FIFTY years ago the Coniston steam-powered yacht Gondola was in a poor state, grounded at the southern end of the lake and with an uncertain future.

A feature in the Barrow News, of April 8, in 1966, looked at its long history.

It noted: "The semi-derelict, battered shell of a boat is what remains of the Gondola, the sleek, beautifully-designed steamer which once sailed the calm waters of Coniston."

Its last use had been as a houseboat for Walney businessman Mr J. McAdam after being retired from carrying passengers on the lake in 1919.

Gondola was built in 1858 by Jones and Company, of Liverpool, to designs by first mayor of Barrow Sir James Ramsden.

He was manager of the Barrow-based Furness Railway which saw the potential of a lake steamer to attract day trippers along the railway branch line to Coniston.

The Illustrated London News, of July 7 in 1860 described Gondola as being 85ft long and capable of needing just 4ft 6in of water to travel across.

It was powered by a steam engine which used coke as a fuel and generated 16hp to give a top speed of 12mph.

The 1966 article noted: "She finished her working days in 1919, when she was used as a house boat.

"Her boiler and engine found their way to Edward Charnley's sawmill at Canal Head, Ulverston, where they lay dismantled for many years.

"Mr Charnley died and they were cut up for scrap."

The first captain of the Gondola was called Anderson and he had been a crew member on the Fox which went in search of explorer John Franklin.

Later Gondola captains called Dawson, Clay, Cowell and Huddleston took command before the arrival in March 1871 of Felix Hamill.

He was born at Fleetwood on June 4 in 1849 and had been a sailor in the coastal shipping trade from the age of 12.

Cpt Hamill completed 13,000 sailings on the Gondola.

He retired at the age of 69 and spent 18 months buillding a detailed model of Gondola.