The Lady of the Lake at Glenridding on Ullswater
History
Red Ensign (UK)United Kingdom
NameMY Lady of the Lake
OwnerUllswater 'Steamers' and predecessors
RouteUllswater
BuilderT.B. Seath & Co.
Launched1877
General characteristics
TypeMotor Yacht (ex-Steam Yacht)
Tonnage43 (gross)
Length96.95 feet (29.55 m)
Beam14.75 feet (4.50 m)
Draught2.39 feet (0.73 m)
PropulsionDiesel
Capacity110 Passengers

The MY Lady of the Lake is a passenger vessel operating for Ullswater 'Steamers' on the lake of Ullswater in the English Lake District, where she has spent her entire working life. She was built in 1877 as a steam vessel, but converted to diesel power in 1936. She is believed to be the oldest working passenger ferry in the world, and is a member of the National Historic Fleet.[1][2][3]

The Lady of the Lake has a length of 96.95 feet (29.55 m), a beam of 14.75 feet (4.50 m) and a draught of 2.39 feet (0.73 m). Her gross tonnage is 43, and she can carry 200 passengers.[4][5]

History

The M.Y. Lady of the Lake was ordered by the Ullswater Steam Navigation Company, a predecessor of the current owners, to a design by Douglas Henson of Penrith. She was built by T.B. Seath & Co. at Rutherglen near Glasgow, transported in three sections by rail to Penrith, and thence by horse drays to Waterside near Pooley Bridge. She was assembled on the slipway at Waterside and launched on 26 June 1877.[1][2][3][4][6]

In 1881 the Lady of the Lake sank at her moorings but was re-floated by a team of divers. In 1936 she was converted from steam to diesel power. The vessel sank again in 1950 in a severe storm, but was again re-floated. In 1965 the vessel was badly damaged by fire and was out of service for 14 years, before being restored and reengined. She was re-launched on 19 May 1979 by William Whitelaw.[1][2][3][4]

Gallery

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to MY Lady of the Lake.
  1. ^ a b c Gladwell, Andrew (30 March 2011). "Ullswater". Lakeland Steamers. Amberley Publishing. ISBN 9781445600291.
  2. ^ a b c "Our Fleet". Ullswater 'Steamers'. Archived from the original on 13 June 2016. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
  3. ^ a b c Brown, Paul (2013). Historic Ships: The Survivors. Amberley Publishing. ISBN 9781445620060.
  4. ^ a b c "Lady of the Lake". National Historic Ships UK. Archived from the original on 15 July 2016. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
  5. ^ "Charter Pack". Ullswater 'Steamers'. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
  6. ^ "History of Ullswater 'Steamers'". Ullswater 'Steamers'. Archived from the original on 10 July 2015. Retrieved 25 July 2015.


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