Bowness-On-Windermere

Settlement in Westmorland South Lakeland

England

Bowness-On-Windermere

Windermere Steamboat Museum 1994 This is the original museum that has now been replaced by the new Windermere Jetty Museum. I have yet to visit this new museum but I understand many of the vessels are now shown out of the water to better conserve them and as of mid-2021 several were shown with their engines removed.

The two boats seen on the left are Otto (left) of 1896 and Water Viper (right) of 1907. — Windermere Steamboat Museum 1994 Credit: Chris Allen

Bowness-On-Windermere is a picturesque town located in Westmorland, England. Situated on the eastern shore of Lake Windermere, it is a popular tourist destination within the Lake District National Park. The town is known for its stunning natural beauty, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and the largest lake in England.

Bowness-On-Windermere boasts a rich history, dating back to the Roman times when a fort was established nearby. Today, the town retains its historic charm with a mix of traditional stone buildings and modern amenities. The bustling town center is filled with a variety of shops, restaurants, and cafes, catering to the needs of both locals and visitors.

The lake itself is a major draw for tourists, offering opportunities for boating, fishing, and water sports. The Bowness Bay Marina is a popular spot for boat rentals and cruises, allowing visitors to explore the lake and its numerous islands. Additionally, the town is home to the World of Beatrix Potter Attraction, which celebrates the life and works of the famous children's author.

Nature lovers can indulge in the stunning scenery by taking a leisurely stroll along the lake promenade or exploring the nearby countryside on foot. For those seeking a more challenging adventure, the surrounding fells and mountains provide ample opportunities for hiking and mountaineering.

Overall, Bowness-On-Windermere offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, history, and recreational activities, making it a must-visit destination for anyone exploring the Lake District.

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Bowness-On-Windermere Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.36239/-2.911035 or Grid Reference SD4096. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Windermere Steamboat Museum 1994

This is the original museum that has now been replaced by the new Windermere Jetty Museum. I have yet to visit this new museum but I understand many of the vessels are now shown out of the water to better conserve them and as of mid-2021 several were shown with their engines removed. The two boats seen on the left are Otto (left) of 1896 and Water Viper (right) of 1907.

Chris Allen

Windermere Steamboat Museum 1994 - Steam Launch Otto

This is the original museum with the vessels afloat in a large covered wet dock. The new Windermere Jetty Museum has several of the vessels displayed on dry land to aid their preservation. Otto was built as a fast launch by Forrestt & sons Ltd. in 1896. It is 45' 6" long overall and of riveted steel construction. The engine is an inverted vertical triple expansion by W Sisson & Co. Ltd. works No. 500 of 1896. The cylinders are 6.25", 8.25" & 10.75" x 7" and it is rated at 100 indicated horsepower. The boiler is a locomotive type built in 1958 by Abbott & Co. of Newark and is pressed to 200 psi.

Chris Allen

Windermere Steamboat Museum 1994 - funnels in a row

The original museum before it was replaced by the much delayed Windermere Jetty Museum. The nearest funnel is on Otto of 1896 and the one beyond is Water Viper of 1907.

Chris Allen

Windermere Steamboat Museum 1994 - Osprey and Branksome

Inside the large covered wet dock that comprised most of the original museum before being replaced by Windermere Jetty Museum. The nearest vessel is Osprey - a cabin/saloon launch built in 1902 by Neil Shepherd at Bowness. it is wood hulled of carvel construction and 45' 6" long overall. The engine is an inverted vertical compound by W Sisson of Gloucester, works No. 591 of 1901 and fitted to this hull in 1981. The cylinders are 5.25" & 8" x 5.5" stroke. The engine was formerly in Water Viper. The boiler is a locomotive type. Branksome is in the background and is also a cabin/saloon launch built in 1896 by George Brockbank at Bowness. Of carvel construction in teak with an overall length of 50'. The engine is an inverted vertical compound by W Sisson of Gloucester, works No. 502 of 1896. The cylinders are 7.5" & 11" x 7". The boiler is a locomotive type built in 1971 by Hunslet & Co. of Leeds.

