LAUNCH OF THE HISTORIC VESSEL “OUR LIZZIE” – Lake Loathing, Oulton Broad, Suffolk

Following a two- and half-year restoration and refit the beautiful historic fishing vessel “Our Lizzie” is due to be launched at The International Boatbuilding Training College, Lowestoft on Tuesday 16th October 2018.
Built in 1920 at Porthleven, Cornwall “Our Lizzie” is a rare surviving example of a period Gaff rigged “drifter” with a delightful counter stern. At 46 feet long and weighing approximately 30 Tons she makes for an arresting sight.
Following her quite exceptional refit by the skilled craftsmen and women at IBTC commercial “Our Lizzie” is ready for the next chapter in her already fascinating life. Following a rather brief time fishing she was put to good use during WW2 as a spy ship in the Baltic as well as duty at Dunkirk. Slightly more recently “Our Lizzie” found herself in film and television appearing in The French Lieutenants Woman, Dracula, The Apple Tree and television’s The Onedin Line. She will now be used for pleasure offering luxury accommodation below decks whilst retaining the outward appearance and lines of the working vessel she is.
The launch will be a real spectacle as “Our Lizzie” has to be moved from her shed using a 300 ton crane. She will be lifted into the air and swung through some 50 meters before being lowered into her berth within Lake Lothing. It is not every day you will see an historic 30-ton wooden boat fly through the air!!
Below are some pictures of “Our Lizzie” in the final days before her launch.
For further details please contact Mike Tupper on 01502 569663 or miketupper@ibtc.co.uk