Searching for a boat called Gentian

[Jaunty 1]

I am trying to find the location and owners of a boat my father owned from the mid 1960's through to the mid 1970's. She was a 47 foot wooden motor yacht called Gentian with an id no. of 183491, built at the Sylivia boat yard in East Cowes in 1948. During the above time she was moored on the Rivers Severn at Kempsey, Worcestershire and River Avon at The Fleet Inn Tywning and Strensham Lock, Gloucestershire. During the Mid to late 1970's she was moored back at Kempsey. I then lost track of her until the 1990's when I believe she was frequently seen on the River Dart in Devon. If anyone has any idea as to her location now or has any ideas which may help me find her I would welcome hearing from you. She was registered with the Maritime & Coastguard Agency for a time but was de-registered in 1999. I have found the attached photo of the boat on her mooring at the Fleet inn, Twyning during the late sixties. I have also discovered that her wheel house was modified at Jim Beecham's boat yard, Bredon road, Tewkesbury in 1966 if anyone has any memories from that time. She also used to spend the summers of the mid to late sixties & early seventies in Ilfracombe Harbour. Many thanks in anticipation.

 

[Nattajack]

I remember Gentian from the 1960's moored outside the Fleet Inn at Twyning on the River Avon. She accompanied a group of motor yachts on a cruise-in-company in about 1967 or 68 from Beechams boatyard down to Avonmouth and Bristol.
I recall she had a long steep front windscreen but did not know she had been altered by Beecham Marine. Our family boat at that time was Le Cygne which was also featured on a postcard moored outide the Fleet Inn.

My Lloyd's register dated 1973 lists Gentian and her owner was a Mr G B McNeill Shimmin from Bredons Norton.

Debrett's Register 1985 lists her owner as Mr G W Page from Coventry. She may have been based in Brixham.

I cannot recall seeing her in the later 60's by which time we had a larger TSDY called Jacamanda which had been fitted out by Beechams. I have personal knowledge of Beecham boats and the history of the yard including the mass murder that occurred in 1969. I would like to know what happened to Jacamanda. I was told she may be in the Brighton area and was involved in a near sinking off the coast.

Does anyone have any more information about Jacamanda.

 

[Mikecluer]

Gentian was owned by my wife’s grandfather and indeed he moored it at Kempsey. Now in the ownership of his grandson and it is down on the Fal /St Just I believe.

 

[Jaunty 1]

Gentian was owned by my wife’s grandfather and indeed he moored it at Kempsey. Now in the ownership of his grandson and it is down on the Fal /St Just I believe.

Hi,
I have only just seen your post from last year. My father sold Gentian to a gentleman called Frank Gill in 1973 probably through a gentleman called Frank Ellaway of Mill house boat yard in Worcestershire based on the river Salwarpe just off the Severn. I remember going on board with my father at Mr. Gill's invitation later in the 70's while she was being wintered at Mill house. Was Mr. Gill your wife's Grandfather? I would very much like to see her again if possible and to find out more of her more recent history if possible.
Many thanks for your post.

 

[Jaunty 1]

I remember Gentian from the 1960's moored outside the Fleet Inn at Twyning on the River Avon. She accompanied a group of motor yachts on a cruise-in-company in about 1967 or 68 from Beechams boatyard down to Avonmouth and Bristol.
I recall she had a long steep front windscreen but did not know she had been altered by Beecham Marine. Our family boat at that time was Le Cygne which was also featured on a postcard moored outide the Fleet Inn.

My Lloyd's register dated 1973 lists Gentian and her owner was a Mr G B McNeill Shimmin from Bredons Norton.

Debrett's Register 1985 lists her owner as Mr G W Page from Coventry. She may have been based in Brixham.

I cannot recall seeing her in the later 60's by which time we had a larger TSDY called Jacamanda which had been fitted out by Beechams. I have personal knowledge of Beecham boats and the history of the yard including the mass murder that occurred in 1969. I would like to know what happened to Jacamanda. I was told she may be in the Brighton area and was involved in a near sinking off the coast.

Does anyone have any more information about Jacamanda.

I have only just seen your post reference Gentian. My father was very good friends with Jim Beecham and his family so I know about the mass murder unfortunately. I have cine film of the trip you mention to Avonmouth. My father passed away sometime ago, but my mother who was on that trip is still with us. I will ask her what she remembers and post it. She was sold by my father in 1973 to a Mr. F. Gill and moored at Kempsey but then I lost the trail for a while. I have filled in some gaps.
Many thanks.

 

[Nattajack]

I have only just seen your post reference Gentian. My father was very good friends with Jim Beecham and his family so I know about the mass murder unfortunately. I have cine film of the trip you mention to Avonmouth. My father passed away sometime ago, but my mother who was on that trip is still with us. I will ask her what she remembers and post it. She was sold by my father in 1973 to a Mr. F. Gill and moored at Kempsey but then I lost the trail for a while. I have filled in some gaps.
Many thanks.

I recall Mr Frank Gill who previously owned a steel motor yacht named Ranchi. He lived near Worcester. I have also got a cine film of the trip to Avonmouth which features Gentian. I believe she may have been owned by Mr Dennis Shirlaw at one time but I may be wrong. My family owned a series of boats based at Beechams in Tewkesbury in the late 60's and I have written an article in the Tewkesbury Historical Society magazine about the Beecham boats. I now have a De Groot steel motor yacht called Bojalesa moored in Upton Marina.

 

[Shifty]

Well well, Gentian was owned by a dear friend of ours Dr Graham Page of Coventry, we only got to know him in later years after he had got out of boating. He used to tell us many tales of getting out of the Seven estuary and trips down to West Country and over to the Channel Isles.
Sadly Graham and his wife both passed away a number of years ago.
Will follow this thread with keen interest.

