Name: GondolaCertificate number: 30 |
Status:Function:Sub Functional Area:Type:Saloon Launch Location:Coniston Water, Cumbria, England Current use:Commercial trade
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Web address
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/gondola
Builder
- 1858, Jones and Quiggin, Liverpool,
History
Commissioned in 1859 for the Furness Railway Company, she was built as a steam yacht of iron and steel construction to attract visitors to Coniston Water in the Lake District. After entering the passenger service in 1860 she continued until her retirement in 1936.
She re-emerged as a houseboat until the 1960s when a storm left her beached and derelict. In the mid 1970s, a group of National Trust enthusiasts decided to raise her. She was rebuilt in 1979 by Vickers Shipbuilding Group, Barrow with an engine by Locomotion Enterprise, Gateshead.
In 1980, 120 years after her first launch, she re-entered service on Coniston Water.
These brief histories are compiled from details supplied by vessel owners and enthusiasts and from various reference works. National Historic Ships would be grateful for any corrections of facts or additional information for inclusion. Please contact ron.ellis@nationalhistoricships.org.uk
Subsequent developments
None notified, please let us know if you have any additional information.
Previous names
Bibliography
- Brouwer, Norman J, 1993, International Register of Historic Ships, pp. 152, Edition: 2, Anthony Nelson
- 1994, Steamboat Register: An illustrated Register of surviving steam vessels in the British Isles, May, Edition: 6, Steam Boat Association of Great Britain