Waterlily is a steam launch designed, built and used by the Thornycroft family. It then remained in use on the Thames until after World War II and took part in the Festival of Britain celebrations in 1951. Although its steam plant was removed in 1919, it was restored and re-installed in 1977-78 when Waterlily was restored by apprentices of Vosper Thornycroft (UK) Ltd.
Built in 1866, Waterlily is a very good example of an early luxury steam launch. The boat retains most of its original features: the construction is a longitudinal system, consisting of five deep web frames or bulkheads with intermediate floors and three longitudinal stiffening angles each side riveted to the plating. The plating itself is laid clinker fashion with riveted lap joints. This structure was an early pioneer of the form used in constructing the larger Vosper Thornycroft steel patrol boats.
During Waterlily’s restoration one third of its wrought iron plates were replaced with mild steel as the original Swedish iron was no longer obtainable, although care was taken to make the riveted lap seams correctly, with calico impregnated with red lead.
Dimensions:
Length 12.8m
Beam 2.13m
Draft 0.5m
