Retro: Whatever floats your slipper launch...

Correspondent • Published 22 Oct 2009 10:00 2 Comments

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A GUEST Retro this week, by Brian Thompson of Horsham, West Sussex, who has written a book about the Thames Slipper Launches.

He writes: "The Slipper Launches, or sloping stern launches, were first built in boatyards along the Thames from as early as 1912 and became most popular in the 1920s and 30s.

"They have been described as rakish with a hint of opulence - they certainly are dashing and gain attention wherever they are seen.

"The slipper launch features a split windscreen which could support a full-length folding canvas hood, and a large rectangular cockpit furnished with wicker tub chairs and often folding side-tables.

"At the rear of the cockpit was a full-width upholstered seat, perfect for lounging on in a striped blazer and boater as one took tea or champagne. The most distinctive feature of the slipper launch was the long sloping stern, which met the flattened rear section of the bottom at the water-line and supported the ensign staff. The slipper launches have enjoyed great popularity since the 1920s and in the UK more of this style of launch were built than any other. The original design was by John Andrews, whose father ran a boatyard at Raymead Road, Maidenhead, where the early launches were built.

"In 1925, John set up his own boatyard five miles upstream at Bourne End, where more than 300 were built.

"Other yards picked up on the design, including John Bushnell at Wargrave, Bonds of Maidenhead, Tims and Sons of Staines, Townsends of Bourne End, Hobbs of Henley, Parrots of Henley, JG Meakes of Marlow and Brook Marine of Lowestoft.

"In more recent times there has been an increasing interest in the design and boatyards like Thorne Craft in York, Classic Marine in Norfolk, Woottens of Winterhill.

"In particular, Peter Freebody and Co of Hurley near Maidenhead can offer up-to-date versions of this classic launch."

Anyone with classic or nostalgic photos of launches can send them via email to slipperlaunch@uk2.net or by post, with a return address, to: Brian Thompson, Wattlehurst Barn, Dorking Road, Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 3SD.

Visit: www.slipperlaunch.com

This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 22 Oct 09

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Brian Thompson
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Nov 11, 18:39
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For clarity, the article should say that the book nears completion and that I am interested in any stories or nostalgic photographs that readers may know about that maybe included.

Also, the sentence regarding availability of modern day versions should read:

In more recent times there has been an increasing interest in the design and boatyards like Thorne Craft in York, Classic Marine in Norfolk, Woottens of Winterhill and Peter Freebody and Co of Hurley can offer up-to-date versions of this classic launch."

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Mick Horsfall
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Jan 3, 11:39
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Can you advise if the book has been completed

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