Boat building legend lends his name to restored Lune Whammel

A traditional Whammel boat that’s been restored and given a new lease of life working here at Glasson Dock, has been officially named Bill Bailiff, after the local boat-building legend who built her.

The 20 ft long by approximately 6ft wide boat was built by the Overton man Bill Bailiff in the late 70s and early 80s. Over the last eight months, it has been carefully restored by Lancaster Port Commission marine staff and is now used for Port duties.

Speaking at an event to name the boat, Harbour Master Carl Bower said:

“The name Bill Bailiff was suggested by Ian and Doreen Steele. They answered the Port Commission’s appeal for a name, and were amongst 40 who entered our competition. Ian is delighted that the Whammel boat will carry his childhood friend’s name. Ian lost touch with his friend Bill when he and his wife Doreen moved to Norfolk. Ian remembers Bill as having a penchant for fixing and building things from a young age.

“Bill passed away in November 1995 and his widow Jacqui was at the informal naming ceremony at Glasson Dock. She was thrilled that Ian’s suggestion won.

“Bill is something of a local boat-building legend. He was born in 1938, and grew up on the shores beside Morecambe Bay. He built his first boat, a canoe when he was 11 years old. By 12, he had built and launched a clinker dinghy. Bill worked at Storey’s in Lancaster for many years until the early 1970s when he started his own boat-building business full-time. Character Boats, operating out of Overton for several decades, quickly gained a reputation for quality and proven design. Bill even exhibited at the London Earl’s Court boat show in the early 1980s,” added Carl.

Elsabe White, Chief Executive Officer of Lancaster Port Commission said:

“We love our Whammel boat as it’s an important part of local history, and its steady shallow shape means it’s handy for certain jobs in the Port. Other Bill Bailiff boats are still in use but it’s perfect that we have one of his Whammel boats working here – the name ensures Bill’s impressive boat-building legacy continues to be recognised.”