Firebird

Status: Steaming

Owner: Dan McFarlane

Area: UK-East Anglia

Hull

Launch. Construction: Carvel teak.
Built 1904 at Hampton
LOA: 28' 4", LWL: 25' 0", Beam: 6' 1", Draft: 2' 6",
Straight stem, counter stern, black with varnished sheer and gold cove, varnished deck and interior (all varnished until 1972), Canopy, Folding screens.

Boiler

VFT Built 1980 by J.O. Lugg & Son Ltd. at Billinghurst
Fuel: Coal, Pressure: 150 psi, Grate area: 2.75 sqft, Heating area: 60 sqft, Output: 200 lbs/hr,
27" dia X 36" high Steel barrel. 153 X 1" dia Steel tubes.
condensing, engine driven pump, injector,
This boiler replaced an earlier VFT

Engine

Propeller

Bronze, 3 blades, Right Hand, 19" X 36"
Shaft: 1.375" Stainless Steel
The Mumford catalogue lists a 22" x 30". Current screw was fitted to replace the extant 19" 1/2 x 30", which appears to have been cut down to fit the apperture.

History

Built at Hampton c 1904 allegedly by Burgoine. Hull rebuilt in 1954 by Eric Jordan and Peter Freebody at Woottens Boatyard, Cookham for J. B. Hickey, Richmond, who also owned Pierrette, Elfin and Rose ODea, and machinery re-fitted, with many original fittings and woodwork. She was re-planked in Teak (Prev. a 'pine')

1954 to 1971 J.B.Hickey (re-named COOKHAM DEAN)

1971 to 1973 John Churchill (re-named STROMBOLI)

1973 to 1979 Jonathan Minns (Wheel steering fitted)

1979 to 1991 The Hon W. H. McAlpine.(Folding screens added, reverted to her original name)

1991 to 2017 Robert and Tina Baker. (ref. Old Glory, March 1995)

Winner at various Thames Trad. Rallies of Thames Heritage Cup,Horsham Cleat and Reade Propeller trophies.
Dates are flakey - Anyone who can help with Firebirds' history, please get in touch.

Bolting for the stable at Woottens. Ian Rutter 2018