Hero

Status: Dismantled - Converted to Electric

Owner: N.D. Thomson

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

Area: UK-Thames

Hull

Open Launch. Construction: Carvel teak on steamed oak ribs.
Built 1895 by Andrews? at Maidenhead
LOA: 35' 0", LWL: 27' 0", Beam: 5' 8", Draft: 2' 0",
Clipper bow, counter stern, varnished with gold line, marine ply and mahogany canopy on 10 brass stanchions.

Boiler

Locomotive type Built 1998 by D.& S. Steam Engineering Ltd. at Raunds, Northants
Fuel: Coal, Pressure: 200 psi, Grate area: 1.6 sqft,
Buffalo injector and feed pump driven from end of crank via three to one reduction gear. Air pump of Simpson Strickland type driven from cross head on low-pressure cylinder. Side fired. Similar to boiler designed by Brian Smith for "Arlette" boiler barrel 16" diameter, 25 off 1" id boiler tubes 17" long. Overall length 36". Keel c. Blower only used occasionally.

Engine

Propeller

3 blades, 20" X 28"
Shaft: 1" Stainless Steel

History

First named Avondale and probably built as an electric launch at the end of the 19th century by Andrews of Maidenhead. She is reported to have been at the Cookham regatta in 1901 and was definitely propelled by electricity in 1912. By 1969 she had been converted to a petrol engine and was purchased by C.J.Sterling and restored with the help of Tom Trevethick and converted to steam using a Merryweather boiler, in this form she appeared in The Onedin Line and King Edward VII television series. Mr Sterling sold the launch to John Players ltd who replaced the Merryweather boiler with an oil fired scotch dry back boiler of considerable complexity it even had an ignition key. John Players used SL Hero for advertising purposes visiting regattas all over the country. SL Hero was obtained by Nigel Thomson and his late wife Anna in 1996; the boiler was replaced with a side fired loco boiler designed by Brian Smith. In 2007 Hero was put into Stanley and Thomas's yard at Windsor for work to be done on the hull project costs escalated to the point where all enjoyment had vanished from the project and the hull was sold to Rupert Laitham who returned the hull to electric propulsion. She is currently for sale (summer 2014) at Hambledon Boat Sales looking magnificent.

St Catherine's Lock