Windermere Lake Cruises

Windermere Lake Cruises is a boat company which provides leisure trips on Windermere in the central part of the English Lake District. It is based in Bowness-on-Windermere, Cumbria.

Windermere Lake Cruises
TypePrivate company
IndustryPassenger transportation
Leisure cruises
PredecessorBowness Bay Boating Company, Ambleside Motor Launch Company, Windermere Iron Steamboat Company, British Rail (Sealink)
HeadquartersBowness-on-Windermere, Cumbria,
United Kingdom
Number of locations
3
Area served
Windermere
ServicesCruises and Self Drive Hire boats
Number of employees
up to 150
ParentWinander Leisure Limited
Websitewww.windermere-lakecruises.co.uk
Teal at Bowness

History

Windermere is the largest natural lake in England, and has supported commercial traffic for many years. In the early 19th century sailing packets operated the length of the lake carrying both passengers and goods. The first steamship on the lake, and indeed on any lake in England, was the paddle steamer Lady of the Lake, launched in 1845 for the Windermere Steam Yacht Company. In 1847 a second company, the Windermere Iron Steamboat Company, put into service the Firefly, following that by the Dragonfly in 1850. After some years of competition, the two companies merged as the Windermere United Yacht Company in 1858. This company introduced the steamers Rothay (1867) and the Swan (1869). The Rothay was the last paddle steamer built for use on the lake, with all subsequent vessels being propeller driven.[1][2][3]

In 1869 the Furness Railway opened its branch from Ulverston to Lakeside station, intended as an interchange between train and steamer at the southern end of the lake. The railway company had already purchased shares in the Windermere United Yacht Company, and in 1872 it took full control. In 1871 the Furness Railway had purchased the steam barge Raven, which in addition to carrying cargo to houses, hotels and businesses around the lake, also served as an ice-breaker for the passenger steamers. Other vessels introduced after the Furness Railway took over the yacht company include the Cygnet (1879), Teal (1879), Tern (1891), Swift (1900) and Britannia (built in 1879 and acquired second-hand in 1909). The Rothay was scrapped in 1891 and the Britannia in 1919.[2][3]

In 1923, with the grouping of the railways, the lake steamers came under the control of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS). The LMS built two motor vessels for use on Windermere, the Teal (1936) and the Swan (1938). The Raven was sold out of service in 1927, and is now an exhibit at the Windermere Steamboat Museum, whilst the earlier Teal was scrapped in 1929 and the earlier Swan in 1938.[2][3]

In 1948, the Windermere steamers came under the control of the British Transport Commission as part of the nationalisation of the British railways, passing to the British Railways Board or British Rail in 1963, along with all other railway related shipping services. In 1970 the British Rail shipping services were rebranded as Sealink, with the Windermere operation being known as Sealink Windermere. The Cygnet was scrapped in 1955.[2][3]

In 1984, as part of the privatisation of the British railways, Sealink was sold to Sea Containers who resurrected the Windermere Iron Steamboat Company name for its Windermere operations. In 1993 the Windermere Iron Steamboat Company was bought by the local Bowness Bay Boating Company, who already operated a fleet of launches on the lake, and the merged operation renamed Windermere Lake Cruises. The Swift was scrapped in 1999, having been laid up since 1981,[2][3] but a new Swift joined the fleet in 2020.[4]

Operation
Swan on the slipway at Lakeside

The headquarters of Windermere Lake Cruises is near the ferry pier at Bowness-on-Windermere, whilst the boats are maintained on a slipway at Lakeside and a dry dock at Waterhead. The fleet of 17 passenger carrying vessels comprises four larger ships, usually referred to as steamers although all are now diesel/ diesel electric powered, and a number of smaller launches. There is also a large number of self drive hire boats. They operate a number of services, including:

Name Route Description
Yellow Bowness-on-Windermere – Lakeside Station – Bowness-on-Windermere All year service; most services operated by steamer[5]
Red Bowness-on-Windermere – Windermere Jetty - (Brockhole National Park Visitor Centre) – Ambleside – Bowness-on-Windermere All year service; mixed steamer and launch service; only launches / Swift call at Brockhole.[6] Only launches call at Windermere Jetty
Green Ambleside – Brockhole National Park Visitor Centre – Wray Castle – Ambleside Operates between March and October; launch service[7]
Blue Bowness-on-Windermere - 45 Minute Circular Tour of the Islands - Bowness-on-Windermere All year service; operated by launch with 1 sailing per day with Swift (summer months only)
Bike Boat Brockhole National Park Visitor Centre – Bark Barn at Claife – Brockhole National Park Visitors Centre Operates between May and September; uses launch adapted to carry cycles[8]
Ferry Bowness-on-Windermere – Ferry House at Far Sawrey – Bowness-on-Windermere Operates between March and October; launch service[9]
Ferry Lakeside Station – Fell Foot Park – Lakeside Station Operates between March and September; launch service[10]
Self Drive Bowness-on-Windermere / Ambleside Waterhead Operating a selection of self drive electric motor launches and rowing boats most of the year.

