Saving Raven

Windermere Jetty Museum conserves and displays an internationally important collection of boats, all associated with Windermere. There is an ongoing programme of conservation to ensure this significant heritage is preserved for future generations. Next on the conservation schedule is Raven; the largest boat in our collection and one of the few surviving work boats of Windermere. Workboats have a hard life and are usually scrapped when they cease to be useful.

Launched in 1871, cargo boat Raven is 150 years old and has a had a long and significant life on Windermere. Built to take supplies to remote locations when the only means of transport was horse and cart over poor roads, during winter Raven was also an essential ice-breaker.

In 1922, competition from road transport meant the end of Raven's time as a cargo boat and it was sold to Vickers Armstrong for testing mine-laying equipment.

In the 1950s, the abandoned Raven was rescued by George Pattinson, founder of Windermere Steamboat Museum, and spent years as a summer bunkhouse for water skiers.

We now need to raise £50,000 to start Raven's conservation in spring 2022 by replacing the deck. Given Raven's current state, it is vital we install a wooden deck as quickly as possible, before the vessel's structure deteriorates further.

Our boat conservation programme and staffing costs are funded entirely through museum admissions, private grants and donations and we're delighted to have received substantial contributions to kickstart Raven's conservation. However, we need to raise more to reach our target.

150 Years of Raven

To mark Raven's 150th anniversary we are asking donors to pledge a sum of your choice, to help us reach our target on time. Every single pound we receive will make a difference. By making a donation of any size you will help us to achieve our goal and save Raven.

£150 will buy 5 metres of decking timber

£50 will buy 40 deck fastening bolts

£30 will buy 1 metre of decking timber

£10 will buy 500 grammes of oakum and tar to use as plank caulking materials

£5 will buy 250 grammes of oakum and tar to use as plank caulking materials

Thank you for joining us on Raven's journey.