She was owned by the Nicholay family for many years and two generations, and in total she has passed through only six owners in her long life. Wonder underwent some major restorations at the Newport Classic Boat Museum on the Isle of Wight a few years ago.
About five years ago, we were able to lend a hand caulking, painting and pumping out for a few days, as the planking took up, while she was in a local boat yard . Sadly we didn’t get to sail her, as before she was rigged, she was moved to a berth at the Dolphin Quay Boatyard in Emsworth.
During her 140 years, Wonder has sailed the Solent, only recently having been fitted with an engine. She is now up for sale for at £14,000, I just hope a new and committed owner can be found.
Posts
She looks to be a real gem. Though a bit pricey. Love flush decks, aesthetically at least. What's the size? She looks relatively small.
ReplyDeleteI owned Gem a 1905 Itchen Ferry in original form with fish deck. She was a alledged to be from the Dan Hatcher stable. Unfortunately she was washed off the hard in Abersoch harbour in Nov 2000 gales anmd wrecked on Llanbedrog headland - a very sad day. She was bought from the insurers by a restoration builder and I would like to know if she is still out there. I may be interested in aquiring Wonder, the price does seem high, I bought Gem for £2,400 and spent around £4,000 but she had no engine. I guess it all depends on the level of restoration.
ReplyDeleteShe was an amazing boat, so easy to sail single handed, just set her up on reach and shewould really shift, just a touch on the tiller now and again. A very social boat too with good depth and width, my 21' would take 6 in comfort open cockpit, with dog on fish deck. She did suffer on a swinging mooring though breaking rudder, bow sprit and mast step at various times - still, she was nearly a centurion.
Mike Worthington
Hi, interesting that your centurion suffered from a broken rudder on a swinging mooring, it is obviously a weakness because our GRP Itchen Ferry, Noggin of Bere, a mere youngster built by Drummond Bane in 1974, also suffered the same on a swinging mooring in Poole Harbour. She is now safely tucked up on the River Frome at Wareham.
ReplyDeleteWe have found her a very sturdy and forgiving first boat and would love to find out more about the breed.
Liz Mangles
I am curious whether you know what has become of Wonder since then? The Dolphin Quay website indicates that she was sold, and moved to the East coast, but that is the last I have been able to find on the internet.
ReplyDeleteI used to sail on Wonder as a child, as a guest of Maj. Nicholay, and my father is the Naval Architect who headed Wonder's restoration at Newport Classic Boat Museum.
I know that after Maj. Nicholay passed away, Wonder was handed down to his son, but I haven't heard much of her since. I have many fond memories of weekends spent sailing Wonder on the Solent, and would love to hear where she has found a new home.
Hi Mike. Gem is now in Burnham-on Crouch. The owner is Timothy Lymer. She is up for sale.
ReplyDeleteYvonne Gosling
Wonder has turned up in Kent, and she's looking good.
ReplyDeletehttp://intheboatshed.net/?p=10468
Gav
for more about 'gem' contact harry lymer the owner /skipper . on 07736372226
ReplyDeleteGem and Wonder have just taken 1st and 2nd prizes respectively in the 2010 Swale Smack and Barge Match held 7 August.
ReplyDeleteI will post details to the KSA and Facebook sites soon.
Jo Walpole
Kentish Sail Association
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Hiya
ReplyDeleteThis boat was moored at Eling Quay for many years just in front of my dads boat.
I also sailed on Wonder several times when Chris Hawthorn, a friend of mine kept an eye on her for Maj Nicolay.In those days she was kept at Ocean Village in Southampton, just over the river from Itchen Ferry hard itself. Eling Quay was home to another well known itchen ferry called Nellie for many years.I was involved with Grahame Drummond Bayne in taking a mould from her for the GRP Itchen Ferry back in 1969. She remained in production until Grahame's death in 1983 and I believe sold well over the hundred mark, which is not bad going. They are found all over the UK and I exported quite a few to Holland when I was working with Grahame. There is a fair amount of info about ferries in print if you dig it out. John Leather,Edgar March and Dudley Kemp all feature chapters in their books on the ferries. There is one remaining ferry moored off the hard, SU117 but I forget her name, just right for anyone who wants a project!
ReplyDeleteI saw and fell in love with "Wonder" SU120.In 1988 whilst she was moored in Southampton.I was in touch with Major Nicolay, the long time owner,reference the possible purchase of this lovely craft. He asked me to name a price but I was starting a business at the time and unfortunately I let the opportunity pass.I have often thought of her and saw her last summer at Yarmouth Gaffers festival on the I.O.W
ReplyDelete