Summer 2011 Little Ship In this issue l Round the Island reports l Cross-channel weather dodging (Brittany and Normandy rallies) l Training guide and calendar CONTENTS

LITTLE SHIP CLUB Contents President: Sir Robin Knox-Johnston Commodore: David Roache Vice commodore: Iain Muspratt Rear commodores: n Calais rally page 4 Membership: Julie Coleclough Report by Norman Hummerstone Sail and Power: Robin Whaite Training: Peter Newbury n LSC/Corinthian cruise 2012 details and plans, page 5 Hon treasurer: Don Shackley Hon solicitor: Turvey n Round the Island Race reports pages 6-7 Members of the Club committee (with special responsibilities where applicable ): n Brightlingsea rally: ‘Didn’t miss a moment’, page 8 Paul Banks (IT), Anne Billard (Social), Neil Stuart reports Tim Bizzey (House), Graham Broadway (Communications & marketing), n Hazards of the Havengore page 10 Anne Malcolm, Jackie Potter, Richard Keen goes exploring on the East Coast John Strode (House). President’s committee: n Dinghy in France pages 12 –13 Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, Tom Davey, Hunter Rachel Hedley brushes up her skills Peace, Richard Keen and the Commodore (ex-officio ) n Obituaries: Dick Negus; Chris Tiff, page 14 Honorary life vice presidents: Norman Hummerstone, Dr Jean Plancke n Training programme 2011 –12 centre pages Training and social events this winter, plus calendar Little Ship Club Ltd Bell Wharf Lane, Upper Thames Street n Brittany cruise pages 19 –20 London EC4R 3TB The view from Lazy Life , by Donald Bent Tel: 020 7236 7729 Fax: 020 7236 9100 Internet: www.littleshipclub.co.uk n Normandy rally pages 21 –23 Email: [email protected] Brian Humber and David Roache report on their respective experiences Directors: The Club Committee Members: All Guaranteeing Members n On Chesil Beach – by accident pages 25 –27 Club secretary: Val Tunmer Robin Whaite took part in the Channel Islands Dash, to Portland Hon librarian: Deborah Wheeler n Books pages 28 –29 Hon chaplain: Revd Tom Heffer What's new in the Library Hon archivist: Ian Stewart Editorial committee: Brian Humber, n Report from HPO liaison officer, Anne Le Verrier page 30 Kate Newman, Chris Nicholson, Debbie Wheeler n HPO list page 31 Managing editor: Rachel Hedley 51 Therapia Road, London SE22 0SD Tel: 020 8480 1683; [email protected] Advertising: for advertising enquiries contact the Club office on 020 7236 7729 Copyright: None of the material in this journal may be reproduced without written permission of the managing editor. The Little Ship is published three times a year by the Cover picture: Weapon of Choice , helmed by Tony Langley, taking Little Ship Club Limited. Copies are sent free to part in the JP Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race members. Articles appearing in this journal do not 2011. More reports and pictures, pages 6 –7. necessarily represent the views of the Little Ship Club or (Photo: TH Martinez/Sea&Co/onEdition) its officers. Charts: No responsibility is accepted by either the contributor or the Club for the accuracy of charts or other sailing directions published. Winter 2011 issue, copy deadline: Tuesday 25 October 2011 Printed by Manson-GRP

2 THE LITTLE SHIP COMMODORE’S COLUMN

Sailing the oceans or pottering in the Solent, David Roache ponders the different facets of sailing which make it appealing to so many… Round the world or a potter to Lymington?

I AM WRITING THIS after ordered. The following day Portsmouth where we tied after we crossed to Fécamp returning from a relatively we reversed the process and up for the night. He was and the Brittany cruise was quiet weekend on the Solent pottered back to the Beaulieu amazed at how relaxing sail - likewise blessed with mixed relaxing after our daughter’s and up to Bucklers Hard ing was, no noise, no crash - weather. I hope to see as wedding and wondering where the sun shone and we ing about from crest to crest many of you as possible out about the various levels on continued the chilling. On and time to look around and on the water before the sum - which sailing can be enjoyed. the Sunday we had a slightly enjoy the scenery. He agreed mer season gives way to the Whilst at our marina we more exciting sail back to that the enjoyment was Fast Cruisers. There is the witnessed the start of the Southampton with a decent largely in the journey, annual pilgrimage to 2011-12 Clipper Race, 68 foot breeze to make things more organising the boat and get - Holland, a couple more ral - boats crewed largely by ama - interesting. What a contrast ting the best from her in the lies on the south coast and teur sailors off for the adven - to those intrepid souls setting prevailing conditions not east coast and then we’ll be ture of a lifetime. Many of off to girdle the globe on one simply putting a couple of getting ready for the end of these people will have done of Sir Robin’s Clippers. waypoints in and opening season rallies and back full- very little sailing prior to Whilst in the Solent I was the throttles. Now I certain - circle to the end of the season signing up for either a leg or acutely aware of the boats ly don’t condemn those who once more. the whole trip. It’s difficult to preparing for Cowes Week, motor rather than sail but I We are anticipating start - comprehend the emotions and some for the Fastnet find their comments very ing the much needed work to that were going through also. This again is another interesting when they expe - update and improve the their minds as they let go facet of our contrasting pas - rience sailing – yet another heating and ventilation ser - their lines for the last time time. Hours spent on the rail facet of our joint pastime of vices in the clubhouse during before reaching Rio at the bashing to windward in the being out on the water. the late summer / early end of the first leg. This is Western Approaches may be Well, the sailing season autumn. Please be patient one form of sailing that can some people’s idea of fun and continues and what a mixed while this work is going on, be enjoyed by the few who very good luck to them. For bag it has been. Easter proved there will be some disruption have the nerve and the me it represents just one to be quite unbelievable, 30 but we will try to keep this to wherewithal to take part. more way of enjoying being degrees, blue skies, shorts a minimum. I know that At the other end of the on a boat and utilising the and T-shirts, it was some members have found spectrum was our extended elements to get the best from Mediterranean sailing in the the air-conditioning in the weekend in the Solent. We your craft. Solent. Since then the weath - cabins to be less than accept - had just organised our This brings to mind an er has been mixed, typically able and my apologies for younger daughter’s wedding interesting incident I experi - British in fact. We were holed that, this work is designed to and wanted some quiet, enced recently. As a ‘grown- up in Brighton for four days improve the situation. relaxing time to chill out up’ form of stag party for my in dreadful weather trying to Finally, I look forward to with some non-sailing future son-in-law I suggested cross to Normandy. When we seeing you in the Club for friends. We left Ocean Village that he, his father, his best did eventually find the win - what looks like a very inter - for a quiet potter down to man and my other son-in- dow and crossed to Fécamp esting autumn social and lec - Lymington in warm but law join me for a weekend the weather improved dra - ture series, please join us on a overcast conditions. Rarely on the water. The groom’s matically and we enjoyed Tuesday evening, it’s your have I sailed down the west - father owns a large very pleasant sailing for a club and you get most out of ern Solent so slowly, we were Sunseeker in Spain and had week. I know that those of it if you participate in the making about 2.5 knots over not been on a sailing boat you who took part in the activities. I wish you good the ground being taken along for many years and back Round the Island Race were sailing, by the tide and very gentle then it was a Hobie Cat. We blessed with quite challeng - David Roache breeze – just what the doctor enjoyed an easy sail to ing conditions only 24 hours LSC Commodore

SUMMER 2011 3 CALAIS RALLY

Norman Hummerstone has been organising the Calais Rally for so long To Calais … encore he’s forgotten the exact beginning. This year’s 84th Calais Rally I DO NOT REMEMBER lection of visiting fishing Reveille from the Rifles’ followed the tried and when I was first involved boats taking up the visitors’ bugler. There should have tested formula and was with the Calais Rally but on pontoon. followed a visit to the ceme - once more a success one occasion I entertained A short sleep followed by a tery but this was foiled by the crew of the French entry visit from Jean Plancke who engine trouble on the coach. for the first Whitbread drove me to the Cercle Amical Although Wednesday was Round the World Race. Maritime to confirm the very nice, the outlook was There was the usual pre- lunch and dinner arrange - dodgy and Kazbek sent word rally visit to check the situa - ments. I was unable to contact that they would come by tion, particularly as there had the harbourmaster and could ferry. Hoppety cancelled. been talk of the harbour not confirm the dredging Sheemaun emailed initial being dredged. Arriving at results. After some mussels in doubts, but as I was in Calais the town we set off back to I did not receive those till England. A nice sail over but later and she eventually mostly motoring back. turned up. The concern On the weekend before the about the weather was valid rally, we reached Burnham as I was registering up to ready to attend the Force 10 during Thursday. Remembrance visit in con - However, all our yachts even - nection with the Defence of tually made it. Calais 1940. Joining us was Sadly Midshipman Waller Midshipman Ash Waller from had to return by ferry as she the London University Royal received word that her father Naval Unit. I had acquired a had suffered a stroke. poppy wreath Saturday arrived and HMS and had asked Ash to bring Puncher texted to say she her Navy No 1 uniform. would be arriving in 30 min - On Tuesday afternoon we utes. I had arranged for NO 0100 hours we were lucky to had a window and arrived at MOORING notices to be Local newspaper coverage of the avoid the ferries and had about 0330 hours on erected to reserve a slot for remembrance service for the Green Jackets direct access to the harbour. Wednesday. This time the HMS Puncher just in front of My usual slot was not avail - traffic lights were red. Barbary , so we waited able as there was quite a col - Although Reeds suggests that to take her lines. calling up the port for entry is HMS Punche r duly appeared LSC boats attending RNSA boats attending to be avoided it was necessary through the bridge opening, and the lights were changed having been advised of her Amperone Kindred Spirit immediately after our call. mooring position. Much to Barbary Heron (Diamond Jubilee We also blew the foghorn our surprise she hovered in Demeter Challenge Shield) four times for entry to the mid-harbour, appeared unable Far Star Nina of Taff Port de Plaisance. There was a to make up her mind and Mon Amie Soul Searcher German yacht in my usual eventually went to the pon - Pim (Mercer Trophy) berth, which was luckily toon on the opposite south HMS Puncher Others by ferry or road moving out the next day. side of the harbour. Although Rhumb On the Wednesday, after a there was some wind, but not Sheemaun good lunch, we proceeded to enough to make berthing dif - (Coup de Vice President) the Green Jackets Memorial ficult, we could not see the Storm Petrel where the padre from the 7th problem. It would appear sim - (furthest port award) Rifles conducted the service ple to get the bow in and the Whistler and laying of wreaths, wind would swing the stern Wight Wizard including the Naval wreath round onto the pontoon. Winnibelle by Midshipman Waller. There We were just wondering Kazbek (by ferry) followed the Last Post and whether it was impolite to

4 THE LITTLE SHIP ZEELAND 2012

offer our training pro - The LSC/Corinthians joint cruise to Zeeland in 2012 is a chance to explore the gramme to the URNU when sheltered inland waterways and pretty harbours of the southern part of the a member of the harbour staff appeared. It appeared Netherlands. Caroline Sedgwick and Alja Schmidt-van Dorp outline the plans the harbourmaster was not present and a port control official had noticed the NO MOORING notices and instructed HMS Puncher not to use the berth. We were able to resolve the misunder - standing and HMS Puncher relocated to her reserved position in front of the club - house. We diplomatically did not offer further training from the Little Ship Club. The Saturday afternoon beer call was well attended to the extent of 148 bottles. The dinner in the evening was up Dutch seaside village of Zierikzee, to a good standard with in the province of Zeeland champagne provided in memory of the late Henri Ravisse, former president of the Calais Chamber of Exploring Holland’s waterways Commerce and Industry. Sunday morning had the reception in the Calais Yacht Club. Unfortunately I was WITH PLANS BEING firmed of its pretty medieval har - Here the trading vessels called upon to say something up for the joint Corinthians/ bours in contrast to formida - sailed out to sea, to return and grabbed at the usual LSC cruise to Zeeland next ble modern water defences. laden with riches from thing about Calais being an year, here’s a taster of what’s Zeeland is situated China, the East and West English town, Queen Mary included and details of how between Holland and Indies to Delft and only leasing it to the French to book. Flanders as part of what used Rotterdam. Flat-bottomed but some civil servant having The cruise starts in to be the Low Countries. Its navy vessels cast off to lost the deeds. In desperation Oostende on Saturday 30 physical geography as the defend the cause of the I told a joke which raised a June and will visit Vlissingen, delta of the rivers Rhine, newly formed Republic of laugh, this I think was proba - Goes, Zierikzee, Veere and Meuse and Scheldt formed the Seven United bly because it was perfectly finish in Middelburg on the gateway into Germany Netherlands. Farming pros - clean and innocent, no swear Saturday 7 July. and Belgium, and the short pered on the heavy marine words, no sex. It was a Demand is likely to be distance to Britain explains clay deposits, and fisheries novelty. high so early booking is its focus for wool transport on the cod and herring There was a prize from the advised. The rally fee is £275 during the Middle Ages (a stocks of the North Sea. On Calais CC and I for the small - per person, payable as a £75 very important and wealthy the downside, the waters sur - est yacht reaching Calais and deposit (to be made by 30 trade for medieval England). rounding the low islands another for the yacht travel - September) and the balance The little borough of Goes posed a continuous threat of ling from the furthest port. of £200 payable by 29 developed through the cloth flooding. Zeeland’s water The LSC Diamond Jubilee February 2012. LSC members industry and salt production defence work contributed to Shield and Medallion were must book and pay online. from French coastal the earliest civil engineering also presented. Corinthians book and pay resources. The boroughs of skills and it still hosts some HMS Puncher left on the locally in the USA. Middelburg and Zierikzee of the most innovative dams bank holiday Monday and grew more influential and in the world. we followed on the Tuesday. The area obtained positions in inter - More information and Wind on the nose and a bit A visit by yacht to Zeeland's national trade. When stagna - booking details can be found lumpy arriving back at traditional harbours com - tion hit the economy of the at: Burnham at 0130 hours. bines historical and engi - smaller Flemish towns, Veere http://ittleshipclub.co.uk/ Norman Hummerstone neering delights, the charm and Vlissingen expanded. corinthians

