Lady Lena | National Historic Ships

Registration number 38

Status Registered

a12admin

Previous names

Silver Stream

Details

Function Leisure Craft

Subfunction Launch

Location Bathampton

Vessel type Open Launch

Current use Commercial Activity

Available to hire Yes

Available for excursions Yes

Web address https://theladylena.co.uk/

Construction

Builder Burgoine, C & A, Hampton Wick

Built in 1890

Hull material Wood

Rig None

Number of decks 1

Propulsion Steam

Number of engines 1

Primary engine type Steam

Boiler type Fire Tube

Boilermaker Bennet of Bristol

Boiler year 1999

Boiler fuel gas

Dimensions

Breadth: Beam

6.50 feet (1.98m)

Depth

2.00 feet (0.61m)

Length: Overall

41.60 feet (12.69m)

Tonnage: Gross

2.00

History

LADY LENA, an electric launch, was built by Burgoine's at Kingston on Thames in 1891 for the Immitch Fleet and used until 1911. She then moved to Bedford and was renamed SILVER STREAM. Her saloon was removed c. 1920.

Abandoned in the 1960s and restored in the 1980s by the present owner. An engine fitted in 1985 is believed to have been built by T Clarkson, Chelmsford, date unknown. The boiler was built around 1942 by Merryweather & Co, Greenwich. The hull was restored by Terry Hardwick at Bath between 1980-2. The plant was fitted by owner in 1982-3. She was re bibbed in 1997 - 1998 with oak.

LADY LENA was reconverted back to electric propulsion in 2004 and refitted with a saloon. She has been in continuous use as a private charter boat since 2008 and is still based at Bathampton on the Kennet and Avon Canal.

Key dates

1891
Built by Burgoine's at Kingston on Thames in 1891
1911
Renamed Silver Stream
1946
Heavily restored
1970
Found derelict at Bedford in 1970
1980
Fully restored
1997
Re-ribbed

Sources

Steamboat Register: An illustrated Register of surviving steam vessels in the British Isles (May Edition 6, 1994) pub: Steam Boat Association of Great Britain