Steam toy

Last week, after the second helping of HenyVI, we were strolling along Kingston's Riverside Walk when we spotted and snapped, on the other side of the river, what looked like the once elegant, now shabby, steam launch 'Enchantress'. More or less opposite the Comptoir Libanais. The sort of thing that would be rather splendid on Lake Windemere or Loch Lomond.

My snap no good, so I offer this one from the steamboat register, from which I learn that the boat was built electric. The full details given being: 'Built as electric launch for River Thames, converted motor 1910, sold to Henry Miller, Oulton Broad as a trip boat, renamed VISCOUNTESS BURY, 1923 to Leo Robinson, Oulton Board, renamed ENCHANTRESS after complaints by owner of the 1888 VISCOUNTESS BURY. Holiday cruiser on Broads to 1962, 1971 sold as wreck to Frank Bell, Cambridge. Acquired 1978 by Ian Ford restoration completed and steam plant fitted 1990, first steamed summer 1990. Acquired October 1999. Engine formerly in ANTHRACITE 1973-6 and VICEROY for short period'. A chequered history. And a fake.

Wikipedia says that at the time this launch was built, electric with (car) batteries was more common than steam and internal combustion together for this class of boat.

Must have been handsome in its varnished hey-day, but I guess the maintenance is heavy. Not to mention mooring. Too much if all one wants is a boat for family cruising. And maybe too old and too small for the modern tripping market.