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53 Posts
As previously mentioned, my father owned the MTB Ariel. Now I have recently found an invoice for mooring charges dated September 1953. He was charge £2. 2s 6p per week plus an additional 1/- a week for water.
CUBITTS YACHT BASIN- Chiswick Lon W4 - merged thread
41 - 60 of 107 Posts
Amazon at Cubitt's Yacht Basin
What a fascinating forum!
Stephen Lowe (Arthur Lowe's son) says that immediately after his father bought Amazon 'We carried load after load of detritus to a bonfire that smouldered for ten days. The old boat rose in the water by an inch every day that we worked.
That bonfire would have been in about September 1968, if that helps at all. Would that make sense to you?
Pappag, your photographs of Cubitt's Yacht Basin are wonderfully evocative of the era. I was particularly delighted to see the one showing Amazon's after deckhouse still in place as the Lowes removed it. I have sent you a personal message.
It is interesting to read the personal memories of the Basin at the time; the place looks quite different today (see: http://www.chiswickquay.com/ , if you haven't already).
Arthur Lowe bought Amazon as a houseboat, but then decided to put her back to sea; indeed, his surveyor had remarked 'This vessel is in remarkably good condition for her age' (she was built in 1885 by Tankerville Chamberlayne at his private yacht yard); she still is. Looking at the survey reports of the work that was done during her refurbishment from 1969 - 1971, there is very little structural repair involved, so she had really been saved for posterity by her years as a houseboat at Cubitt's Yacht Basin.
I hope you will be pleased to know that Amazon is still going strong at 126 years young and has re-crossed the Atlantic from Newfoundland to Ireland in August.
She has come quite a long way from her days at Cubitt's Yacht Basin in the 1960s.
Please keep these memories and pictures flowing.
What a fascinating forum!
Hello boat.nick, the burning you were woken by as a child must have been just after Arthur Lowe bought Amazon, as it is clear from the surveys of the time that she had no fire damage herself (or repairs to fire damage).the fan tailed boat ex steam sailing vessell you saw was the Amazon which, as a child was woken to the sound of burning wood, however Arthur Lowe brought her and did a fatastic job of restoring her to former glory.
Stephen Lowe (Arthur Lowe's son) says that immediately after his father bought Amazon 'We carried load after load of detritus to a bonfire that smouldered for ten days. The old boat rose in the water by an inch every day that we worked.
That bonfire would have been in about September 1968, if that helps at all. Would that make sense to you?
Pappag, your photographs of Cubitt's Yacht Basin are wonderfully evocative of the era. I was particularly delighted to see the one showing Amazon's after deckhouse still in place as the Lowes removed it. I have sent you a personal message.
It is interesting to read the personal memories of the Basin at the time; the place looks quite different today (see: http://www.chiswickquay.com/ , if you haven't already).
Arthur Lowe bought Amazon as a houseboat, but then decided to put her back to sea; indeed, his surveyor had remarked 'This vessel is in remarkably good condition for her age' (she was built in 1885 by Tankerville Chamberlayne at his private yacht yard); she still is. Looking at the survey reports of the work that was done during her refurbishment from 1969 - 1971, there is very little structural repair involved, so she had really been saved for posterity by her years as a houseboat at Cubitt's Yacht Basin.
I hope you will be pleased to know that Amazon is still going strong at 126 years young and has re-crossed the Atlantic from Newfoundland to Ireland in August.
She has come quite a long way from her days at Cubitt's Yacht Basin in the 1960s.
Please keep these memories and pictures flowing.
it could have been after, i believe someone had added a large shed like cabin aft of miships and maybe that was where the fire started, i vaugly remember the people who owned her hoarded ton s of books. it was not uncommon to have a fire start on board as heating and electric arrangements wher crude at best. one night i wanted the light on so Cheyne( my mother) put a t towel of the galley light resulting in a burnt bulkhead in the midddle of the night. i learnt quickly to sleep in the dark after that.
are you the present owner of Amazon?
it was unbelievable to see her in such grand state and after learning of her crossing the pond i thought it was by dry ships
are you the present owner of Amazon?
it was unbelievable to see her in such grand state and after learning of her crossing the pond i thought it was by dry ships
Thanks for the response, boat.nick!
Amazon had an after deckhouse (you can see it in the background of one of pappag's pictures) that looks the same as the one she had in a photograph from 1937. I am not sure whether that after deckhouse had been removed before 1968, but if so, it may be that there had been a fire in the superstructure as you suggest - that would make sense of situation. Anyway, whether there was a fire in that after superstructure or it was the stuff burning ashore during Arthur Lowe's ownership that you remember, I am certain she had no fire in the hull, as most of this still remains intact today.
