Hamble Seaplane Lighter

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The remnants of a steel WWI seaplane lighter sit proudly on the banks of the River Hamble, its 58ft frame a testament to innovation and ingenuity. Designed to extend the range of seaplanes, this remarkable vessel was built to carry planes in tow behind a destroyer, revolutionizing naval aviation. Locally designed and constructed, these seaplane lighters were put to the test at nearby Calshot in 1917 before the Admiralty commissioned Thorneycroft to build more. However, fewer than 50 of these groundbreaking craft were ever produced, their significance overshadowed by the chaos of war. As the conflict drew to a close, wooden platforms were added, allowing planes to take off under the right conditions and effectively transforming the seaplane lighter into the world's first aircraft carrier. This pioneering achievement paved the way for future naval aviation capabilities. Today, only a handful of these historic vessels remain, with two examples known to exist. One is situated in Poole harbour, while another is undergoing conservation at the Fleet Air Museum in Yeovilton after being recovered from the Thames. We extend our gratitude to MAT volunteer Steve Harvey for his drone work, which has helped bring this piece of history to light.