Registration number 742
Status Registered
a12admin

Previous names

  • 1951 - 1969 Josan

Details

Function Leisure Craft
Subfunction Yacht
Location Shepperton
Vessel type Motor Yacht
Current use Commercial Activity
Available to hire No
Available for excursions No

Construction

Builder Brooke, J W & Co Ltd, Lowestoft
Built in 1929
Hull material Wood
Rig None
Number of decks 1
Number of masts 1
Propulsion Motor
Number of engines 2
Primary engine type Diesel
Boiler type None
Boilermaker None

Dimensions

Breadth: Beam
11.08 feet (3.38m)
Depth
3.61 feet (1.10m)
Length: Overall
52.26 feet (15.94m)
Tonnage: Gross
24.00

History

Built in 1929 by J. W. Brooke & Co. Limited of Lowestoft, ST JOAN is a twin screw day yacht. The hull is carvel built of Canadian redwood on steamed oak and elm frames and the decks are yellow pine. The engines are twin 6 cylinder Cummins made in 1995. Her first owner was Nigel Guinness. In her early years, she attracted much attention and was the subject of many articles in seagoing magazines. She was mentioned for her speed and roomy interior – her original engines were Brooke twin 100 hp. She was sold to P. N. Christie in 1934, sold on to F .H. Hayworth who, in turn, sold her in 1937.

In 1940, she was taken over for Air Sea Rescue work and, in 1942, was purchased outright by the Ministry of War Transport and remained in their ownership until 1948 when she was bought by H. B. Fletcher. Subsequently her history is less certain. There were many changes of ownership and she was named JOSAN from 1951 to 1969.

By 1990, once again as ST JOAN, she was in a locked basin at Stourport and was lifted out and taken back to Norfolk for restoration by South River Marine of St Olaves. She has been restored very closely to the original design, incorporating modern equipment. In 2003 she won the Penton Hook Trophy at the 26th Thames Traditional Boat Rally at Henley for best restoration to original design.

ST JOAN took part in the Nelson Flotilla on the River Thames on 16th September 2005 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Lord Nelson's funeral.

 

Key dates

  • 2012

    Vessel selected for  Queen's Diamond Jubilee Pageant on 3 June 2012

  • 2018

    National Historic Ships UK's National Flagship for 2018.

Sources

Classic Boat: From Norwich to the North Sea, August 1998
Motor Boat and Yachting: St Joan, October 1996
Classic Boat: St Joan - Air-sea rescue saviour, January 2019

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

RAZORBILL

Registered, built 1912 by Thornycroft, J I & Co Ltd, Hampton

port side view

Registered, built 1936 by Miller, James N & Son Ltd, St Monans

Chico in Tobermory Bay - 2024 Photo Comp

Registered, built 1932 by Miller, James N & Son Ltd, St Monans

Llys Helig - raised

Registered, built 1922 by Thornycroft, J I & Co Ltd, Woolston, Southampton