Birdie

Current boat name

Birdie

Boat class

7540

Function

Sports and Leisure

Type

Length (m / ft)

10.97 / 36ft

Beam (m / ft)

1.73 / 5ft 8in

Propulsion

Steam

Date of build

1899

Place of build

Dartmouth

Present use

Museum/MMM

BIRDIE was built in 1899 by Simpson, Strickland & Co. Ltd of Dartmouth as a steam launch / runabout for the paddle steamer FIREFLY (32 tons), belonging to the Hon. Frederick Wynne. She was fitted with a Simpson, Strickland compound steam engine and boiler, although in 1903 these were replaced by a Simpson, Strickland ‘Kingdom’ quadruple expansion steam engine and vertical fire tube boiler producing 14 hp. This engine was replaced during the 1930’s with a marine petrol engine. After being presented to the Merseyside Maritime Museum by Lord Newborough in 1986, the vessel was restored to a steaming role. Check LOA now confirmed to be 36ft not 30ft - craft to be transferred to the NRHV GH june 2013