History of Severn

Severn was launched in 1912. She was one of ten Rivers Class Yachts built by William Crossfield and Sons for the River Mersey Yacht Club. Her original name was Elwy, which was changed to Ribble in 1914.

She sunk on an abandoned race on July 23rd 1914, just 12 days before Britain entered the First World War. The boat was rediscovered on the bed of the Mersey in 1927 raised to the surface and sold to Joe Wallace, a 24 year old for £25 and renamed Severn.

By the late 60s, Severn was in North Wales. Between the 1970s and 2018 she was kept on the East Coast in Essex and Kent. A cabin was added to the boat at some point.

In 2018 Severn was brought by Arnside Sailing Club for £5500 to have an example of a Crossfield boat in the village. Between 2022 and 2026 Severn was restored by David Moss Boatbuilders at Skippool near Blackpool at a cost of £160,000 supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, other grants and donations. She was returned to her original appearance without a cabin.

Royal Mersey Yacht 1912-14

The start of the first Rivers Class Race on 3rd June 1912. Severn is thought to have had a white hull and possibly one of the boats on the left.

1912-13

Severn was launched in 1912. Her original name was Elwy. Her first owner was Lionel Yates Stott. Elwy is a river in Wales. Titanic sunk on April 15th. The first Rivers Class Race was on Monday June 3rd following a triangular up river course

Elwy was joint winner with Styx of the Rivers Class Series, winning the Belcher Cup. The owner of Styx was E. Belcher who as he donated the cup passed over his right to share it with Elwy. Elwy won races on May 23rd, June 23rd and the Regatta Race on June 28th. Her prize money for the year was £10 10s (£1200 in 2020 prices)

Lionel Yates Stott - First Owner 1879 – 1944

Lived in West Kirby with his younger brother and sister in a large Edwardian house. His father Samuel owned an iron foundry at Laneside in Haslingden (now Valmet) and lived at Flaxmoss House, Helmshore. His father died in 1889, when Lionel was 10, leaving £27,266 (£3.5 million at today’s prices). Samuel was related to Stott and Smith, the owners of Sykeside Mill, now the site of Tesco's Haslingden store. His mother was from the Wirral, which was probably the reason for them moving to West Kirby when his father died. She died in 1906 leaving Lionel responsible for his brother and sister. Lionel was a qualified master mariner. Along with three other Rivers Class owners he signed up for the Royal Naval Reserve as a Lieutenant on 5 Aug 1914, the day after war broke out. He later transferred to the RAF. By the end of the war, he was a Captain. He died in Conway in 1944. Francis, his aunt, who left ancient Egyptian, Greek and Cypriot artefacts to the Leeds Museums was cited in a divorce case

1914 - A momentous year

Royal Mersey Regatta 1914 - Rivers Class race

In 1914 Elwy was brought by Captain Harvey Broadbent, commandant of HMS Conway and renamed Ribble. HMS Conway was a merchant navy training school based in an early nineteenth century ship of the line moored at Rock Ferry near the Royal Mersey.

Captain Broadbent raced Ribble using merchant navy cadets as crew. They took part in eight races. They were unplaced in all the races.

On July 18th the Royal Mersey Regatta took place in glorious sunshine with 84 yachts taking part offering a fine display of sailing. According to the Birkenhead News the crimson sails of the Rivers Class were much admired by the spectators, including ladies in the watching steamer.

Sinking in the Mersey

Just 5 days later on July 23rd, Ribble capsizes and sinks to the bottom of the Mersey whilst rounding a mark off the Herculaneum Dock, Dingle on the Liverpool side of the estuary in a race in windy conditions. The race is abandoned. The crew who were wearing life jackets were  made up of rescued.

Outbreak of First World War

On the same day, Austria delivers an ultimatum to Serbia.  On June 28th Archduke Ferdinand, heir to Austrian throne was shot in Sarajevo. Austria believed that Serbia was complicit in the assassination. The main news story in the UK on July 23rd was the Buckingham Palace Conference on Irish Home Rule. On July 28th Austria declared war on Serbia. The Kaiser recalled his yacht "Meteor" which was heading to Cowes to race against the King's yacht Britannia.  On August 2nd Germany invades Belgium. Two days later on the 4th August, Britain declares war. Cowes Week was abandoned.

