Registration number 1975
Status Registered
a12admin
William Allchorn - port side view
William Allchorn - port side view
William Allchorn - bow view
William Allchorn - passing Beachy Head
William Allchorn - starboard bow view
William Allchorn - starboard bow view
William Allchorn - stern view
William Allchorn - seating area
William Allchorn - port side view
William Allchorn - bow view
William Allchorn - out the water
William Allchorn - port side view
Laid up

Details

Function Passenger Vessel
Subfunction Excursion
Location Eastbourne
Current use Commercial Activity
Available to hire Yes
Available for excursions Yes
Web address https://allchornmaritime.org.uk/

Construction

Builder Cantell & Sons, Newhaven
Built in 1950
Rig None
Number of decks 1
Propulsion Motor
Number of engines 1
Primary engine type Inboard
Boiler type None
Boilermaker None

Dimensions

Breadth: Beam
16.07 feet (4.90m)
Depth
4.98 feet (1.52m)
Length: Overall
50.16 feet (15.30m)
Tonnage: Gross
47.00

History

WILLIAM ALLCHORN was a purpose built pleasure boat, commissioned by the Allchorn Brothers of Newhaven, East Sussex, in 1950 and funded by the Ministry of Defence Compensation Fund as recompense for ENCHANTRESS, lost during the Dunkirk evacuation. WILLIAM ALLCHORN is constructed of wood using double-diagonal planking, and is almost certainly the largest beach-launched pleasure boat still in service. She is licensed to carry one hundred passengers and continues to ply her pleasure cruising trade from Eastbourne to Beachy Head each summer season.

Key dates

  • 1950

    Purpose built by Cantell and Sons in Newhaven for Allchorn Brothers 
  • 2004

    Vessel plying pleasure cruising trade from Eastbourne to Beachy Head 
  • 2004

    Vessel owned by Christopher Laycock until May 2007
  • 2007

    Sold to current owner Allchorn Pleasure Boats, Eastbourne 

Grants

  • Feb 2024

    The Strategic Developement Fund awarded a grant of £1200 towards 3D scans of Southern Queen and William Allchorn, supported by Winter & Co Marine Ltd

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