Name Steam Cutter 26

Ordered by the Admiralty in June 1910 from the Rowhedge Ironworks Co., STEAM CUTTER 26 was delivered on January 16 1911 and allocated to HMS Falmouth, seeing action at the Battle of Jutland.  She was then issued to HMS Cricket and subsequently HMS Pandora.

She was sold out of the Navy in 1920 and by the late 1930s had been converted into a gentleman's steam yacht. 

This vessel is believed to be the largest example of the Steam Cutters, before the introduction of internal combustion engines. She is also believed to be the only one with armament fitted as standed.

During and after the Second World War she was abandoned and vandalised, but in 1970 she was salvaged and restoration commenced. Work stopped when the owner found a 'more suitable vessel' and she was abandoned, under cover.

In 2013 she was purchased by a charitable trust to restore as original with machinery refitted, a new boiler and armament replaced.  Once operational, it is hoped that the vessel will be regularly steamed around Falmouth Harbour in the summer months so that the public can see a historic vessel of this type, and take trips on her. She will also be used for charter and it is hoped she will be used for training.

This vessel is a survivor from the First World War. You can read more about her wartime history by visiting our First World War: Britain's Surviving Vessels website www.ww1britainssurvivingvessels.org.uk.