Tell Tales
Classic Boat’s address:
Jubilee House, 2 Jubilee Place, London, SW3 3TQ
[email protected]‘Churchill’s yacht’ for sale
There have been a number of stories in the mainstream press about the recent
listing of ‘Churchill’s yacht’ in Limay, near Paris. The 1936-built Amazone, a
128ft (39m) twin-screw Thornycroft, has been put on the open market for just
€2 million (c£1.5m). According to broker Coldwell Banker, the yacht is in need
of some serious work. It also seems highly unlikely that she belonged to
Churchill, even though the British PM had use of her in the war. The 1937
Lloyd’s Register lists her as belonging to a Commandant L Hemeleers-Shenley.BARRY PAYNE SOLENTT NEWSISLE OF WIGHT COUNTY PRESSC/O COLDWELL BANKERBusinesses and private boat owners were cleaning up and counting their losses after a
serious fire in Cowes, Isle of Wight, as we went to press. The fire broke out in the
Medina Yard near the West Cowes end of the chain ferry at around noon on 25 January.
According to eyewitnesses, the fire started in one of the businesses on the site. Eleven
fire engines arrived on the scene, four of them drafted in from Hampshire Fire Service,
and around 50 firefighters worked until dusk to douse the flames, which covered an
area of around 10,000m^2.
The extent of the damage is still unknown, but confirmed losses so far include the
36ft (11m) Charles Sibbick yacht Witch (1902) that has been under restoration for a
long time by her owner Martin Nott, CB’s publishing consultant; and the 58ft 6in
(17.8m), Mylne yacht Fedoa built in 1927, also the subject of a long, ongoing restoration,
this one by boatbuilder Patrick Moreton at his yard, Moreton Marine, for a private
owner. Early reports indicate that a fleet of about 15 Etchells yachts and at least one
wooden Dragon and five original X One Designs have gone too. An 1896 steam pinnace
and a Dunkirk Little Ship are also feared lost, as well as around 50 GRP production
yachts. There are thought to be no serious injuries. The owner of the Medina Yard was
helping the clean-up operation, and was unavailable for comment. Evacuated residents,
who spent the night at the Corinthian Yacht Club, have returned home.Follow the Classic Boat team
on Twitter and FacebookCOWES, IOW
Inferno destroys classic yachts