SUMMER 2011 5 ROUND THE ISLAND RACE 2011

A rapid ride round the Island

Some 16,000 sailors Arvika ’s story: including a score of LSC We could have won! members faced wind speeds of up to 28 knots in the THE DAY STARTED VERY early with Round the Island Race on rain and strong winds. We only had to Saturday. There were huge get from Cowes Yacht Haven to the start swells to contend with off line but even in that short space it was the Needles and at St very clear that the wind was very lively Catherine's as the record- and of course, there were lots (and lots) of boats to contend with. It was great to breaking fleet of 1,900 be back out on the water with Mike but yachts undertook this most I knew it would be challenging with me famous 50 nautical mile Results for LSC boats finishing skippering Arvika and him taking a circumnavigation. Some 438 more passive role! I had confidence in were forced to retire because my crew though as they were Kathy of south-westerly winds in IRC rated Mason’s Fast Cruise team. the Solent of up to 28 knots, 1. Juno (X34) corrected time: 08.14.59 My main, well only, objective for the gusting to 30 knots, and start was to be on a starboard tack, so we ISC classes waves of up to 25ft with made our way to the top of the line and 1. Arvika (Comfortina 42) corrected time: 08.21.59 building swell on the made a reasonable but not heroic start. (ISCRC overall 202) With a westerly we only managed to approach to the Needles and 2. Kariwara (Mystere 26) corrected time: 08.34.49 round to St Catherine’s Point. stay on that tack for a while and then (ISCRC overall 277) had the adrenalin-fuelled tack back out. Coastguards and lifeboat 3. Meerkat (First 25.7) corrected time: 08.41.20 By the time we rounded the Needles, crews made 64 rescues with (ISCRC overall 310) impressively in just over two hours, the two helicopter medical 4. Cabriole III (Sadler 32) corrected time: 08.42.18 weather was brightening but the wind evacuations. (ISCRC overall 321) was even more gusty. Much to Mike’s 5. Moody Magic (Moody 336) corrected time: disappointment and the crew’s relief the Above: huge swells off the Needles and 08.46.16 (ISCRC overall 342) decision on the spinnaker was an St Catherine’s.. Right: dismasted yacht 6. 6X (Trapper 300) corrected time: 09.09.52 towed back home. All photos, onEdition emphatic ‘No’. Those few who did (ISCRC overall 500) their ’s seemed to be in all kinds of

6 THE LITTLE SHIP ROUND THE ISLAND RACE 2011

difficulties with wrap and broaches. Meerkat ’s story: Too busy with the conditions for photos Poor Jez who had spent two hours ‘spot - ting’ on the bow down to the Needles spent the next two hours puking off the The weather forecast was looking soon calmed down a little, but at 6.5- back of the boat. We managed to stay ‘interesting’ at best for Saturday. A 7.5 kts of boat speed, things happened clear of the melée apart from a run in brief foray on Friday afternoon to very quickly especially when bearing with a beautiful French ‘Smack’ who check everything worked and get the away to take people's sterns on port was pushing us up dangerously close to start line transit only reaffirmed the tack. Tacking was also interesting in the rocks at St Catherine’s, until an belief that Saturday would be the eastern Solent due to the one exchange of words – mine being more and rough. Luckily we did not know metre (and over) steep waves stopping of the French kind than his! – and he how rough! the boat if the tack was poorly timed. moved to give us some room. Whilst out on Friday afternoon we These waves turned out to be nothing Having rounded St Cats we thought heard over the VHF that a sailing boat compared to later. the worst was over – then disaster was sinking on Ryde middle which The beat to the Needles was full on – struck. The shackle at the top of the only made me feel more nervous. An consistently 20-25kts winds with headsail halyard sheared off and our early-ish night and a few beers were some big gusts and large shifts. Trying ended up in the sea. Fortunately it was the order of the day. Big rain squalls to stay in the tide, in the wind, in anchored at the furling drum and we overnight did not make for the best sequence with the shifts and geogra - managed to hoist it back on board. We night's sleep. phy was hard work. Lots of working considered our options and after a crew We awoke at 0500 on Saturday to a the main and trying to keep a good vote we decided to re-hoist on a spare nasty wet mist and drizzle and 20kts lane saw us catch up with some boats halyard and continue the race. This of wind. Swanwick Marina did not from the two fleets ahead. proved more difficult than we expected look a terribly inviting place. My boat Not sure how long it took to get to and took a couple of attempts (and lots Meerkat is a Beneteau 25.7 with a lift - the Needles, but visibility was reduc - of strength and loud instruction from ing keel and is pretty light. Crew of ing as there was a low hanging mist / Susan) and plenty of practice in bow - four (me, Ian, Paul and Ewan) in total, fog on the island shore, maybe 0.5 km lines and stopper knots to keep the Jib with weight on the rail being the of visibility. The waves were getting sheets in place! order of the day. We started with one big by Hurst Narrows – maybe three From then on it was plain sailing (rel - reef in the main and three-quarters metres – which from a 26ft boat looks atively) with Arvika doing what she , which seemed about right. big, when beating into a confined does best – plowing through the water After a motor out and hearty break - channel with lots of other boats leaving all in her wake. We passed sev - fast of porridge things did not seem around. Ewan can vouch for how dif - eral multi-hulls that had up-ended and quite as bad as Friday afternoon. It ficult it is to visit the heads in these heard almost non-stop Maydays and was still wind over tide but at least it conditions! Pan-Pans. Once past the Forts we was not raining and the fog apeared to We took the safe route round the planned to move into the IOW shore be lifting. That was until we were Needles well offshore, and then head - line to get the best of the tide but as we nearly run over by a 40 footer motor - ed inshore a bit. Most boats near us seemed to be going faster than most ing around and not looking for boats seemed to be reaching offshore on a and we could make the line on almost a that were sailing on starboard! white sail reach, the waves were small - single tack we decided to enjoy the Our strategy was to try and start (at er out there. We tried to keep out of spectacle and have a lovely run in. 0730) on starboard in the middle of the tide but in the wind, and play the Once safely back in to Cowes Yacht the line and get into the stronger tide waves. I think the wind was backing Haven we had a welcome and well- as quickly as possible. The line bias during this leg and we saw 8-10 kts of deserved glass of bubbly and reflected did not help and port was clearly boat speed. The waves were still large on our race. We all came to the same favoured. I was not brave enough to here (maybe getting larger) and were conclusion – if it hadn’t been for that start on port with 2000-ish other making boat handling challenging, shackle WE COULD HAVE WON! boats around, lots of wind (oh and a but we got through it. I took a break Carol Gorvett few waves as well!) from the helm as I had steered and The crew had a bet on how many done the mainsheet all of the way up people I would have a few words with from the start and I was a little tired on the way up to the line. Only three physically and mentally. as it turned out. We managed to get a This leg was going well and the sun good lane off the start and stay in had even come out, although the clear wind. The first tack on to port island shore was still in the mist. Over (the lifting tack) was exciting as the time the wind seemed to moderate whole of the rest of the fleet now down to 15-ish knots and the waves seemed to be coming at us. Things drop, either that or we were getting …continued on page 30

SUMMER 2011 7 RALLIES Didn’t miss a moment!

“Hard news and an infernal crossword” ran the Telegraph adverts some years ago and the phrase came to mind again in the Colne Yacht Club at Brightlingsea at the end of June. The sailing wasn’t hard but Richard Keen’s quiz was, well, Mephistophelean! Neil Stuart tells the story.

Rally organisers Sue Cossell and Richard Keen

WHISTLER MISSED THE Brightlingsea hardly been used in the three years I Festival and join the pontoon party? Rally completely last year; , sails, have owned her. Here was the perfect Osea Island, that’s where! I had been cooker and several other essential compo - opportunity (to work out how to rig there only once, with Richard Gapper nents were all in the wrong places to them), I thought, as we progressed slow - on Bonaventure some years ago, and make any useful contribution. In 2009 ly down the West Swin in south-westerly couldn’t remember exactly where we she was there briefly; the log-book shows force 1s to 2s, which contrasted with the had anchored. Consulting several pilot- she arrived at 1830 on the Saturday and 4 or 5 of the forecast. But Peter and books suggested the best spot would be left at 0900 to catch the tide on the Dominic resisted my suggestions and we off the south side of the island, between Sunday. settled for goose-winging. Perhaps the the old jetty and a pill-box. This year I was determined not to miss previous owner should have left a cat-o’- The sky was darkening as we Sue Cossell’s pontoon party and bacon nine-tails as well. However, they approached the chosen spot just after butties. Just to make sure, the plan redeemed themselves by saving me from 1800. I had carefully calculated in involved taking the Friday and Monday my usual face-full of water, working a advance the depth in which to drop off work, allowing two days to get to thin line from side to side under the anchor for different times of arrival but Brightlingsea and two days to return – to free the log. all was in vain as we found shingle and and Whistler’s home port is only at In this gentle and pleasant way we could not make the anchor bite, despite Gillingham! Such is the allure of Sue’s reached the Spitway just before 1500, a few attempts. With rain and squalls renowned hospitality. close to my passage plan of one to two clearly not many minutes away, we Crew comprised friends Dominic and hours after low water at 1245. On enter - opted for security and crossed the river Peter and we spent Thursday night on ing the Blackwater the sky clouded over to borrow a mooring at the Marconi board in Gillingham Marina. Friday and the wind picked up to westerly 3 or Sailing Club. Just in time to close the morning was sunny with light winds so, 4, so we spent the next three hours more hatches and enjoy supper as the rain fell. after locking out of the marina just after energetically, beating up the estuary. So where is the best place to anchor off 0800, we motor-sailed down the When planning the passage, I had Osea Island? Next day there were plenty Medway. The pattern continued thus, wondered where to spend Friday night. of Blackwater sages around to give the sails staying up all day but engine on and Where in the Blackwater is as far as pos - answer: slightly further west, apparently, off as the breeze stiffened then died sible from Brightlingsea, to allow some closer to the old jetty. again. Whistler sports a cruising chute sailing on Saturday morning, while still After heavy rain overnight, we awoke and a spinnaker and a spinnaker pole permitting arrival in good time to see to a dry but cloudy Saturday morning, and a whisker pole, all of which have some of the English Country Music with the wind still F3 –4 in the west.

8 THE LITTLE SHIP BRIGHTLINGSEA

After a nearly-full English cooked by took place there, so this rally was very back to Gillingham on Sunday evening, Peter, we slipped the mooring just special in many ways. so we re-traced our outward route. The before 1030 and ran with the ebb down As we gathered for dinner the sun was sun shone warmly and the wind, the Blackwater under jib alone. Making streaming across the balcony and though varying in strength, stayed in seven knots over the ground, there was through the huge windows of the first- the south east all afternoon and no danger of arriving too late! The hour floor dining room. A convivial meal was evening. We were rewarded with the and a half taken to reach Colne bar was followed by warm words from members rare treat of a single reach all 30 nm only just long enough for Dominic to of the four clubs present. And then that from the Whitaker to Gillingham start cleaning the cockpit teak (I take quiz! We were asked about Captain Marina entrance, arriving in our berth back what I said about a cat-o’-nine- Hook’s ship, Nelson’s infirmity, before 2100. tails). We then turned to reach up the Churchill’s return to the Admiralty, sub - Thanks to Sue and Richard for organ - Colne and tie up to the pontoon in marines under the North Pole, Sir ising another splendid and sociable Brightlingsea at 1300. Cloudesley Shovell’s death, Jellicoe, event, and for the opportunity to sail in As rally-goers assembled in the shelter Masefield, Coleridge and many others. good company with the other clubs. n of Brightlingsea, the warm sunshine Richard even managed to stretch ‘most - returned but with stronger breezes, so ly nautical themes’ to ask about Dr Who Whistler’s crew were glad to have actors. Whistler’s crew fared well but, it entered a tight berth when we did. This must be admitted, by being helped by year’s event was a joint rally with the the skipper of Lune Orbiter. Maldon Little Ship Club and the Narrow On Sunday morning we enjoyed Seas Club, which broke away from the bacon butties and newspapers on board LSC in 1927 and 1932 respectively. Greenwitch before saying our farewells. Many of us thought this an excellent Whistler departed at 1130, to enter thick development, partly because it meant mist over the Colne and Blackwater. that 19 boats and 51 people were able to Peter on the radar, caution, and exem - take part, but also because the MLSC plary team work took us safely to the boasts its own resident brewer in the Whitaker buoy, but, as on the motor - shape of John Boyce of the Mighty Oak ways, the behaviour of others was some - Brewing Company in Maldon. Mr Boyce times alarming. From the Whitaker, the kindly donated quantities of the award- mist steadily lifted and we were in warm winning ballast from his yacht to enliv - sunshine. en the pontoon party, both yacht and its Near NE Maplin Goldie briefly reduced ballast being named Maldon Gold . revs to wave a greeting as she passed, For those who went ashore early bound for the Medway like us but Above: Mighty Oak Brewing Company barrel with the enough, the English Country Music doubtless reaching it much sooner! The burgees of the Little Ship Club and the Maldon Little Festival was in full flow, including an original plan, to take full advantage of Ship Club. The brewery won Champion Beer of afternoon session at the Colne Yacht four days away, had been to go from SW Britain in the 2011 Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) Club (CYC), to be our hosts in the Barrow to Spaniard, then into the East awards for its beer, Oscar Wilde. The awards were evening. Several founding members of Swale to spend the night on a mooring announced in August. the LSC also belonged to the CYC and at Harty Ferry. However personal cir - Below left: Pontoon party much of the early history of our Club cumstances called for a change, to get us Below: Dinghy rack at Brightlingsea

SUMMER 2011 9 CRUISING The hazards of the Havengore

The bridge into Havengore Creek

Having rested and recovered from the pressures of the Brightlingsea Rally and the fleshpots of that town, Greenwitch and her crew set forth down the Colne refreshed and re-invigorated for a two week cruise of the East Coast.