Yes, we (my wife and I) are the owners, having bought her at the end of 1996. Although we had to make some repair to the counter stern and, of course, replace most of the systems on board, we had little to do to the hull, which is still in remarkable condition for its age. We sighted her bottom in 1999, when all the old copper (5 thin sheets thick in places!) was removed, the hull cleaned and inspected, no repairs needed, recaulked, payed and sheathed in new copper, which may explain our confidence in her. It was evidently the first time the bottom had been completely uncovered since she was built in 1885. She isn't perfect though, as we don't believe in sacrificing any old, but sound, material in the pursuit of 'perfection'. We think it a shame that there are so many 'old' boat frauds around today that have had 'instant makeovers' to achieve 'as new' finish, meaning that there is usually nothing of the original vessels left (the style without the substance).
Amazon's trans-Atlantic voyages (Cape Verde Islands to Barbados in 2009 and St, John's, Newfoundland to Ireland in 2011) were practical demonstrations of her sea-keeping qualities; Dixon Kemp had a good eye and he stated in his book that Amazon was to be 'a good seaboat'. How many ships have made their first return ocean crossings at 124 and 126 years of age?
I wonder if anyone can remember a Mr Mike Roberts, who was involved in the Basin at the time of the houseboats being moved out for the developers at the end of the 1960s? He says that he acted as a sort of intermediary (broker?) between the ownership of Dominic Stone and Arthur Lowe; I am wondering whether this was also done with other boats in the Basin. It seems he agreed a price with Mr Stone and paid a proportion of it, pending a sale to another buyer (in this case Mr & Mrs Lowe), assuming responsibility for the vessel and her costs in the meantime. When Arthur Lowe bought her, Mr Roberts paid the balance to Mr Stone. Soes anyone know whether this was this common practice at the time?
Amazon had an after deckhouse (you can see it in the background of one of pappag's pictures) that looks the same as the one she had in a photograph from 1937. I am not sure whether that after deckhouse had been removed before 1968, but if so, it may be that there had been a fire in the superstructure as you suggest - that would make sense of situation. Anyway, whether there was a fire in that after superstructure or it was the stuff burning ashore during Arthur Lowe's ownership that you remember, I am certain she had no fire in the hull, as most of this still remains intact today.
Yes, we (my wife and I) are the owners, having bought her at the end of 1996. Although we had to make some repair to the counter stern and, of course, replace most of the systems on board, we had little to do to the hull, which is still in remarkable condition for its age. We sighted her bottom in 1999, when all the old copper (5 thin sheets thick in places!) was removed, the hull cleaned and inspected, no repairs needed, recaulked, payed and sheathed in new copper, which may explain our confidence in her. It was evidently the first time the bottom had been completely uncovered since she was built in 1885. She isn't perfect though, as we don't believe in sacrificing any old, but sound, material in the pursuit of 'perfection'. We think it a shame that there are so many 'old' boat frauds around today that have had 'instant makeovers' to achieve 'as new' finish, meaning that there is usually nothing of the original vessels left (the style without the substance).
Amazon's trans-Atlantic voyages (Cape Verde Islands to Barbados in 2009 and St, John's, Newfoundland to Ireland in 2011) were practical demonstrations of her sea-keeping qualities; Dixon Kemp had a good eye and he stated in his book that Amazon was to be 'a good seaboat'. How many ships have made their first return ocean crossings at 124 and 126 years of age?
I wonder if anyone can remember a Mr Mike Roberts, who was involved in the Basin at the time of the houseboats being moved out for the developers at the end of the 1960s? He says that he acted as a sort of intermediary (broker?) between the ownership of Dominic Stone and Arthur Lowe; I am wondering whether this was also done with other boats in the Basin. It seems he agreed a price with Mr Stone and paid a proportion of it, pending a sale to another buyer (in this case Mr & Mrs Lowe), assuming responsibility for the vessel and her costs in the meantime. When Arthur Lowe bought her, Mr Roberts paid the balance to Mr Stone. Soes anyone know whether this was this common practice at the time?
AS 7 year ols boy ny fatherb put me to task at the helm on Sea Lion last exit through the cut, my instructions has to turn hard to starboard as quickly as possible when entering the Thames, low and behold the dodgy port engine failed and we drifted down river and picked up a mooring bouy, the Seal Lion was sold by my father to someone in Essex and I believ most boats where sold that way or those lucky enough to find a mooring took up residence elsewhere
Joined
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5 Posts
Oregon 1960 - 1965
Hi Lived on a 52ft Admirals Barge for the first 5 years of my life. We then immigrated to Australia where I still live.
