What is the history of cardnell brothers boat builders of maylandsea Essex UK and which of their boats survive?

Answer 1

Tom and George Cardnell broke away from their father George just before WW11 and set up a boatbuilding business on the banks of Lawling creek in what was to become Maylandsea Bay. Previously they had built boats with their father in nearby Steeple but they wanted a riverside site.

When war broke out the yard was massively expanded by the Admiralty to build ML's and employed a workforce in the region of 50. Post war the yard produced some very fine yachts and the yard gained the reputation of being one of the best on the east coast. They built YM 5 tonners as a stock design and later quite a few Twisters. Many of their boats survive.

Its a long time ago now but I think it was in the mid 60's that George tragically suffered a heart attack and died. I believe the consequent death duties left Tom no option but to sell the yard, and in due course that took place. Since then the yard has had a chequered history and numerous owners, but no further involvement of the Cardnell family. Tom died about 12 years ago.