The steam launch Consuta

Consuta by the Leander pontoons.

The portly gentleman in the bow is probably Mr. Clutton.

Most photos show passengers standing in the stern cockpit. The tunnel is very high in this compartment which makes it difficult to provide comfortable seating here.

Mr. Clutton lived at Cleeve Mill just upstream from Goring.

Consuta was built at Saunder's Springfield Works which were only about half a mile upstream of Cleeve lock

This picture here is from a postcard of the mill pool by Cleeve Mill. Laurence Weaver who lived the Mill in the 1970/80s found some disgarded firebars which may well have belonged to Consuta

Consuta at Cleeve Mill

Below are two letters written to Saunders from Mr. Clutton

Leander Club, Henley-on-Thames January 23rd 1900

Dear Sir,
In answer to your enquiry as to how the Steam Launch Consuta that you built to my order on your patent sewing up principle suits me. I have pleasure in telling you that it has in every way fulfilled my wishes.  As you are aware I gave you the order for the purpose of enabling me to fulfill a contract I had entered into with the Committee of the Henley Royal Regatta to construct a Launch to reduce the wash hitherto made by launches carrying the Umpire, and I am pleased to say that I have been thanked by the Committee for the results obtained, and they have engaged the Boat for a term of five years.
In addition to Umpiring at Henley and other Regattas, and at the last Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race, I have used the boat continuously since she was built, and has given me every satisfaction.

Yours faithfully,   H.S. Clutton

9, Whitehall Place, LONDON, SW.  September 26th 1904

Gentlemen,
Reverting to your enquiry as to the condition of my launch Consuta after seven years' work, I have pleasure in stating  that in my opinion the hull is as stiff and sound as the day she was launched, and except for painting and varnishing it has never been touched. Considering the work she had done umpiring and other work calculated to strain the boat, including a lot of work on the tideway and being repeatedly hauled in and out of the water at all times of the year, I consider the state of affairs most satisfactory. She has run some 10,000 miles during the time.

Yours faithfully,   H.S. Clutton