Vintage Cruiser History

[Gemelgirl]

I own a vintage, steel, bridge deck cruiser built in 1932. After her war service in Hull she was taken to the Norfolk Broads where some one changed her name from Dawn to Kuonana. I have been told she may have belonged to the Attenborough family in the 50s. Has anyone any information about this please?

 

[tidclacy]

A bit more information and a picture might help

 

[Gemelgirl]

She is 10 metres long with a steel hull( built in Holland )and a wooden superstructure ( added in Goole). I am trying to add a picture without much success.

 

[Old Harry]

post as a jpeg

 

[ianc1200]

Was this the one at Beverley Beck? If so there's a few of them about - were refueling boats? Was a well known one on the east coast and Thames called Dorothy Maureen ll.

 

[Gemelgirl]

 

[ianc1200]

Not the same as Dorothy Maureen then.

What length is she? There was a Dutch design called a Toledo, steel hulls, wooden tops (the two I've seen), just pre WW2, came as 33 & 28' 6" versions, with the single porthole, but a much straighter sheerline.

 

[Gemelgirl]

She is 10 metres built 1932 . the hull was made in Holland and then fitted out at Smith's boatyard in Goole.
She was built as a gentleman's cruiser but was taken by the navy during the war to stand by in Hull in case they were going to scuttle a series of big ships across the Humbermouth to hinder invasion. Kuonana was to take the crews off.

 

[ianc1200]

There doesn't seem to be be a mention of Dawn or Kuonana , steel motorboat, from mid 1930's to the end of the Lloyds Register in 1980. Nor does she appear to be in the lists of boats built by Smith Brothers of Goole, about that size, but different name (ie about 13 TM). There is also no mention of the name Attenborough in relation to boats on the Broads in the 1950's in the LR's. That's not to say it wasn't owned by them, but difficult to find information if not in the LR's (often boats were not registered as a way of avoiding HMRC knowing your wealth). Finally had a quick look in the British Newspaper Archive to see if there's anything relating to the Attenboroughs & Broads, but again, unfortunately, could find nothing.

 

[Gemelgirl]

There doesn't seem to be be a mention of Dawn or Kuonana , steel motorboat, from mid 1930's to the end of the Lloyds Register in 1980. Nor does she appear to be in the lists of boats built by Smith Brothers of Goole, about that size, but different name (ie about 13 TM). There is also no mention of the name Attenborough in relation to boats on the Broads in the 1950's in the LR's. That's not to say it wasn't owned by them, but difficult to find information if not in the LR's (often boats were not registered as a way of avoiding HMRC knowing your wealth). Finally had a quick look in the British Newspaper Archive to see if there's anything relating to the Attenboroughs & Broads, but again, unfortunately, could find nothing
Thank you for looking Regards

 

[dombuckley]

There's no mention of her (under either name) in the Broads register, which extends back to the 50s. There was a Kuonana of the right size registered with CART until 2013, but this has no information about when she arrrived.

 

[Scout1133]

I own a vintage, steel, bridge deck cruiser built in 1932. After her war service in Hull she was taken to the Norfolk Broads where some one changed her name from Dawn to Kuonana. I have been told she may have belonged to the Attenborough family in the 50s. Has anyone any information about this please?

Hi
My mum and dad owned kuonana in the early ‘70s when I was probably about 10 or 11. She was moored at glanford boat club Brigg
We lost mum last October and dad 25 years ago so would love to know how the boat is doing as i have fond memories of time spent on it
The main thing that I can remember as a child is the sign on the loo door reading vrig and bezet for vacant and engaged (apologies if spelling wrong)

 

[Gemelgirl]

Hi
We have owned Kuonana for a long time and had some wonderful holidays aboard. The toilet door is still in Dutch. She takes a lot of work to keep up. My husband is replacing some of the woodwork at the moment. The furthest we have been is Ipswitch but we usually go up and down the Aire and Caulder canal, the river Trent or the Ouse.
When the world is back to normal you will have to come and have a look at her.

 

[Scout1133]

Hi
We have owned Kuonana for a long time and had some wonderful holidays aboard. The toilet door is still in Dutch. She takes a lot of work to keep up. My husband is replacing some of the woodwork at the moment. The furthest we have been is Ipswitch but we usually go up and down the Aire and Caulder canal, the river Trent or the Ouse.
When the world is back to normal you will have to come and have a look at her.

That would be amazing thank you , it’s great to know someone has owned and cherished her
Really look forward to meeting you and seeing what was a big part of my childhood
Take care
Paul