Lady Sophina Thames River Launch

The Royal Crescent river launch ‘Lady Sophina’ is an immaculate varnished mahogany and teak boat with its original brass fittings. One of the finest of the 1920s Thames River Launches, she won the best-restored boat award at Henley.

A beautifully crafted Thames River Launch built by a Messrs H Gibbs of Hampton Wick for a Mr F Kirby in 1923. The boat measures 35 ft (10.6 m) overall with a beam of 7 ft (2.13 m) and a modest draught of 2ft (0.6 m). The boat was designed to carry passengers on cruises lasting several days and relied on a 12-16 Kermath petrol engine to deliver a maximum speed of nearly nine knots.

Lady Sophina’s beauty in part comes from the tasteful and plentiful use of the right wood. The hull is of mahogany but she has a heart of English oak from the rubbing strake to her timbers. The deck is made of alternate planks of mahogany and teak, the roof planking is made of British Colombian pine and edged with a mahogany bead.

Following purchase from the previous owner, Lady Sophina arrived in Bath on Friday 30 May 1997, having taken 5 days to sail from Windsor. The Royal Crescent Hotel are now the proud owners of this stunningly beautiful craft and are delighted to offer champagne cruises and private charter through Concierge.

Lady Sophina cruises along the Kennet and Avon waterway from April – October with a capacity of 6 guests and her captain is Commander Blair Murray.

A cruise along the Kennet and Avon waterway is the perfect way to enjoy Bath and the surrounding countryside. Lady Sophina is available for Private Charter for:

• A Special Occasion
• Small Business Meetings
• Afternoon Tea
• Cruise and Lunch