Matt
Hi Lived on a 52ft Admirals Barge for the first 5 years of my life. We then immigrated to Australia where I still live.
Matt
Thanks for your comment Matt. Can you remember the name ? or do you have any fading photos etc?Hi Lived on a 52ft Admirals Barge for the first 5 years of my life. We then immigrated to Australia where I still live.
Matt
Just found this from CLASSIC BOAT MAGAZINE on "AMAZON"
Captain Mainwaring’s yacht rests after transatlantic crossing
By Classic Boat // February 19, 2011
The 1885 yacht that belonged to Arthur Lowe from Dad’s Army has been spotted in America
The 1885 screw steamer (and former steam yacht)Amazon is spending a sheltered winter at Mystic Seaport in Connecticut, after having crossed the Atlantic. The classic motor sailer, originally driven by a coal-fired compound engine and boiler but now diesel powered, celebrated her 125thanniversary last year – proof positive if any were needed, that older wooden boats can stay viable when properly built and maintained.
Amazon (102ft LOA) was built at the Arrow Yard in Southampton to a Dixon Kemp design of teak and pitch pine on oak frames with bronze fastenings. She’s mostly still original. And she’s also the yacht that used to belong to Arthur Lowe – better known as Captain Mainwaring in Dad’s Army.
This entry was posted in News. Bookmark the permalink.
1
5 Responses to Captain Mainwaring’s yacht rests after transatlantic crossing
Michael Roberts says:
June 20, 2011 at 9:15 pm
I sold “Amazon” to Athur Lowe in 1969 whilst I was involved with Cubitt’s Yacht Basin which is in Chiswick, London. Amazon had been used as a house boat for many years and all the steam machinery had been been removed apart from some of the engine castings which I found in pieces in the bilges, it had bean broken up with a 14lb hammer, I cannot sure of it’s maker but it was probably Sissons.
I still have a drawing of the vessel prepared by Tough Bros Ltd of Teddington (about 8miles upstream from Cubitts basin) on the River Thames. This drawing shows the revised interior layout and the position of the Perkins diesel engine which on trials propelled the vessel at 9.8 knots (almost the same at the original steam engine). I supplied and installed a Stuart-Turner diesel generator inside the funnel, this produced 24 volts DC and charged a large bank of batteries sited below the main saloon, these powered the oil fired central heating system and diesel fired cooker. and hot water system.
The maiden voyage, following the restoration was from Teddington to the River Medway, a journey of about 80 miles, which I really enjoyed and in the company of many of the cast of “Dads Army” and Mr Frank Newman from Tough Shipyard who was a great personal friend of mine.
For some while, “Amazon” was moored in St Katherine’s Yacht Haven near Tower Bridge in London, I looked after her as I worked in an office nearby and spent many a pleasant evening on board.
Foll0wing Arthur Lowe’s death, I lost contact with “Amazon” I understand that ownership was transfered to Arthur’s son Steven. He moved her to Scotland and moored it on the Caledonian Canal and was living on board. I have no knowledge of “Amazon’s” movements since then.
I find it difficult to believe that the vessel protrayed in the photograph is the same “Amazon” that I knew
for whilst the hull shape is the same, the superstructure is totally different, also the builders of the “Amazon” I know were Tankerville-Chamberlain who were based on the Isle of Wight and was constructed in I888. she was not of teak constuction but as described by the surveyor emplyed by Arthur Lowe, as “A jacobs coat” a mixture of timbers from pine to larch to mahogany, below the waterline she was copper sheathed, part of which was removed and exposed a mixture including teak and pine (If my memory serves me correctly, bearing in mind it was along time ago!)
I am happy to try and answer any questions that may arise and would very much like to learn if it is the same old “Amazon” that I knew so well.
Mike Roberts.
Reply
Michael Roberts says:
June 21, 2011 at 10:07 am
Please note my email address is [email protected] (not [email protected])
Reply
Michael Roberts says:
October 18, 2011 at 12:27 pm
Further to my comments dated the 21st of June 2011, “Amazon” is unquestionably the vessel I sold to Arthur Lowe. (Not as I stated in 1969, but in 1968). The details I gave were in good faith and I do hope the current owners will accept this, bearing in mind it was 43 years ago and was largely based on information provided by the previous owner, I am so pleased to learn that “Amazon” is now back in the United Kingdom following her epic transatlantic crossings and wish her (and her current owners) great success on all their future voyages.
