Cumbrian boat celebrates 146th birthday with Flagship award

'Lady of the Lake' is Ullswater Steamer's flagship boat and remains in regular use, carrying thousands of passengers around the lake each year, with some claiming that she is the oldest passenger vessel in the world.

Douglas Hebson of Penrith would design the boat before it was built at Rutherglen near Glasgow. It was then transported south in three sections, first by rail and then by horse, before being assembled by hand in Waterside, near Pooley Bridge.

After its launch in 1877, it would sink for the first time in 1881 but was re-floated by a team of divers in Liverpool. 

Another sinking would come in 1958 after a severe storm, while a fire in 1965 also put the Lady of the Lake out of service for 14 years. 

However, it was restored in 1979 and the ship's impressive design, along with the updated diesel engine that was fitted in 1936, ensures that the commercial pleasure steamer still runs smoothly today. 

Ullswater Steamers General Manager Callum Smith said: "They just knew how to make boats back then I guess. For some parts of her life, she remained completely out of service. After the fire, there were 14 years when she remained unused. But we use her all year unless she needs maintenance work.

"She does three round-the-lake trips a day during a timetabled service in the summer. She can occasionally be seen sailing in the winter as well depending on the maintenance of the other boats. In the summer she is always used, and she is also used for private charters and events in the evening."

The impressive vessel earned the Flagship status in recognition of the high number of passengers carried in the past year, as well as its partnerships with local businesses, which means she can now sail with an official Flagship status pennant flying on her masthead.

Lady of the Lake will also be highlighted by National Historic Ships UK at a virtual awards ceremony in November.