“Smuggler” going south
After Jim died, “Smuggler” went South to have her Hull re-built. The keel was in reasonable condition and remains intact to this day!
Having contacted Coventry Boat Builders, Peter Lennox offered to visit “Smuggler’ at my home to establish all work to be completed. After some contemplation, I agreed that she should go to Coventry and that John Bisson and Peter Lennox would assist in this endeavour.
When I began assessing her timbers, I noticed a number of frame fractures and that nearly all of these were at or on the water-line. A full survey of these cracked frames around the water line was initially undertaken by Peter Lennox and John Bisson, who replaced the hog, all frames, shaft log, Fore and Aft Stem and Stern Posts, Bow and lower side of her hull, but retained her keel.
“Smuggler”
at coventry
New frames entered into steam-box before working and securing into position…
“Smuggler”
at coventry
Final third of Floors and Frames
remaining…
“Smuggler”
at coventry
After all frames were steamed in position, new Mahogany planks were fashioned before “offering-in”. Copper nails were roved, clenched and peined.
“Smuggler”
AT COVENTRY
Final framing underway as viewed from the bow…
… Birds-eye view on Smuggler’s re-build from astern…
A decision was made to continue the good work and move “Smuggler'“ to Bob Wright’s farm at Wappenbury, Warwickshire, where further restorations were carried out.
B26/117 “Smuggler” - Completion of steamed replacement Oak frames in progress at Wappenbury…
Smuggler’s original cabin beam-shelves seen above. The only drawing found in the Brooke Archive had three windows per side and, the same dimensional beam-shelf footprint found in Smuggler above.
Peter Lennox, John Bisson and myself agreed that we should use this cabin; unbeknown that I would later discover from (the late) Peter Hansford, that Brooke’s only ever built one 32’ boat - the lumber order for which was placed in 1910. The massive engine beds seen ‘low-mid-centre’ above was designed to accommodate a Brooke 65/F/10 (1910) marine motor. However, under contract CP443/12 she was fitted instead with a Brooke 45 h.p. 4-Cylinder Petrol Motor for use on the Torpedo Range at Arrochar, Loch Long.
“Smuggler” was then transported to JALSEA MARINE, NORTHWICH, CHESHIRE
for final finishing