Sponsored by
Roundhay's Waterloo Lake: Pleasure boat may sail back from history
Could a pleasure boat return to Roundhay Park's Waterloo Lake where she last sailed 85 years ago?
That's the dream of Mrs Hilary Dyson, secretary of Oakwood and District Historical Society, who has taken a keen interest in the Mary Gordon.
* Click here to sign up to free news and sport email alerts from Roundhay Today.
She has written a chapter about the boat in Oak Leaves: Part Eight, the latest historical volume from her group.
She writes: "Would it be too much to hope to see the Mary Gordon on Waterloo Lake again? It would be wonderful if this could be arranged some time in the future."
* Click here for latest news in Roundhay & Oakwood.
Currently, the vessel is out of water at Brayford Pool near the Pyewipe Inn in Lincolnshire. A group of enthusiasts who have formed the Mary Gordon Trust are seeking Lottery funding to equip the boat with an electric motor as she had when first built.
Leeds Corporation (as it was then known) ordered the Mary Gordon from a Chiswick company in 1900 specifically to cruise in Roundhay Park. She was brought to Yorkshire by steam lorry.
Hilary recalls that the vessel cost 600. She was made of teak and oak and the batteries which powered her were laid along the keel beneath the seats.
She took her name from the Lady Mayoress of the day. Her husband John was a prosperous accountant and stockbroker and lived at Potternewton House which has since been demolished.
The new 30-page issue of Oak Leaves is now on sale for 3 at City Stationers, Oakwood; Philip Howard Books, Street Lane; and Roundhay Park visitor centre.
Its other features include the closure of St John's Church, Roundhay; the history of Gledhow Hill House and Estate (now part of Roundhay School); memories of Roundhay School, 1950-57; and Rowland Ding, daredevil pilot of Soldiers Field.
An essay about the wealthy Irish aristocrats Richard and Charles Parson reveals an astonishing fact. Charles designed military torpedoes which were tested on Waterloo Lake. They had a range of 200 to 300 yards and a speed of nearly 20 knots.
"These may be the basis of rumours that munitions are buried at the bottom of the lake," commented Hilary.
Email to a friend
Print this page- Simon Grayson sacked: Whites keeping managerial options open LATEST
- January 2012 Premier League and Championship transfer round up
- Leeds United: We wouldn’t have got Alan Smith for £2,500 a week! - Grayson UPDATED
- Web poll: Who should be Leeds United’s next manager? VOTE HERE
- Leeds United: Axed Simon Grayson leaves with tears and a salute for fans INTERVIEW
- Simon Grayson sacked: Whites keeping managerial options open LATEST
- Leeds United: A fresh start is just what we need - Lorimer
- Web poll: Who should be Leeds United’s next manager? VOTE HERE
- Are you satisfied with Leeds United’s dealings in the January transfer window? VOTE HERE
- Match report: Leeds United v Birmingham City
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Leeds
Sunday 05 February 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: -1 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: -2 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North west