AT BURNHAM, SUPPLIES being across the Maplin Sands, bound for the curiosity overcame reticence and we required, we berthed in the marina and East Swale. asked why he was going to call the Fire set out on foot for the supermarket. “Life For those uninitiated in the curious Brigade? “Oh well” he replied “it’s in is uncertain – eat dessert first!” as my ways of the East Coast, this venture is case the bridge jambs open after I’ve dear old late father-in-law used to say not as straightforward as it might, at raised it for you, there’s no fire station and uncertain is what it proved to be. first, appear. The uncertain whereabouts on Foulness Island and if there’s an Having reached that equidistant point of the shallow and diminutive channel emergency we might need a fire engine when it is just as far from where you at the mouth of the Creek marked, as it on the Island. When you’ve gone started as to where you are going, the subsequently transpired, by even more through, I lower the bridge and it goes heavens opened and we were treated to diminutive withies, is exacerbated by back to it’s Fire Station again.” (shades of the most monumental thunderstorm the active presence of – the Army! An Trumpton sprung to mind!) Before we we’d experienced for many a year. Such artillery range and explosives testing could think of an appropriate or print - were the volumes of water descending area since the middle of the 1800s, able response he went on to say: “When upon us that the roadway instantly Foulness Island is still enthusiastically you get through the bridge into the transformed itself into a river several occupied by the MoD whose activities Creek, you’ll see a withy near the mouth inches deep and we were the last cus - are audible for miles around on most right in the middle. Under no circum - tomers into the Co-Op before it was days of the week and this was a stances pass to the right of it – leave it closed due to flooding! Paddling out – Thursday. In fact, this was to prove for - well on your starboard side.” weighed low by shopping – we sloshed tuitous as, on Wednesday, ‘Q’ Battery Considering it to be more prudent to our way to the nearby Railway Hotel had been firing up the coast, shells and motor rather than sail, we turned right (once owned by the Mate’s ancestors) for other missiles howling, like tearing cali - out of the Roach into Yokesfleet Creek a restorative libation while awaiting the co, right across the mouth of the and on into The Middleway, withies to cessation of the Biblical waters before Havengore. On Thursday however, port and to starboard as we searched for venturing out on our return journey. smaller arms and lesser artillery were fir - the entrance to Narrow Cut. There it was Re-supplied and more or less wrung ing straight out across the Maplins at last and, as we turned to port into it’s out, we sailed next day down the towards the Blacktail Spit thereby leav - mouth, we espied The Bridge in the dis - Crouch and into the Roach. Paglesham ing us an escape route to the East of tance across the marshes. On we beckoned and, passing Barbary Heron South towards the Shoebury Buoy. motored, wending our way through the with Norman and his crew heading back Permission to exit through the twists and turns, watching military and to Burnham, we picked up a mooring off Havengore having been obtained fol - civilian traffic passing back and forth the old and now redundant lowing several telephone calls involving across the mighty bascule. Where was Shuttleworth’s Boatyard. We rowed the Range Officer, the Radar Team and the fire engine we wondered? When ashore and strolled to the Plough & Sail the Bridge Master, we slipped our moor - would it appear? We never did see it but, through trees and fields bathed in the ing at Paglesham at mid-morning on as the great bascule began to lift, after soft evening sunlight. Over a delightful Thursday. Our confidence was not much ringing of bells and closing of bar - and reasonably priced supper, we dis - enhanced when the Bridge Master had riers there, on the Island side and facing cussed our plans for the forthcoming remarked – in a rather casual manner: towards the mainland was – a refuse day – one, for us, of signal significance – “When you come in sight across the lorry! To much waving, camera clicking a passage through the infamous and marshes through Narrow Cut, I’ll call and jocular comments, we passed shallow Havengore Creek then out and the Fire Brigade.” As you might imagine, through the bridge opening and into

10 THE LITTLE SHIP CRUISING

Havengore Creek. Reducing to ‘dead cloud which climbed and billowed out slow’ we searched the mouth of the to spread high into the blue of the after - Creek by eye – Ah!-Ha!! – there was the noon sky. Oddly, there was no sound at withy, right in the middle of the all of this tremendous detonation. entrance a couple of cables ahead. Odd, “Must be the reason why we recorded it seemed to be rather substantial for a that fantastically deep ‘hole’ as we came withy?! Steel and remarkably tall with, across the Maplins!” the Mate speculat - well to it's right, two other similar ‘with - ed. It was true – as we had motored away ies’ standing out at an angle from the from the Essex shore in four or five feet south shore. Slowly we approached well of water, the depth sounder had sudden - to port – as instructed – of the middle ly displayed a depth of 90 then 190 feet ‘withy’ and – stopped dead, just abreast and then returned to five feet again of it and some yards away! The dinghy within a few moments – compliments of nudged us gently in the stern, just to the MoD no doubt. emphasise the point. “Midday,” we mut - Withies in Havegore Creek The Columbine Buoy nodded to us as tered. “Half an hour to high water.” we went by, acknowledging our entry Engaging reverse, we backed slowly off, the softly glutinous mud of the into the channel approaching the East moved further to the left and tried entrance. Out of the mouth we went, Swale and towards our planned night again. “Bloody dinghy!”, the expletive over the Maplins and into deep water - a anchorage off Harty Ferry. The light floated through the air as the dinghy clear foot under the keel! “Now for The wind backed to the west and we hard - nudged us in the stern again. “Ten past Broomway!” we cried as two pairs of ened in the sheets. As we approached twelve.” we muttered in a slightly des - massive posts stood up out of the water the turn by the Horse Sands, it headed perate tone as we searched around for ahead and to starboard on a roughly us as it twisted to follow the course of some indication of less shallow water. south easterly heading in line about two the Swale. We chugged into the anchor - Suddenly a brief but sharp westerly cables away. Each set spaced 50 feet age against the last of the ebb, the main - breeze appeared. Odd that, it had been apart, they were separated from each sail gently rustling above us, as we from the north west all morning and other by about a hundred yards. “Two espied a vacant mooring buoy – well, would be so again for almost the rest of pairs?!” cried the Helmsman, mystified. several actually – just to the west of the the day very soon after. It was, at this “There’s only one Broomway – why are Cardinal buoy marking the entrance to point, that Greenwitch took matters into there two pairs of posts?” A rapid check Faversham Creek. Abandoning thoughts her own hands and, despite the helms - of the small scale chart revealed two of anchoring, we picked up the long man’s frantic ‘wiggling’ of the tiller, ‘paths’ leading out from the southern weedy strop and made fast. Flaking turned herself through almost 180 shoreline – the shorter in line with Great down the , we relaxed in the degrees, facing partly back up the Creek Wakering and joining the main cockpit with a G&T, the dinghy mur - but pointing towards the North bank. Broomway path just to the south of the muring to itself in the tideway on it’s With visions of an ignominious retreat Havengore’s mouth. Past we went some painter astern, no doubt smugly con - and (hardly to be contemplated) a fur - yards to port of them – two feet under templating that she didn’t go aground, ther visit by the Fire Brigade, we stared the keel, then reporting by VHF to the the lowering sun casting long shadows frantically around as Greenwitch made a ‘Radar Team’ turning south by east down the Swale from the West. “Glad slow but determined course towards the towards the Shoebury Buoy about two we did it – at last.” remarked the Skipper. North bank. “There! There are the with - and a half miles away. Four feet under “Not in a hurry to do it again!” respond - ies” cried the Mate from the foredeck as, the keel – a mile to go. Five then six feet ed the Mate, “but we’ll at least know to our starboard side and some yards and, finally, abreast and to port of the where those withies are next time, if we away, appeared two sets of the smallest, buoy – ten feet! Almost like being in the do.” “Hmmm!” mused the Skipper, thinnest, most inconspicous withies West Country again… “they’ll probably have moved again by we’d ever seen and seemingly hard by Warden Point at the east end of the then…fancy a top-up?” n the North corner of the Creek’s mouth. Isle of Sheppey shimmered in the sun on Richard Keen “Can’t be!?” gasped the Helmsman the near horizon with the hills of Kent “They’re almost on the shore!! Gotta looming behind as we scuttled across be!” yelled the Mate “There’s nothing Sea Reach with the wind once again over else!!” Confirmation was provided by our quarter. Off the Middle Sand Beacon Greenwitch herself as, exasperated by the the Mate gasped, wide-eye’d as she crews’ ineffectual efforts to escape from gazed astern. “Just take a look at THAT!” The Havengore, she swung her bowsprit she breathed in awe. There, on the hori - to starboard and aimed unerringly zon astern, close against the Foulness between the first pair of ‘twiggy sticks’. shore, a monumental column of flame Through we went, then the second pair, had shot high into the air followed by the keel sliding intermittently through an enormous snow white mushroom Millhead, Havengore Creek

SUMMER 2011 11 ON THE WATER

Rachel Hedley, with her teenage children Naomi and Daniel, spent the beginning of August doing a five day sailing course on a large lake in South West France Warm water capsize drills...

WE GATHERED IN the pebbled commu - nal area of a corner of a large camping vil - lage in South West France and surveyed the other participants of the dinghy sail - ing week run by Rockley Point on the Etang de Biscarrosse. After being allocated to our respective groups we silently trudged across the sandy beach to the lakeside for day one of our five day sailing course. “It’s like the long march to the gal - lows”, said a Scotsman (later named as Graham) drily. We laughed nervously, no- one quite knowing what to expect. Rockley Point sailing school (based in Poole since 1976) runs family activity holidays on a large lake just south of Arcachon, near Bordeaux. I’ve wanted to improve and hone my sailing skills, understand more about what the wind Taking part in the final day regatta, Rachel and Dan in a 2 does on the sails and be able to pick up a mooring buoy under sail if the engine fails. What better way than to do it on boat, so Dan and I teamed up with a fridges, basic cooking area and decent some nice warm water in France at a woman called Sam. We were all nervous camp beds in sleeping compartments. school running RYA courses delivered by and finding our sea legs so there was a The communal shower and washing up English sailing instructors? bit of shakedown tension while we got block was a three minute walk from the My son Daniel, aged 16, and I were in used to each other. Tom set out a trian - tent, it was a pretty civilised and organ - the adult intermediate group, whilst his gular course and told us to sail around it. ised camping experience. We had sever - older sister Naomi was in adult begin - Lunch was a buffet of cold meats, al heavy downpours and high winds ners. There was a mix of families with pasta, salads, cheese, bread and fruit laid during the week and stayed dry and different ages of children, ranging from out in the communal area. Once back at comfortable throughout. under-eights (doing a multi-activity the beach, Tom gave us some gentle Day two of the course saw us back in week) to late teens. The five day course instruction about positioning our Wayfarers, with everyone a bit more con - meant sailing from 1000 to 1730 with hands, balancing the boat, trimming fident. We did Man Overboard drills an hour and a half for lunch. The adult boat and sails and we headed back out (Question: what do you do when it’s a intermediate group was doing the RYA in our Wayfarers finding it all much eas - Woman Overboard? Answer: Sail away!), seamanship course. It included man ier now we knew how not to get our learned how to come alongside an overboard drills, coming alongside, sail - sheets, tillers and feet wrapped round anchored safety boat (bit like MOB drills ing backwards and rudderless. themselves. The instructors took boats but more precise) and the wind died Rockley has been running the sailing aside one by one to go through gybing away completely before gusting up to a school at La Reserve for 12 years, and techniques and heaving-to. The great strong breeze in which we scampered Tom – the lead instructor for our group – thing about learning these techniques in around in our Wayfarers whooping with had been there as a child before being a dinghy is the sensitivity of the boat to glee and getting a good soaking from the hired for summer instruction during his you getting it wrong. So you know that waves crashing over the crew. university holidays. Most of the staff were once you’ve perfected it, you’ll be able Unfortunately thunder and on university holidays and had enviable to do it perfectly in a big boat, whatever stopped play and we were called in. tans and a great sense of humour. the weather. Well, that’s the theory! There were a number of evening social We were assigned to a fleet of Our accommodation was in chalet events arranged by Rockley during the Wayfarers for the first day, three to a tents: frame tents with electricity, week which provided a good opportunity

12 THE LITTLE SHIP SAILING IN FRANCE

to socialise with those who weren’t in our immediate sailing group. Tuesday was ‘Moules and Boules’ which brought out the competitive nature of many of the participants, particularly the younger ele - ment. The competition went on till we had to shine torches on the jacks to see where we were aiming the boules. On day three we were taught how to sail backwards, which was a highpoint of my week. It was great for my reversing skills and may come in useful if I ever Above: a bit of socialising for Dan and Naomi. Left: have to back off a reef (hopefully Naomi sailing a Pico in the final day regatta extremely unlikely) or off a pontoon when there isn’t room to turn round. It’s also great fun. The rudderless sailing les - fleet of starboard boats. We had to leave son was exactly that, learning to steer the gybe mark wide as all the Laser Ones the boat by using body weight and sails had capsized around the buoy. Never alone. There was a bit of damage around mind, race completed, starting to feel the fleet as boats with rudders called very tired and wishing there wasn’t a starboard to those without. race three. Day four and we were allowed to Race three and the gusts were getting choose from the fleet of Laser Twos, pretty strong so Dan and I were losing Ones and 16s. Sam, Dan and I The last day was a fun regatta which out to heftier crews with more weight on opted for a Dart 16 (16 foot ) saw everyone out for race training in the the windward legs. We managed to which turned out to be a very good sun - morning – the beginners and youth make the buoy OK, hurtled down to the bathing platform as the wind died com - groups taking Picos and Fevas. Some gybe mark and made the mistake of pletely, the sun shone, I went for a swim people opted for Wayfarers and gybing with the centreboard half down off the boat and we were put through Wanderers, Dan and I took a Laser Two. which tipped us over. With an agile 16 our capsize drills. As we came in for lunch the wind got year old on board we righted the boat To pass the seamanship course we had up. This is typical of the weather at La quickly and it started sailing off with to do a total inversion capsize and recov - Reserve, light winds in the morning fol - Dan at the helm while I was still pulling ery so we we swapped over to a Laser lowed by gusty, strong breezes in the myself over the stern. By now I was pret - Two. We tested out the instructors’ abil - afternoon. The Picos struggled to make ty exhausted and handed the helm over ity to deal with difficult situations when it back to their beach with the wind to Dan…which he quickly handed back one of our crew got trapped underneath blowing strongly onshore upwind of the to me when he decided I was a useless the boat as it inverted. They dealt with it sailing area. The regatta started out with crew and not good at balance and trim. admirably and quickly and all crew and tension and concentration all round, By this time there were Wayfarers and boat were back to upright swiftly. We calls for water, starboard and a few inter - Wanderers capsized around the course, took the boat out for a more controlled esting collisions. Charlotte, one of the apart from the one sailed by an instruc - capsize drill later in the afternoon and instructors, decided to do the regatta in tor with seven young children in it. Just succeeded in inverting and righting it an and see if she could win on as we made it to the finish line, Tom twice without incident. handicap. Several of the men from the abandoned the race due to the carnage After another night-time downpour, top group decided to take out Wayfarers in the fleet. the sun shone again for the last day of with their children as crew. It was best of As one man said, after righting his teaching. We took out Laser Ones for a three races, with one discard. Laser five or six times, “I haven’t had race training session. When he’s not Race one saw Daniel and I over the this much fun in years!” The overall instructing Tom competes in Lasers at start line well but struggling to point up winner was the instructor, Charlotte, in GB level and gave us some top tips on to wind to make the windward mark. the Optimist. n starting tactics and racing rules. With Downwind goosewinging was a breeze very little wind in the morning we and we got round the gybe mark safely, We travelled by Brittany Ferries to St Malo ghosted round the short course trying to round the course again and over the fin - and drove to La Reserve (8.5 hours), then coax a bit of speed out of the Lasers. ishing line behind another Laser Two returned on the Caen route. The cost of After lunch with the wind blowing up which had capsized on the start and still tuition and accommodation was and getting gustier we rehearsed our beat us. approximately £525 per person. For more capsizes again, particularly round the Race two and we managed a better line information see the Rockley website, gybe mark. Thank God for warm, lake to the windward mark but then tacked www.rockleywatersports.com water to fall in and out of. too early and ended up on port against a

SUMMER 2011 13 OBITUARIES

Long-standing Club member, Dick Negus, died on Good Friday, aged 88 after a long illness. He was passionate about sailing, and was also a talented and renowned graphic designer. Richard Griffiths, who sailed with him on his yacht Sigyn, wrote this tribute to Dick and we reprint part of an obituary which appeared in The Independent .

