Donald Campbell’s Bluebird will run again on Coniston Water
Donald Campbell’s boat, Bluebird K7, will run again, the Ruskin Museum revealed today
The Ruskin Museum revealed today (March 10th) that Donald Campbell’s Bluebird K7 will run again on Coniston Water.
Yesterday, the boat travelled 147 miles from North Shields to Coniston. Along the route, thousands of people watched the progress of the boat. At one point, as the boat came off M6 on the final part of its journey, police stepped in to stop traffic as well wishers swarmed onto the carriageway.
A shire horse and a piper led the truck with the boat through the streets of Coniston, which were crowded with more than a thousand people who clapped and cheered the boat. Walking in front of it were Gina Campbell, Donald Campbell’s daughter and Brian Eastham, Gina’s partner.
At a press conference attended by Tracy Hodgson, Director of the Museum, Jeff Carroll, The Vice Chairman of the Trustee Board, and the legal and communications teams that had worked to bring the boat home, it was revealed that Bluebird K7 will run again on Coniston.
David Barzilay, Director of Communications for the Museum, said: “This morning, we are happy to announce that the boat will run again on Coniston at a time to be agreed in the future.”
He added: “The purpose of this morning is to allow the media to see the boat in the Bluebird Wing for the first time before the Museum opens to the public on March 19th. Also, to dispel some of the myths that have surrounded the Museum's fight to get the boat back to Coniston.”
Jeff Carroll said: “K7 only returned home last night; people need to see her in the museum wing that was built for her, and there is lots of work to do, but we have plans to run K7 now that we have her back.”
He added: “We have an engineering team in place to take the boat to the next stage on its journey and are talking to potential partners who wish to help the Museum create an ongoing legacy for Bluebird K7 and ensure that its progress is shared with the public worldwide.”
Tracy Hodgson said: “I am delighted that, at last, Bluebird K7 has returned to Coniston to be displayed in her purpose-built wing. I would like to thank all the staff at The Ruskin Museum, The Ruskin Museum Trustees, The Campbell Family Heritage Trust and the many supporters who have been instrumental in bringing Bluebird Home.”
She added: “We are now able to show this iconic hydroplane to the world, and the younger generation will be able to learn of the achievements of her Skipper, Donald Campbell CBE, and pay tribute to him. Now she is home we can start making arrangements to run her on Coniston Water, where she can be seen in her glory by all.”
Sheroze Nadeem, an Associate at Forbes Solicitors, along with Stephen McArdle, Head of Commercial Litigation, who helped The Ruskin Museum to rightfully claim ownership of the Bluebird K7, said: “We are extremely proud and honoured to have been involved in such a matter of great British history and legacy.
“From the pre-action stage, we formulated a strategy to issue proceedings that would legally – and rightfully – bring the Bluebird K7 back to Coniston. We supported the Museum’s resolute case as a custodian of this rich piece of history.”
Gregory Pipe, Barrister, from Monckton Chambers, who also helped the Museum recover Bluebird K7, said: “I was very happy to step in and take over this case. The boat is back in its rightful place. I look forward to seeing the boat running again and it being looked after by its rightful owners.”
Gina Campbell said: “At last, I shall be able to fulfil my promise made to Coniston way back in 2001 that Bluebird would return to the village and people that my father held so dear to him.”
World Speed Records Established by Donald Campbell:
202.32 mph (325.60 km/h) Water Bluebird K7 Ullswater 23 July 1955
216.20 mph (347.94 km/h) Water Bluebird K7 Lake Mead 16 November 1955
225.63 mph (363.12 km/h) Water Bluebird K7 Coniston Water 19 September 1956
239.07 mph (384.75 km/h) Water Bluebird K7 Coniston Water 7 November 1957
248.62 mph (400.12 km/h) Water Bluebird K7 Coniston Water 10 November 1958
260.35 mph (418.99 km/h) Water Bluebird K7 Coniston Water 14 May 1959
276.33 mph (444.71 km/h) Water Bluebird K7 Lake Dumbleyung 31 December 1964