Jeff | National Historic Ships

Registration number 260

Status Archived

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Details

Function Passenger Vessel

Subfunction Excursion

Location Enkhuizen

Vessel type Excursion

Archive reason Overseas Watch List

Current use Ongoing conservation

Available to hire No

Available for excursions No

Info required Yes

Construction

Builder Joseph MEARS

Built in 1923

Rig None

Number of decks 1

Propulsion Motor

Number of engines 1

Primary engine type Diesel

Boiler type None

Boilermaker None

Dimensions

Length: Overall

44.98 feet (13.72m)

History

Built as a Thames passenger launch by Thames launch specialist Joseph Mears of Richmond, one of a pair of vessels built by Mears and named after two popular American comic strip characters, Mutt and Jeff. Between 1907 – 1935, Mears boatyard at Eel Pie Island ran London’s largest fleet of around thirty passenger boats.

Both launches were small, open craft of under 40ft and were the first of Mears' boats to be powered by internal combustion engines. MUTT ran from Westminster to London Bridge and JEFF from Westminster to Old Swan Pier. Both launches went to Dunkirk as part of Operation Dynamo and both survived the war but MUTT is now no more.

After 23 years, JEFF was sold to Thames Launches. Arthur Jacobs of Windsor took her over in 1952. He had a series of boats called WINDSOR and JEFF was renamed WINDSOR IV. She ran trips to Boveney Lock near Windsor. When WINDSOR II was scrapped, she took over her name.

Whatford & Sons of Hampton Court were her next owners and when their business was sold in 1981, Turks Launches took her on as their spare boat, operating her until the early 2020s. She operated as a passenger launch on the Thames between Kingston, Richmond, and Hampton Court. She was used for summer afternoon cruises along the river, with picnic lunches on board or stops at picturesque riverside pubs. She could carry 15-45 guests and was regularly chartered for family parties, daytime hen and stag events, corporate staff days out, etc.

In May 2025, JEFF took part in the 85th anniversary Return to Dunkirk. From there, she was taken by road to the Netherlands, where she is under new ownership. JEFF will undergo a full restoration at the VMG Yachtbuilders yard in Enkhuizen. The work will include major hull repairs, a reconditioned engine installation, a full repaint and refinishing of the interior, and technical upgrades to prepare her for many more years on the water.

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