Island Life Magazine Ltd August/September 2013 | Page 47

ON THE WATER

Left: Volunteer Sonya
RigaudBarrett with
Britannia.
Below: The airborne
lifeboat used during the
Second World War.
Below right: Lady
Penelope

own and decided they were being wasted
sitting in a shed, so he and a few friends
decided to set up the museum, which was
originally in Newport.
“Since then it has gone from strength to
strength, and we moved to East Cowes last
year when we could no longer afford the
premises we had in Newport. It became a bit
of a desperate search for new premises, and

we were lucky to get what was formerly a
machine shop for J.S. White.”
Restoration of the Albany Road factory
allowed the Museum volunteers to show off
the fine collection of boats, with restoration
of further vessels ongoing. Sonya said: “We
are always looking for more volunteers, so
anyone interested should come along and
see us.”
Enthusiasts of all ages visit the museum
and gallery, which have nominal admission
charges to help cover expenses. The pink
Lady Penelope, with leopard skin fenders, is
a favourite with youngsters, while admirers
of Dame Ellen MacArthur can marvel over
the many trophies she accumulated, and has
subsequently loaned to the museum
and gallery.

Above: A museum volunteer cleaning up Coweslip, owned by Prince Philip.

www.visitislandlife.com

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