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Coniston Launch

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This page shows the excursion vessels of Coniston Launch. Coniston Launch was founded by Gordon and Margaret Hall in 1992 with one boat (Ruskin) mainly to run a service between Coniston and Brantwood, but also calling at Monk Coniston. It was soon recognized that there was a need to cater for walkers and, after a couple of false starts, a jetty was established at Torver. Because of the need to manage coach parties it was thought possible to sustain a second boat. On a trial basis  Iris was chartered from Keswick Launch for most of the 1994 season. This proved successful so a second boat was purchased (Ransome) that winter and Iris was returned to Keswick. In 1995 the Special Interest Cruises were further developed and cruises now encompassed the southern end of the lake. Tremendous efforts were made to obtain landowners' consent and planning permission for jetties at various points around the south of the lake but it was not until 1999 that it became possible to run to Lake Bank, Park a Mor and Sunny Bank.

For the 2005 season the boats were converted to solar-electric power. Both the launches use electric motors instead of diesel, with solar panels helping to charge the batteries - enabling the boats to be environmentally friendly and quieter. For more information about the solar-electric system used see EnviroBoat Developments. In 2005 Coniston Launch stopped calling at Monk Coniston jetty, and Waterhead was developed as an excellent substitute. In 2006 they left Park a Mor and developed Water Park.

In February 2008 the founders Gordon and Margaret left the business and it was taken on by Douglas and Gillian Hodgson. Coniston Ferry Service Ltd is the formal name of the company that runs Coniston Launch. In 2010 the Exonia was acquired from Portsmouth and rebuilt as the Campbell.


To travel on Coniston Launch see:  www.conistonlaunch.co.uk

 

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Coniston Launch

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Ruskin
(Built: 1922  -  Coniston Launch: 1992-  )

Coniston Launch was founded by Gordon and Margaret Hall in 1992 with one boat (Ruskin) mainly to run a service between Coniston and Brantwood, but also calling at Monk Coniston. For the 2005 season, Ruskin was converted to solar-electric power. Both the launches use electric motors instead of diesel, with solar panels helping to charge the batteries - enabling the boats to be environmentally friendly and quieter. Ruskin remains in the 2012 fleet.


Ruskin of Coniston Launch
Photos: ©2012 Robert Beale

RUSKIN of Coniston Launch - Photo: ©2012 Robert Beale - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsRUSKIN of Coniston Launch - Photo: ©2012 Robert Beale - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsRUSKIN of Coniston Launch - Photo: ©2012 Robert Beale - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsRUSKIN of Coniston Launch - Photo: ©2012 Robert Beale - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon Postcards






Ransome
(Coniston Launch: 1995-2010  -  Built: 1923)

Coniston Launch was founded by Gordon and Margaret Hall in 1992 with one boat (Ruskin) mainly to run a service between Coniston and Brantwood, but also calling at Monk Coniston. It was soon recognized that there was a need to cater for walkers and, after a couple of false starts, a jetty was established at Torver. Because of the need to manage coach parties it was thought possible to sustain a second boat. On a trial basis  Iris was chartered from Keswick Launch for most of the 1994 season. This proved successful so a second boat was purchased (Ransome) that winter and Iris was returned to Keswick. For the 2005 season, Ransome was converted to solar-electric power. Both the launches use electric motors instead of diesel, with solar panels helping to charge the batteries - enabling the boats to be environmentally friendly and quieter. Ransome was replaced by the Campbell in 2010 and was offered for sale.


Ransome of Coniston Launch
Photos: ©2012 Robert Beale

RANSOME of Coniston Launch - Photo: ©2012 Robert Beale - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsRANSOME of Coniston Launch - Photo: ©2012 Robert Beale - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsRANSOME of Coniston Launch - Photo: ©2012 Robert Beale - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon Postcards



Ransome of Coniston Launch
Photos: ©2010 Coniston Launch

RANSOME of Coniston Launch - Photo: ©2012 Robert Beale - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsRANSOME of Coniston Launch - Photo: ©2012 Robert Beale - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsRANSOME of Coniston Launch - Photo: ©2012 Robert Beale - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon Postcards



Ransome of Coniston Launch in October 2010
Photos: ©2010 Graham Thorne

RANSOME of Coniston Launch - Photo: ©2010 Graham Thorne - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsRANSOME of Coniston Launch - Photo: ©2010 Graham Thorne - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsRANSOME of Coniston Launch - Photo: ©2010 Graham Thorne - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsRANSOME of Coniston Launch - Photo: ©2010 Graham Thorne - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsRANSOME of Coniston Launch - Photo: ©2010 Graham Thorne - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsRANSOME of Coniston Launch - Photo: ©2010 Graham Thorne - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon Postcards






Campbell
(Built: 1976  -  Coniston Launch: 2010-  )

Campbell previously served as the Exonia. The Exonia (2) had been built built for the Starcross to Exmouth ferry in 1976. In 1983, A.Stuart took over the Starcross ferry along with vessels Exonia (2) and Orcombe. In 1987, B.B.J.Rackley took over the ferry, along with the Orcombe, and Exonia (2) remained with A.Stuart for excursions and charters. By 1999, Exonia (2) had passed to D&P Faithfull of Portsmouth, for use on Portsmouth Harbour Tours. She was purchased by Coniston Launch in June 2010 and converted to a Lakeland passenger vessel with cabin at the back and an open bow. She is now named Campbell. She started service on Coniston Water on 18th June 2011.


Campbell as the Exonia on the Portsmouth water bus in 1997
Photo: © Terry Creswell, 15th August 1997
EXONIA - D&P Faithfull - Photo: © Terry Creswell, 15th August 1997 - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Simplon Postcards -



Exonia at Coniston before rebuilding
Photo: © Graham Thorne, October 2010
EXONIA -  Photo: ©2010 Graham Thorne - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Simplon Postcards - EXONIA -  Photo: ©2010 Graham Thorne - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Simplon Postcards -



Campbell of Coniston Launch
Photos: ©2012 Douglas Hodgson

CAMPBELL of Coniston Launch - Photo: ©2012 Douglas Hodgson - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsCAMPBELL of Coniston Launch - Photo: ©2012 Douglas Hodgson - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsCAMPBELL of Coniston Launch - Photo: ©2012 Douglas Hodgson - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon Postcards



Campbell of Coniston Launch
Photos: ©2012 Robert Beale

CAMPBELL of Coniston Launch - Photo: ©2012 Robert Beale - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsCAMPBELL of Coniston Launch - Photo: ©2012 Robert Beale - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon Postcards






Coniston Launch Publicity Material


A selection of Coniston Launch brochures is shown below.

Always check the website for latest information:  www.conistonlaunch.co.uk



Coniston Launch 2011/2012 brochure
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Coniston Launch - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsConiston Launch - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon Postcards



Coniston Launch 2011/2012 Brantwood brochure
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Coniston Launch - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsConiston Launch - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon Postcards



Coniston Launch 2009/2010 brochure
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Coniston Launch - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsConiston Launch - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon Postcards



Coniston Launch 2009/2010 Brantwood brochure
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Coniston Launch - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsConiston Launch - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon Postcards



Coniston Launch 2009/2010 walks brochure
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Coniston Launch 2007 brochure
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Coniston Launch - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsConiston Launch - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon Postcards



Coniston Launch 2004 brochure
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Coniston Launch - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsConiston Launch - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon Postcards





















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