Co. Initially she largely towed trains of small vessels such as trows and ketches between Sharpness and Gloucester. 1874 Sharpness New Docks & Gloucester & Birmingham Nav. Co. usually towing larger steamers one at a time. 1890s Modified with higher bulwarks to make her suitable for use on the river Severn, eventually working every part of the river from Worcester to Chepstow. 1948 British Waterways Board. Occupied as a mudding barge towing mud hopper barges filled by the dredging of the sharpness canal to the discharge point. She returned to ship-towing in the winter of 1963-64 when the canal froze and the diesel tugs had difficulty working in the cold. 1964 Withdrawn from service and sold for scrap in 1967. 1967 Consortium led by Anthony H Barrett Great Wyrley purchased Mayflower to conserve her. She was scuttled in Gloucester dock by vandals in the late 70s and was in poor condition when re-floated. 1981 Acquired for preservation, by the Bristol Museum of Technology. Restored 1982-7, first re-steamed Sept 1987. She is now on display at the M-Shed, part of Bristol Museums, and available for trips around Bristol Harbour: https://www.bristolmuseums.org.uk/m-shed/whats-on/mayflower-rides/

Mazeppa

Status: Steaming

Owner: Graham Clark

Area: UK

Built new for Adrian Birtles in 2009, 'Mazeppa' passed to Mark Rudall in 2017 and was mainly used on the River Wey navigations or the Thames. Sold in July 2023 she is now based in the York area under the ownership of Dr Graham Clark.

Medway Queen

Owner: Medway Queen Preservation Society

Website: http://www.medwayqueen.co.uk/

Area: UK

New to the New Medway Steam Packet Co. Ltd. in 1924. Wartime use as a minesweeper 1939-46. Returned to excursion service in 1947. Withdrawn September 1963. Taken to the Isle of Wight as marina clubhouse/nightclub 1966-1974. Returned to River Medway in derelict condition in 1984. Acquired by Medway Queen Preservation Society in 1987, Rebuilt in Bristol with lottery funding; 2009-2013 Now fitting out at Gillingham Pier ME7 1RX Contact: info@medwayqueen.co.uk See www.medwayqueen.co.uk for public visiting hours and volunteering opportunities

Melisande

Owner: Unknown

Area: UK-North

New launch, commenced 1980 at Todmorden, fitted out and plant installed by first owner David Strong 1985, first steamed July 1986. Acquired 1996, completely rebuilt and refitted by owners 1997. Engine formerly in SCYLLA OF MESSINA, restored by Alan Howarth, Feb. 2000. Thought to have been sold around 2004 - KJS

Melissa

Status: Steaming

Owner: Ian Bucknall

Area: UK South East

Bare hull aquired 2000 and fitted out by former owner Malcolm Gwyn Thomas who refined operation of steam plant and boat during subsequent years. Acquired by present owner in 2015.

Merganser

Status: Undergoing renovation

Owner: Roger Dunstan & David Cairncross

Area: UK

Built for previous owner Edward Paget-Tomlinson, plant installed by Roger Mallinson, first steamed July 1981. Acquired by Peter Turvey June1990. Laid up summer 2009 awaiting reboilering. Acquired by David Cairncross and Roger Dunstan in 2022. Refurbishment ongoing with intended relaunch in 2024 New boiler pressure vessel manufactured and installed by Steamwell Boilers of Chew Stoke 2023

Merlin

Owner: P. Livet

Website: http://www.midship22.blogspot.com

Area: France

Originally fitted with a Stuart Turner petrol engine (R3M 1½ BHP single cylinder). Fitted out as a steamer in 1987 by owner Martin Clarke named WHISPER. Acquired by R.J.Oldenshaw in 1993 and named CHAKO VI. Fresh engine (Cygnet) fitted 1994. Approx miles steamed, 1993 - 72; 1994 - 204; 1995 - 110; 1996 - 150; 1997 - 83;1998 - 95. 2002- 20; 2003- 50; 2004- 50; 2005- restoration. Aquired by Patrice Livet in 2004 and renamed MERLIN. Steam plant refitted in 2005.

Meteorite

Status: Steaming

Owner: M.J. Robinson

Area: UK-Chiltern

All built new and plant installed by builder to first owner Adrian Birtle’s requirements, first steamed SBA Brecon regatta 15 May 1982. Steamed each year since. (SSR 39416). Acquired 1993 by Brian Cooke. Acquired July 1995, steamed each year since. 1982-4 fitted with SLS ‘Slogga’ engine No.2

Michelle

Owner: Mike Bell

Area: UK-South West

Original boat design and concept by Mike Bell with lofting drawings and calculations by Paul Fisher. Sister launch "Etna" built by Roger Heise. Michelle launched 7th September 2017 Bristol

Midship

Owner: T. Febvret

Website: http://www.midship22.blogspot.com

Area: France

Hull bought in UK, found on Ebay, previously fitted with a Stuart petrol engine. clinkers replaced by Chantier Naval de la Passagère (Brittany, on river Rance). Deck and interior fitted out by owner. Re launched in july 2010

Millie

Owner: D. Moore

Area: UK-Midlands

Bare hull acquired January 2000 from John Tilley, fully restored and steam plant installed by owner, for completion April 2000. First year fitted with 2¾" x 2½" sv, SLRG single. See: Funnel 109

Minnow

Status: Steaming

Owner: D. Biss

Area: UK-South West

Steam plant removed 1996 & boiler re-used in Agenoria. Purchased Nov 1999 by Dave Biss & original engine re-installed with new boiler. 2021 boiler retubed & engine/pumps overhauled. Pending return to steam.

