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boatbird
19-10-2007, 17:38
Steam or Diesel...

I am looking for photos, information or anything about this class of boat.

Reason?

My other half and I live on an ex-Admiralty Harbour Launch (Steam) :D

She was built in 1912 at Rowhedge Ironworks in Colchester, Essex. We believe her service number to be HL174 or HL175- and we believe her to be the oldest of her type left. There is another HL(S) known as Puffin (HSL256) that still has her original steam power plant- Transmare was converted around 1943-1949 when she was sold out of service.

There was an article written by Nick Hall (?) that appeared in MBY magazine published in 1996 (?) that can be seen at http://www.pointfarm.co.uk/boatforsale/
but there is precious little else out there!

Transmare can be seen at
http://picasaweb.google.com/katcress/transmare and http://transmare.dragonflyriver.com

She was written about in the latest magazine for the Rowhedge Regatta and I had a letter published in MBY magazine in July this year.

I am looking for photos, plans, personal stories- anything to do with this class of boat!
She is similar in design to a pinnace (and was sold to us as such) but the differences are noticeable- and she is 52.5' long.....

Can anyone help?
Thank you!
Kathryn

Alan B
20-10-2007, 17:27
Hello Kathryn
You've certainly done a good job on her, she looks good. A similar job was done on one of the old Gosport to Portsmouth steam ferries. She is now over the other side of the world as a sailing yacht. The only way she can be recognised is by her hull.
These photos I took just the other day of one of the Pompey HL/Pinnaces with just the wheelhouse enlarged. The other I took a few years ago of a preserved steam HL/Pinnace in Pompey harbour.
Regards
Alan