Gondola on Coniston WaterPhotographed during 2006 this is steam yacht Gondola.
Built in 1859 she has been completely rebuilt by the National Trust and plies her trade on Coniston Water.
Originally commissioned by Sir James Ramsden, a director of the Furness Railway Company in the late 1850s.
The local railway was then used to transport the raw materials mined in the Coniston Fells to Barrow in Furness from where they were shipped out to their final destination.
Sir James Ramsden saw the potential for the railway to transport tourists to the Lake District.
He therefore commissioned Gondola to sail Coniston Water with tourists that had travelled on the Furness Railway Paddle steamers from Fleetwood to Barrow in Furness.
Gondola's first and third class carriages reflect her close connection to the Furness Railway and can be seen today.
In my view a truly beautiful boat.
Picture added on 23 August 2010 at 08:33
Added by Dave Forbes on 24 January 2012.