'Cygnet' is a 29ft steel hull steam launch built in 1870 at Chiswick by J.I.Thornycroft & Co works No 9.

'Cygnet' has never been restored, so is a fine example showing how mid Victorian steam launches were built.

A larger Steam launch 'Eva' built by Thornycroft in 1874 is on display at the Henley River and Rowing  Museum.

Full historical facts about:- Cygnet facts. 

Personal recollections of Cygnet plus conclusions:- General comments

Conservation work so far:- Photos and explanations 

Cygnet is presently stored at Beale Park. The Thames Boats Trust are intending to put Cygnet on public display at the Park shortly.

Cygnet can presently be seen by appointment. Please contact us to arrange this: cygnet@steamboattrust.org.uk

September 17th 2010 Cygnet compared with a similar size modern steam launch named Arlette Arlette has an almost identical Thornycroft engine to Cygnet. Note a major difference in the freeboard of each boat and the underwater part of the hulls. Arlette weighs about 1 ton, Cygnet probably weighs 1.5 tons

photos of Cygnet. taken June/July 2010 before conservation work started

Would you like to be kept informed about progress and developments

Contact:-   cygnet@steamboattrust.org.uk and we will include you on our news circular. (note this is a free service).

Thames Boats Trust, The Heritage Steamboat Trust, and The Consuta Trust combined efforts to raise the £42,000 funds required to purchase Cygnet at an auction in April 2010. A PRISM grant of £20,000 from the Museums Libraries & Archives provided a substantial contribution. Individual donations that have been given came to around £20,000 including the gift aid tax refund. We are asking for further donations towards the costs of the ongoing conservation work, and the future public display of Cygnet.

If you provide a donation using online banking pleases make your donation to the "Thames Boats Trust" account with a transfer reference "Cygnet". If you are donating as "gift aid" you will also need to send the donation form either by post or email to the treasurer; see details below :-

CAF Bank Ltd. 25 Kings hill Avenue, Kings Hill, West malling, Kent,  ME19 4JQ
Sort Code:                 40-52-40
Account Name:         Thames Boats Trust Registered Charity
Account Number:     00012693

If you wish to make a donation by cheque then please  download a donation form and post to:-

Thames Boats Trust, The Treasurer, 125B Dalling Road,  London, W6 0ET

Cheques must be payable to "The Thames Boats Trust".

If you have any queries about donations   please contact:- Thames Boats Trust Treasurer, Oliver Pearcey:- oliver.pearcey@gmail.com

If you wish to know more about Cygnet and J.I. Thornycroft   please contact:- Brian Smith - brian.smith@consuta.org.uk

This small 1870 steam launch is an important survivor of British Marine Heritage

Thank you for looking