Written by Geoffrey Adams and published in The to become his business partner, and Pamela, Independent , 4 July 2011 whom he married in 1949. Dick Negus became prominent during the The two-year course did little to prepare stu - 1960s and 1970s, following the Festival of dents for commercial realities, but his portfolio Britain of 1951, which he called the most sig - eventually landed him a job as an exhibition nificant design influence of his life. designer on the 1951 Festival of Britain staff. First at Negus and Sharland, and then at With Sharland, he worked on the fisheries sec - Negus and Negus, he did work for some of the tion (with scripts by Laurie Lee) and the aircraft best-known institutions in Britain including the carrier Campania. Under Charles Hasler he Royal Opera House, the National Theatre, and helped to create the Festival alphabet used for British Airways. The latter may be his lasting the lettering on the Royal Festival Hall, where legacy. It resulted from a competition, lasted it can still be seen today. nearly a decade and was to lead to further air - By the early 1970s the office was snapping line identifications, including Pakistan at the heels of the larger, more established International and Emirates. The scale and design groups in the competition for big iden - range of the project, covering all aspects of the tification contracts. The partnership became I first sailed with Dick in 2004 and hit it airline's appearance, tested the capacity of the known as Negus and Negus when Pam Negus off immediately. We sailed out of office; Negus compared its implementation to joined, replacing Sharland. Despite acquiring a Chichester on a warm spring morning having a tiger by its tail. But the style he devel - number of large and well-known organisations as clients, including, in one year, John Laing, and by the time we reached the bar bea- oped, and particularly the use of part of the Union flag on the tailfin, set a precedent for Godfrey Davis, Lloyds Bank and the City of con Dick had offered to lend me Sigyn the airline which survived subsequent re- Westminster, Dick scaled back the number of whenever I wanted her. It was a perfect designs and remains in place today. staff from 20 to seven to reduce the adminis - illustration of Dick's boundless generos- Dick Negus was born in London in 1927. His trative burden. He later allowed it to increase ity which over the next few years let me mother and father, from Quendon in Essex, to 12, which remained its maximum even after he won the British Airways contract, then the gain valuable experience as a skipper arrived in London shortly after the Great War; both worked at the Turf Club in Piccadilly, biggest identification job in . and the opportunity to court the where his father was a clerk in the Secretary’s Dick and Pam were warm and generous woman who is now my wife. office, his mother a maid. Dick commented hosts. Parties, often in fancy dress, occurred Like many boats and their owners that ‘both families regarded these jobs as frequently, both at home and in the office Sigyn and Dick came to share certain excellent’. (which he saw as an extension of his family). And at monthly lunches a variety of carefully characteristics, principally charm. At Battersea Grammar School, he showed interest in drawing and painting. After his chosen guests were invited to discuss design- Sigyn, a Vindo 32, has a GRP hull and mother died during the Second World War, his linked subjects in the conservatory of his deck base with a teak overlay and father remarried, to the daughter of someone Islington house. mahogany coachroof and cockpit. In also on the Turf Club staff, but Dick did not After his formal retirement, Dick returned to Dick's long ownership Sigyn gleamed care for his stepmother and was keen to leave his first interest, painting, and took up pottery. He devoted more time to sailing, a favourite inside and out. She was compact, well- home. He left school before his 16th birthday in 1943 and joined the Royal Marines after fail - pastime since youth. He remained active, equipped and, with her long keel and ing to get into the merchant navy or the sub - despite health problems over the past two keel-hung rudder, sea-kindly and stur- marine service. He was invalided out in 1945. years, until shortly before his death. dy. As age slowed Dick down he fitted He went on to Camberwell School of Art. At Richard Charles Negus, born London 29 roller furling for the genoa and an in- this time he also met Philip Sharland, who was August 1927; died London 22 April 2011. boom furling main. Like her owner, Sigyn brought togeth- Chris Tiff, ‘larger than life’ Club member, 1958 –2011 er the best of traditional and the mod- ern. I will always have happy memories It was with great regret that we learned Regional Organiser of UCATT (the Union of both of them. of the death of Chris Tiff at the age of 53. of Construction, Allied Trades and Dick was a talented graphic designer Chris had been a member of the Club Technicians) where he did pioneering and artist and had recently remarried, only from 2007 but had endeared him - work in the training of construction after being widowed some years ago. He self to many members with his generosi - workers. Among his many achievements ty and his somewhat larger than life was the establishment of the George lived in North London and was a regu- character – he will be sadly missed. Brumwell Learning Centre at Canary lar at Club rallies when he was an active Chris kept his motor boat, New Wharf to give construction workers the sailor. He was editor of the history of Morning Star , at St Katherine Docks and chance to further their skills in such sub - the Club ‘The First 75 Years’ which was joined in the activities of the Club on the jects as IT and English. written and produced to celebrate the East Coast, he was also a member of the The Club will miss his energy and his Club's 75th anniversary in 2001 and Sail & Power Committee. love of life. Our thoughts are with his part - designed by his son Dominic. RG Chris was the London and South East ner, Rossina, and his family in Belfast.

14 THE LITTLE SHIP Training programme 2011-2012

It’s now the time of year to sign up for your autumn and winter training classes. Pete Newbury, Rear Commodore Training outlines the Club’s extensive programme.

RYA Theory Courses Day Skipper Shorebased Coastal Skipper/ course plotter and dividers kit essential tools for any of This is available in the usual Yachtmaster Shorebased is available to purchase for these courses. two ways catering to differing This is also available in the just £20 – absolutely abilities and availability. It same formats. The can be done in the conventional evening class of conventional evening class two hours every Monday format of two hours every evening over 26 weeks also Choosing the right course Monday evening over 26 runs from 12 September to 5 weeks which runs from 12 December 2011 and 9 The Day Skipper course provides a comprehensive September to 5 December January to 2 April 2012 . The introduction to chartwork, navigation, meteorology and the 2011 and 9 January to 2 course fee is £195 and your basics of seamanship and is invaluable to those who wish April 2012. The course fee is lead instructor will be Richard to learn how to make a real contribution on board, £155 and your lead instructor Taylor. undertake the Day Skipper practical course and are keen to will be Caroline Sedgwick. progress to the Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster qualification. The ‘accelerated’ version It is also offered in an consisting of eleven The Coastal Skipper/ Yachtmaster Course builds on the ‘accelerated’ version which Wednesday evenings and all Day Skipper syllabus and covers more advanced skills in consists of eleven Wednesday day on five Saturdays again coastal and offshore navigation and pilotage by day and evenings and all day on five begins on 25 January 2012 night. If you own your own boat or are involved in Saturdays. This begins on with the Saturdays being 28 chartering and wish to progress to more ambitious passage Wednesday 25 January 2012 January, 11 and 25 making you will find this course invaluable. with the Saturdays being 28 February, 10 and 24 March . The long courses are ideal for those who can only commit January, 11 and 25 February, The course fee here is £225 to one evening a week and prefer a more leisurely pace. 10 and 24 March. The course which also includes a buffet fee here is £180 which also lunch on each of the includes a buffet lunch on Saturdays. In this case your each of the Saturdays. In this lead instructor will be Pete Choosing the right version of case your lead instructor will Newbury. the course be Colin Abdey. The RYA Navigation and The accelerated courses are designed for those with less The RYA Boat Safety Weather handbooks plus ‘A time to spare, but are able to come in on a Saturday. The Handbook is included in the Seaman’s Guide to the Rules pace of the course requires some continuous time course fee. of the Road’ are included in commitment to homework throughout the course. When the course fee. The RYA choosing this version it is important to ensure you do not course notes, exercises, miss any of the five Saturdays, as each represents a training almanac and charts significant proportion of the instruction time and is very are all included in the prices difficult to catch up on. of the above courses. An exclusive Little Ship Club

SUMMER 2011 15 TRAINING

and small essential course for those Instructors wanted craft who plan to skipper such including vessel(s) or are interested in The Club now needs experienced yachtsmen and women to GMDSS, the use of this equipment. help with teaching the navigation courses. All you need is the routine, The instructor is Colin Abdey enthusiasm and knowledge to put the subject across. It’s very distress, and the fee is £75 for rewarding and we are not asking for a major commitment in urgency members and £90 for non- time – a few evenings on your favourite topic would be good and safety members. way to start. If you are interested please contact the Rear procedures. Commodore as soon as possible by email If you own a fixed or hand The next course is Saturday ([email protected]) or through the Club Office. held marine radio you are 29 October 2011. required by law to hold an operators licence and if you are upgrading your First Aid Diesel Engine installation to include GMDSS This one- This is a one-day course you will need a new licence. day course designed to familiarise the The instructor is Jonathan is MCA student with basic Hague and the fee is £75 for and HSE maintenance and the ability members and £90 for non- approved to prepare for and undertake members. and should simple repairs at sea. be Mechanical failure is the The next courses will be on considered an essential main cause of lifeboat call- Monday 10 October 2011 support for all skippers of Yachtmaster Ocean out to yachts and motor and Monday 12 March 2012. yachts and motor vessels and Equally valuable to those cruisers. This is therefore an those interested in the safety fascinated by the prospect of essential course for those of themselves and others at navigating by the planets and who plan to skipper vessels sea. stars or simply keen to arm equipped with a diesel themselves with a reliable engine(s) or are interested in It includes all the usual First alternative to electronic their maintenance and repair. Aid topics relating them navigation, this course specifically to on the water unravels the mysteries of The instructor is Richard scenarios including the astro navigation and Taylor and the course fee is control of bleeding, considers the wide range of £75 for members and £90 resuscitation techniques and practical skills essential to for non-members. a basic knowledge of the ocean passage making. treatment for hypothermia The next course dates are Radar and heatstroke. In a medical Anyone contemplating an 9 and 23 February 2012. This is a one-day course on emergency a little First Aid offshore passage anytime the operation of the small knowledge and immediate soon is reminded of the very boat radar including action can save lives, real possibility of disruption interpretation of the display especially in remote locations. to the GPS system from the and plotting techniques. It is 2012-13 increase in sunspot taught on the latest PC based The course completion activity. This course could simulation software. The aim certificate is a requirement prove very useful! is to equip students to use for the RYA/MCA small boat radar to assist Yachtmaster qualification and This course runs over 22 decision making in requires updating every three weeks on Wednesday SRC radio navigation, pilotage and years. evenings from 21 September This one-day course is taught collision avoidance. to 30 November 2011 and using real two-way radio sets The instructor is Pat Dittner 11 January to 21 March adapted for use in the It should be noted if there is and the fee is £75 for 2012. Your instructor is the classroom and considers the a radar set on board, Rule 5 members and £90 for non- indefatigable Norman legal and practical of the International members. Hummerstone and the course requirements for effective Regulations for the fee is just £95 including all marine communications and Prevention of Collisions at The next course will be on course materials. the operation of the Sea requires its use in poor Wednesday 12 October. equipment found on yachts visibility, this is therefore an

16 THE LITTLE SHIP TRAINING Events at Practical Exclusive LSC the Club Training Beyond Yachtmaster courses Sailing the Atlantic Speaker Juliet Dearlove The Club does not offer any 6 September formal practical training Regalia Fashion Show directly, however we currently 13 September do have special discounted arrangements with a sea Chart Check school on the East Coast. Speaker Brian Greene 20 September Rope Workshop Boat Electrics Ten years in the Med The workshop will take you This course is designed for Speaker Hunter Peace all the way from really basic boat owners and skippers and 27 September stuff to running up your own anyone interested in electrics eye splices for mooring warps at sea. It will give you a Sail & Power Presentation and lifelines. The subjects comprehensive guide to the 4 October covered include: practicalities and limitations Skippers & Crews Evening l Choosing types of rope of low voltage systems, 11 October East Anglian Sea School l Basic rope handling together with a view of mains The East Anglian Sea School l Essential knots power on board. The subjects Trafalgar Dinner 18 October was founded in 1973 and is l Whipping to be covered include: based at Suffolk Yacht l Splicing l Batteries Sailing to Spitsbergen Harbour on the River Orwell. l Care and maintenance. l Charging systems Speaker Robert Fellowes A wide range of courses are l Cables and connections 25 October on offer catering for people The workshop presentations l Distribution, including new to boating right through are supplemented by practical switching, fuses, trips etc Yacht performance ratios Speaker Graeme Armstrong to experts. Courses in all sessions using the contents of l AC mains power 1 November areas from Start or the free ‘’s bag’. A l Troubleshooting. Helmsman’s courses, workshop handbook is also Laying Up Supper Competent Crew, Day Skipper included in the workshop fee The RYA Electrics Handbook 8 November through to Coastal Skipper of £75 per person. is included in the course fee and on to Yachtmaster and of £50 and your instructor Training Taster Yachtmaster Ocean are run all Your instructors are Ian will be Pete Newbury. Speaker Pete Newbury year round, on weekends as Stewart and Richard Taylor. 15 November well as during the week. A The next workshop takes The course will take place Shanties, Sonnets & discount of 10 per cent is place over three evenings – over two evenings – Soliloquies offered to members on all Wednesdays 19 and 26 Wednesdays 23 and 30 22 November RYA practical courses. For October and November 2 November 2011. more information visit the Anchoring Part 2 2011. Speaker John Goode website www.eastanglian 29 November seaschool.com Christmas carol service and Christmas dinner 6 December Photo Competition 13 December

New courses For a full list of all Club events, both on and off the water, visit: If there are any new courses which you think would be littleshipclub.co.uk/ appropriate for the club to provide, please contact the Rear event_listing. Commodore by email – [email protected].

