Details
Construction
Dimensions
History
HOTSPUR was built at Cowes, Isle of Wight, by M E Ratsey in 1874 as a gentleman’s yacht. She was built with 2.5” Burma teak planks for the hull and lined grown oak frames. Her first owner was T Steven of Glasgow. HOTSPUR was based on the River Clyde for at least 20 years.
In 1902, she was purchased by Sir D Clerk. It sailed the world’s oceans until it was laid up in a mud berth at the start of the First World War, in1914. It has stayed in the same position ever since, being at West Mersea for 110 years and being used as a Houseboat.
Most of the below cabins and saloons are all as original. It was used as a holiday let since 2010 but was left to fall into disrepair, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
When purchased by her current owners in 2021, HOTSPUR was needing 11 bilge pumps at every tide to stop it from flooding. The current owners’ intention has been to prolong HOTSPUR’s life and, since working on the repairs to the vessel, she only needs one bilge pump and it is floating again at high tides, as of 2025.
Key dates
-
1874
Built by M E Ratsey of Cowes, Isle of Wight, for T Steven of Glasgow
-
1902
Purchased by Sir D Clerk of London
-
1906
Purchased by J Workman of Belfast
-
1909
Purchased by A E Marvin of Cowes, Isle of Wight
-
1910
Purchased by R Collins of London
-
1914
Purchased by Mrs H Dudgeon of Dublin. Sometime this year, HOTSPUR was laid up in a mud berth in West Mersea, Essex
-
2010
Began being used as a holiday let
-
2021
Purchased by her current owners, who are working to repair and restore the vessel and prolong HOTSPUR's life
Own this vessel?
If you are the owner of this vessel and would like to provide more details or updated information, please contact info@nationalhistoricships.org.uk
More like this
Registered, built 1906 by Thomas, W E, Falmouth
Registered, built 1896 by Forrestt & Sons Ltd, Wivenhoe
Registered, built 1929 by Burt, R S
