HISTORY & DESCRIPTION:
MADAME ELISABETH was built in 1936 by Guy Shelley of Gosport to a stylish Gentleman’s motor-cruiser design by the well-known naval architect Sidney Graham of Southampton.
From 1936 to 1938 MADAME ELISABETH was initially registered with the builder’s wife Mrs E K Shelley. In 1938 W T Hodge of Northfield became the first official owner keeping the vessel on the River Severn until she was requisitioned by the Ministry of War Transport in June 1940 as an auxiliary patrol vessel. In November 1940 MADAME ELISABETH was moved to Milford Haven and began working as a degaussing range vessel which she continued to do until September 1943. She was then laid-up until August 1945.
After the War, she was returned to the Hodge family and registered with Christoper Hodge of Rednal. In February 1959 Thomas Roberts of Sedgley became her new owner, cruising extensively from the River Severn. One winter during the 1980s she was laid-up at Woodbank, Thomas Roberts home for general maintenance. Unfortunately, she was to remain in his garden for a considerable time until eventually sold for restoration by his estate. In about 2003 John Le Richie from Bewdley had MADAM ELISABETH moved to Stourport Marina where she was restored and soon back afloat once again on the River Severn. The current owners bought MADAME ELISABETH in November 2010 and have since enjoyed leisurely cruising on the Berkley Ship Canal and River Severn.
MADAME ELISABETH now requires further restoration work, chiefly to the hull planking and upper transom. She was last dry-docked in 2015. Any essential work necessary was carried out and the underwater hull finished with two coats of bitumen.
Carvel Oregan Pine hull, straight stem, round bilges, long keel and divided, slightly raked transom stern. Sheathed pine decks, Teak wheelhouse and cabin coamings, skylight, stanchion capping rail and brightwork.
The spacious accommodation affords three separate sleeping cabins, two with ensuite Jabsco heads compartments and shower. The forward stateroom retains the original lead-light glazed cabinets, a particular feature of the boat. MADAME ELISABETH would make a very comfortable floating home or long distance cruiser, she offers great period charm and plenty of leisure deck space fore and aft.
FROM FOREWARD:
Chain Locker
Heads Compartment with Jabsco Marine WC, wash basin with mirror above, shower.
Foreward Stateroom having berths to port and starboard with settee return to port. Original mahogany joinery with a set of lead light glazed cabinets to the athwartships bulkhead. Opening portlights, skylight. Double doors and steps up to:
Wheelhouse with port helm, instrumentation and controls. Side deck doors, access beneath sole to:
Pair 50hp FORD 4D DIESEL ENGINES with SCAMMELL MARINE GEARBOXES. Thornycroft propellers. Four batteries. 240-volt shore-power. 12-volt lighting. Calorifier. Three 40 gallon (approx.) fuel tanks, two 60 gallon (approx.) fresh water tanks.
Aft steps down to: Saloon with L shaped settee berth to port and settee berth to starboard having storage below. Fitted mahogany dresser, bulkhead glazed lockers, original mahogany drop-leaf table, rectangular opening port-lights. Fuse box locker. Power sockets. Access to:
Heads Compartment with Jabsco marine WC, washbasin.
Door from the saloon to: Galley fitted to the port side with ample ceramic work surfaces with inset two burner gas cooker with oven and grill. 12/240 volt fridge, inset stainless steel sink unit with draining board. Pantry and crockery lockers. Settee/berth to starboard. Double doors and steps to:
Aft Cockpit with lockers seats to port and starboard, access to stern deck lazarette and gas bottle locker in port quarter. Custom fitted cockpit canopy. Access to large aft leisure deck.
Anchor and chain.
BROKERS NOTE:
Classic Yacht Brokerage have known MADAM ELISABETH for over twenty years. She is a rare survivor of a bygone era of motor-cruising and has a very stylish shaped hull with pronounced tumblehome aft and distinct flared bows. Definitely a classic to be cherished for the future and well worth the time and investment to fully return to her pre-war appearance. Currently in full commission. Sensibly priced with offers considered for a quick sale Spring 2019.
GUIDE: SOLD – May 2019
LYING: Gloucestershire
VIEWING: Through CLASSIC YACHT BROKERAGE – 01905-356482
