Name Esperance

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

ESPERANCE was built by T B Seath at Rutherglen for the great industrialist HW Schneider and was constructed of the highest grade iron produced by his own companies. The riveting was countersunk to give an entirely smooth finish to the outside of the hull. She was transported to Windermere in 1870 where, after operating on the lake for more than 50 years, her engines were removed when she was sold to become a houseboat in the 1920s. Whilst ESPERANCE has not now steamed for more than 80 years, she has managed to retain the distinctive appearance of a grand mid-Victorian lake yacht from her pre-houseboat days which denotes her significance.

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

ESPERANCE was brought by train to Windermere and the double railway track had to be specially singled under the bridges to let her through. She became H W Schneider’s personal luxury water taxi and was used to take him from home to the rail head at Furness on a daily basis. From 1870 to 1887, ESPERANCE was owned by Sir Kenneth Crossley, then going on to convey visitors and locals to the Ferry Hotel for afternoon tea from 1900. She later achieved popular recognition as Captain Flint’s houseboat in Arthur Ransome’s children’s novel Swallows and Amazons.

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

ESPERANCE has a wrought iron hull which was thought to have been originally powered by two steam engines. However, it is now thought more likely she had a single steam engine driving two propeller shafts. There are two 19th C patents which evidence this.  As she was designed for use in all weathers, her bow is heavily raked to break light ice on the lake, she was well suited for use as a luxury steam launch for a wealthy owner.

Source: George Hogg, Registration Sub Committee, National Historic Ships Date: May 2011, amended with updates Aug 2023