Silkie

Status: Steaming

Owner: David & David Colley

Area: UK-Midlands

Hull

Open Launch. Construction: GRP.
Hull model: Frolic 18 designed by Rupert Latham
Built 1985 by Steam & Electric Launch Co.
Fit out by Steam & Electric Launch Co.
LOA: 18' 0", Beam: 4' 8",

Boiler

Lune Valley type 2-drum WT Built 2010
Fuel: Coal, Pressure: 125 psi,
Steel drum(s). 0 Cunifer tubes. Steel Drum, Cunifer tubes, bolted ends construction,
Crosshead driven fp and hand fp. Keel cond. Water tube 15 litres capacity. A copy of the boiler in ‘Lightning’ built by Brian Smith

Engine

Propeller

3 blades, 14" X 20"

History

Built for first owner, Colin Speers as ‘ALIWAL’and sailed on the River Thames. Acquired by John R. Froud and David S. Williams of Bradford on Avon1991. Acquired by present owner in June 2000 and sailed all years since. Original Newton Coil boiler failed inspection 2002 and was replaced. Anthony Cazaleat bought Silkie in 2010 from Noel Donnelly after and advertisement in Funnel. A single cylinder engine was fitted. As she was going to steam in Poole harbour it needed a condensing system. After a bit the engine was not working and Noel replaced it with a Stuart single, again this was not a success. About 4/5 years ago Noel found the compound engine presently fitted. He did not know who made it. Sold in 2023 to father and son, David and David and stored in the East Midlands.

(Geoff Newton) Loch Lomond 2005