Researcher (I)

Lloyd Shugart stated "Flying Cloud was built for Francis Brownell, Jr., President of First Seattle Bank (later to be SeaFirst Bank), who owned Flying Cloud for approximately four years before being commandeered by the U.S. Navy during WWII, from 1941-1945 for use as a patrol boat/sub chaser in Puget Sound and Strait of Juan de Fuca. Once decommissioned, before the end of the war, this vessel was purchased by Lyle Branchflower; as the boat “Researcher”. Mr. Branchflower had the boat for 32 years, and used the boat to develop the cod liver oil industry. What is now the aft stateroom was used as his lab.

He then sold the boat to a friend who named the boat “Catherine K”, and had the boat for only 2 years. The boat was then sold to Richard Shanks. Mr. Shanks named the boat Grande, and he had her until 2002.

In 2002, Lloyd and Theresa Shugart purchased the boat, and renamed her to her original name, Flying Cloud. The boat had not been under her own power in 25 years. Lloyd worked many hours rebuilding the engines from parts that were stored in numerous boxes. We have stripped the bilge of over 60 years worth of paint and “bilge sludge”. The interior was entirely stripped of all furniture, and Lloyd is in the process of rebuilding this. Lloyd removed and re-installed all plumbing and electrical systems. New fuel and water tanks were built and installed in summer 2003. The handrails were in extremely poor condition; some were painted black.

They have been sanded, bleached and varnished. The Shugarts have been doing most of the work themselves. Interior was painted in summer 2010. The Shugarts are finally getting down to the final touches of ceiling tiles, permanent flooring, and additional furniture. Although the boat is not yet completely restored, we have had many amazing vacations and seen many beautiful places together. Construction materials are White oak frames on 5.5" x 12" Douglas fir Timber Keel; Hull is Port Orford cedar; House and handrails are teak."