Category: Restoration and repair

Lifeboat Francis Forbes Barton is back in her Thanet home

The 1896-built lifeboat Francis Forbes Barton is back on the Isle of Thanet after being rescued from Lincolnshire when she was in danger of being destroyed. She’s currently at Ramsgate Harbour.

Constructed at Birkenhead, she is said to have served at Broadstairs from 1897 to 1912 and at North Deal during World War I.

The Frances Forbes Barton Preservation and Restoration Trust is planning to raise funds and restore the lifeboat. Read about her here, here, here and perhaps best of all here. The trust also has a Facebook page.

Elegant rowing boat project for sale on eBay

There’s a nice project here for someone!

My thanks for Fowey boat builder Marcus Lewis for pointing it out. Check on his boats for sale, and  see his website to read about the Troy Class and the Fowey River Class.

Newly restored 1880s bateau Barbashela back on the water

Stunning 1880s bateau Barbashela is back on the water – see an earlier Intheboatshed post about her.

The bateau was designed by  Captain Thomas P Leathers of Kentucky, who is remembered for owning and commanding the steamboat Natchez, and for losing a dramatic race against the steamboat Robert E Lee commanded by Capt. JW Cannon in 1870.

Barbashela was a gift to Varina Anne ‘Winnie’ Davis of Biloxi, Mississippi, and the skiff was rowed on Oyster Bayou.

The plan is that the restored boat will be returned to the bayous in the Biloxi area.

PS – Weblogger ‘Clark’ reports that offsets and a materials list for the bateau have been completed up, and that drawings are to be available in the near future. So if you admire her, you could build your very own Barbashela. Thanks Clark!