Slipper launch

A slipper launch is a traditional River Thames pleasure boat normally of wooden construction to seat between 4 and 8 passengers. These popular launches began to be more widely introduced in the 1930s with classical designs from Meakes of Marlow and later from Andrews of Bourne End during the 1950s. The protoytpe, Merk, however, was built some years earlier, in 1912 by Andrews at Maidenhead. This boat, now in the collection of the National Maritime Museum Cornwall was owned at one time by Arthur Whitten-Brown, famous with John Allcock for the first non-stop transatlantic flight in 1919. Slipper launches have also been owned by other famous names, including one by the British 1950's singing trio, the Beverley Sisters and another by Louis Renault, of car company fame. In the 1960s & 1970s launches were also built by Alf Parrott at Henley-on-Thames . Alf Parrott slipper launches were initially built in marine ply then later in glass fibre, 20 feet (6.1 m) in length with Stuart Turner single-cylinder petrol engines. Alf Parrott launches can still be seen on the River Thames.

Construction and hull architecture

During a renovation project the hull shape and construction can be viewed along with the rarely seen framing of the slipper stern.

The hull boards and stringers sealing the gap between covering each plank are made from mahogany. Lateral frames spaced at approximately 1 metre centres are formed from oak. The deck over is constructed of afromosia with multiple layers of varnish providing a furniture like finish.

Notes and references

    http://www.slipperlaunch.com/ http://slipperlaunch.net/

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