SUMMER 2011 17 CALENDAR OF COURSES & EVENTS

September October November December

Tue 1 Yacht performance ratios Wed 2 Yachtmaster Ocean l Rope W Thur 1 Thur 3 Thur 1 Fri 2 Fri 4 Fri 2 Sat 3 Sat 1 Sat 5 Sat 3 Fast Cruise No.3 (Folly Fancy Dress) Sun 4 Sun 2 Sun 6 Sun 4 Mon 5 Mon 3 Day Skipper l Coastal Skipper Mon 7 Day Skipper l Coastal Skipper Mon 5 Day Skipper l Coastal Skipper Tues 6 Sailing the Atlantic Tues 4 Sail & Power presentation Tues 8 Laying Up Supper Tues 6 Christmas carol service and dinner Wed 7 Wed 5 Yachtmaster Ocean Wed 9 Yachtmaster Ocean Wed 7 Thur 8 Thur 6 Thur 10 Thur 8 Fri 9 Fri 7 Fri 11 Fri 9 Sat 10 London/Thames Festival Sat 8 Sat 12 Fast Cruise No.2 (tbc) Sat 10 Sun 11 London/Thames Festival Sun 9 Sun 13 Sun 11 Mon 12 Day Skipper l Coastal Skipper Mon 10 Day Sk l Coastal Sk l SRC Radio Mon 14 Day Skipper l Coastal Skipper Mon 12 Tues 13 Regalia Fashion Show Tues 11 Skipper and Crews evening Tues 15 Training Taster Tues 13 Photo competition Wed 14 Wed 12 Yachtmaster Ocean l First Aid Wed 16 Yachtmaster Ocean Wed 14 Thur 15 Desolation Sound – Wilderness Rally Thur 13 Thur 17 Thur 15 Fri 16 Fri 14 Fri 18 Fri 16 Sat 17 Sat 15 East Coast Rally l Lutine Weekend Sat 19 Sat 17 Sun 18 Sun 16 East Coast Rally l Lutine Weekend Sun 20 Sun 18 Mon 19 Day Skipper l Coastal Skipper Mon 17 Day Skipper l Coastal Skipper Mon 21 Day Skipper l Coastal Skipper Mon 19 Tues 20 Chart check Tues 18 Trafalgar Dinner Tues 22 Shanties, Sonnets & Soliloquies Tues 20 Wed 21 Yachtmaster Ocean Wed 19 Yachtmaster Ocean l Rope W Wed 23 Yachtmaster O l Rope W l Boat E Wed 21 Thur 22 Thur 20 Thur 24 Thur 22 Fri 23 Fri 21 Fri 25 Fri 23 Sat 24 Sat 22 Frostbite and Fast Cruise No.1 Sat 26 Sat 24 Sun 25 Sun 23 Frostbite and Fast Cruise No.1 Sun 27 Sun 25 Mon 26 Day Skipper l Coastal Skipper Mon 24 Day Skipper l Coastal Skipper Mon 28 Day Skipper l Coastal Skipper Mon 26 Tues 27 Ten years in the Med Tues 25 Sailing to Spitsbergen Tues 29 Anchoring Part 2 Tues 27 Wed 28 Yachtmaster Ocean Wed 26 Yachtmaster Ocean l Rope W Wed 30 Yachtmaster O l Rope W l Boat E Wed 28 Thur 29 Thur 27 Thur 29 Fri 30 Fri 28 Fri 30 Sat 29 Radar Sat 31 Sun 30 Mon 31 Day Skipper l Coastal Skipper January February March April

Wed 1 YM O l DayS’a’ l CoastalS‘a’ Thur 2 Thur 1 Fri 3 Fri 2 Sat 4 Sat 3 Sun 1 Sun 5 Sun 4 Sun 1 Mon 2 Mon 6 Day Skipper l Coastal Skipper Mon 5 Day Skipper l Coastal Skipper Mon 2 Day Skipper l Coastal Skipper Tues 3 Tues 7 Tues 6 Tues 3 Wed 4 Wed 8 YM O l DayS’a’ l CoastalS‘a’ Wed 7 YM O l DayS’a’ l CoastalS‘a’ Wed 4 DayS’a’ l CoastalS‘a’ Thur 5 Thur 9 Diesel Engine Thur 8 Thur 5 Fri 6 Fri 10 Fri 9 Fri 6 Sat 7 Sat 11 DayS’a’ l CoastalS‘a’ Sat 10 DayS’a’ l CoastalS‘a’ Sat 7 Sun 8 Sun 12 Sun 11 Sun 8 Mon 9 Day Skipper l Coastal Skipper Mon 13 Day Skipper l Coastal Skipper Mon 12 Day Sk l Coastal Sk l SRC Radio Mon 9 Tues 10 Tues 14 Tues 13 Tues 10 Wed 11 Yachtmaster Ocean Wed 15 YM O l DayS’a’ l CoastalS‘a’ Wed 14 YM O l DayS’a’ l CoastalS‘a’ Wed 11 Thur 12 Thur 16 Thur 15 Thur 12 Fri 13 Fri 17 Fri 16 Fri 13 Sat 14 Sat 18 Fast Cruise No.5 (tbc) Sat 17 Fast Cruise No.6 (tbc) Sat 14 Sun 15 Sun 19 Sun 18 Sun 15 Mon 16 Day Skipper l Coastal Skipper Mon 20 Day Skipper l Coastal Skipper Mon 19 Day Skipper l Coastal Skipper Mon 16 Tues 17 Tues 21 Tues 20 Tues 17 Wed 18 Yachtmaster Ocean Wed 22 YM O l DayS’a’ l CoastalS‘a’ Wed 21 YM O l DayS’a’ l CoastalS‘a’ Wed 18 Thur 19 Thur 23 Diesel Engine Thur 22 Thur 19 Fri 20 Fri 24 Fri 23 Fri 20 Sat 21 Fast Cruise No.4 (tbc) Sat 25 DayS’a’ l CoastalS‘a’ Sat 24 DayS’a’ l CoastalS‘a’ Sat 21 Sun 22 Sun 26 Sun 25 Sun 22 Mon 23 Day Skipper l Coastal Skipper Mon 27 Day Skipper l Coastal Skipper Mon 26 Day Skipper l Coastal Skipper Mon 23 Tues 24 Tues 28 Tues 27 Tues 24 Wed 25 YM O l DayS’a’ l CoastalS‘a’ Wed 29 YM O l DayS’a’ l CoastalS‘a’ Wed 28 YM O l DayS’a’ l CoastalS‘a’ Wed 25 Thur 26 Thur 29 Thur 26 Day Sk = Day Skipper Fri 27 Coastal Sk = Coastal Skipper Fri 30 Fri 27 Sat 28 DayS’a’ l CoastalS‘a’ DayS’a’ = Day Skipper ‘accelerated’ Sat 31 Sat 28 Sun 29 CoastalS‘a’ = Coastal Skipper ‘accelerated’ Sun 29 Day Skipper Coastal Skipper Yachtmaster O = Yachtmaster Ocean Mon 30 Mon 30 l YM O = Yachtmaster Ocean Tues 31 Rope W = Rope Workshop Boat E = Boat Electrics 18 THE LITTLE SHIP BRITTANY

Donald Bent did the Brittany cruise aboard Lazy Life and reveals the thrills and spills of the voyage

There were a few opportunities to try the local seafood. Julie Coleclough The Good Ship (top), cruise dinner (centre) and Hunter Lazy Life Peace (bottom) races to Brittany

THE AIM OF THE cruise was to get to house with Jan to "Do Something", with - South Brittany, and preferably back – out his lifejacket or harness, I might add. starting in late June. In fact it started I attempted to keep us head on to the ominously with a last minute request waves as slowly as possible, and asked from Hunter for me to get ‘Lots More Julie to tell me if there were less than two Flares’. Was this Precognition as in people on the stern. It proved impossi - Minority Report? Henry Arden must also ble to bring in the Rib as it was full of have got the vibes and made some lame water and the davit was smashed any - excuse of an important shoot (photo - way. So a jury painter was rigged. An graphic, not people or birds). Maybe unexpected bonus was that the Rib's something to do with us going straight bucket had fallen out and acted as a to the Channel Islands instead of drogue to slow us down. Not such a plus Dartmouth where he would have got off, point was that its anchor had also fallen resulting in a long swim. out and was trailing behind. This became However Jan Gritzmann, Julie quite exciting as we crossed the bar into Coleclough, Hunter and I set off on St Peter Port and had visions of it acting Friday 24 (far too early) and had a crack - like an arrester wire on an . ing sail to Alderney where we picked up However all was well and we tied up in a buoy for the night. a The next day we decided to potter r The infamous Raz du Sein where we hit 12.2 knots e s o down through the Alderney Race to r D

Guernsey and St Peter Port. The received / m o c

wisdom is never to do this with strong . o t winds against the tide. So off we set with o h p strong winds against the tide. The land - k c o t

scape started going past really quite s i

: o

quickly and the waves got into vertical t o h

mode. Suddenly there was a crash as we P rode up one nearly vertical slope and Lazy Life got pooped. A large wave, well above the stern, broke onto the Rib in the davits, filled it up, and the combined weight smashed the davits and broke a wire hawser attaching the davits to the Rib. Then another crash as the Rib came off the davits into the water trailing on the one remaining davit. With unaccustomed alacrity, Hunter disappeared from the nice dry wheel -

SUMMER 2011 19 RALLIES

most people know that injecting air and diesel into an engine spells disas - ter, which it was. A brilliant French, Gauloises-puffing engineer came on board, identified the problem, mut - tered imprecations on ‘shoddy English engineers’ and fixed it. We then congregated for a dash through the notorious Chenal du Four. This proved completely uneventful, despite the land going past at an alarming speed. And this Race was flat calm for a change. When we got to Camaret round the corner we felt we had achieved the objective of getting to South Brittany. The sun got hotter, the water warmer and we had our first swim. Then through the next Race at the Raz du Sein, where we hit 12.2 knots – to a rousing cheer – and on to Loctudy. Fishing boats in the pretty Golfe du Morbihan The main attraction there was a large fish market next to the fishing boat dock. So we got squid and sea bream the marina. Not so lucky was the next and cooked them for dinner that night. door boat which had ignored a tiny Sylvia had just joined us, so out came sign saying Don't Park, and found the silver and cut glass. We told her it itself cocked up at 30 degrees on a pile only came out in port as it made rather foundation. The owner then got all the expensive splintering sounds as it slid local crews to stand on its foredeck to off the table at sea. get it off – to no avail. Then on to Benodet, and a longer leg We sailed on to Lezardrieux, and I to the next port (whose name I cannot located the only restaurant open on a remember). We rounded the Quiberon Sunday, which I had been to several Peninsula – yet another Race at high years before with the same nice family speed – and into La Trinit é. Just round owners, then on to L'Aberwrach. With the corner was the entrance to the 10 miles to go and on a lee and very Gulf of Morbihan into which we rocky shore, the engine died. This motored in a flat calm and blue skies. looked particularly interesting as the Again terrific currents and whirlpools current was taking us onshore one which had Lazy Life opposite-locking kilometre off and there was no wind. to stay on course. Also standing waves The depth was also out of anchor which was quite a bizarre sight in range. I glanced sideways at the liferaft windless conditions. when no one was looking but then the The islands in the Gulf of Morbihan breeze picked up, the sails went up and gave quite the prettiest views of the we crept along the coast to the port. A whole trip, and we could have spent marina Rib came out to meet us and several days exploring. Then coming pushed us gently onto a pontoon. up the river to Vannes a typical Mary Lunn arrived later after an epic Franco-British encounter as we had to and very wet leg from the UK, only to stop at our green light at a bridge to let lose her rudder in circumstances too several yachts though, presumably on horrible to discuss before dinner. red. We scowled at them pointedly, but The villain of the piece in the engine on getting though the bridge we found department was a recently fitted O their light on green too. Try that in ring on the glass inspection cup London. between the fuel tank and the engine. So – a great cruise, and many thanks The boatyard had cut it to make it to the organisers, Hunter and all con - smaller and fit, leaving an air gap. And cerned for making it so much fun. n

20 THE LITTLE SHIP NORMANDY

The Normandy Rally was a game of two halves, as rally goers waited for a weather window to make it across the Channel. Brian Humber finally made it on Ronhilda and pays tribute to his patient crew.

Dives Marina at low water Forecasts and weather windows

First Week – Too Much of Any I hoped to get across on Saturday my head out the hatch I could hear, feel Weather You Can Think Of including crew that were originally due and see well over 20 knots over the deck, to join in Fécamp by Le Havre ferry. heavy seas, but a cruise liner was loom - It was with some gloom on my part that They arrived on board Ronhilda on ing a couple of miles behind us in the the start of Ronhilda ’s Normandy rally Friday evening. gloom and deteriorating murk south of approached with forecasts for high the Owers. As the weather forecast winds, fog and rough seas. All hopes of The Main Rally Week – Too much appeared all wrong with visibility getting to St Valery sur Somme seemed Wind, Too little Wind, Too Much decreasing, prudence dictated a return doomed by the Thursday and I delayed Fog, a Strike, and a Couple of and regroup. We therefore backtracked my first batch of crew coming down to Nice Sailing Days. and picked a buoy up off Hayling Island. join me till Saturday evening. A 30-odd mile round trip to go nowhere. Saturday was a windy wash out and Friday: the weather window came dur - Sunday saw thick fog with less than Sunday was the same so we stayed in ing the day. Ariel who had been stuck in one cable visibility, so with no chance of Chichester Marina. Brighton since Monday, got to Fécamp getting to Le Havre on time to catch his Monday was calmer so we set off for but by the time my crew had arrived on ferry back, we dropped Ian Middleton Brighton to join Ariel expecting to pick Ronhilda after work so had the F6-7s and off at Sparks and motored up to anchor up some forecast wind from the south Friday evening was again spent in out of harm’s way close inshore between west. After passing the MIxon pole at Chichester. Ryde Pier and Wootton Creek. All com - Selsey Bill, what wind there was still on Saturday was spent awaiting the fore - mercial shipping had been stopped so the nose with no signs of it going cast reduction listening to the mayhem we stayed put till after lunch and then around to the south west. In view of the on the VHF with the participants in the motored in the fog to Gosport. It was Tuesday forecast for F6/7 we did not Round the Island race. However it agreed to have one last try again on the want to get trapped in Brighton nor did seemed things had calmed down by the Monday to Le Havre; if this was still not we want to tack or motor all day. So we evening and were forecast to reduce a goer then it was hey ho to the flesh - turned around and had a gentle down - even further so we set off. Over the bar pots of Devon. wind sail to Gosport and a large splen - and with a single reef and Solent jib Monday dawned with light winds did meal in the Castle as compensation. bent on, Ronhilda was at last creaming from the SE not ideal for Honfleur/Le Tuesday did indeed bring the high along at over 8 knots heading for Havre but we set off anyway at 0600. As winds and with no improvement fore - Fécamp. Past Nab and I went below for we approached the shipping lanes the cast for midweek we went back to some shut eye before the shipping lanes. wind went east a couple of degrees, we Chichester and the crew was sent home A shake an hour later brought the news were able to sail, and so off we went awaiting my call. that a second reef was required. Putting across the Channel, Devon being left for