Captain Harvey Broadbent RNR 1865 – 1942

Captain Broadbent was the Captain Superintendent of HMS Conway from 1903 to 1927, having been First Officer from 1898 to 1903. He was a cadet with HMS Conway in 1880.

His merchant navy career was mainly in the Far East, firstly with Galbraith, Pembroke and Co and then the Bibby Line. Between 1894 and 1895 he served as an acting lieutenant R.N.R on the China Station. In 1896 he was appointed second officer of RMS Etruria, a transatlantic liner and Blue Riband holder owned by Cunard. During his time with Etruria, Broadbent received several awards for his part in the rescue of the crew of SS Millfield in 1897 which sank off Ireland in stormy weather.

As commandant of HMS Conway, Captain Broadbent transformed facilities on the ship and updated the syllabus and daily routine. He was described as at first sight a terrifying man whose very look froze you to the deck. Once you got used to his mannerisms, he endeared himself to all, though held in great respect. He was involved in setting up the London Company of Master Mariners and the Seven Seas Club for Merchant and Royal Navy officers. His photograph is in the collection of the National Portrait Gallery.

Joe Wallace and the Rediscovery of Severn 1927

The yacht remained on the bed of the Mersey forgotten until 1927, when she was rediscovered off the Herculaneum Dock on the Liverpool side of the estuary. In November, the boat was craned to the surface by the Mersey Docks salvage boat "Salvor."  She was found in good condition, with all equipment including a bucket intact except for the sails.

Severn of Rhyl Whitsun 1928

She was sold on by the Receiver of Wrecks to  Joe Wallace, aged 24 of New Brighton for £25 — around £1,500 in today’s prices. Joe renamed the yacht " Severn."  With his friends, he got Severn ready to go back in the water, making new spars for her and repainting the boat. At Whitsun 1928 they sailed to Rhyl camping on Severn overnight. Joe is not thought to have owned Severn very long moving onto bigger boats.

Severn is next recorded in 1939  coming second in a race at Blundellsands Sailing Club, near Formby and first in the handicap race at West Cheshire Sailing Club Regatta at New Brighton. Owners were F.S.Allsop and S.J. Corrigall.

Joe Wallace 1902 – 1990?

Joe (Joseph) was born in New Brighton and was a member of the West Cheshire Sailing Club. His father was a salesman. He may have been taught to sail by Mr W Hepponstall, an artist’s colourman. After Severn, Joe went on to buy bigger yachts, including Ikinoo in 1931 and Isabella in 1934, both of which he sailed to North Wales, the Isle of Man and Ireland. He took part in the Isle of Man Midnight Race in 1932 and 1933 in Ikinoo.  Joe’s photo albums were discovered in the attic of the West Cheshire Sailing Club in 2018. Joe went onto be Commodore of the West Cheshire Sailing Club.

North Wales 1960s to 1972

Severn in Cardigan Bay 1960s

By the 1960s Severn had a cabin. Her hull was white. She was owned by Bill Sowerbutts and his wife, who were in their late sixties. They are said to have made surprisingly long voyages in Severn, for example to Cornwall, France and even Spain. More evidence is needed for this.

Severn was sold to Robin and Lesley Kyffin in 1967, who kept her at Porthmadog. Robin worked at Trawsfynydd nuclear power station, which became fully operational in 1968.

They sold the boat to Alec Taylor, a work colleague from Trawsfynydd. Robin bought "Sauntress", a larger boat. Alec and Robin often sailed in convoy with their children on board at weekends to Abersoch, with the Taylor children sleeping on board "Sauntress" because it had more room. Alec was an early member of the OGA. His journey through the inland water system from Chester to London in Kathleen, a previous boat was recounted in the Gaffers Log in 1965. Alec lived at Borth-y-Gest, a village on a sheltered bay south of Portmmadog

In 1972 he advertised Severn for sale at  £650 — around £10,000 in 2026 prices for a 60 year old boat.

The Gaffers Log 1972/1 sale notice described her as:

“SEVERN 23′ River class prawner (similar Deva). Gaff sloop, built 1913, pitch pine on oak. V.G. condition. New keel bolts, 4 h.p. Stuart rebuilt. Terylene sails, plus topsail. Unused new 13 oz. cotton trysail. Lying Borth y Gest. £650.”