Michael Roberts (18th October 2011)
Reply
Amazon's owners says:
October 30, 2011 at 11:57 pm
Mike Roberts’ interesting (and rather surprising!) comments were brought to our attention, so we contacted him to seek clarification as we knews that his comments were erroneous.
Unfortunately, as is often the case after many years, memory can be fallible and embarrassingly at odds with incontrovertible contemporaneous written evidence. When we contacted Mike he stated that there were no written records for the yacht, but this is wrong. There are (and indeed were at the time), contemporaneous Registration and survey records; we have the good fortune to hold these now. Mike has therefore been kind enough to submit his latest message above and, as discussed with him, we shall elaborate below on the details ‘for the record’ (although it may well be that very few people will read this somewhat dated ‘news item’ webpage).
By way of background, Mike was involved with the clearance of vessels from Cubitt’s Yacht Basin before its conversion to the present Chiswick Quay marina and as a result acted as sales agent on behalf of Mr Dominic Johnson Stone, who owned ‘Amazon’ from 1960-1968.
It was Mike’s advertisement in the Sunday Times of ‘Amazon’ as a ‘Houseboat… beautifully fitted ex-steam yacht… Constructed from 2? Burma teak, sheathed in copper, the hull is practically maintenance free… contact the Sole Agent’ that attracted Arthur and Joan Lowe to view her.
The Registrar of Ships subsequently recorded that the transfer of ownership from Mr Dominic Johnson Stone to Mr & Mrs Arthur and Joan Lowe took place on 7 September 1968 (that we had this detail was a surprise to Mike).
Concerning Mike’s remark on the superstructure, ‘Amazon’ has had quite a number of these during her long life (they are simple ‘bolt on’ structures and relatively simple to fit and remove); however, far from being ‘totally different’ the forward superstructure today is largely that which she had back in 1968. From photographic evidence the deckhouse was fitted sometime between 1920 and 1937, by which time she carried large forward and after deckhouses with a wheelhouse ‘extension’ above the forward one! When ‘Amazon’ was built she was unusual in being ‘flush decked’ with no deckhouses at all. From other photographs and records it seems her first deckhouse was fitted over the Ladies Cabin (aft) sometime between 1900 and 1920.
The registry books of the Registrar of Shipping and Seamen’ and her Certificate of Registry as a British Ship from the 1880s onwards have recorded that ‘Amazon’ was designed by Dixon Kemp for Tankerville Chamberlayne Esq, who built her at his private (i.e. non-commercial) ‘Arrow Yard’ at Northam, Southampton, personally superintending the construction. The date the keel was laid remains uncertain (it may very well have been in 1884), but there is no doubt whatsoever that ‘Amazon’ was launched and operating in 1885. Indeed, Dixon Kemp’s First Edition of his seminal ‘Yacht Architecture’ was published in 1885 and contains the details of ‘Amazon’s’ sea trials. The suggestion that she ‘Amazon’ was built in 1888 in the Isle of Wight is just plain wrong.
We can confirm from our personal inspection that ‘Amazon’ was built and remains teak and pitch pine on oak (the ‘state of the art’ for such construction at the time). Mike’s remarks about “A jacobs coat” mixture of timbers from pine to larch to mahogany are very confusing and when asked he could not identify the source; these comments are certainly at odds with the years of reports of Arthur Lowe’s surveyor that we hold, which state that shortly after her purchase by the Lowes she was ‘in remarkable condition for her age’. Self-evidently the fact that ‘Amazon’ was in such good condition for an old ship (she was 83 in 1968 and is almost 127 now) provided the opportunity that Arthur Lowe seized to pursue his seagoing ambitions with her. Had she been a ‘crock’ in 1968 she would most likely have remained a houseboat, not returned to a sea-going existence.
We bought ‘Amazon’ from Stephen Lowe at the end of 1996 when she was lying in Scotland (she had been at Inverness for some years). With quite minor effort she was ready and able to make passage to the Central Mediterranean in 1997.
In our ownership, we have had to make some repairs to the end of her counter stern, but ‘Amazon’ remains mostly the yacht that was built in 1885 (‘expert’ opinion puts the original fabric of her hull as well over 80%) and the chief effort we have had to make is to the replacement of machinery and systems throughout (from engines to tanks to pipes to wires). It has been a continual source of pleasure to us that such a very old vessel can be in such sound and operational condition as ‘Amazon’ still is.
Anyway, the proof of the pudding is surely in the eating: ‘Amazon’ must surely be unique in not being a ‘restoration’ (i.e. she remains mostly the original structure) and in having made trans-Atlantic voyages at 124 and 126 years of age. She should have plenty of years and miles left in her yet!
