S.E.Saunders

Sam Saunders started work in the family boatbuilding business on the River Thames in the late 1870's.

Laminated plywood skins had already been used experimentally, but the glues then available did not holdup well when immersed in water. As an alternative Saunders tried sewing the laminated skins together with annealed brass or copper wire and soon found that this was the answer to his problem of combining strength with lightness. This technique was patented as 'Consuta' form of construction. Hand-sewing was slow, so he and his daughter next adapted large sewing machines so that several thicknesses of wood could be sewn together quickly and easily.

In 1901 Sam moved his own business, the Saunders Patent Launch Building Syndicate, to East Cowes Isle of Wight to build boats using Consuta. In 1906 the Syndicate expired and Sam set up on his own account, in 1908 he formed the limited company S. E. Saunders Ltd, in which the Wolseley Tool and Motor Car Company had a small interest.

Always looking for innovations and willing to build 'what the customer wanted', S.E. Saunders formed an Aircraft Department in 1909 and was involved in early British aviation, especially in sea planes and flying boats.

In 1929, the company SE Saunders was renamed 'Saunders-Roe' when A.V. Roe took a financial interest in the company.

Sam died in 1933 and was buried in St Mildred's Church, Whippingham.