It is possible that Alec knew Jon Wainwright, owner of Deva, Severn's sister yacht. Deva was kept at Port Dinorwic on the Menai Straits between 1964 and 1966. Jon's trip in Deva across the country via the Leeds-Liverpool Canal in 1966 might been have inspired by Alec's trip from Chester to London. Jon's trip was also recounted in Gaffers Log.  Jon took at least on picture of Severn whilst she was in North Wales. By 1972 Deva was already making a name for herself in East Coast races.

East Coast Boat 1972 - 2018

Severn spent nearly 50 years of her life on the East Coast, gradually moving up the Essex Coast under different owners, then to Kent and then finally back to Essex.

Severn was bought by Mr John Gaynor of Leigh Park Road, Leigh-on-Sea, near Southend. Leigh-on-Sea is an old fishing port, famous for cockles, and seaside resort on the north side of the Thames Estuary.  Park Road is a road of large houses overlooking the bay. For a short time Severn was called "Rosevern."  "Ro" may refer to the Roach Estuary north of Southend.

John did not keep Severn for very long advertising her for sale in the Gaffers Log 1976 for £1,100 (about £8,500 in 2026 prices). By this time Severn had a cooker and toilet in her small cabin. The Stuart engine had increased in horse power from 4 to 5.

“SEVERN (509) 23′ x 7′ x 3′. Rivers Class Morecambe Bay Prawner. Built Crossfield of Arnside 1912, sister to Deva. Stuart P5, 2 sets sails, 2 berths, cooker, loo, rotary bilge pump, seafarer, carvel, pine on oak. Fast boat in good condition. Survey 1974. £1,100.”

 

Severn in 1980

She was sold to Ken Tomlinson of Hockley, north of Southend in Essex, and kept at Paglesham a remote village on the Roach Estuary, south of Burnham-on-Crouch. Ellen MacArthur learnt to sail at Paglesham, starting at the age of 4 in 1980 on her Aunt's boat when Severn would have been moored there.

In 1977 Severn was spotted at Paglesham by Peter Booth of Perry’s Sailmakers & Chandlers in Birkenhead. Perrys had supplied Joe Wallace with Turkey Red sails for Severn in 1928.

Peter made Ken Tomlinson aware of Severn's history and sinking in the Mersey. The three previous owners were not aware that Severn had laid on the bed of the Mersey for 13 years. 

In 1980 Severn was featured in an article in the Longshoreman Magazine. By this this she had a green hull.

Ken had a condition survey carried out on Severn in 1978. Severn was found to be in satisfactory condition for a boat of her age. There were minor repairs that needed doing and the calor gas storage for the cooker did not met then safety standards. Some of the sawn frames needed refastening to the hull. Several of the smaller steamed frames had been doubled up. A fore warning of things to come. The boat had a paraffin heater and an echo sounder, which only become common in yachts in the 1970s. The engine which had recently been overhauled was 8 horse power.

In 1984 Severn was advertised for sale for £2,000. (£7,500 in 2026 prices for a 72 year old yacht). The Gaffers Log 1984/1 sale article described her as:

“SEVERN (509) Royal Mersey Rivers Class, one of 30 built on Morecambe Bay Prawner lines by Shuttlewood of Arnside in 1912. 23′ x 6’6″ x 3’ +7’ bowsprit, pitch pine on oak. Gaff cutter rig with jib headed topsail. Spartan accommodation for two, Stuart Turner 8 h.p. engine. Much admired & with most interesting history. £2,000.”

Lou Perrotta a the helm of Severn

In the mid 80s Severn was brought by Lou Perrotta a young American woman with two children for £750 - about £2000 in 2026 prices, using a small sum of money she had inherited. There may have been intervening owner between her and Ken Tomlinson. She saw Severn at Heybridge Basin, near Maldon, on the River Blackwater being bailed out by the disconsolate wife of then owner because the caulking had fallen out during the winter. 

Severn (white hull) racing 1988

Lou put in a low offer and became the proud owner of Severn. With little experience of boat maintenance and a lot of enthusiasm, she fixed the caulking, burnt off the old paint and repainted the boat. With advice from a fellow boat owner she replaced the stem at front of the boat, which have become lose with a new laminated one. She changed the hull colour from green to white, as she was told green was unlucky.

As the Stuart engine worked except when needed in an emergency she replaced it with a Seagull outboard, which was only slightly more reliable

With her family she had many adventures on Severn. Racing against Jon Wainwright in Deva and coming last. Missing the tide. Going aground. Having to walk through 3 feet of mud to get back to the shore. 3 Adults and 4 children sleeping overnight in Severn's cabin. Being becalmed.

