Arcadia

Current boat name

Arcadia

Boat class

7286

Number

104083

Function

Sports and Leisure

Type

Length (m / ft)

9.65 / 31ft 8in

Beam (m / ft)

3 / 9ft 10in

Leeward

Keel - long

Masts

Two Wood

Rig type

Gaff Ketch

Propulsion

Engine

Designer

Blake H P

Date of build

1896

Place of build

Poole, Dorset

Built at Poole in 1896 ON 104083 see VREF 1795. According to the Guinness Book of Records, ARCADIA was the first paraffin-engined yacht. Rescued from a mud berth in 1989, she subsequently went for a major restoration. In 1996 she was put up for sale in Dover. August 2010 (Picture courtesy of Classic Boat) ARCADIA, pleasure yacht, built by Chislett and Lewis to a design by H P Blake in 1896 at Poole. Regsitered at Yarmouth 95 in 1896. Official number 104083. SSR 34431. LOA 10m, plus 2m with bowsprit and 1m mizzen boom. MB 3m, DR 1.5m. Crane lift weight 9.5 tons. Hull is carvel built of oak frames with pitch pine planking and deck. Has eliptical stern, pointed bow and plumb curved stem. Has two timber masts rigged as a gaff ketch with 2 jib sails. Current engine is an inboard diesel made by BMC, 4 cy, in approx 1977. According to Lloyds List (NHRV NB: Register?) in the Reading Room at National Maritime Museum ARCADIA was built for C Addison Williams who lived at Yarmouth, Norfolk, where the boat was first registered. She does not feature in the 1914-18 editions of Lloyds. She was owned by various people and used by them as both yacht and houseboat. In 1943 she was in dock at London, but did not go to Dunkirk. GH Nov 2010