Scapa Flow from 1947.
She was sold out of service in 1950 to Captain J Hay who used her as a fishing boat for 3 years and then sold to Brian Marriage who duplicated the engine controls in the wheelhouse so that he and his wife could operate a coalfired vessel designed for a 4-man Naval crew.
She was acquired by Bob Partis in 1970 and over the next 15 years made voyages to Dartmouth, York, Newlyn, Holy Island and Oxford. In 1980, a replacement boiler was fitted which came from Queen Of The Broads, Norfolk’s last steam pleasure cruiser. In 1985, Alan Gurner of Cardiff bought her and again, a replacement boiler was fitted. She was steamed in the upper Bristol Channel until Alan passed away suddenly in 2005 and James Carstairs, who was one of a crew of enthusiasts who helped run her, bought her from the family.
This was the beginning of a major rebuild for Puffin. Though the original compound steam engine by Plenty & Sons of Newbury was in very good condition, both the hull and 6’ (2m)
diameter coal-fired boiler were in need of major work. So the boiler was removed and the hull lifted ashore, where she is currently being restored by James and his crew of volunteers. A complete new transom is being fitted and repairs to the double diagonal planking are underway.
Already much work has been done but the amount still to be done is enormous. All the original parts are there and James’ team is enthusiastic; Puffin will steam again! If you would like to help James and his crew bring this historic vessel back to life, see www.hsl256.co.uk or use the link from the SBA site www.steamboat.org.uk www.watercraft-magazine.com
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