THE crew of the Steam Yacht Gondola have welcomed their newly carved figurehead “Sid” the serpent, delivered to Coniston Water by the craftsmen who created him. 

This striking sea serpent adorns the prow of this unique yacht - once more with gleaming with gold scales, piercing eyes and a red-forked tongue.

Gondola takes to the water at the start of a new season of tours from 11am tomorrow, Friday, March 25. 

Gondola was originally commissioned by the Furness Railway Company in 1859 as an attraction for tourists arriving to Coniston by train. 

The yacht was rebuilt in Barrow in the late 1970s, having been rescued from the bed of Coniston Water by National Trust volunteers. 

It was relaunched in 1980. Its serpent figurehead has links to the family crest of the third Duke of Devonshire who was a major shareholder. 

The National Trust commissioned Peter Hall & Son, of Staveley, to undertake work to replace the old Sid - who had become rotten to the core having been battered by more than 35 years of Lakeland weather. 

For these highly skilled craftsmen, it was like being reacquainted with an old friend in need. 

They’d already patched Sid up in the past, as well as refurbishing the ceiling and re-upholstering the luxurious seating in Gondola’s first class saloon in 2002 and 2010. 

Jeremy Hall who accompanied Sid back to Coniston said: “We were delighted to embark on this project for the National Trust as Gondola is a yacht with which our team feels a great connection. 

“This is possibly the most unusual commission we have ever undertaken and we feel proud to be part of Gondola’s unique story. 

“Our chief craftsman on this project was Ian Sugden who over the past five months, has carved, chipped, sanded and gilded the new creation from a blocks of English oak, finally fixing Sid into place on board Gondola ready for the new season.” 

Suzi Bunting, Gondola’s visitor experience manager, said: “The serpent truly represents Gondola’s links to her Victorian history, so we’d really like to thank all those who donated to ensure Sid remains as an iconic spectacle on Coniston Water for all to enjoy.” 

It is hard to distinguish the old Sid from the new but a subtle difference is the curve of his tongue, which now points up rather than down in order to shed water rather than collect it, to help ward off rot in future. 

Winter project work on Gondola has also included the construction of a new wooden wheelhouse. 

It has been built to protect the helmsman from the elements and to match into the surrounding timbers. 

Crewman Jack McDonagh was keen to create a structure that was in keeping with the rest of the yacht. 

He said: “In Victorian times, the yacht sailed only in fair weather so the crew had no need for a wheelhouse. 

“The biggest challenge though was taking care with the weight of the construction to prevent Gondola from becoming top heavy.” 

You can read more about the Gondola and the new Sid on the website at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/news/support-sidney or check out the film clip at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPOpGiFnDTY

A full time lapse video of the serpent being carved can be viewed on the Peter Hall & Son website at http://www.peter-hall.co.uk/our-journal/sid-the-serpent