Osborne

Current boat name

Osborne

Boat class

7388

Number

439

Function

Military

Type

Length (m / ft)

9.52 / 31ft 3in

Beam (m / ft)

2.25 / 7ft 5in

Leeward

Keel

Propulsion

Steam

Date of build

1896

Place of build

Cowes I o W

Present use

PNBPT

OSBORNE was built in 1896 by John Samuel White as a ' Patent Steam Life Launch' for the Royal Yacht OSBORNE. She also served on the other Royal Yachts ALEXANDRA and VICTORIA AND ALBERT III. She was decommissioned in 1936 and used for dockyard service. Primarily owned thereafter and saved from destruction by A J Kitson in the 1950's, she was converted for use on the River Thames and then unused for many years until purchased by A L Spencer in 1972. Re-launched in 1979 after a 7-year restoration period she was used extensively on the Thames and the south coast until 1992. She was then preserved and maintained at Buckler's Hard until moved to Sandringham in 1997. She was moved to Portsmouth Dockyard in 2007 and is currently displayed in No 7 Boathouse under the care of the Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust. Examined and images added GH Apl 2013 Significance : Steam cutter that served three Royal Yachts