Name Boleh

What is the vessel’s ability to demonstrate history in her physical fabric?

BOLEH’s hull form and rig were influenced by the lines of dhows, junks and other sailing craft which were observed by Commander Kilroy during his service between the wars and, as a result, the vessel’s physical fabric uniquely demonstrates the UK’s association with the Far East in the years leading up to the dismantling of the British Empire after World War Two. BOLEH was originally built from chengai wood which is significant as local timber, demonstrating her international origins and build by Malay shipwrights. Some frames were rebuilt in1978 using plywood and, where necessary, damaged frames are now being replaced with greenheart. These changes in timber illustrate the different phases of ownership in BOLEH’s history. In terms of technical innovations, Commander Kilroy also introduced an early version of inboard/outboard propulsion.

What are the vessel’s associational links for which there is no physical evidence?

The story of BOLEH’s build, the original design concept and subsequent journey back to the UK has been wonderfully told by Commander Kilroy himself in his published book ‘Boleh’. The Boleh Trust has also collected a wide range of sources from off-ship research which includes technical drawings of the vessel’s build, early photographs and Commander Kilroy’s original lecture material. The vessel’s connection with Commander Kilroy as builder and designer links her to an interesting period in post-war international history when Britain was having to re-define its political and cultural relationships in a new world context. The public fascination which Commander Kilroy’s adventure generated is in part a reflection of this period of intense change. The years spent in Salcombe after her return to the UK and operation as a training vessel also give her a significance which is local to that area.

How does the vessel’s shape or form combine and contribute to her function?

BOLEH was designed for ocean passage making being strongly constructed of chengai – a hardwood one and a half times as heavy as oak. The sliding gunter rig, incorporating battened sails developed from the sail form used in Chinese junks, and unstayed quadruped mast was designed with short-handed sailing and easy reefing in mind. Aesthetically, BOLEH is a noteworthy vessel, particularly in UK waters, with clear links to her Far Eastern origins. As a one-off design, her unusual characteristics and build story attract considerable interest.

Source; Hannah Cunliffe, Policy & Project Manager, October 2010.