Mischief (S.C.438)

Status: Steaming

Owner: Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust

Area: UK-Solent

Built as Admiralty Cutter No.438, appropriated to HMS ESPIÈGLE, then hospital ship HMHS MAINE. With the Maine she was used to support British troops in both the Boer War (Durban & Capetown) and the Boxer Rebellion in China, then based for many years in the Mediterranean. Shortly before war was declared in 1914 the Maine was wrecked on Mull on the west coast of Scotland. S.C. 438 was recovered and sent to Portsmouth Dockyard. She was decommissioned in the 1920s and converted to a motor cruiser. c1974 derelict hull acquired by Dr Roger Stevens, repaired and new steam plant fitted c.1987, though not as original. Acquired by Peter and Tim Hollins 1999. Original design drawings, specification and steam trial records found and cutter restored by owners to original configuration. Engine replaced with one identical to original, at the Maritime Workshop, Gosport. Cutter recommissioned Portsmouth Harbour 2008. Given to Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust Dec 2021 to join the historic naval boats collection, and based at Boathouse 4, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.

Miss Fire

Status: Steaming

Owner: R. Coles

Area: UK

The boat was originally built by Maurice Popplestone, then sold to S.Culling (1988). Originally named ACTAEON it was acquired by Nicholas Lancaster as a bare hull in 1997 for intended use on the Lancaster Canal and renamed Miss Fire. Under his ownership it was fitted out with the current boiler and engine, to operate on gas (propane) although to the best of my knowledge, it was only test steamed for boiler certificate and to check general operation. It was acquired by Richard Coles in 2006, but although floated on the water to check the integrity of the hull and stern gland, was not steamed. Between 2006 and 2018 the boat was laid up but received various phases of refitting, in particular, to modify the gas container and burner to bring them up to the required standard, plus some internal work to improve storage. Subsequently the propshaft arrangements were upgraded to include a more effective stuffing box, a more efficient greaser, an additional intermediate bearing added to support the prop shaft, plus turning the engine through 180 degrees to make more secure mounting to propshaft via a flexible coupling. Other engine components moved for ease of operation. Boiler re-tested and steamed in 2019. Following experience gained in 2019, the decision was made to convert to a Lune Valley burner fuelled by paraffin, conversion taking place in 2020 with a notable improvement in boiler performance (see Funnel187)

Missfire

Status: Fettling needed

Owner: Mark Williams

Area: UK-Cambridgeshire

Built by Borwick Boats of Bowness-on-Windermere in 1955 for the Bowness Bay Marina Boat Hire, as a clinker built wooden hull on frames, it was fitted with an inboard Stuart 2-stroke petrol engine made by Mike Smith of Fleetwood. As "Boat No 5" of their hire fleet, it doubtless served them well as it remained with them until 1996. Purchased in 1996 by a Lake Warden (John Wood, 1936-2014) on Windermere, she was renamed "Swan Song" and used as "Ferry Tender No 1936" by him, with the original engine used until an outboard was fitted (presumably when the original expired), until 2001. Nick Lancaster of Fleetwood then acquired her and embarked on a full refurbishment of the hull, including the addition of striped mahogany topsides, and conversion to steam power by removing the original engine and fitting the current steam boiler and engine. Renamed by Nick as "Missfire", unfortunate health issues intervened and two friends, Roger Squires and Jim Booth, acquired her in 2016 to complete final finishing work. They did so in April 2017, when "Missfire" was tested/approved by C J Davies of the SBA; accompanied by Nick, "Missfire" was successfully returned to water in August 2017 at Lake Coniston. This revealed that some fettling was needed to the drive coupling arrangement, but loss of storage meant that time was against them. Hence, a new custodian was sought and she was acquired by Mark Williams in September 2017, with whom she now resides in Buckden, Cambridgeshire. Fettling over the winter should see her take to the River Great Ouse come spring in 2018.

Monarch

Owner: R.G. Murray

Area: UK-North West

Built at a 70' steamer for builder’s own fleet. At first fired with a VTC engine and RT boiler, 1925 converted motor with Bolinder semi-diesel. 1992 restored to steam by B. Herbert, hull shortened by 10' to fit Yorkshire canal system. Acquired April 1995.

Monarch

Status: Steaming

Owner: Noel Donnelly

Website: http://www.paddlers31.freeserve.co.uk/monarch/index.htm

Area: UK-South East

Intended as river bus on River Stour. First owner Brian Waters. Aquired 2007 by Matthew O’Crowley and Ian Rees. Based at Cowes, IoW. Sold to Morwellham Quay 2010. Sold to N Donnelly 2012. Now running on the River Frome in Dorset. Based at Wareham.

Mudlark

Owner: the late D.J. Harding

Area: UK-West Midlands

‘Fisherboat’ double ended fishing boat hull, fitted out and plant installed by owner and Jim Calder. First steamed 1976. Steamed most years since. Engine formerly in Leeds & Liverpool Canal launch DART, much rebuilt.

Myra

Owner: Ramsgate Harbour Museum Trust

Area: Europe

Designed by J. E. Wilkins, new to W. H. Mackenzie, converted motor 1920. Acquired Oct 1977, restored and new plant fitted by Peter Darby 1979. Reputed to have been displayed at Paris Marine Exhibition 1903-4. Acquired July 1999. Ref: Funnel 15. 1893-1920 fitted with Mumford 30 IHP comp. (1979-1990 fitted with a 3 drum WTB). Reported to be at Goodchilds Marina, Burgh Castle, Norfolk in 2006.

Mythical Maid

Status: No longer a Steamer - Converted to Electric

Owner: P. Sutcliffe

Area: UK-Thames

On River Thames most of life, fitted out as a steamer 1960’s owned S.W. Brown, Newbury. 1986-7 owned M. Bristow, Tetbury. Acquired 1987, re-fitted. Steamed each year since.