AN iconic heritage boat has been revived after a significant restoration project.
The 133-year-old ‘MY Raven’, one of the Ullswater Steamers’ boats, has been fitted with a brand new deck.
The boat has been cruising the length of Ullswater since 1889 as one of the original ships of the Ullswater Navigation and Transit Company, which was used to transport goods, mail and passengers.
Listed on the national historic ships register, MY Raven was originally built as a steam vessel but was eventually converted to a diesel-powered engine in the 1930s.
Now, visitors for years to come will still be able to enjoy the boat thanks to the completion of a large restoration project led by Hamish Patterson of Patterson Boat Works.
Hamish worked alongside the team at Ullswater Steamers to replace the upper decks with 70 square metres of sustainably-sourced iroko.
Meanwhile, her saloon has been refitted with American light oak, with the whole project being proudly finished to a first-class yacht standard.
Barry Crellin, an engineer at the Ullswater Steamers, said: “Raven has been brought back to her former glory, the whole team worked really hard to finish this project to a high standard and the results are superb.
“There is so much history in these vessels and projects like this ensure we are protecting the rich 160-year history of the Steamers so they can be enjoyed by visitors for years to come."
Raven is back out on the water now and passengers can enjoy the views across the Ullswater valley.
Raven was officially added to the Steamers’ fleet on July 16 1889 after identifying a need for a second boat during the peak holiday seasons.
She was built on the Clyde and delivered in sections by train to Penrith before being transported by horse and cart to Pooley Bridge.
She was christened ‘Raven’ by Winifred Parkin, aged 6.
Legend has it that the younger the person that names a boat, the longer it will last, which is certainly the case for Raven - still cruising after all these years.
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