Lou recollects selling Severn to a fireman. Jon Wainwright mentions Severn being owned by Roger Paramor. Roger Paramor (1938 - 2023) served as the Chief Fire Officer of both Warwickshire and Essex and was a relief skipper for the Ocean Youth Trust trading ketch "Spirit of Boadicea," In 1992 Jon recollects meeting Spirit of Boadicea, Roger Paramor and Severn's new owner in Holland,

Kent 1997 - 2013

On 20th August 1997 Severn was sailed from Walton-on-Naze to Otterham Creek on the Medway Estuary near Gillingham in Kent, taking 9 hours to do the voyage in light wind conditions.

Severn - Otterham Creek 2013

Severn remained in Kent till 2013

Rediscovery

Severn was discovered by a resident of Leigh-on-Sea in poor condition in 2013. He buys here for £1000 taking her back to Essex

Back in Essex 2013 - 18

Over the next three years he restores Severn with the help of two retired shipwrights at Sutton Wharf Marina at Rochford at the head of the Roach Estuary. Work done includes a new deck and cabin roof. New wooden pieces are put on either side of the frames to help support them

On completion of the work, Severn is moored and sailed in the Roach Estuary. 

In 2016 Severn is advertised for sale at £5500.

Severn Returns to Arnside 2018

In 2018 Severn was bought by Arnside Sailing Club for £5,500 to have an example of a Crossfield boat in the village . The purchase was funded by a joint £10,000 bid with Arnside Archive Group to Heritage Lottery Fund. The grant also funded the cost of bringing Severn back to Arnside, a launching trailer, video, exhibition and website for the Archive Group.

Severn arrived back in Arnside on Good Friday which is on the 30th March in 2018 amid much rejoicing, returning to the village where she was built more than a century before. People line the streets to welcome her. A  video was made of Severn’s arrival in the village. Severn was put back  in the water at Arnside on 18 June 2018 after a programme of maintenance, painting, varnishing and rigging. Numerous photos of her lying on the beach. Photographs appeared in the Guardian and Sunday Times. At least three artist made pictures of Severn. She was sailed for the first time on Sat 14th July to coincide with the Maritime Heritage exhibition.

Video of Severn's Return to Arnside

However, Severn was taken out of the water before the end of the season because of concerns about her condition and structural integrity. 

In 2020 a condition survey was carried out by Windermere Jetty Museum. The survey highlighted the need for major work before Severn could be put back in the water, including replacement of her internal framework. Lack of money and Covid delayed the start of any work

BBC Villages by the Sea, Arnside

In 2021 she featured in a BBC Villages by the Sea Programme about Arnside. With Luna (now Lunetide) singing the "Severn Song" in front of the boat at the end of the programme.

"The Severn Song" was written by Mike Greenwood whose Uncle Eric and Father, Jack  sailed in Severn with Jo Wallace in the 1920s

The programme highlighted Arnside's Maritime History and includes shots of the inside of the Crossfield Boatyard where she was built.

To view the programme BBC Villages by the Sea Arnside

Quotes were taken from four  boatyards to restore Severn, with David Moss Boatbuilders at Skippool near Blackpool putting in the lowest tender. In April 2022 confirmation came through The National Lottery Heritage Fund had awarded a grant enabling the restoration to go ahead. This was supported by further grants from other funders

Restoration 2022 - 26

Between 2022 - 26 Severn was restored at a cost of £160,000 by David Moss Boatbuilders at Skippool near Blackpool. Work done included replacing all her internal framework, rebuilding the counter at the stern of the boat, new engine and mast. Severn was returned to her original appearance with an open cockpit rather than a cabin.

The boat was craned back into the water on Thursday 30th April 2026 with a further launch event at Blackpool and Fleetwood Yacht Club on Saturday 16th May. On Saturday 30 May 2026 she was sailed across Morecambe Bay to Roa Island where she will be based

The restoration is recounted in more detail on our Severn Restoration webpage

ITV News June 2026

ITV Granada Reports in June 2026 featured a story about the completion of Severn's Restoration, showing pictures of her sailing off Roa Island

To view the news item click below

ITV News Item

 

Roa Island, near Barrow 2026 -

Severn is now based at Roa Island near Barrow. The intention is to bring her up to Arnside at spring tides when the depth of tides allow. She offers a programme of half day sails at Roa and longer voyages across the Bay.