Chris Allen

Windermere Steamboat Museum 1994 - Osprey and Branksome

The original museum before it was replaced by Windermere Jetty Museum. This shows part of the large covered wet dock with the boats afloat. In the new museum many boats are now displayed on dry land, some without engines on board. Of the two closest boats on the right, the left hand funnel is Osprey and the right hand one is Branksome. See - SD4097 : Windermere Steamboat Museum 1994 - Osprey and Branksome

Chris Allen

Windermere Steamboat Museum 1994 - engine on board Swallow

Swallow is a cabin/saloon launch built in 1911 by Neil Shepherd at Bowness and measuring 45' 6" overall length. The engine is an inverted vertical triple expansion by W Sisson of Gloucester, works No. 1032 of 1911. The cylindersw are 4.5", 6" & 8" x 5.5" stroke and fitted with piston valves operated by radial valve gear. The crosshead guides are Laird type. To the right is one end of the locomotive type boiler with a side mounted fire door. This was built in 1990 by H A McEwen of Cowling near Keighley.

Chris Allen

Windermere Steamboat Museum 1994 - engine on board Otto

Otto was built as a fast launch by Forrestt & sons Ltd. in 1896. It is 45' 6" long overall and of riveted steel construction. The engine is an inverted vertical triple expansion by W Sisson & Co. Ltd. works No. 500 of 1896. The cylinders are 6.25", 8.25" & 10.75" x 7" and it is rated at 100 indicated horsepower. The cylinders have piston valves operated by radial valve gear and the crosshead guides are Laird type. The boiler is a locomotive type built in 1958 by Abbott & Co. of Newark and is pressed to 200 psi.

Chris Allen

Windermere Steamboat Museum 1994 - boiler on Otto

Otto was built as a fast launch by Forrestt & sons Ltd. in 1896. It is 45' 6" long overall and of riveted steel construction. The engine is an inverted vertical triple expansion by W Sisson & Co. Ltd. works No. 500 of 1896. The cylinders are 6.25", 8.25" & 10.75" x 7" and it is rated at 100 indicated horsepower. The boiler is a locomotive type built in 1958 by Abbott & Co. of Newark and is pressed to 200 psi. The sharp eyed amongst you may note that although everything appears in order, the gauge glasses are missing.

Chris Allen

Windermere Steamboat Museum 1994 - engine on board Osprey

Osprey - a cabin/saloon launch built in 1902 by Neil Shepherd at Bowness. it is wood hulled of carvel construction and 45' 6" long overall. The engine is an inverted vertical compound by W Sisson of Gloucester, works No. 591 of 1901 and fitted to this hull in 1981. The cylinders are 5.25" & 8" x 5.5" stroke. The engine was formerly in Water Viper. The boiler is a locomotive type that is just visible to the right and is side fired.

Chris Allen

Windermere Steamboat Museum 1994 - Lady Elizabeth and Kittiwake

Lady Elizabeth is on the left and is an open launch built by Monarch Co. in the USA. It was found by George Pattinson in a derelict state in the 1950s and was restored with the current steam plant fitted. It is a mere 18' long overall. The engine is an inverted vertical single cylinder Stuart Turner 5A design. This is a favourite of model engineers and the slide valve cylinder is 2.25" x 2". The boiler is a Kitchen and Perkins patent water-tube design built in 1910 by the Lune Valley Engineering Co. , Lancaster. On the right is Kittiwake - a cabin/saloon launch built in 1898 by T W Hayton at Bowness. It is 40' long overall. It has a locomotive type boiler and an inverted vertical triple expansion steam engine.

Chris Allen

Windermere Steamboat Museum 1994 - engine on Branksome

I had to climb across Osprey to get this view and I had the permission of the museum staff to do so. This museum has now been replaced by Windermere Jetty Museum and several of the boats are now displayed on dry land rather than in the covered wet dock. Branksome is a cabin/saloon launch built in 1896 by George Brockbank at Bowness. Of carvel construction in teak with an overall length of 50'. The engine is an inverted vertical compound by W Sisson of Gloucester, works No. 502 of 1896. The cylinders are 7.5" & 11" x 7". The boiler is a locomotive type built in 1971 by Hunslet & Co. of Leeds. The boiler's backhead is seen on the right with two injectors and two gauge glasses. The fire hole is not seen as the boiler is side fired.

Chris Allen

Windermere Steamboat Museum 1994 - engine on Kittiwake

Kittiwake is a cabin/saloon launch built in 1898 by T W Hayton at Bowness. It is 40' long overall. It has a locomotive type boiler and an inverted vertical triple expansion steam engine. This shows the engine that is by W Sisson & Co. of Gloucester, works No. 611 of 1901. The cylinders are 5", 6.25" & 8" x 5.5" with piston valves and radial valve gear. The boiler is to the left and is a locomotive type built in 1984 by H A McEwen of Cowling near Keighley and pressed to 200 psi.

