Simplon - The Passenger Ship Website - www.simplonpc.co.uk
Simplon facebook - Simplon Home - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Recent Updates - Search Simplon - Copyright Information - Contact Simplon
This website has no connection with any shipping company, cruise line, boat operator or other commercial organisation - There are no postcards for sale on this website




Allchorn Pleasure Boats
 
Eastbourne - East Sussex
 
 
This page is devoted to postcards and photographs of Allchorn Pleasure Boats, who run trips from Eastbourne to Beachy Head and the East Sussex coast. This is one of a series of Simplon Postcards pages devoted to Sussex Excursion Vessels. For details of excursion contact the operator at:- www.allchornpleasureboats.co.uk
 
In 1861, Edward Allchorn established a pleasure boating business to operate from Eastbourne's beach, providing holiday makers with cruises along the seafront and out to sea. The demand grew steadily for this type of attraction, to the extent that many other operators entered the trade and Eastbourne's beaches became extremely busy with boating activities in the years that followed. As the opportunities for international travel grew after the war years, visitor numbers declined such that by the early 1960's only Allchorn Pleasure Boats and the Sayers Brothers remained as competitors in the trade.
 
In 1964 the Sayers Brothers decided to withdraw from the business, and the Allchorn family acquired their business and their vessel, the Southern Queen, which still delights visitors today sailing under the house flag of Allchorn Pleasure Boats. In the mid 1990's Brian Allchorn, great grandson of Edward Allchorn, decided to retire and placed the business up for sale. A third party family took the business on and operated it successfully until 2000 when they elected to pursue other interests. In May 2001 Allchorn Pleasure Boats was acquired by Maritima Limited, and who continued this unique service until 2006.
Ownership then passed to James Foster, owner of Eastbourne Marine, in May 2007, and services will operate as normal (details on their website www.allchornpleasureboats.co.uk)
 
During the winter months, both the William Allchorn and the Southern Queen undergo maintenance and refits to not only ensure the vessels are ready for each new season, but also to preserve this unique piece of maritime heritage. Both craft are entered in the National Register of Historic Vessels at the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich. Additionally, the company owns two other vessels, The Robert - one of the well-known former RNLI life-boats and a World War II Amphibious DUKW. The lifeboat has delighted visitors with her ability to venture further out to sea offering cruises as far as The Royal Sovereign Light Tower and the World War II Amphibious DUKW ferries passengers from the shore to the pleasure boats at low tide.
 
Services transferred from the beach to Royal Sovereign Marina in 2009, but did not operate in 2010. A campaign to restart the services under new owners was launched in 2014.
 
 
 
Allchorn Pleasure Boats 2006 handbill
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
Allchorn Pleasure Boats 2007 handbill
Click to open PDF File in new window
 
 
 
 
Sections on this Page:-
Allchorn Fleet List
Cruise to Beachy Head
Shore Installations
 
Boats on this Page:-
Enchantress
William Allchorn
Southern Queen
The Robert - ex-RNLI Lifeboat
DUKW - WW2 Amphibious Vehicle
 
Allchorn Pleasure Boats Pages:-
Allchorn Pleasure Boats - Page 1 - overview - this page!
Allchorn Pleasure Boats - William Allchorn
Allchorn Pleasure Boats - DUKW
www.allchornpleasureboats.co.uk - company website
 
Associated Pages:-
Eastbourne Pier
Sussex Piers
Sussex Excursion Vessels
UK Excursion Ships
Ferry Postcards
Cruise Ship Postcards
Ocean Liner Postcards
Simplon Postcards - Recent Updates
Simplon Postcards - Home Page
 
References:-
www.allchornpleasureboats.co.uk - History and fleet details found on the Allchorn company website
Trip Out Guides - Written and published by G.P.Hamer - various editions from 1977 to 2005 consulted
Trip Out Guides are available from Geoffrey Hamer, PO Box 485, Southall, UB1 9BH
 
Search This Website:-

powered by FreeFind  
 
 
 
Table of Boat Histories
Name
Other names
 Built
 William Allchorn  
 1950
 DUKW  
 1950
 
 
 
 
 
Allchorn Pleasure Boats
 
 
 
William Allchorn
(built: 1950)
 
The William Allchorn is 54 feet in length, weighs 36 tons, is constructed of wood using double-diagonal planking, and is almost certainly the largest beach-launched pleasure boat in service today. She was purpose built as a pleasure boat in 1950, in Newhaven, East Sussex, by E. Cantell & Son. William Allchorn is licensed to carry 100 passengers.
More images of William Allchorn
 
 
Official postcard of William Allchorn when new c.1950
This is a modern reproduction printed by The Postcard Company
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
Postcard of William Allchorn with Eastbourne Pier
Scan: Ivo Batricevic
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
Official postcard of William Allchorn
Printed by The Postcard Company
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
Postcard of William Allchorn
Printed by The Digital Pixie
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
 
 
Eastbourne residents and visitors have been surprised by this year's new look for the company's largest vessel, the William Allchorn. The usual colours of the vessel, a white hull and yellow funnel, have been replaced with a lavender (French Grey) hull and red funnel, and this has met with some mixed reactions.
 