Thank you, Mike, for your kind remarks in your latest post above; we accept that your comments were made in error and on the basis of fallible memory. Who knows, ‘Amazon’ may yet call at Ramsgate again.
Reply
Stephen Lowe says:
June 4, 2012 at 12:17 am
What a joy it was to see her moored below Tower Bridge today for the Queen’s Jubilee! Amazon has to be one of the most remarkable yachts ever… I’m so pleased we were able to play our small part by rescuing her from Cubitt’s and getting her back to sea, and thank you Mike for the part you played in that. Amazon’s new owners you are so wonderful, taking Amazon on all these epic voyages. We wish you a great stay in London, and a safe voyage home to Malta.
Reply
Captain Mainwaring’s yacht rests after transatlantic crossing
By Classic Boat // February 19, 2011
The 1885 yacht that belonged to Arthur Lowe from Dad’s Army has been spotted in America
The 1885 screw steamer (and former steam yacht)Amazon is spending a sheltered winter at Mystic Seaport in Connecticut, after having crossed the Atlantic. The classic motor sailer, originally driven by a coal-fired compound engine and boiler but now diesel powered, celebrated her 125thanniversary last year – proof positive if any were needed, that older wooden boats can stay viable when properly built and maintained.
Amazon (102ft LOA) was built at the Arrow Yard in Southampton to a Dixon Kemp design of teak and pitch pine on oak frames with bronze fastenings. She’s mostly still original. And she’s also the yacht that used to belong to Arthur Lowe – better known as Captain Mainwaring in Dad’s Army.
This entry was posted in News. Bookmark the permalink.
1
5 Responses to Captain Mainwaring’s yacht rests after transatlantic crossing
Michael Roberts says:
June 20, 2011 at 9:15 pm
I sold “Amazon” to Athur Lowe in 1969 whilst I was involved with Cubitt’s Yacht Basin which is in Chiswick, London. Amazon had been used as a house boat for many years and all the steam machinery had been been removed apart from some of the engine castings which I found in pieces in the bilges, it had bean broken up with a 14lb hammer, I cannot sure of it’s maker but it was probably Sissons.
I still have a drawing of the vessel prepared by Tough Bros Ltd of Teddington (about 8miles upstream from Cubitts basin) on the River Thames. This drawing shows the revised interior layout and the position of the Perkins diesel engine which on trials propelled the vessel at 9.8 knots (almost the same at the original steam engine). I supplied and installed a Stuart-Turner diesel generator inside the funnel, this produced 24 volts DC and charged a large bank of batteries sited below the main saloon, these powered the oil fired central heating system and diesel fired cooker. and hot water system.
The maiden voyage, following the restoration was from Teddington to the River Medway, a journey of about 80 miles, which I really enjoyed and in the company of many of the cast of “Dads Army” and Mr Frank Newman from Tough Shipyard who was a great personal friend of mine.
For some while, “Amazon” was moored in St Katherine’s Yacht Haven near Tower Bridge in London, I looked after her as I worked in an office nearby and spent many a pleasant evening on board.
Foll0wing Arthur Lowe’s death, I lost contact with “Amazon” I understand that ownership was transfered to Arthur’s son Steven. He moved her to Scotland and moored it on the Caledonian Canal and was living on board. I have no knowledge of “Amazon’s” movements since then.
I find it difficult to believe that the vessel protrayed in the photograph is the same “Amazon” that I knew
for whilst the hull shape is the same, the superstructure is totally different, also the builders of the “Amazon” I know were Tankerville-Chamberlain who were based on the Isle of Wight and was constructed in I888. she was not of teak constuction but as described by the surveyor emplyed by Arthur Lowe, as “A jacobs coat” a mixture of timbers from pine to larch to mahogany, below the waterline she was copper sheathed, part of which was removed and exposed a mixture including teak and pine (If my memory serves me correctly, bearing in mind it was along time ago!)
I am happy to try and answer any questions that may arise and would very much like to learn if it is the same old “Amazon” that I knew so well.
Mike Roberts.
Reply
Michael Roberts says:
June 21, 2011 at 10:07 am
Please note my email address is [email protected] (not [email protected])
Reply
Michael Roberts says:
October 18, 2011 at 12:27 pm
Further to my comments dated the 21st of June 2011, “Amazon” is unquestionably the vessel I sold to Arthur Lowe. (Not as I stated in 1969, but in 1968). The details I gave were in good faith and I do hope the current owners will accept this, bearing in mind it was 43 years ago and was largely based on information provided by the previous owner, I am so pleased to learn that “Amazon” is now back in the United Kingdom following her epic transatlantic crossings and wish her (and her current owners) great success on all their future voyages.
