 Steam Pinnace 199 in 2001 | |
| History | |
|---|---|
 United Kingdom | |
| Name | Steam Pinnace 224[a] |
| Builder | J. Reid,Portsmouth |
| Laid down | 1909 |
| Out of service | 1948 |
| Fate | Purchased by theNational Museum of the Royal Navy in 1979 |
| Status | Heritage ship |
| General characteristics | |
| Length | 50.00 ft (15.24 m) |
| Beam | 9.09 ft (2.77 m) |
| Speed | 12 knots (22 km/h) |
| Armament | 1 xQF 3-pounder Hotchkiss |
Steam Pinnace 199 is asteam pinnace of theRoyal Navy, built in 1909 by J. Reid ofPortsmouth. She is now owned by theNational Museum of the Royal Navy, and is based atPortsmouth Historic Dockyard.[1][2][3]
During its restoration, the ship was misidentified and it became known asSteam Pinnace 199.[1][3] However, it was later determined that the ship's machinery originated from pinnaces208 and224, and that its hull, stern cabin, and funnel also came from224. Despite these findings, the nameSteam Pinnace 199 was retained.[1][3][4][5]Steam Pinnace 224 was built in 1909, and was assigned to thebattlecruiserHMS Inflexible in 1916.[1][3] It was sold out of the Royal Navy on 6 August 1948,[3] and in 1952 she was sold to a private owner, renamedTreleague, and was converted into ahouseboat located on theThames.[1] During this time its steam machinery was removed, and replaced by apetrol engine.[4] After serving as a houseboat for about 20 years, she was purchased by an antiques dealer who intended to restore her.[1][4] However, the project was deemed too expensive and its hull was sold to theNational Museum of the Royal Navy in 1979.[1][4]
She was restored by a group called the Steam Launch Restoration Group, based inGosport.[2] In 1983, she was given a boiler and compound engine from a similar steam pinnace,[1][4] found at the Royal Navy shore establishmentHMS Sultan.[1][4] Her original steam auxiliary engines were found at a yard in Belgium.[1] During her restoration, the ship was given a replacementHotchkiss 3-pounder gun dating from 1887, and salvaged from the sea by a trawler in 1980.[1][5] The gun has been restored cosmetically; however, it is not functional and the inside of the barrel is corroded.[1][5] The ship was finally recommissioned in 1984, and was kept in the Mast Pond ofPortsmouth Historic Dockyard until 1998,[2][4] when she was brought to Gosport for a refit.[2][4] From 1999 to 2001 her machinery was given a major refurbishment.[4] Since then, she has taken place in many events such as theInternational Festival of the Sea, the Yarmouth Old Gaffers Festival and theSouthampton Boat Show.[1][4] In May 2011, she developed leaks in her boiler tubes and was transported to the Maritime Workshop in February 2012.[1] She was given a refit, and she was relaunched in 2015.[1]Steam Pinnace 199 is preserved afloat in Boathouse 4 at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.[2][5]