Christopher Laycock, Co-Director of Allchorn Pleasure Boats, explained that 2006 marks the 50th anniversary of the merger between the Union-Castle Mail Steamship Company Limited and Clan Line Steamers to form British & Commonwealth Shipping Limited. As with Allchorn Pleasure Boats founded in 1861, the origins of both these famous shipping companies go back to 1857 for Union-Castle Line and 1877 for Clan Line Steamers.
 
The annual reunion for seagoing and shore staff of these companies will be held this year in Eastbourne during early August. Having served as a navigating officer aboard vessels of both these companies during his seafaring career, Christopher Laycock and Allchorn Pleasure Boats are contributing to this year's event by providing an exclusive cruise to Beachy Head for those attending the reunion in William Allchorn carrying the replica colours of the Union-Castle mail ships and flying the British and Commonwealth Shipping house flag. 'William Allchorn will revert though to the usual livery for the 2007 season.
 
 
 
William Allchorn at the Eastbourne mobile jetty, 3rd July 2006
Photo: ©2006 Copyright Ian Boyle/Simplon Postcards
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
William Allchorn at the Eastbourne mobile jetty, 3rd July 2006
Photo: ©2006 Copyright Ian Boyle/Simplon Postcards
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
William Allchorn leaving Eastbourne on a Beachy Head trip, 3rd July 2006
Photo: ©2006 Copyright Ian Boyle/Simplon Postcards
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
William Allchorn leaving Eastbourne on a Beachy Head trip, 3rd July 2006
Photo: ©2006 Copyright Ian Boyle/Simplon Postcards
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
William Allchorn leaving Eastbourne on a Beachy Head trip, 3rd July 2006
Photo: ©2006 Copyright Ian Boyle/Simplon Postcards
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
As previously announced, William Allchorn reverted to 'P&O colours' in 2007.
Photo: ©2007 Copyright Ian Boyle/Simplon Postcards, 7th September 2007
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
William Allchorn arriving at Eastbourne from a Beachy Head trip
Photo: ©2007 Copyright Ian Boyle/Simplon Postcards, 7th September 2007
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
Photo: ©2007 Copyright Ian Boyle/Simplon Postcards, 7th September 2007
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
Photo: ©2007 Copyright Ian Boyle/Simplon Postcards, 7th September 2007
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
Photo: ©2007 Copyright Ian Boyle/Simplon Postcards, 7th September 2007
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
Photo: ©2007 Copyright Ian Boyle/Simplon Postcards, 7th September 2007
Click to open larger image in new window
 
More images of William Allchorn
 
 
 
 
 
Southern Queen
(built: 1950)
 
The Southern Queen is 46 feet in length, weighs 27 tons, is constructed of wood in the clinker fashion, and is probably the largest vessel of this type of construction still in service in the United Kingdom, if not the world. She was built by the Prangnell family, in 1950, in a barn at Westham village, not too far from Pevensey Castle, and was taken nearly two miles by road to her launching in Norman's Bay, some four miles east of Eastbourne. Southern Queen is licensed to carry 72 passengers.
 
No images available yet
 
 
 
 
 
 
Enchantress
(built: 19??)
 
I have no details of Enchantress of in Eastbourne service, but her clinker-built hull resembles Southern Queen of the Sayers Brothers.
 
 
Salmon postcard of Enchantress with Eastbourne Pier
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Robert
ex-RNLI Lifeboat
 
Official postcard of the Robert
Printed by The Postcard Company
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
 
 
 
 
DUKW
(WW2 Amphibious Vehicle)
 
The DUKW is used to transfer passenger to boats at low tide, and to assist in moving he mobile jetty sections.
 
