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Registration number
68
Status
National Historic Fleet
a12admin
Previous names
- 1901 Atlanta
- 1930 Hampton
Details
Function
Leisure Craft
Subfunction
Launch
Location
Windermere
Vessel type
Saloon Launch
Current use
Private use
Available to hire
No
Available for excursions
No
Construction
Builder
Burgoine, C & A, Hampton Wick
Built in
1901
Hull material
Wood
Rig
None
Number of decks
1
Propulsion
Steam
Number of engines
1
Primary engine type
Steam compound
Boiler type
Drum Water Tube
Boilermaker
Wilson & Kyle Ltd, Brentford
Boiler year
1978
Boiler fuel
oil
Dimensions
Breadth: Beam
7.15 feet
(2.18m)
Depth
2.00 feet
(0.61m)
Length: Overall
44.98 feet
(13.72m)
History
Built by Alfred Burgoine, the royal boatbuilder, for his own fleet, as ATLANTA, she was used as an umpire's launch and for cruising on the Thames. Moored at Hampton Court until 1936, she was sold by her then-owner to David Kyle who cruised her from Brentford to Gravesend. Converted to motor drive in the 1950s, she was restored to steam in 1980. Acquired by the Knight family in 1988, she was then thoroughly re-fitted.
Souvenir D'Antan is currently undergoing boiler and burner repair/renewal and has been off the water since October 2022 and is expected back on Windermere in April 2024.
Significance
What is the vessel’s ability to demonstrate history in her physical fabric?
SOUVENIR D’ANTAN is powered by her original open compound reversing and condensing steam engine, also built by Alfred Burgoine in 1901. Her current boiler was fitted in 1980 and built in 1978. She was converted to a motor drive in the 1950s, but subsequently restored to steam.
What are the vessel’s associational links for which there is no physical evidence?
The vessel was built as ATALANTA for James R Offer by Alfred Thomas Burgoine of Kingston-upon-Thames, who was the Royal boatbuilder and an acknowledged master craftsman. It is believed that the vessel was instrumental in bringing together the Offer and Burgoine families, as Burgoine’s only daughter later married Mr Harry Offer who purchased the Burgoine boatyard in 1910.
How does the vessel’s shape or form combine and contribute to her function?
Although built primarily for private leisure use, the vessel’s speed also enabled her to be used as an umpire’s launch for racing eights. Her hull was built of Honduras mahogany. She has a straight stem with rounded forefoot and canoe stern.
Source: Hannah Cunliffe, Policy & Project Manager, National Historic Ships Date: May 2011.
Key dates
-
1901
Built by Alfred Burgoine in Kingston-on-Thames for Mr James R Offer and named AT(A)LANTA
-
1901-14
Used for private cruising on the Thames
-
1914
Sold to a female owner at Hampton Court and renamed HAMPTON
-
1914-36
Moored outside owner’s house at Hampton Court
-
1936
Sold to David Kyle
-
1936-88
Used extensively by the Kyle family for cruising on the Thames and renamed SOUVENIR D’ANTAN
-
1950s
Converted to motor drive
-
1980
Restored to steam with the original engine
-
1988
Acquired by the Knight family and thoroughly refitted
-
2003
Acquired by new owner and transported to Lake Windermere where she was again refitted
-
2013
Based on Lake Windermere as a private steam yacht
Sources
Steamboat Register: An illustrated Register of surviving steam vessels in the British Isles, Steam Boat Association of Great Britain, Edition 6, May 1994
Classic Boat: Getting Afloat - Souvenir d'Antan, September 1998
Own this vessel?
If you are the owner of this vessel and would like to provide more details or updated information, please contact info@nationalhistoricships.org.uk