SUMMER 2011 21 NORMANDY

before HW and with the wind from the latecomers onboard for a cockpit party North we went over the sand banks with that evening after they had left the the keel left up, bore away up the Seine inner basin. and arrived at 0800 with Honfleur lock Wednesday saw the 0830 lock full of on free flow. Ideal for the 0830 bridge little LSC yachts (well six of us). into the inner basin I thought. Well Ronhilda was going to try Dives further 0830 came and went with no move - west than Deauville for the first time so ment of the bridge, the commodore we had to get a move on to get there kindly phoned to say there was a small before the water disappeared and the note in the Sailing Club’s office to say all gate closed. As soon as the training wall bridges cancelled till after 1600. ended we turned sharp left over the Officially a meeting all day was going sand bank. As it was nearly HW my pre - on but seemed like a strike to us. Ah well diction of around five metres of depth that wall in the outer harbour with the was proved correct and the sand bank Finally sailing, Jill Moffatt and Charlie Quayle rusty ladder looked attractive after all knocked some of the waves off from the and we duly moored to it. With having F4/5 NW wind so we made very good another time. The rest of the day was to leave first thing and get to Dives on speed at 7/8 knots to Dives fairway buoy spent either motoring or sailing at the Wednesday we decided that was that arriving about one and half hours after edge of thunder clouds sometimes quite and to stay on the wall overnight. All HW. With a F4/5 blowing straight at the briskly. We saw Sour Kraut under Antifer others on the rally duly arrived or left Ebb the bar was a rather rough but not in the late evening sun and arrived after the basin that day after normal bridge of any great concern, least depth being her in Le Havre about 2200. service was resumed as all rally yachts 2.6m in the troughs. Looking back it Meantime Ariel and others had sailed needed to get into Deauville/Dives was quite impressive. from Fécamp to Honfleur and were before the respective lock gates closed Dives turned out to be a delight, eco - tucked up in the inner basin. couple of hours after HW. The com - nomical, good facilities and with a Tuesday saw us slip off just after dawn modore kindly consented to have us choice of over 20 empty visitors berths, The Normandy (or Perseverance) rally

Ariel set off from Southampton on Early Friday morning saw us setting not determined and we had promises of Saturday 18 June. The forecast didn’t out to Fécamp, all ideas of a mini-cruise late arrivals in Honfleur, our next port look good. Strong south westerly winds via Dieppe and St Valery-en-Caux hav - of call. Monday dawned bright with a and rain were forecast and we had ing been overtaken by the weather. The light sailing breeze as we left Fécamp for already knocked on the head the ‘pre - crossing was good with a south westerly Honfleur, another new destination for quel’ gathering in Littlehampton. blowing 15-18 knots on our beam we Ariel . We sailed and motored and sailed The plan was to make east before made good speed in rather rolly condi - and motored round Cap d’Antifer and crossing to Dieppe. After a somewhat tions arriving in F écamp by early past Le Havre and on into the Seine lumpy and gusty passage east through evening. estuary finally resorting to motoring the Looe Channel we duly arrived at the Our arrival also marked the start of into a strong tide for the long drag up- rather incongruous Brighton Marina the improved weather, shorts were bro - river to buoy number 20 where we stuck out on the coast as a bit of a car - ken out of the locker and sun screen lib - turned south for the lock into Honfleur. buncle. Safely on the visitors’ berths we erally applied to all exposed parts. We The lock caused a number of interest - settled down for what we thought were joined, rather surprisingly, by Peter ing diversions as we three boats would be a short overnight stay, four Scott on Azanti on Saturday evening squeezed in alongside a trawler, a beau - nights later we were still there. The although not part of the rally he had tiful classic motor launch and a couple wind kept howling and the seas were come over just for the weekend. of ever present Dutch yachts – however, coming over the marina wall, not a We had been getting constant updates my lips will be forever sealed as to what good omen for crossing the Channel. At from the other participants of the rally these minor diversions may have been. last we saw a weather window on Friday, who had variously been delayed by poor Suffice it to say that we all emerged rel - the weather site weatheronline.com weather, fog and all sorts of unimagin - atively unscathed to see Odin tied to the proved accurate and reliable both in its able things and we were rather resigned harbour wall waiting for the bridge to prediction of wind strength and direc - to this being a three boat rally, however, lift to allow us into the Vieux Bassin. tion and of sea state. Little Ship Club sailors are nothing if Also, standing above Odin on the wall,

22 THE LITTLE SHIP RALLIES

we, plus one other yacht, being the only Saturday, hop - visitors in town. The town itself has ing for a spin - plenty of interest being where William naker run in the the Conqueror left for Hastings in 1066 French forecast and many old buildings and his Church south east survive. winds. Ronhilda In the evening we took a taxi to decided to sulk Deauville to join the others in the yacht and not lower club for the rally dinner and a good her keel electri - evening was had by all. cally. As it takes Thursday saw us going west via an hour to Ouistreham to drop off two crew mem - pump the keel bers, and we had the best day of the up by hand, rally by sailing all day inshore along the and the sea was Invasion beaches. On a sunny summer’s flat, I decided to day it always makes me reflect what a leave the keel Ronhilda in Dives Marina difference to June 1944. Having made up and not excellent progress we made for St Vaast lower it manually. The French forecasters tickets. None got the sailing as planned. and as a bonus arrived as the gate were as good (bad?) as the UK Met office These stalwarts were: Stephen Ledraw, opened. in that the wind stuck at one to two knots Oliver Nissen, Bruce Rankin, Ian Friday was an exploring day, crew north east all day, the tide making most Middleton, Steph Janes, Jill Moffatt, went to Barfleur by bus and I went for a of it. So our rally ended with a day’s Charlie Quayle. 5km walk which tested the new metal motoring and no spinnaker. And last but not least thanks to the hips out nicely. Many thanks to my multi crew – some rally organiser David Roache and his As Saturday and Sunday were forecast who only got in half a day’s cruise for wife Jill for all their efforts as well. n for light winds, we decided to return on their efforts and wasted pre-bought ferry Brian Humber

was Malcolm Malir ready to join Storm were rafted up against other British dinner was held on Wednesday evening Petrel . This was now becoming rather boats and the ever present Dutch and all at the Deauville Yacht Club, which did us more like a rally! After sculling around we needed was a trawler to want to get proud. for a few minutes the bridge duly lifted out and we would be snookered. In the With a relatively leisurely start to and we were directed onto a pontoon in event it all went very smoothly and we catch the lock opening we set off for this unique harbour – we had arrived. all got away without any drama and another sail / motor / sail north west to Shortly afterwards we spied Ronhilda into the Seine for the short hop to St Vaast. It turned out to be a very who opted to stay outside the harbour Deauville. enjoyable passage and timed to perfec - as did the next arrival Sour Kraut . This, our shortest passage of the cruise tion as we arrived just as the gate to the We were now a rally of six boats, our proved to be the most unpleasant with a pretty harbour opened. The usual late arrivals having shown great perse - very lumpy sea and a headwind we had scramble ensued as those boats that had verance in finally getting out of the an uncomfortable couple of hours in the arrived early and anchored off tried to Solent or Chichester Harbour and mak - Seine estuary before making our way into assert their rights to first choice of pon - ing the crossing. Needless to say we all the approach channel for Deauville. Port toons but there was plenty of room got thoroughly stuck into the wonderful Deauville is immediately to starboard as inside. restaurants that surround the harbour you get to the end of the entrance chan - With the weather now set fair all and we also enjoyed a ‘pontoon’ party nel and it is a shallow and inconspicuous except Storm Petrel decided to leave on aboard Ariel for those that had missed approach to the marina lock. Fortunately Saturday in order to get home and sort - the rather depleted party in Fécamp. we got in just at the end of free flow mak - ed out before the pressures of our other Rather alarmingly the bridge failed to ing it an easy entrance, Odin and Sour lives caught up with us. The slight open on the Tuesday morning as the Kraut were less fortunate having to lock breeze from the east slowly died away to two operators had an ‘important meet - in with a big swell running out in the almost nothing and we motored the ing’, no warning was given of this and it channel. Port Deauville is rather un-pre - whole way back to Ocean Village arriv - would have been very inconvenient had possessing being rather stark and too far ing at just after 2200 BST; a long but rel - we needed to get out that morning, as it out of town. For future reference the new atively easy passage helped by the new was we moved outside the Bassin during pontoons in Bassin Morny, which were spring flood down the western Solent the evening to give us an early start for just being installed, would make a far which pushed us back home at up to Deauville the next morning. The 0730 better destination and they are right 12kts over the ground. n lock was always going to be busy, we beside the yacht club. The formal rally David Roache

SUMMER 2011 23 CRUISING

The joy of a long lunch On Chesil Beach – by accident

Robin Whaite skipper of Mary Lunn, joined five other boats for an Easter weekend adventure.

TO TAKE ADVANTAGE of the long week - The days following Easter, all eyes had winds or even a full gale; and because end, the sailing programme advertised a been on the forecasts as they evolved: Braye Harbour is untenable, indeed dan - Channel Isles Dash to Alderney, with a there was every chance of stable high gerous, in a NE gale, perhaps even the chance to see speedy puffins skimming pressure and steady easterly winds to need to quit Alderney early – to over the water – and six boats signed up. speed us there and back. By breakfast on Cherbourg or, making a long haul home, It seems that was an unfortunate typo: the Easter Thursday, the picture had changed. down to St Peter Port? With all six skip - description ‘Isle’ was correct, but our des - There was now an evens chance of nearly pers chipping in ideas (what about a frisky tination turned out to be the Isle of ideal conditions for Alderney; but an reach to and from Fécamp?), after a Portland, not Alderney. Would we still equal risk of the weekend ending with a review of all the options we jointly decid - spot any puffins? long miserable beat back into strong ed upon Portland as offering the best

24 THE LITTLE SHIP CRUISING

combination of distance (two boats were by SMS, made before we had decided the A provisional booking of a dozen – as coming from Chichester), shelter, and the hour of our departure – it is reassuring to soon as Portland was decided on – had chance of a reasonable return passage, find that the Commodore not only knows matured into a firm booking of 20 as skip - even in a strong NE’ly. the disposition of his fleet, but can even pers one by one confirmed their plans After all this talk of forthcoming gales, it predict their movements before the crews during the course of Thursday. (By the was no surprise that on the outward leg themselves know! way, the owner of the Crab House Café (Thursday night or Friday morning, Berths at Portland had been booked in a told me that they have had their fingers according to taste), the winds were frus - neighbourly group, so there was ready burnt in the past when yachtsmen have tratingly light, mostly F2 variable, occa - help with lines on arrival: this was handy, booked, changed their sailing plans and sionally F3, which meant motoring or since the friendly chap on duty in the not bothered to inform the restaurant, motor sailing in order to arrive at a decent marina office didn’t know his left from his leaving tables empty. For parties, there - hour. right. Azanti was told starboard-side to fore, a deposit of £10 a head is now Friday was pleasant, but somewhat when it turned out to be port, while Mary required: entirely reasonable, and shame misty, and now and again a sinister gloom Lunn was told port-side to when it should on those sloppy yachtsmen.) descended. Mary Lunn was in the Needles have been starboard! The other four were We sat down at a long table out on the Channel when out of the mist emerged a Tiger Moon, Chai of Burnham, Pim and sunny terrace to enjoy a marvellous meal curious ochre apparition, as though dis - Quartet . With the six boats assembled, the with subtle flavours. Our table was beside tant Hengistbury Head had been brought evening passed merrily with welcome the restaurant’s own herb garden. The sun forward into the middle ground; an indis - drinks and convivial suppers on board. was so hot that the straw parasols – in sig - tinct mirage, it was hovering against the The conviviality of the evening led to nature pink – were appreciated after all. uniform grey of sea, coast and sky. Finally, uniformly late rising on the morrow, and Those diners opting for a large crab were as the angle changed, we realised it was we duly gathered at 1130 for a stroll provided with a full toolkit including a the new shingle hillock that this winter together along the line of Chesil Beach, heavy hammer. Ah, yes – and a bib. As had sprouted out of the Shingles Bank. It serenaded by a hovering over a carpet another diner proved emerging from the is a good two metres higher than the of sea pinks. To our left, the wall of shin - restaurant – it’s hard to look cool wearing charted depth. gle as high as a ; on our right, wind - a bib. The hammers whirled: perhaps In the quiet conditions, like most of our surfers and kitesurfers were at play in fresh neighbours should have been offered pro - boats at different times, we took the breezes on the smooth waters of the har - tective goggles too. The pails began to fill inshore passage past St Alban’s race, enjoy - bour. We were heading for the Crab House with shrapnel and the of conversa - ing close views of the stubby lighthouse at Café, near the Ferry Bridge at the foot of tion increased. The restaurateur knows Anvil Point, the markers for the measured the Fleet Lagoon, a recommendation that the exact provenance of all his seafood: mile, and the dramatic Jurassic coast. had come from a chance encounter with one of our dishes had, appropriately By now the day had brightened and as a stranger with whom I shared a recent enough, been fished midway between Mary Lunn passed along the coast we ferry and train journey back from Cowes. Alderney and Portland. Crab, lobster, scal - admired the play of light on the rugged Quarry and markers for the measured mile on the Jurassic coast and (inset) dinosaur’s footprint. cliffs, and examined the many old quarry workings: taking the huge stones off by barge must have been a challenge in any - thing but the calmest conditions. For miles the cliff faces were speckled with colourful climbers, dangling above the waves. They were not the only ones exploiting the fissures and ledges: we were entertained by countless smartly dressed sea birds, out fishing and then returning to perch on ledges and in cracks. The con - sensus had them as guillemots; but there might have been some razorbills, with their thicker beaks. Just after St Alban’s Head, Mary Lunn was called up by an approaching fishing vessel, drifting down in light airs – or to be more precise, by a Bavaria 39 trolling for mackerel. Ariel had managed to start the long weekend a whole day early, and was thus cleverly staying one day ahead of the changing wind patterns. This encounter neatly fulfilled a much earlier prediction

SUMMER 2011 25 CRUISING

somewhere one might have to leave the boat for any length of time. In the event, after Sunday breakfast, one boat left to motor home under bare poles, most uncomfortably, but making good time to Lymington; two others beat boldly east - wards, and two others wondered whether a very long and gruelling beat might erase all pleasant memories of the rally. Quartet had been sailing for an hour when she was kind enough to radio back to Mary Lunn – engine warmed up, lines in hand to slip – that the wind had just settled firmly on the nose, and was already gust - ing 29 knots, that she was able to track no better than 135 º, and was returning to Portland. On Mary Lunn , we turned off the engine to review our plans once more, cal - culated and reconfirmed likely passage times, and concluded that the return sail Climbers tackle the rocks of the Jurassic Coast would be safe but long and arduous, and might jeopardise a family commitment that one of the crew had. We would spend lops, and fish – all were the freshest possi - crumbling cliffs. Dinosaur footprints? – the day exploring the Isle of Portland ble; perfectly prepared, delicately cooked, was someone pulling my leg? At first I had instead, leave the boat there, and return and served in a genial atmosphere and been doubtful; why was the ‘footprint’ by rail from Weymouth. A pity that we thoroughly unpretentious setting. No concave, like a plumped-up cushion? The had remembered our passports, but not wonder that Rick Stein raves about this explanation is that silt (or similar) fills up our Network Railcards! place. A succession of plates came and the imprint and then solidifies; so what At this point, we spotted a Club burgee went and our early lunch (we had started remains is rather like a plaster cast of the on a yacht just motoring out of the mari - around noon) turned into a splendid footprint. Go to Compton Beach (IoW) na: the bins revealed this to be Otters Way , ‘French’ lunch lasting until tea time, after and see for yourself. so I called them up to wish them well and which the six boat crews went off (at a The forecast was bad for Sunday, with relay Quartet’s latest report. The cheery gentle pace) in different directions. strong headwinds for the return, the pos - reply came that they were en route for The Mary Lunners walked back south - sibility of a gale later, and Monday’s winds Dartmouth, and were looking forward to wards. A novice kitesurfer had been likely to be stronger still. The hope was for a brisk sail – downhill! – so I was able to swept under the bridge by the strong NE or NNE, but it might be bang on the wish them bon voyage, trying hard to dis - current and was trying to look invisible nose. With Monday’s threat of heavy guise the note of in my voice. as he struggled to deal with the tangle of weather in mind, one boat left Portland We put the boat to bed, Quartet came in, control lines. (The Fleet Lagoon commu - on Saturday afternoon; and in the we said our farewells and went off to nicates with the harbour, so it is salty at evening the remaining skippers and crews explore the Isle and Royal Manor of the southern end but has fresh water at swapped ideas on the pontoon and debat - Portland, and spectacular it is. the north). Across the narrow channel, a ed the options in view of the usual con - Our plan was first to visit the Sculpture couple of little terns hovered, danced siderations, such as ports of refuge, Park in the disused Tout Quarry and then to and dived to find their own lunch of strength of crew, the awkward timing of enjoy a cliff walk on the way back. The fresh fish. the flood tide for Hurst, and the small marina office told us that there was a fre - And so to Chesil Beach and over the top, matter of eventual return travel by rail or quent bus running up the hill, and that the onto the west slope. It turns out that ceosel car, with work looming Tuesday morning. Sculpture Park was near the Heights Hotel or cisel means ‘gravel’ or ‘shingle’ in Old Lulworth Cove and Worbarrow Bay bus stop. We checked this with the bus dri - English. Admiring the finely graded would provide shelter but were not really ver, duly disembarked at the hotel, and smooth pebbles – from orange-sized at the far enough to make a sensible stopping asked a local woman waiting at the bus stop south-east end (by Portland) to pea-sized place. Poole Harbour offered a suitable pit- across the road for the precise directions for at the north-west end – we stumbled stop, but there was likely to be no room the entrance to the quarry. Confessing that across a dinosaur’s footprint. How did this left in the marinas at the end of a busy it was a year or two since she had visited the much larger object come to have been weekend, with visiting boats staying in Sculpture Park, she sent us off with detailed tossed along with the lighter pebbles? We and additional boats seeking refuge: Poole directions along the road. had seen a fair number of these ‘footprints’ therefore was considered only as an After walking a while, with still no sign last year on Compton Beach, under the anchorage (eg Goathorn Point), not of the Sculpture Park, we found ourselves

26 THE LITTLE SHIP CRUISING

at a stoneyard, and paused to ask for bet - lows meandering unmarked paths, turns a Along the waterfront were reminders of ter directions. We were greeted by one corner, and discovers a crocodile’s jaw, or the various perils of the sea. Near the Hannah, who immediately and irre - a classical fireplace, or an elephant, or a marina lies a bulky solid timber, a section sistibly recruited us to load a heap of torso, or a falling man. At the same time, of a teak tree, I should guess. One metre in worked stones into her wheelbarrow – she one gains an idea of the operation of the diameter and three metres long or more, it had been running a course for children old quarry, and the business of extracting was recently found off the Portland Race with learning difficulties, who had carved the stone and taking it off by sea. and, a hazard to shipping, towed away by the stones with charming fish, flowers, HMS Portland , a Type 23 hap - the police; it is now displayed by way of a and other designs. You might think that a pened to be in harbour, and back at the sober warning, together with a pithy spell of convict labour would be enough Heights Hotel we ate a sandwich of local notice to keep a good lookout at all times. to earn the true course to the Sculpture crab in the aftermath of a civic reception By the marina gates there is a modern 45- Park but no, we were then given a private for her crew, hosted by the mayor decked knot torpedo, not far from the site where tour of the former Drill Hall, being out in his official chains with a flouncy Whitehead as long ago as the 1860s restored by Hannah and colleagues as an bow on either shoulder. That explained invented and developed the first devices. enormous workshop on the edge of a the military marches that the breeze had And beyond that, a moving stone memo - quarry. In the Drill Hall, we were privi - been carrying over Tout Quarry. For HMS rial erected last year to 29 young seamen leged to meet Evan, a twelfth generation Portland , next stop Gibraltar. After that, lost in 1948 while returning to HMS mason – had the rhythm of his mallet they weren’t letting on – possibly a return Illustrious after a run ashore, when in a been handed down from father to son for to anti-piracy duties in the Indian Ocean. storm their liberty boat overturned in the 300 years? – who showed us a selection of From the commanding position of the harbour itself, less than 100 yards from traditional tools. Evan has been directly Heights terrace, we saw the extent of their ship. With all that in mind, it is employed by Canterbury Cathedral for Chesil Beach and the Fleet Lagoon. some relief to hear the occasional clatter - the last 12 years. He described the various After lunch, we walked across to the ing of the resident Coastguard helicopter beds (layers), each with its own character - cliffs on the East side, wandered around (personalised number-plate, or callsign, istics and uses, and explained how the the High Angle Battery, and then on to G-SARD) as it comes and goes about its hardness of the stone changes over time, the impressive Verne citadel built into the business. as the stone weathers. We compared the hilltop by convict labour (c1850). In the True it is that Portland Harbour has a properties of Portland and Caen stone. 1940s, part of it became a prison, and an somewhat bleak and industrial setting, And then Dean, the Croatian member of impregnable one at that. The footpath but the Isle is an SSSI, the scenery is spec - our crew, surprised us by introducing runs along the moated perimeter and tacular and unusual, the whole area is rich Brac, an island of sun and stone he knows gives excellent views. It also gives a good in history and wildlife, and there is much well. He told us the pure white Brac stone sense of the inclined railway down which to discover within easy reach of the port, was used in the building of the White the stones for the breakwaters were taken by foot or frequent bus. House, the Reichstag, and public build - to be dumped in the roads to form the And those puffins? Despite ravaging by ings in other capitals. This was new, even harbour. Enjoying the panoramas, we rats of their nesting sites, they still visit to Evan – we were all learning a lot! One were thoughtful as we looked out at the the Jurassic coastline including the Isle of aim of the Portland Sculpture and Quarry white horses on the open sea, and more Portland itself. Just after St Alban’s I Trust (www.learningstone.org) is to keep thoughtful still as we paused in the Naval thought I spotted a few puffins skimming alive the traditional skills. They run sum - Cemetery above the harbour, before over the surface, but the direction of the mer courses, and Hannah almost got us to descending past one of Henry VIII’s forts light was awkward and the birds too fast sign up on the spot. and on to the marina. and far off to be certain. n Thanks, then, to the wrong directions given at the bus stop, we passed a fasci - nating hour, and thanks to Evan we were later able to identify the attractive fore - court of the marina as being paved with local Roach – the Roach bed is the one rich in shells and fossils. Evan, of course, was also able to tell us precisely where to find the Sculpture Park – very near the Hotel, but in the opposite direction! The Sculpture Park is unique and all the visitors who had managed to find it were smiling at each discovery. Inspired by the shapes and textures they find in the old quarry workings, sculptors – including famous names, such as Gormley – have carved into the living rock. The visitor fol - A stroll across Chesil Beach with its carpet of Sea Pinks

SUMMER 2011 27 BOOKS

The Ultimate Shipwreck Guide – Whitby to Berwick Ron Young Whittles Publishing Ever wondered what ship became the ‘wreck’ symbol on the chart? Between Whitby and Berwick and up to 40 miles offshore, this book has the answers. Primarily for divers, it is also for curious mariners and ancestry researchers. 286 wrecks are described, together with where Aero-hydrodynamics and the The Atlantic Sailor’s Handbook Learning to Sail in Dinghies or and how the vessel sank and the performance of sailing yachts Alastair Buchan Yachts names of all crew lost. If I were Fabio Fossati Adlard Coles Nautical Basil Mosenthal sailing in those waters, it's a Adlard Coles Nautical This is a very interesting and Adlards Coles Nautical, £9.99 book I’d definitely like to have on Challenging, complex, fascinating, readable overview of everything This slim volume is a mine of board. informative are just some of the you need to think about when information for anyone starting words to describe this valuable embarking on your first to sail. Having learnt to sail on book. If you think you slightly Transatlantic circuit. Buchan dinghies and later continuing the understand the dynamics of the covers not only the obvious learning process on larger craft, I wing-in-the-water and the wing- subjects such as choosing and only wish I had had access to the in-the-air science of sailing boats preparing your boat, the best information provided when I read this book it will add routes to take, and the best started messing about in boats. significantly to your timing for these passages, but understanding. A book for the also a few things that you might The book is well-written with really serious racers in the Club not have thought of. For example, colour illustrations and diagrams. GQ have you thought about the best Everything seems to be included way to handle bureaucracy in the from hoisting sails, coming Caribbean? Or have you alongside, what to wear and Hidden Harbours of Southwest budgeted landing fees? Do you safety tips. ACM Britain know the best way to rig a sea Dag Pike anchor when heaving-to? Lots of Imray Laurie Norie & Wilson colourful and informative First-rate ground-level and aerial illustrations and useful tables photography and useful maps to help the reader along. help you find your way to these fascinating and often beautiful On the whole, this book is an hidden treasures are combined entertaining overview and a great with lively and informative prompt for further reading. Now writing. For armchair cruisers and all I need is a blue-water cruiser those doing it for real this book is and a spare year. a delight and would help pass the time between today’s few- Coastal Turmoil and-far-between safe havens. It’s Ken Endean Do Whales get the Bends? a painless dose of economic and Adlard Coles Nautical Offshore racing in Tony Rice social history, a monument to the Coastal Turmoil attempts to the Library Adlard Coles Nautical courage and skill of our sea- explain the effects of wind, Despite its light-hearted title, this faring ancestors and also well currents, seabed contours, and Thanks are due to Mr CS is a serious book full of worth having to hand when storm swells on the seas around Taylor who recently donated information about the waters we touring on land in the West our coasts and estuaries. It is very a number of books to the sail on. Just the book for the Country. well illustrated with photographs Library. He was a keen racer book shelf on board. Lots of and diagrams. and won the Anthony fascinating facts and answers to Powell Memorial Trophy five simple questions that would There are some fascinating and years running, so a number make many a watch go quickly not well known facts about of his books are on the yet, because each snippet can be waves, including a table of wave subject of offshore racing. enjoyed in just a few minutes and lengths and wave speeds in knots The Library section on would not compromise the watch which one can find by timing the racing is now improved and keeping. Also to be enjoyed while waves hitting a boat in seconds. expanded. waiting for supper or sipping a Long waves travel faster than G&T. short ones, sometimes

28 THE LITTLE SHIP BOOKS

surprisingly so (one at a period of travel and the troubles and 20 seconds being 624 metres temptations facing a young man. long and travelling at 61 knots!). The language is unashamedly lower-deck and may shock some, The problem is that the wave but is necessary for telling John’s height and steepness around our story. A book for the bunk side or coasts (which are what matters in for rainy days in harbour, it runs a small boat) are unfortunately the whole gamut of humanity, not very predictable as they are from the best of mankind to the affected by so many factors, and wicked step-mother and the there is considerable variation in brothels of Asia. A well-paced individual wave heights. and entertaining read. PBW Nonetheless this is a useful small book to supplement pilot books, and to help forecast what effect UK and Ireland current conditions of wind, circumnavigators guide weather and tides will have on Sam Steele the sea state where one plans to Cruising Association sail. JH A huge amount of very useful information in a slim and attractive book. Lots of lists, photos and simple advice that make this a must for anybody thinking about the trip. Read it the year before you go, add to it as you research chosen places and make it a template for the record of your trip. The English Channel Electronic Charts Imray Laurie Norie & Wilson Some of the advice is on the simple side but lists and advice The Imray English Channel Electronic Charts contains the have to start somewhere so use complete set of Raster Imray Charts for the English Channel this as starters for your own. The which covers the area from the Raz de Seine, just South of Brest discussion as to which way round to Orfordness on the East Coast. It is possible to connect the is also interesting and even- system up to GPS, AIS and radar although as I was evaluating Drink Up and Be a Man handed. When you have read the the software at home I couldn’t test these. John J Mahon book look up the various web Seafarer Books addresses and within days you The software is very easy to use and in appearance is exactly the Born in Southern Ireland to a would be well advanced with same as the paper Imray charts. Zooming was easy using the single mother in 1942, John your plans for your own trip. wheel on the mouse and the chart could be moved by clicking Mahon went on to become a and dragging the mouse. Being Raster charts it is necessary to steward on some of the largest change to larger scale charts to see some of the detail but this post-war liners. But as the title Some new was simple using the right mouse key to select other charts hints, life was not a bed of roses. covering the position of the cursor. It is also possible to have Frequently kept from school and editions of some more than one chart open at a time in different windows. Right of slight stature, John was old favourites mouse click over a tidal diamond will also display the set and orphaned at the age of 11. His drift at different hours of tide. foster mother can only be Pass Your Day Skipper described as a devil; although the David Hairhall Virtual dividers are available to measure distances. When used very rough life he learnt to live Yachtmaster Exercises they will also give the rhumb line in true or magnetic. Routes can stood him in good stead when he Alison Noice be constructed using multiple waypoints and once a waypoint had to earn a living. Initially has been placed it automatically appears on all the achieving success as a steward, Both designed to help corresponding charts of different scales making passage planning his alcoholic downfall came from you through the RYA extremely easy. the phrase of the title. Becoming navigation courses. They a full alcoholic, John hit rock come out every year and I have used it to plan a passage from Dartmouth to L’Aberwra’c. bottom, and managed to save are very useful to anyone and found the software very easy to use. himself eventually. studying the courses and looking for a little extra Graham Broadway This is a modern Rake’s Progress, help and tuition. albeit with a happy ending and tells of a now vanished era of sea

