Dolly (steam launch)

Though her builder is unknown Dolly is believed to have been built for, and owned by, Alfred Fildes of Sawrey.^[1] She was the first screw-propelled steam vessel in the world; earlier railway-owned vessels were paddle steamers.^[2]

In 1894, a Mr Bowness purchased the launch and moved her to Ullswater, where she was transported over the Kirkstone Pass by a team of horses or a traction engine. During the Great Frost of February 1895 the vessel was trapped in ice at her moorings; the pressure damaged the hull, causing her to sink in 45 feet of water.^[1][2]

The wreck was discovered by accident in early 1960 by divers from the Furness Sub-Aqua Club.^[3] In November 1962 a salvage operation led by Gerry Jackson successfully raised the launch and towed her to Glenridding Pier.^[4]

The vessel was acquired by George Pattinson who oversaw a three-year restoration at the Windermere Steamboat Museum. She returned to steam on 22 August 1965. During the early years of her restoration, she was known only as the Ullswater Steamer; she was not conclusively identified as SL Dolly until 1972 when an original photograph of the vessel was discovered.^[1][2][3]

In 1966 Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh visited Windermere and was taken for a trip aboard Dolly.^[5][6]

Dolly is recognized by the Guinness Book of Records as the oldest mechanically powered boat in the world. Since 2019 she has been a static exhibit at the Windermere Jetty Museum, where she is housed in a climate-controlled dry dock to preserve her original timber.^[7]

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