Gotta love the BBC almost as bad as the Mail nowadays....she was hauled through the streets of London from Brentford to.........Isleworth....
does the "rowbarge" (what a word!) look a teensy-weensy bit top-heavy ?
Pass the Sturgeron, Philip, please....
does the "rowbarge" (what a word!) look a teensy-weensy bit top-heavy ?
They mention that the vessel has water tight bulkheads and 'an engine' - the sketch in the link above shows a centre line engine, but I saw a propeller on the port side in the wee film, hence I presume she has two engines rather than one?
Perhaps they are wee green electric motors?
Everybody seems to be staying very quiet re the motor(s), focusing instead on the 18 rowers.
Useful to have the motor(s), if the rowers decide to go on strike......
I saw a little sail-drive angled out as well Martin.
I guess to be practical they would need the reserve (silent drive?) horsepower during official ceremonies, being more likely scheduled to suit specific times of the day rather than favourable tidal flows or opposing strong winds.
To say nothing of manoeuvrability!
I guess it is also useful to be able to manoeuvre the thing without calling upon the services of 18 rowers.
Phil and Liz won't be on that boat. Some other, as yet unnamed, royals will be though.