50' Slipper Launch (1934) - KNIGHT ERRANT

Knight Errant was one of seven 50ft slipper launches of which only two remain and was built in 1934. She was the only one of her kind ever built with a cabin. So in both size and construction she is unique. The River Thames slipper launches were popular along the river between Windsor and Maidenhead from the 1920’s to the 1960’s generally as hire boats. Normally between 23 and 35 feet long and without cabins. Nowadays smart houses on the river have an example of one of the remaining few moored on their banks.

Knight Errant, with her cabin reminiscent of the Art Deco railway carriages of the 1930’s, was designed by John H Hobbs the manager of Meakes of Marlow’s Yard in Marlow, UK who built her. Notable owners have been John Dolphin the flamboyant CO of the Special Operations Executive Station IX during the second world war and subsequently Chief Engineer at the UK Atomic Weapons Research Establishment. In later years Knight Errant came in to the ownership of Diana Dors as a weekend place. She kept it conveniently at Bray Studios so that she might entertain her fellow actors. Knight Errant is famous for towing a water skier in full black tie and dinner jacket on a silver tray past the Houses of Parliament in the 1950’s. We applied to repeat this feat in 2014 but the Port of London Authority summarily refused.

The boat had a much needed total restoration over many years in the 2000’s for us by Colin and Stephen Messer at Classic Restorations in Clewer, Windsor, UK which integrated a very discrete diesel engine installation including an external hydraulic drive to the propeller giving her 24 knots and being very quiet and comfortable. She is air conditioned, fitted with a galley and heads and can comfortably accommodate 10 people. A continuous program of maintenance and upkeep ensures she is always tip top condition.

She has won many prizes including ‘best in show’ at the traditional boat rally in Henley, UK