Small dinghies became fashionable on the River Thames after the First World War. Compared to the traditional gigs and skiffs associated with Edwardian river outings, dinghies were lighter, handier, and easier to build.
Also, at a time when there were very few professional boatmen employed, these small boats were more easily maintained by their owners, many of whom in the 1920s were building bungalows along the river, complete with boathouses.
Katharine Louise is a fine example of its type, and was used for many years at Clifton Hampden. It was built by Turks of Cookham, c.1920, and is in almost original condition with very little restoration. It was rowed by one or two crew, with a pair of oars each, and steered by a rudder controlled from the stern.
Length 3.48m
Beam 1.24m
Draft 0.23m