Chris Allen

Windermere Steamboat Museum 1994 - steam launch Kittiwake

Kittiwake is a cabin/saloon launch built in 1898 by T W Hayton at Bowness. It is 40' long overall. It has a locomotive type boiler and an inverted vertical triple expansion steam engine. This shows part of the engine on the right that is by W Sisson & Co. of Gloucester, works No. 611 of 1901. The cylinders are 5", 6.25" & 8" x 5.5" with piston valves and radial valve gear. The boiler is in the centre and is a side fired locomotive type built in 1984 by H A McEwen of Cowling near Keighley and pressed to 200 psi.

Chris Allen

Windermere Steamboat Museum 1994 - engine on board Dolly

Steam Launch Dolly - the oldest mechanically propelled vessel in the world. However, it is currently (2021) not in operable condition. This vessel is thought to have been built c1850 and is a cabin/saloon launch with an overall length of 41'. It spent a considerable part of its life in a sunken condition and was salvaged in 1962, being returned to steam in 1965. This shows her inverted vertical single cylinder engine with a 7" x 7" slide valve cylinder and Stephenson link reversing gear.

Chris Allen

Windermere Steamboat Museum 1994 - Steam Launch Branksome

I had to climb across Osprey to get this view and I had the permission of the museum staff to do so. This museum has now been replaced by Windermere Jetty Museum and several of the boats are now displayed on dry land rather than in the covered wet dock. Branksome is a cabin/saloon launch built in 1896 by George Brockbank at Bowness. Of carvel construction in teak with an overall length of 50'. The engine is an inverted vertical compound by W Sisson of Gloucester, works No. 502 of 1896. The cylinders are 7.5" & 11" x 7". The boiler is a locomotive type built in 1971 by Hunslet & Co. of Leeds. It is seen to the right of the engine and its side mounted fire hole is clearly seen below the brass railing. The shiny copper fitting seen below the life belt on the right is the steam heated 'Windermere kettle'.

Chris Allen

Windermere Jetty Museum - engine from cargo barge Raven

In the entrance foyer is this large (about 7' tall) inverted vertical single cylinder engine from the former cargo barge Raven. The engine was built in 1871 by A Campbell & Co. of Glasgow. The slide valve cylinder is 8" x 12" and there is Stephenson link reversing gear. It gave the vessel a speed of 10 mph. Raven is now on dry land outside the museum. It was built in 1871 by T B Seath & Co. at Rutherglen and is 71' long overall with a displacement of 82,000 lbs.

Chris Hodrien

Windermere Jetty Museum - engine from steam launch Dolly

Steam Launch Dolly - the oldest mechanically propelled vessel in the world. However, it is currently (2021) not in operable condition and its engine is displayed out of the hull. This vessel is thought to have been built c1850 and is a cabin/saloon launch with an overall length of 41'. It spent a considerable part of its life in a sunken condition and was salvaged in 1962, being returned to steam in 1965. This shows her inverted vertical single cylinder engine with a 7" x 7" slide valve cylinder and Stephenson link reversing gear.

Chris Hodrien

Windermere Jetty Museum - Dolly and Kittiwake

This shows one of the museum galleries with two vessels displayed on dry land and with their engines separate from the hulls (presumably to reduce hull loadings and allow the public to see the engines). On the left is steam launch Dolly. The oldest mechanically propelled vessel in the world. However, it is currently (2021) not in operable condition. This vessel is thought to have been built c1850 and is a cabin/saloon launch with an overall length of 41'. It spent a considerable part of its life in a sunken condition and was salvaged in 1962, being returned to steam in 1965. On the right is steam launch Kittiwake. Its triple expansion engine is displayed in front. Kittiwake is a cabin/saloon launch built in 1898 by T W Hayton at Bowness. It is 40' long overall. It has a locomotive type boiler and an inverted vertical triple expansion steam engine. The engine is by W Sisson & Co. of Gloucester, works No. 611 of 1901. The cylinders are 5", 6.25" & 8" x 5.5" with piston valves and radial valve gear. On the racking to the left is the loose triple expansion engine from steam launch Swallow.

Chris Hodrien

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Bowness-On-Windermere is located at Grid Ref: SD4096 (Lat: 54.36239, Lng: -2.911035)

Administrative County: Cumbria

District: South Lakeland

Police Authority: Cumbria