In the winter of 1911, Waterbird ascended from the surface of Windermere, becoming the first British hydroplane to complete a successful take-off, flight and landing. This triumph cemented a future for British seaplane development and saw Windermere become an industrial hub for civil and military seaplanes throughout the early 20th century.
Waterbird inflight over Windermere
Blueprint was recently contacted by local historian, Ian Gee, who is dedicated to preserving the legacy of Windermere’s aviation history. Ian sought our help to locate a missing piece of the Waterbird story, a barge that he believes was used to transport the hydroplane across the lake. This barge is rumoured to have sank in the turbid waters of Windermere, making it virtually impossible to locate without specialist equipment.
The StarFish 990F sidescan sonar is specifically engineered for conducting detailed shallow water surveys, making it an exceptional tool to assist Ian in his search for the Waterbird barge.
Using the StarFish 990F we took to the lake to survey the seaplane launch site. Our team deployed the sidescan and studied the incoming data in real-time, looking to spot any objects resembling the lost vessel. Eventually, the skeletal shape of a wreck appeared on the StarFish’s Scanline software. Using the program's measuring tool to confirm the vessel's dimensions, Ian concluded there was a strong probability that this was the missing barge he was searching for.
Scanline data collected using StarFish 990F XD, showing the submerged wreck of the Waterbird barge.
The following day a team of divers descended into the lake, utilising the coordinates logged in the StarFish software to pinpoint the wreck. Their findings corroborated Ian's theory that this was indeed the Waterbird barge, as the the sunken wreck had several features matching the barge's description, including an intact winch system that would have been used to tow the hydroplane out onto the lake.
The Waterbird barge towing the hydroplane on Windermere
The discovery of the Waterbird barge marks a significant milestone in the preservation of Windermere’s rich aviation history. This find enriches our understanding of the Waterbird's legacy, ensuring its place in aviation history for future generations.
To learn more about the Waterbird barge discovery, you can watch our feature in the full episode of Cumbria: The Lakes & The Coast: