Where Are Those Boats Now - Admiralty Launch Ciconia

Admiralty Launch Ciconia

Printed From: BMPT Forum
Category: General Discussion
Forum Name: Where Are Those Boats Now
Forum Description: Tell everybody where those old boats are
URL: http://www.bmpt.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=963
Printed Date: 26 March 2026 at 9:14pm

Topic: Admiralty Launch Ciconia

Posted By: RogerW
Subject: Admiralty Launch Ciconia
Date Posted: 09 June 2014 at 12:38pm

Hi Everyone,

I am wondering whether anyone knows anything about this boat, now called Ciconia, previously Mayflower. She is an Admiralty Launch, 43 x 12'6, Double Diagonal Teak on Oak, with a tulip shaped stern. Believed to have been built at J. W. Brooke in 1914, sold out of service 1928. Owned from 1933 - 1947 by a Mr. Falla in Guernsey, she is believed t have evacuated people from Guernsey in 1940. Latterly, she was used as a houseboat on the Thames, until we bought her in 2008. She has been undergoing renovation out of the water since 2010.

The engine is a 4.4 litre Parsons (Ford) diesel, and the gearbox a very large Parsons. She was fitted with a Kelvin petrol engine at the time of the Guernsey evacuation and the current engine probably dates from the fifties.

I have tried to upload an image, but can't for some reason. Will try later.

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Roger

Replies:

Posted By: johnk
Date Posted: 09 June 2014 at 3:47pm

Hi Roger,

Many thanks your last and most interesting post, trust the renovation goes well, if you can get an image up, that may help, great such an old vessel is being saved and re-used, other than best wishes can't offer much more, hope someone here may offer something of more use.

Johnk

Posted By: peterahead@gmail.com
Date Posted: 12 February 2019 at 7:12pm

Hi I was the owner of Ciconia in the 70s she was moored at TS Black Swan Shepperton Surrey. I have lots of pictures and a copy of her history from her navy days, evacuating people from Guernsey on the nazi invasion, to sinking in Devonport in 1944 and being raised in 1947 to be rebuilt to a motor sailer.
I would love to see her again as I have not seen her since about 1982 when she was moored at Kew. If you want a copy of the history and see some pictures get in touch. Peter Head contact peterahead@gmail.com