Searching for information on old boat that used to belong to my Grandfather

[Colin Abernethy]

Hi everyone, I was wondering if someone recognises the description of this boat at all?
The boats name is the Viking. She has a Burma teak hull and is 44 foot long, beam 10ft and draft 4ft. Designed by Alfred Milne, built by Robertson's of Sandbank, Holy Loch in 1912, for Etive Estates. Sold in 1950's, bought by my Granddad in 1957. Sold in 1994 to boatbuilder at Wargrave on Thames. Last showing on River Thames register 2007. My Dad checked round three boatbuilders in area 2008. No-one recognised Viking. My Dad has always been curious as to where she ended up. I can provide pictures of the vessel if it sounds familiar to anyone at all. Thanks in advance for any help you can provide!

 

[ianc1200]

She changed name (Celtic Lass?) and was a liveaboard on the shiplake to Sonning stretch, then sunk, was featured a lot on a wreck FB grouo, I thought she was out of the water at Better Boating Caversham last I saw her perhaps 5 years ago. Used to come to the Trad Rally at Henley mid 90's, converted passenger vessel with Gardner engine.

 

[ianc1200]

Correction - her name was Feral Lass when she sank, and before that "Viking". Owned then, from 1995 by Stephen Hambley & Zoe Albright of Cookham. Photo credit to the late Mike Phillips. Was this the one you were looking for Colin Abernethy? I think she was at Better Boating, on the hard, around July 2020.

On the FB group "Sitting there rotting in a boatyard" in March 2020 somebody had done some research - "Feral Lass Built in 1912 - Length : 13.7 metres ( 44 feet 11 inches ) - Beam : 3 metres ( 9 feet 10 inches ) Powered by an Inboard Diesel engine with a power of 50 HP. Registered with Environment Authority - Thames Region number X2917 as a Robertson Clydeside Non Hire Annual. ( Last updated on Saturday 16th July 2016 )"

 

[ianc1200]

Also from the FB group, photo's March 2020 by James Ruffel.

 

[Colin Abernethy]

Hi Ian,

Firstly apologies for taking such a long time to respond.

Thank you very much for your in depth response. I sadly think that this is her indeed.

I have shown my Dad and he is pretty certain. The timeline and area all tie in and the pictures are pretty conclusive.

At least that provides a bit of closure on her whereabouts. Thanks so much for your help with this. My Dad is very appreciative, as am I.

Best wishes.

Kindest Regards,
Colin