Fleet

Steamers
Name Built Description Image
Tern 1891 Steam Yacht (later Motor Vessel) Tern was built in 1891 by Forrest & Son of Wyvenhoe in Essex. She was originally built as a steam powered yacht, but was converted to diesel power in 1956. She is 145 feet (44 m) in length, 18 feet (5.5 m) in beam, a draft of 9 feet (2.7 m) and a gross tonnage of 120. She has two 6 cylinder Cummins diesel engines, two auxiliary generators and a bow thruster, and has a maximum speed of 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph). She carries a crew of 4 and up to 350 passengers, and is a member of the National Historic Fleet.[11][12]
Teal 1936 Motor Vessel Teal was built in 1936 by Vickers of Barrow-in-Furness, and transported in sections by rail to Lakeside for assembly. She is 142 feet (43 m) in length, 25 feet (7.6 m) in beam, a draft of 9 feet (2.7 m) and a gross tonnage of 251. Over the winter of 2020/21 Teal had two new Volvo Penta engines installed, replacing the two 6 cylinder Kelvin diesel engines she carried since 1994. Teal also has two auxiliary generators and a bow thruster. Teal has a maximum speed of 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph). She carries a crew of 6 (formerly 7) and up to 533 passengers, and is a member of the National Historic Fleet.[13][14]
Swan 1938 Motor Vessel Swan was built in 1938 by Vickers of Barrow-in-Furness, and transported in sections by rail to Lakeside for assembly. She is 142 feet (43 m) in length, 25 feet (7.6 m) in beam, a draft of 9 feet (2.7 m) and a gross tonnage of 251. She has two 6 cylinder Cummins diesel engines two auxiliary generators, a bow thruster and has a maximum speed of 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph). She carries a crew of 6 (formerly 7, changed in 2020) and up to 533 passengers, and is a member of the National Historic Fleet.[15][16]
Swift 2020 Diesel Electric Vessel Swift has three decks and at full capacity can hold 300 passengers. This ship was completed in 2020 by Damen Group. The sections of boat were transported by road to Lakeside and assembled in the car park next to the slipway, before being transported down to the pier side and craned in the water on 11 December 2019.[17] The Swift is 34.4 metres long and uses 2 x Volvo Penta engines to power an electrical pod type propulsion system making it an extremely manouverable vessel. It is crewed by a team of four. The ship is fully wheelchair accessible and had its first day in revenue earning service on 25 October 2020.[18]

Launches
Name Built Description Image
Muriel II 1935 Muriel II was built in 1935 by Borwicks of Windermere in Cumbria. She is 45 feet (14 m) in length, 10 feet (3.0 m) in beam, a draft of 3.3 feet (1.0 m) and has a gross tonnage of 8. She has a maximum speed of 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph). She carries a crew of 2 and up to 57 passengers, and is registered by National Historic Ships.[19][20]
Sunflower II 1949 Sunflower II was built in 1949 by Borwicks of Windermere in Cumbria. She is 45 feet (14 m) in length, 9.2 feet (2.8 m) in beam, a draft of 5 feet (1.5 m) and has a gross tonnage of 8. She has a maximum speed of 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph). She carries a crew of 2 and up to 57 passengers, and is registered by National Historic Ships.[21][22][23]
Queen of the Lake 1949 Queen of the Lake was built in 1949 by Watercraft of Molesey in Surrey. She is 50 feet (15 m) in length and has a gross tonnage of 13. She has a maximum speed of 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph). She carries a crew of 2 and up to 84 passengers.[24]
Princess of the Lake 1950 Princess of the Lake was built in 1950 by Watercraft of Molesey in Surrey. She is 50 feet (15 m) in length and has a gross tonnage of 13. She has a maximum speed of 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph). She carries a crew of 2 and up to 84 passengers.[25]
Silverholme 1969 Silverholme was built in 1969. She is 53.1 feet (16.2 m) in length and has a gross tonnage of 35.6. She has a maximum speed of 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph). She carries a crew of 2 and up to 84 passengers.[26]
Miss Cumbria I-IV 1974-1988 The four vessels of the Miss Cumbria class were built in the Netherlands between 1974 and 1988. Each vessel is 65.9 feet (20.1 m) in length and has a gross tonnage of 42.3. They have a maximum speed of 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph). They carry a crew of 2 and up to 128 passengers. Image shows Miss Cumbria III.[27]
Miss Lakeland I 1985 Miss Lakeland I was built in the Netherlands in 1985. She is 67 feet (20 m) in length and has a gross tonnage of 46.6. She has a maximum speed of 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph). She carries a crew of 2 and up to 173 passengers.[28]
Miss Westmorland 1988 Miss Westmorland was built in Bristol in 1988. She is 60 feet (18 m) in length and has a maximum speed of 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph). She carries a crew of 2 and up to 128 passengers.[29]
Venture 1966 Venture was built on the shores of Windermere in 1966 by Youdell & Brockbank. She is 34.7 feet (10.6 m) in length and has a gross tonnage of 46.3. Originally powered by a single diesel engine, over the winter of 2017/18, Venture was converted to a zero carbon emissions electric propulsion unit.[30] She has a maximum speed of 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph). She carries a crew of 2 and up to 45 passengers.[31]
Miss Lakeland II 1992 Miss Lakeland II was built in the Netherlands in 1992. She is 66.6 feet (20.3 m) in length and has a gross tonnage of 43.5. She has a maximum speed of 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph). She carries a crew of 2 and up to 156 passengers.[32]

