People who grew up around Merseyside in the 80s may be able to recall a UFO-shaped ‘submarine’ which sat in a Birkenhead Dock for a number of years.
The boat-like feature, which was shaped like a large ‘UFO’ , has piqued interest recently on a community Facebook page where locals recalled ‘vague memories’ of the boat.
But while many have fond recollections of its presence, information regarding the boat’s history, origin and purpose is generally ‘unknown’.
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Information on the historical object is minimal, with very little reference to its existence online, however the ECHO have been able to track the iconic UFO back and confirm it went by the name Aquashel.
The Aquashel was an ‘aquatic house’ designed by Tony Gilbert, though it’s purpose is unclear.
Docked in Morpeth Dock, Birkenhead in 1982, the futuristic home was built following a similar design gained significant media attention and led the way for architects and designers around the world.
The ‘Futuro House Project’ was conceived by Finnish architect Matti Suuronen in 1968 as a "portable" ski chalet that would be "quick to heat and easy to construct in rough terrain".
It quickly became an iconic piece of architecture with many other designers developing projects of a similar nature over the years - Tony’s being what could be said to be a floating Futuro “look alike".
While there is no solid confirmation that Tony was inspired by the original Futuro, based on evidence and information - including the materials used, overall design and the fact the original was mass replicated all over the world in the 70s and 80s - many have made the logical assumption that the Aquashel was inspired by Suuronen.
Much like Futuro, the Aquashel was designed for ease of production and transport, on site assembly and that it was constructed from 20 segments - differing only slightly from Futuro's 16.
The similarities in formation, design and overall appearance provides plenty of indication that the home was influenced by the Futuro House.
Existing information on the Aquashel, which looked like a cross between a luxury boat and a flying saucer, states the UFO home cost between £40,000 and £60,000.
The 25ft diameter glass-reinforced plastic structure accommodated around four to six people, though it never did live out this intention and instead made its way directly to the Birkenhead dock.
Charles Seadon, the Aquashel's only living director, confirmed the information and dates of the Aquashel and also explained that despite a high interest in it, the project was eventually left with no other option but to sell up.
He told the ECHO: "Tony Gilbert was CEO he moved to Florida and I didn't keep in touch.
"The other director were myself and my mother Veronica Seadon, who has passed away.
"The Aquashel was featured on a BBC program called "Tomorrows World" but the venture ran out of cash in the end, poor management decisions were the cause, we had considerable interest in the units with potential customers for hundreds.
"I personally lost around £80k."
Charles said that the moulds were sold off however every now and again he will still receive emails from people enquiring about the house.
Charles, who now lives in Northern Ireland, added: "I still have a plan to launch something similar though far more up to date and futuristic.
"I just need funding to further these ideas. Presently I am working on other projects."
Questions regarding the origin of the Aquashel arose on a Wirral community Facebook page recently, with many admitting their memories of the notable are ‘vague’ and some confusing which docks they recall spotting the flying saucer at.
Ian Dallinger told the ECHO: “My recollections of it are vague, I was quite young but it was a fascinating thing to see as a child.
“I strangely seem to remember it was light blue but a few people suggested it was white.”
Geoff Williams believed the Aquashel to have been docked in Wallasey, which was mirrored by some other locals - but despite confusion confirmed its presence in the Wirral.
Many locals spoke about how their parents would take them to visit the UFO and how a photo of a similar design ‘brought back memories’.
One local said: “I remember it - my dad and I used to always drive around the docks.
“We spoke to the man who had made it.”
Wendy McCarthy said: "I was actually terrified of it as I really believed it was a UFO!"
Andy Miller told the ECHO: “It’s just a very vague memory for me and probably one of my earliest.
“I have loads of strange memories as a very young child living in Wallasey.”
Wirral man Gary Escalapz also told the ECHO that his grandfather played a role in the development of the Aquashel and said it was ‘ahead of its time.
He added: “‘It was a good idea but should have had air con and some sort of propulsion.”
Homes of a similar kind can be found across the globe, with one of the most notable being located in Christchurch, New Zealand where Nick McQoid has transformed the shell into a unique habitable home.
It is believed that less than 100 of the futuristic fibreglass pods were made and fewer than 60 exist today.