More images of the DUKW
 
 
DUKW on Eastbourne beach, 3rd July 2006
Photo: ©2006 Copyright Ian Boyle/Simplon Postcards
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
DUKW on Eastbourne beach, 3rd July 2006
Photo: ©2006 Copyright Ian Boyle/Simplon Postcards
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
DUKW on Eastbourne beach, 3rd July 2006
Photo: ©2006 Copyright Ian Boyle/Simplon Postcards
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
DUKW on Eastbourne beach, 3rd July 2006
Photo: ©2006 Copyright Ian Boyle/Simplon Postcards
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
DUKW in use at low tide at Eastbourne with William Allchorn
DUKW passengers board the boat first
Photo: ©2007 Copyright Ian Boyle/Simplon Postcards, 7th September 2007
Click to open larger image in new window
William Allchorn & DUKW - WW2 Amphibious Vehicle - Allchorn Pleasure Boats - Eastbourne - Photo: ©2007 Copyright Ian Boyle/Simplon Postcards - www.simplonpc.co.uk
 
 
DUKW in use at low tide at Eastbourne with William Allchorn
DUKW returning to shore
Photo: ©2007 Copyright Ian Boyle/Simplon Postcards, 7th September 2007
Click to open larger image in new window
William Allchorn & DUKW - WW2 Amphibious Vehicle - Allchorn Pleasure Boats - Eastbourne - Photo: ©2007 Copyright Ian Boyle/Simplon Postcards - www.simplonpc.co.uk
 
 
DUKW in use at low tide at Eastbourne with William Allchorn
DUKW returning to shore
Photo: ©2007 Copyright Ian Boyle/Simplon Postcards, 7th September 2007
Click to open larger image in new window
DUKW - WW2 Amphibious Vehicle - Allchorn Pleasure Boats - Eastbourne - Photo: ©2007 Copyright Ian Boyle/Simplon Postcards - www.simplonpc.co.uk
 
 
DUKW on Eastbourne beach
DUKW returning to shore
Photo: ©2007 Copyright Ian Boyle/Simplon Postcards, 7th September 2007
Click to open larger image in new window
DUKW - WW2 Amphibious Vehicle - Allchorn Pleasure Boats - Eastbourne - Photo: ©2007 Copyright Ian Boyle/Simplon Postcards - www.simplonpc.co.uk
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cruise to Beachy Head
 
 
William Allchorn loading at Eastbourne for a Beachy Head cruise, 3rd July 2006
Photo: ©2006 Copyright Ian Boyle/Simplon Postcards
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
Photo: ©2006 Copyright Ian Boyle/Simplon Postcards
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
Eastbourne Pier
Photo: ©2006 Copyright Ian Boyle/Simplon Postcards
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
Beachy Head and lighthouse
Photo: ©2006 Copyright Ian Boyle/Simplon Postcards
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
Photo: ©2006 Copyright Ian Boyle/Simplon Postcards
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
Photo: ©2006 Copyright Ian Boyle/Simplon Postcards
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
Photo: ©2006 Copyright Ian Boyle/Simplon Postcards
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
Photo: ©2006 Copyright Ian Boyle/Simplon Postcards
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
Photo: ©2006 Copyright Ian Boyle/Simplon Postcards
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
Eastbourne Pier on the return
Photo: ©2006 Copyright Ian Boyle/Simplon Postcards
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
Eastbourne Jetty on the return
Photo: ©2006 Copyright Ian Boyle/Simplon Postcards
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
Disembarking at Eastbourne jetty on the return
Photo: ©2006 Copyright Ian Boyle/Simplon Postcards
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shore Installations
 
 
William Allchorn at the Eastbourne mobile jetty, 3rd July 2006
Photo: ©2006 Copyright Ian Boyle/Simplon Postcards
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
William Allchorn at the Eastbourne mobile jetty, 3rd July 2006
Photo: ©2006 Copyright Ian Boyle/Simplon Postcards
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
William Allchorn at the Eastbourne mobile jetty, 3rd July 2006
Photo: ©2006 Copyright Ian Boyle/Simplon Postcards
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
 
Winch used to move the mobile jetty on Eastbourne beach
Photo: ©2007 Copyright Ian Boyle/Simplon Postcards, 7th September 2007
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
Winch used to move the mobile jetty on Eastbourne beach, 3rd July 2006
Photo: ©2006 Copyright Ian Boyle/Simplon Postcards
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
Ticket kiosk on Eastbourne promenade, 3rd July 2006
Photo: ©2006 Copyright Ian Boyle/Simplon Postcards
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
Advertising sign on Eastbourne promenade, 3rd July 2006
Photo: ©2006 Copyright Ian Boyle/Simplon Postcards
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ferry Postcards - Cruise Ship Postcards - Ocean Liner Postcards
Top of Page - Simplon Postcards - Recent Updates - Simplon Postcards - Home Page
 
 
 
 
 
©1999-2007 Copyright Ian Boyle/Simplon Postcards (all pages on web site)
All Rights Reserved
 
Free Web Counter
Times viewed since 07/01/2008: