Summer 2007

An event-filled summer at the Windermere Steamboat Museum

The big boat lift operation began on September 3rd this year. The oldest and most delicate boat Dolly was the first to be lifted, and her trolley itself was placed in the water so she could be brought out of the lake on it to avoid putting undue strain on her hull. This meant that one of the boat-builders working on the operation had to don full diving gear in order to secure her on the trolley underwater! Each of the engines and boilers were removed from the boats whilst in the water and were then stripped down, cleaned and preserved. The rest of the boats followed Dolly out of the water, with clear skies and still days meaning the operation finished ahead of schedule. Our National Heritage Memorial Fund monitor was able to be with us for the beginning of the lift operation, and he – like everyone else – was very pleased with progress.

With the boats securely in their temporary new storage building, and their machinery neatly arranged in what was the Museum reception and shop area, the Trust has an opportunity to give people a glimpse of the collection as it awaits restoration. The boats look very different out of the water, mounted on large trolleys with their weight resting on wooden supports rather than on the water. Their hulls are fully visible and it is now possible to see the differences in shape, build and structure between them more easily.

All of the boats and their machinery are closely monitored and have been surveyed by specialists since being taken out of the water.  All the surveys have reported that the collection is stable and doing well and our specialist advisors are very happy with their condition.