Historic ‘Gondola’ to relaunch on Coniston

The boat's appearance also marks 40 years since the National Trust employed Vickers Shipbuilding Ltd of Barrow to undertake the task of surveying and assessing the wreck of Gondola.

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Gondola was rebuilt in the late 70’s and continues to showcase the best of local skilled craftsmanship and engineering expertise to visitors from around the world.

These days the crew do not have to rebuild the whole yacht but every winter but there is ongoing specialist maintenance work to be done. Gondola has been treated to a new skylight and its bear pit steps have been replaced ready for this season.

To commemorate the ruby re-build anniversary, the National Trust’s Gondola team would like to reconnect and get in touch with any volunteers or apprentices who were involved in the rescue and rebuild of Gondola in the 1970s.

The team would like to collect up stories and anecdotes of this time as well as any images to record a complete picture of this period of Gondola’s history.

It will help to ensure Gondola’s story is kept up-to-date and lives on through the sharing of personal experiences of those involved in keeping her ship shape.

Visitor Experience Officer, Suzi Bunting whose late father David Williams was instrumental in Gondola’s rescue explained: "Aside from providing wonderful steam cruises, Gondola is an incredible product of the vision, skill and dedication of local craftsmen and women through the last four decades. It’s thanks to them that she is still in service today to give so many people so much pleasure  - the purpose for which she was originally intended when she was launched on Coniston Water 158 years ago."

Suzi is keen to hear from anyone involved in the 1970s rebuild and rescue and can be contacted by email at suzi.bunting@nationaltrust.org.uk. 

Full details of Gondola’s timetable, special events and details about the Grand Victorian Tour can all be found on the website www.nationaltrust.org.uk/steam-yacht-gondola