References
  1. "Lake District National Park - Explore Windermere". Lakedistrict.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 3 April 2016. Retrieved 3 April 2016.
  2. "Company History". Windermere Lake Cruises. Archived from the original on 10 June 2018. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  3. Haws, Duncan (1993). Merchant Fleets-Britain's Railway Steamers- Eastern & North Western + Zeeland and Stena. Hereford: TCL Publications. pp. 10–13. ISBN 0-946378-22-3.
  4. "Windermere Lake Cruises sign contract for new 300-seat boat". Windermere Lake Cruises. 8 May 2019. Retrieved 8 May 2019.
  5. "Yellow Cruise". Windermere Lake Cruises. Archived from the original on 13 June 2018. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
  6. "Red Cruise". Windermere Lake Cruises. Archived from the original on 13 June 2018. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
  7. "Green Cruise". Windermere Lake Cruises. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 12 June 2018.
  8. "Bike Boat". Windermere Lake Cruises. Archived from the original on 13 June 2018. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
  9. "Bowness To Ferry House (Cross Lakes Shuttle)". Windermere Lake Cruises. Archived from the original on 13 June 2018. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
  10. "Fell Foot Ferry". Windermere Lake Cruises. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 12 June 2018.
  11. "MV Tern". Windermere Lake Cruises. Archived from the original on 7 June 2018. Retrieved 7 June 2018.
  12. "Tern". National Historic Ships. Archived from the original on 7 June 2018. Retrieved 7 June 2018.
  13. "MV Teal". Windermere Lake Cruises. Archived from the original on 8 June 2018. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
  14. "Teal". National Historic Ships. Archived from the original on 8 June 2018. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
  15. "MV Swan". Windermere Lake Cruises. Archived from the original on 8 June 2018. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
  16. "Swan". National Historic Ships. Archived from the original on 8 June 2018. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
  17. "New Vessel for Windermere Lake Cruises". Maritime Logistics Professional. 13 December 2019. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  18. "MV Swift".
  19. "Muriel II". Windermere Lake Cruises. Archived from the original on 10 June 2018. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  20. "Muriel II". National Historic Ships. Archived from the original on 10 June 2018. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  21. "Sunflower". Windermere Lake Cruises. Archived from the original on 11 June 2018. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  22. "Sunflower II". National Historic Ships. Archived from the original on 11 June 2018. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  23. Gladwell, Andrew (15 May 2011). Lakeland Steamers. Amberley Publishing Limited. ISBN 9781445623603.
  24. "Queen of the Lake". Windermere Lake Cruises. Archived from the original on 10 June 2018. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  25. "Princess of the Lake". Windermere Lake Cruises. Archived from the original on 11 June 2018. Retrieved 11 June 2018.
  26. "Silverholme". Windermere Lake Cruises. Archived from the original on 11 June 2018. Retrieved 11 June 2018.
  27. "Miss Cumbria I, II, III & IV". Windermere Lake Cruises. Archived from the original on 11 June 2018. Retrieved 11 June 2018.
  28. "Miss Lakeland I". Windermere Lake Cruises. Archived from the original on 13 June 2018. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
  29. "Westmorland". Windermere Lake Cruises. Archived from the original on 18 June 2018. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  30. "First-ever electric passenger vessel for Windermere Lake Cruises". Windermere Lake Cruises. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  31. "Venture". Windermere Lake Cruises. Archived from the original on 18 June 2018. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  32. "Miss Lakeland II". Windermere Lake Cruises. Archived from the original on 13 June 2018. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
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