 

[Jaunty 1]

I recall Mr Frank Gill who previously owned a steel motor yacht named Ranchi. He lived near Worcester. I have also got a cine film of the trip to Avonmouth which features Gentian. I believe she may have been owned by Mr Dennis Shirlaw at one time but I may be wrong. My family owned a series of boats based at Beechams in Tewkesbury in the late 60's and I have written an article in the Tewkesbury Historical Society magazine about the Beecham boats. I now have a De Groot steel motor yacht called Bojalesa moored in Upton Marina.

Thank you for your reply. I will look up the Tewkesbury historical article if I can find it. I will speak to my mother and see if she can remember anything else from the Avon trip. Nice to know you are still boating and will post more before too long.

 

[Jaunty 1]

Well well, Gentian was owned by a dear friend of ours Dr Graham Page of Coventry, we only got to know him in later years after he had got out of boating. He used to tell us many tales of getting out of the Seven estuary and trips down to West Country and over to the Channel Isles.
Sadly Graham and his wife both passed away a number of years ago.
Will follow this thread with keen interest.

Thank you for your post. That is very interesting. My father used to say it could get exciting on the Severn estuary. They used to cross to Penarth for an overnight stay before heading down to Ilfracrombe. I find every little bit of extra news I find fascinating in building up some of Gentian‘S history. Hopefully one day I will find her.
Many thanks for your post.

 

[Farmer Piles]

Wrong time of year for looking, boats now off their mooring, but I will keep an eye out for her. Do you have any idea of the shape of the wheelhouse post modification. There are a handful of her type around the Fal, a couple in Falmouth and one in Mylor that I know of. None moored at St Just that I can picture. Maybe St Mawes. I will put a post on the "Falmouth For Orders" Facebook page. A lot of the folk on there are boat professionals.

 

[Jaunty 1]

Wrong time of year for looking, boats now off their mooring, but I will keep an eye out for her. Do you have any idea of the shape of the wheelhouse post modification. There are a handful of her type around the Fal, a couple in Falmouth and one in Mylor that I know of. None moored at St Just that I can picture. Maybe St Mawes. I will put a post on the "Falmouth For Orders" Facebook page. A lot of the folk on there are boat professionals.

Good morning,

Thank you for replying to my post. I have been ill for along time and I am afraid I have neglected to keep up to date with any replies.

I have attached two photos of Gentian with her later wheel house although I was lent a later photo from a boat yard back in the late 90's showing the the curved sides had been squared off at the rear of the wheelhouse where the outdoor wheel is situated. I also saw that the sculpted area on the stern has been extended upwards and squared off.

Many thanks for your interest, I will keep more of an eye out now I am slightly improved.

 

[ST840]

Good morning,

Thank you for replying to my post. I have been ill for along time and I am afraid I have neglected to keep up to date with any replies.

I have attached two photos of Gentian with her later wheel house although I was lent a later photo from a boat yard back in the late 90's showing the the curved sides had been squared off at the rear of the wheelhouse where the outdoor wheel is situated. I also saw that the sculpted area on the stern has been extended upwards and squared off.

Many thanks for your interest, I will keep more of an eye out now I am slightly improved.

It is clear from the photo here that the boat is named Gentjan not Gentian as you have written in your title.
little details may help you if people start asking around.

 

[Jaunty 1]

It is clear from the photo here that the boat is named Gentjan not Gentian as you have written in your title.
little details may help you if people start asking around.

Hi,
Not wishing to be awkward, I can see and know what you mean, but all the paperwork and records definitely Gentian even though it looks it in the photo. All the other photos including more recent show Gentian.
Many thanks for your advice.

 

[Croftie]

Gentian is listed for VHF at Ship Station List

Eddited to add.
Bit of a long shot but the VHF info lists MR M DOWDNEY as owner. Looking on 192.com there is a
Michael Dowdney in Truro. Thats not a million miles from Falmouth - see post #10

 

[ST840]

Hi,
Not wishing to be awkward, I can see and know what you mean, but all the paperwork and records definitely Gentian even though it looks it in the photo. All the other photos including more recent show Gentian.
Many thanks for your advice.

Actually now I've zoomed right in it looks like the bottom of the "I" is a bit damaged and making it look like a "J".
I retract my comment.

 

[Farmer Piles]

Success. She is indeed in my part of the world. She is based at Mylor and she is currently undergoing a fairly lengthy refurbishment ashore at Mylor Yacht Harbour. More than that I don't know but I am sure that they would be helpful at MYH if you call them.

 

[Shifty]

Brilliant news, hopefully will get down sometime next summer and try to locate her, have listened to many tales of her exploits, and in turn inspired us to lead our own boating journey.

 

[Jaunty 1]

Gentian is listed for VHF at Ship Station List

Eddited to add.
Bit of a long shot but the VHF info lists MR M DOWDNEY as owner. Looking on 192.com there is a
Michael Dowdney in Truro. Thats not a million miles from Falmouth - see post #10

Hi,
Thank you for your post. I did try to contact Mr. Dowdney by post but had no response. However I think things have moved on since then.

 

[Jaunty 1]

Success. She is indeed in my part of the world. She is based at Mylor and she is currently undergoing a fairly lengthy refurbishment ashore at Mylor Yacht Harbour. More than that I don't know but I am sure that they would be helpful at MYH if you call them.

Thank you for your post. I will give them a call and see what I can find out.

 

[Jaunty 1]

Brilliant news, hopefully will get down sometime next summer and try to locate her, have listened to many tales of her exploits, and in turn inspired us to lead our own boating journey.

I look forward to finding her. I think she has had a very interesting and varied life. It would be nice to put all the pieces together one day and see her again. Many thanks.