Michael Roberts (18th October 2011)
Reply
Amazon's owners says:
October 30, 2011 at 11:57 pm
Mike Roberts’ interesting (and rather surprising!) comments were brought to our attention, so we contacted him to seek clarification as we knews that his comments were erroneous.
Unfortunately, as is often the case after many years, memory can be fallible and embarrassingly at odds with incontrovertible contemporaneous written evidence. When we contacted Mike he stated that there were no written records for the yacht, but this is wrong. There are (and indeed were at the time), contemporaneous Registration and survey records; we have the good fortune to hold these now. Mike has therefore been kind enough to submit his latest message above and, as discussed with him, we shall elaborate below on the details ‘for the record’ (although it may well be that very few people will read this somewhat dated ‘news item’ webpage).
By way of background, Mike was involved with the clearance of vessels from Cubitt’s Yacht Basin before its conversion to the present Chiswick Quay marina and as a result acted as sales agent on behalf of Mr Dominic Johnson Stone, who owned ‘Amazon’ from 1960-1968.
It was Mike’s advertisement in the Sunday Times of ‘Amazon’ as a ‘Houseboat… beautifully fitted ex-steam yacht… Constructed from 2? Burma teak, sheathed in copper, the hull is practically maintenance free… contact the Sole Agent’ that attracted Arthur and Joan Lowe to view her.
The Registrar of Ships subsequently recorded that the transfer of ownership from Mr Dominic Johnson Stone to Mr & Mrs Arthur and Joan Lowe took place on 7 September 1968 (that we had this detail was a surprise to Mike).
Concerning Mike’s remark on the superstructure, ‘Amazon’ has had quite a number of these during her long life (they are simple ‘bolt on’ structures and relatively simple to fit and remove); however, far from being ‘totally different’ the forward superstructure today is largely that which she had back in 1968. From photographic evidence the deckhouse was fitted sometime between 1920 and 1937, by which time she carried large forward and after deckhouses with a wheelhouse ‘extension’ above the forward one! When ‘Amazon’ was built she was unusual in being ‘flush decked’ with no deckhouses at all. From other photographs and records it seems her first deckhouse was fitted over the Ladies Cabin (aft) sometime between 1900 and 1920.
The registry books of the Registrar of Shipping and Seamen’ and her Certificate of Registry as a British Ship from the 1880s onwards have recorded that ‘Amazon’ was designed by Dixon Kemp for Tankerville Chamberlayne Esq, who built her at his private (i.e. non-commercial) ‘Arrow Yard’ at Northam, Southampton, personally superintending the construction. The date the keel was laid remains uncertain (it may very well have been in 1884), but there is no doubt whatsoever that ‘Amazon’ was launched and operating in 1885. Indeed, Dixon Kemp’s First Edition of his seminal ‘Yacht Architecture’ was published in 1885 and contains the details of ‘Amazon’s’ sea trials. The suggestion that she ‘Amazon’ was built in 1888 in the Isle of Wight is just plain wrong.
We can confirm from our personal inspection that ‘Amazon’ was built and remains teak and pitch pine on oak (the ‘state of the art’ for such construction at the time). Mike’s remarks about “A jacobs coat” mixture of timbers from pine to larch to mahogany are very confusing and when asked he could not identify the source; these comments are certainly at odds with the years of reports of Arthur Lowe’s surveyor that we hold, which state that shortly after her purchase by the Lowes she was ‘in remarkable condition for her age’. Self-evidently the fact that ‘Amazon’ was in such good condition for an old ship (she was 83 in 1968 and is almost 127 now) provided the opportunity that Arthur Lowe seized to pursue his seagoing ambitions with her. Had she been a ‘crock’ in 1968 she would most likely have remained a houseboat, not returned to a sea-going existence.
We bought ‘Amazon’ from Stephen Lowe at the end of 1996 when she was lying in Scotland (she had been at Inverness for some years). With quite minor effort she was ready and able to make passage to the Central Mediterranean in 1997.
In our ownership, we have had to make some repairs to the end of her counter stern, but ‘Amazon’ remains mostly the yacht that was built in 1885 (‘expert’ opinion puts the original fabric of her hull as well over 80%) and the chief effort we have had to make is to the replacement of machinery and systems throughout (from engines to tanks to pipes to wires). It has been a continual source of pleasure to us that such a very old vessel can be in such sound and operational condition as ‘Amazon’ still is.
