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Built in 1907 by Borwick & Son of Windermere, WATER VIPER is a saloon launch of carvel construction. Originally an Edwardian steam launch, she was used as a private yacht by Mrs Ainsworth of Wray Castle on Lake Windermere. The engine in water Viper is a 1934 Morris Commodore Mk 1 petrol. This was one of the earliest marine engines made by Hubert Morris – could be described as ‘experimental. It is a 2468cc 6-cylinder overhead camshaft engine based on the 1930 Morris Iris car engine. It has a dry sump lubrication system. The engine is one of less than 1000 produced and is very rare. In 2015 she was stablised and added to the Windermere Steamboat Museum (now Windermere Jetty Museum) collection store.
We are lacking information on this particular vessel. If you have any information on this vessel past or present, please contact us.
Built by Borwick & Son, Windermere as Edwardian steam launch for Mrs Ainsworth of Wray Castle
Refitted with a gasoline engine
Additional bay added to forward end of cabin to provide space for galley and heads
On show as exhibit at Windermere Steamboat Museum
Stabilised and placed in the Windermere Jetty Museum collection store.
Brouwer, Norman J, International Register of Historic Ships, Anthony Nelson, Edition 2, 1993
If you are the owner of this vessel and would like to provide more details or updated information, please contact info@nationalhistoricships.org.uk
National Historic Ships UK acknowledges the financial support of its sponsors