Name Lady Charlotte

1.      What is the vessel’s ability to demonstrate history in her physical fabric?

Evidence for designs, functions, techniques, processes, styles, customs and habits or uses and associations in relation to events and people.  How early, intact or rare these features are may impact on significance.

LADY CHARLOTTE is a saloon launch of steel clinker construction, with plating on wrought iron frames, held together with steel rivets. She underwent reconstruction work in 1994 when her hull was rebuilt, a saloon house was fitted aft, and a canopy was installed over the forward sitting area. She was originally powered by a petrol / paraffin engine, and following conservation, she was fitted with an inboard steam reciprocating 2-cylinder 30 horsepower engine (built by A.G. Mumford of Colchester), and a locomotive side-firing coal boiler (built by David Curwen and Peter Lewis Engineering, Devizes in 1980). Further conservation work was undertaken in 2009 with new frames welded in and three-quarters of the original plates being re-used. Concrete in her bilges was replaced with epoxy concrete. She was later converted from steam to electric and now has a 12 kw electric motor.

2.      What are the vessel’s associational links for which there is no physical evidence?

Associations with people or places.  Off-ship research.

LADY CHARLOTTE has strong associations to the North-West, being built by James Crichton & Co. of Saltney, Cheshire for use as a passenger launch on the River Dee.  She was operated by the Dee Steamboat Co. (later Bithells Ltd of Chester) who had exclusive rights to one of her destinations, Eaton Hall, the Duke of Westminster’s country house on the River Dee. She was named after one of the Duke’s most successful racehorses, FLYING FOX.  During the First World War, she was one of the vessels used to provide trips for wounded soldiers who were recuperating at the Hall.   After passing through a number of owners in the Bristol and Bath area, she returned to the River Dee in 2008, once again operating as a saloon launch for passenger excursions, before being sold into private ownership where her name was changed.  LADY CHARLOTTE has been recorded on the National Register of Historic Vessels since 1996 and is part of the National Historic Fleet.

3.      How does the vessel’s shape or form combine and contribute to her function?

Overall aesthetic impact of the vessel, her lines, material she was built from and her setting.  Does she remain in her working environment?

LADY CHARLOTTE is an elegant craft with a clipper bow, a counter stern and single deck.  She was able to carry 48 passengers under a canvas awning, making her fit for river excursions.  She still presents a graceful appearance and is a much admired sight when gliding through the water, with her rounded transom raked aft, raked bow, varnished wood cabin and navy blue hull. The cabin sides are finished with a gentle curve, and the roof is linked to the coamings. She is now based at a mooring on Wargrave Road at Henley on Thames, where she is engaged as a river day boat. Although no longer located in her region of origin, she continues to operate as per her intended use, carrying passengers on the river.

Source: NHS-UK team, 04 April 2017. Updated in Aug 2023 with corrections from owner.

This statement was developed as part of the Heritage Lottery funded First World War project. http://www.ww1britainssurvivingvessels.org.uk/