Anyway, the proof of the pudding is surely in the eating: ‘Amazon’ must surely be unique in not being a ‘restoration’ (i.e. she remains mostly the original structure) and in having made trans-Atlantic voyages at 124 and 126 years of age. She should have plenty of years and miles left in her yet!
Thank you, Mike, for your kind remarks in your latest post above; we accept that your comments were made in error and on the basis of fallible memory. Who knows, ‘Amazon’ may yet call at Ramsgate again.
Reply
Stephen Lowe says:
June 4, 2012 at 12:17 am
What a joy it was to see her moored below Tower Bridge today for the Queen’s Jubilee! Amazon has to be one of the most remarkable yachts ever… I’m so pleased we were able to play our small part by rescuing her from Cubitt’s and getting her back to sea, and thank you Mike for the part you played in that. Amazon’s new owners you are so wonderful, taking Amazon on all these epic voyages. We wish you a great stay in London, and a safe voyage home to Malta.
Reply
Joined
·
5 Posts
Hi yes her name was Oregon. She was double diagonal teak and copper sheathed.
Build in 1912 she had been converted from steam and I think had a leyland tank engine. I will see if I can get a pic and upload it to where I can link to it or I can send you an email.
Matt
Build in 1912 she had been converted from steam and I think had a leyland tank engine. I will see if I can get a pic and upload it to where I can link to it or I can send you an email.
Matt
Look forward to that Matt (Thumb)Hi yes her name was Oregon. She was double diagonal teak and copper sheathed.
Build in 1912 she had been converted from steam and I think had a leyland tank engine. I will see if I can get a pic and upload it to where I can link to it or I can send you an email.
Matt
Many thanks to Matthew for uploading the photo here in his gallery;Hi yes her name was Oregon. She was double diagonal teak and copper sheathed.
Build in 1912 she had been converted from steam and I think had a leyland tank engine. I will see if I can get a pic and upload it to where I can link to it or I can send you an email.
Matt
http://www.shipsnostalgia.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/346932/title/oregon/cat/508
Cubitts Yacht Basin
My Dad owned a boat at Cubitts from 1961 to 1969. I remember several of the boats moored there. I also remember Arthur Lowe and his wife and played on Amazon and with their dog Taffy! I was friends with lots of the "boat children" who lived there. My dads boat "Blue Water" was in a sorry state when he bought her and over the years he and my Mum rebuilt and refurbished her. Their plan was to live on her at Cubitts. However, we moved to Luton and she was sold and the new owners took her to Rickmansworth. My Mum has some old photos, I see what I can find and put them in the Gallery. All the best
Ahoy there!I am trying to locate any photos of Cubitts Yacht Basin
situated near Chiswick Bridge, where the boat race ends.
I lived in Chiswick when I was young and dreamed of living
in an house boat there when I grew up.They redeveloped
it and all trace was lost. It was a magical retreat from the
hurly-burly of London.Plane trees surrounded it and a motley
collection of vessels were nestled in the rectangular basin.
I remember a Victorian steam yacht with clipper bow and
yellow funnel bedecked with geraniums, several MTB"s
converted to houseboats and several other craft.
It was an artist"s paradise and several actors/actresses
and writers lived there I believe.
I have been googling until goggle eyed but have traced
nothing of note.I would like photos to base a painting on.
This would be 1940-1950"s.
A pretty obscure request I know
but worth trying I hope?. Thanks for reading this.
My Dad owned a boat at Cubitts from 1961 to 1969. I remember several of the boats moored there. I also remember Arthur Lowe and his wife and played on Amazon and with their dog Taffy! I was friends with lots of the "boat children" who lived there. My dads boat "Blue Water" was in a sorry state when he bought her and over the years he and my Mum rebuilt and refurbished her. Their plan was to live on her at Cubitts. However, we moved to Luton and she was sold and the new owners took her to Rickmansworth. My Mum has some old photos, I see what I can find and put them in the Gallery. All the best
Remember me ?
Hello "Nicky" I used to play with you and your brother Adrian who was a bit older (I'm 56 this month!) I remember your Mum and Dad and playing on board Sea Lion. I also remembering you Dad dressing my knee when I cut it badly. I think he told me hewas an "ambulance man" I remember Wight Queen and Amazon and Arthur Lowe and his wife and playing with their dog Taffy. Also remember a big old Dutch barge with a family. I used to play their little girl whose name was Zoe or perhaps the barge was called Zoe. Would love to hear from you. My Dad was called Pat and my Mum is Molly, they owned "Blue Water" they bought her in 1961 she was half sunk in the basin, in a sorry state and they rebuilt and refurbished her over the years. I know Mum has some old photos. I'll borrow them and get them in the Gallery. Would love to hear from with you memories and Adrian too. Cheers (Pint)I was lucky enough to live on Sea lion from birth until 7rs old when develpors took over, my dad fought to the end to stay but to no avail, so many memories i ionly have contact with eddy williams family Tom Jones son lived on our friends mtb Ariel coco the clown in the corner close to the playing fields I saw a picture of the Magnet when you google cubitts, the fan tailed boat ex steam sailing vessell you saw was the Amazon which, as a child was woken to the sound of burning wood, however Arthur Lowe brought her and did a fatastic job of restoring her to former glory.
Hello Pappag,Scorcher, I've uploaded some more photos for you to view. Pappag
I was one of the "boat children" from 1961 to 1969/70 when Cubitts was closed/developed. Lots of magical childhood memories. I was friends with Nicky & Adrian who lived aboard Sea Lion, I also played on the Wight Queen & Amazon when owned by Arthur Lowe & his lovely wife, I played with their dog Taffy. My Dad 7 Mum, Pat &Molly Thompson owned "Blue Water" which they bought in 1961 when I was 5! They intended to live on her at Cubitts. They rebuilt & refurbished her but sadly we never got to live on her as we moved from London to Luton and so Blue Water was sold, the new owners took her to Rickmansworth, never knew what happened to her apart from seeing her once they lived on her and painted her red! I was (still am) Kerry Ann, had bright red hair then. Would love to see any photos you may have during the time I was there. Mum has some old photos which I'll borrow to put in the Gallery. All the best.
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Hello you would have played with my older siblings. We live on Oregon from 1960-65.Hello Pappag,
I was one of the "boat children" from 1961 to 1969/70 when Cubitts was closed/developed. Lots of magical childhood memories. I was friends with Nicky & Adrian who lived aboard Sea Lion, I also played on the Wight Queen & Amazon when owned by Arthur Lowe & his lovely wife, I played with their dog Taffy. My Dad 7 Mum, Pat &Molly Thompson owned "Blue Water" which they bought in 1961 when I was 5! They intended to live on her at Cubitts. They rebuilt & refurbished her but sadly we never got to live on her as we moved from London to Luton and so Blue Water was sold, the new owners took her to Rickmansworth, never knew what happened to her apart from seeing her once they lived on her and painted her red! I was (still am) Kerry Ann, had bright red hair then. Would love to see any photos you may have during the time I was there. Mum has some old photos which I'll borrow to put in the Gallery. All the best.
Our Family name is East, my Dad worked for BOAC. Judith, Jonathon, and Christofer were 8,10 & 3 years older than me as I was born in 1960 in Luton hospital and came home to live on the boat.
My first girlfriend lived on a barge, I am trying to remember her name.
Matt
Wow, hello Matt. I do not remember Oregon but I remember playing with Judith ! I can't help with your first girlfriend's name either ! Our family moved to Luton in at the end of 1967 Cubitts was bought and developed around 1969 so my Dad had to sell our boat Blue Water. Do you remember Nicky and Adrian they lived on Sea Lion. I'm 56 this month and remember them both very well and their parents. Happy Days.Hello you would have played with my older siblings. We live on Oregon from 1960-65.
Our Family name is East, my Dad worked for BOAC. Judith, Jonathon, and Christofer were 8,10 & 3 years older than me as I was born in 1960 in Luton hospital and came home to live on the boat.
My first girlfriend lived on a barge, I am trying to remember her name.
Matt
Ahoy there!
Thanks for your response Kes, most interesting and of course I would very much like to see any photos. It is good to see that old shipmates are exchanging messages. Best Wishes. Alan.
Hello you would have played with my older siblings. We live on Oregon from 1960-65.
Our Family name is East, my Dad worked for BOAC. ....
Hello Matt, I worked in the London docks until 1965 when I joined BOAC in their cargo handling section . Was your father flying crew or ground staff ?
Oke doke Alan, I'll see what I can do.Ahoy there!
Thanks for your response Kes, most interesting and of course I would very much like to see any photos. It is good to see that old shipmates are exchanging messages. Best Wishes. Alan.
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Hi we left for Australia in Sept 1965...Dad (Ken) was an Aircraft Engineer.
If you have face book add me and I can link you to Judith.
Matt
https://www.facebook.com/matthew.east
If you have face book add me and I can link you to Judith.
Matt
https://www.facebook.com/matthew.east
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