SUMMER 2011 29 HPO NEWS

Anne Le Verrier, HPO liaison officer, reports on a productive first few Please note the new HPO liaison months in ‘office’… email address: [email protected] Connecting and reconnecting with our HPOs

HERE I GO WITH my first article to you at Stone Point, Walton Backwaters – it sailors to remember to get in touch with all since my introduction letter that poured and hailed, so no BBQ! We pro - you when they are sailing or visiting went out in May this year. It was so good gressed south via Burnham, Ramsgate, your patch. to hear back from some of you. Dover and over the Channel to The LSC website is being reviewed and Firstly, PLEASE NOTE we now have Boulogne to sail down the Normandy I have persuaded the Committee to have our own email which will mean your coast to join the Commodore’s Rally. At the HPOs prominently displayed and messages come direct to me and will Deauville, I met HPO David Blackburn more accessible, this will all come about save redirection via the Club. The (Turks & Caicos, Caribbean, Florida) and next year. I just need to remind you all address is [email protected]. we now have a new HPO Graham St that I MUST HAVE all your Secondly, Tim and I have just recently George for Deauville (details not yet updated/amended tel numbers etc and sailed nearly 900 miles in our Moody available). Our journey has proved very any other information, in order to S38, Storm Petrel , meeting HPO Ewen enjoyable and also successful in person - update our computer records. Summers (Eastbourne), then joining the ally meeting and introducing new HPOs. If any of you call into London, please LSC Calais Rally where I met HPO Jean For those of you visiting the contact me in advance and I should like Plancke and also HPO Rodney Pell Caribbean, we have a new HPO in to meet you at the Club. I live just out - (Ramsgate), onward to Chatham where I Trindidad, Reg Potter, who looks for - side Romsey, near Southampton in am in the throes of appointing a new ward to meeting any HPOs or members Hampshire. HPO, up the Thames to St Katherine visiting Port of Spain. There are a couple Meanwhile, I wish you all good Docks and on to Ipswich to sail the East of others in the pipeline and all that health, fair winds and good sailing. Coast and join the LSC East Coast Rally remains is to get our Little Ship Club Anne Le Verrier-Bizzey

…continued from page 7 accustomed to them? I was back on the really playing the gusts and waves. Ian metres of water. There were not many helm and made the wrong sail choice - was steering and doing a great job. Our boats around this close inshore. Ian was as the wind had dropped and shifted minds were turning to the Solent leg navigating from the rail and found us a astern I considered the assymetric spin - and some rough tidal calculations. We great lane up out of the tide. naker. Seeing another 25.7 go past us reckoned the minimum tide height was Osborne Bay came and went, the with spinnaker up confirmed this deci - 2.5m above datum, as we only draw inshore line was still paying although sion. After some foredeck faffing by Paul 1.7m this would allow us to hug the the windy was getting gusty and shifty. the spinnaker was up and drawing well. shore line back up the Solent and keep The finish line did my stress levels no Fun in the waves seeing 12-14kts with out of the adverse tide. good with a large sailing fishing boat material surfing. However the wind and Bembridge Ledge buoy came and went making life interesting – it had a large waves were putting us on a more without any problems, now back on a wind shadow and did not really go to inshore course than we would have beat initially with full main then a quick windward very well. After a final two liked as the tide was now turning. Lots reef as 23kts constant was too much. tacks we crossed the line at 16:46.59. of DSC alarms, Mayday and Pan Pan Full genoa, reefed main, all crew work - Our placing was 310 overall and 23rd in calls going on, kept us all entertained ing hard on the rail and lots of playing class, not a bad result given the condi - and very aware of the conditions. After of the main sheet seemed to be working. tions and number of boats racing. 20 minutes or so the spinnaker was We were holding or catching boats The day had been long and I ached in down, reef was out of main and full ahead of us at 7kts+ of boat speed. We lots of places, we had all had plenty of genoa was also out as we were now on a managed to miss Ryde Sands this year, salt water jet washed at us, but we had two sail reach/run. although the RNLI inshore inflatable fun. We had travelled over 75 miles St Catherine's Point saw a capsized lifeboat was telling us there was not since leaving Swanwick at 0530 at a GPS catermaran, we then headed offshore enough water, which made me a bit average of 6.3kts, peak speed was 14.3 and picked up the stronger tide which stressed! (a lifting keel gave me a bit of knots! had recently turned. We seemed to lose comfort). But we did not touch and after Sorry no photos as we were a bit too places when the spinnaker was up but nearly visiting Ryde Pier we held an busy with the conditions! were now overtaking a load of boats by inshore port tack for a long way in four Roland Emmans

30 THE LITTLE SHIP International country dialling codes follow country name. Home telephone number, (Business telephone number or fax LITTLE SHIP CLUB HONORARY PORT OFFICERS in brackets). Last updated 15/08/2011

UNITED KINGDOM +44 WALES SPAIN +34 AUSTRALASIA USA +1 (WEST COAST) SAN DIEGO: Simon Clark, 2256 SOUTH COAST OF ENGLAND MILFORD HAVEN: Jonathan LA MANGA : Tony Canham, Treize, AUSTRALIA +61 Hodges, Nant y Wern, Goat Street, Poplar Avenue, Norwich NR4 7LB Baxter Canyon Road, Vista, CA CHICHESTER & LANGSTONE MELBOURNE: Graham 92081 Tel: 760 598 HARBOURS: Clive Cummings, 125 Newport, Pembrokeshire, SA42 0PT Tel: 01603 259813 Mob: 07710 Tel: 01239 821242 Mob: 07773 140550 Fax: 020 76813508 Cunningham, 2501/26 Southgate 7031 [email protected] Manor Lane, Sunbury, Surrey TW16 Avenue, Southbank, Victoria 3006 6JE Tel: 01932 886524 Mob: 07941 226837 [email protected] arbitrator@ tonycanham .com SAN FRANCISCO BAY: John C Tel: 3 9696 7645 Mob: 412 151 Colver, 250 Beach Road, Belvedere, 031759 surreyarborist@mobileemail. NORTHERN IRELAND 944 [email protected] vodafone.net CA 94920 Tel: 415 435 4024 Mob: BELFAST & STRANGFORD SYDNEY: Michael Wynter, 23 Gale 415 730 6462 [email protected] EASTBOURNE: Ewen Summers, MEDITERRANEAN LOUGH: Dr John Dunlop, 24 Manor Street, Woolwich, NSW 2110 WEST COAST : Capt Robert G Swallows, 6A Denton Road, Park, Killinchy Road, Comber, BALEARIC ISLANDS Tel: 2 9816 4919 Mob: 409 833 Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN20 7SU Moore USCG (Retd), 27703 94th Newtownards, County Down BT23 IBIZA: John Cardwell, Apartado 350 [email protected] Ave SW, Vashon, Washington, Tel: 01323 735257 Mob: 07785 5FW Tel: 028 9187 3346 WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Reg 953734 ewensummers@ 349, San Antoni de Portmany, Ibiza 98070-8609 Tel: 206 463 2109 Mob: 07702 226773 7820 Tel/fax: 971 34 24 15 Hesketh, 13 Tidefall Street, Safety [email protected] hotmail.com [email protected] [email protected] Bay, WA 6169 Tel: 8 9592 4565 HONOLULU: Dr Ed Lott, 275 ITCHEN HYTHE AND TEST: Mick [email protected] Wigfield, 8 Beaumaris Gardens, ISLE OF MAN MALLORCA (NORTH): Ian Foster, Makaweli Place, Honolulu, Hawaii Hythe, Southampton SO45 6QA Wendy Horn, Dove Cottage, New Casa Oceania, c/Alcanada 50, Pto FIJI +679 96825 Tel: 808 396 9073 Tel: 023 8084 1057 Mob: 07715 Road, Laxey, Isle of Man IM4 7BQ Alcudia 7410 Tel: 971 54 69 98 [email protected] [email protected] Bruce Phillips, PO Box 11139, Nadi 352208 [email protected] Tel: 01624 862000 Mob: 07762 Airport, Fiji Tel: 6751 222 Fax: 6751 PORTSMOUTH: Caroline Sedgwick, 926600 [email protected] MALLORCA (SOUTH): Yvonne 221 Mob: 9998 332 163 Powder Mill Lane, Twickenham Phillips, Vista Marina 1, 329 Joan [email protected] CHANNEL ISLANDS Miro, San Agustin, 07015 Palma de ATLANTIC TW2 6EQ Tel: 020 8755 2060 NEW ZEALAND +64 BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS +1 284 Mob: 07775 764493 JERSEY: Brian Alderson, 4 Le Clos Majorca Tel: 971 40 45 84 [email protected] du Petit Pont, La Rue du Craslin, St [email protected] AUCKLAND: Steve Burrett, PO Box Brian Gandey, PO Box 920, Road Peter, Jersey JE3 7BU Tel: 01534 Town, Tortola, BVI MALTA GC +356 712 Warkworth, Auckland 941. Tel: SHOREHAM: Gordon G Line, 12 866846 Mob: 07700 866846 9 358 1050 (9 278 0434) Fax: 9 [email protected] Riverside Rd, Shoreham by Sea, [email protected] MALTA GC: Arthur E Podesta, 2c 425 9191 Mob: 21 942 732 West Sussex BN43 5RB Tel: 01273 GUERNSEY: vacant Saint Paul’s Mansions, Ta’Xbiex Sea [email protected] 453629 Mob: 07879 025666 Front, MSD11 Tel: 21 317 607 CARIBBEAN +1 649 [email protected] [email protected] BAY OF ISLANDS: Sarah Fountain, CARIBBEAN: Don Street, Rock PO Box 292, Mangonui 557 Tel: 9 Cottage, Glandore, Ireland Tel: 353 WEST COAST OF ENGLAND NORTHERN EUROPE GREECE +30 406 7766 Mob: 0274 365521 028 33143 BRISTOL: Mike Roberts, 4 [email protected] [email protected] REPUBLIC OF IRELAND +353 CORFU & IONIAN SEA: Dimitrios Beechcroft, Dundry, Bristol BS41 8LE Koutsodontis, (Base Manager, IKG TRINIDAD & TOBAGO: Reg Potter, Tel: 0117 964 6667 BALTIMORE/WEST CORK/ Hellenic Marinas), Marina Gouvia, 50 The Park, Glencoe, Port of Spain. [email protected] FASTNET: Dominic O’Flynn, PO Box 60, 49083 Tzavros, Corfu AMERICAS Tel: 1160 Mob: 7750285 Journeys End, The Cove, Baltimore, Tel: 2 661 091900 [email protected] FALMOUTH: Rod Bennett, CANADA +1 Cowlands Hill, Cowlands, Truro, TR3 County Cork Tel: 28 20227 Mob: [email protected] 6AT Tel: 01872 278950 Mob: 862 559 206 OTTAWA: David W Brisco, 2551 [email protected] TURKEY +90 Flannery Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1V TURKS & CAICOS (and Bahamas) 07766 017002 +1 649 (end Oct–end April) [email protected] CROSSHAVEN : Wietse Buwalda, FETHIYE: Stuart Aikman, 2 9R5 Tel: 613 521 0741 Salve Marine, Crosshaven, County Karagozler, 18 Ordu Caddesi, Sok [email protected] David Blackburn, c/o Mrs Micky NORTH DEVON COAST: Capt Shoulak, Lisselan Castle, Venetian David Ganniclifft, The Old School Cork Tel: 21 483 1709 Mob: 872 No 40, Fethiye, 48300 Mugla Tel: VANCOUVER: Michael D Trundle, 601 755 [email protected] 252 612 3996 Mob: 535 599 8538 #902 Villa Maris, 2222 Bellevue Road, PO Box 274, Providenciales, House, Westleigh, Bideford EX39 Turks & Caicos Islands. Tel: 941 4NW WATERFORD: Gabbie Ryan, 3 [email protected] Avenue, West Vancouver, BC V7V Priory Street, New Ross, County LYCIAN COAST: Hasan Kaçmas, 1C7 Tel: 604 926 2925 mtrundle@ 5887 (946 4826) Fax: (941 5729) Tel: 01271 861439 Mob: 231 4479 [email protected] [email protected] Wexford Tel: 51 422543 Mob: 861 Guzeloba Ay 5 Sokak No 26, sprattemanuel.com RIVER DART: David Clements, 638601 [email protected] Antalya 7980 Tel: 90 242 323 6680 [email protected] USA +1 (EAST COAST) BRASIL +55 Southernhay, High Street, Hinton St DENMARK +45 ANNAPOLIS: Andrew Barrett, 3062 George, Somerset TA17 8SE NORTH TURKISH COAST: Tayfun RIO de JANEIRO: Snr Ricardo de EAST COAST OF NORTH Erol, Hurriyet Mahallesi, TOK Rundelac Road, Annapolis, Vasconcellos, Rua Iposeira 1205 Tel: 01460 77214 Mob: 07802 Maryland 21403-1322 Tel: 410 267 151538 [email protected] JUTLAND : Jörn Ovesen, Konutlari C-8 No 26, Bartin, Turkey Conrado CEP 22610 380, Rio de Skovsvinget 35, 8500 Grenå Tel: 378 229 08 07 (378 227 11 55) 7934 [email protected] Janeiro Tel: 21 2259 9899 Mob: 21 SALCOMBE: Chris Smith, 1 Prince [email protected] BOSTON TO CAPE ANN: Ernest of Wales Drive, Battersea, London Mob: 532 610 25 70 9995 1161 [email protected] Hardy, 47 Bartlett Parkway, [email protected] SW11 4SB Tel: 020 7738 0964 FRANCE +33 IZMIR: Chris Haire, No 9 Ozel IV Winthrop, Massachusetts MA Mob: 07887 583296 CALAIS: Dr Jean Plancke, 4 Rue de 02152 Tel: 617 846 6320 [email protected] 6345 Sokak, Bostanli, Izmir Tel: 232 CUBA +53 Rome, 62100 Calais Tel: 3 2197 334 0944 Mob: 535 339 5501 [email protected] 1165 HAVANA: Comm José Escrich, EAST COAST OF ENGLAND [email protected] REP IRELAND, FLORIDA Hemingway International Yacht LEIGH ON SEA: Terry Pond, 9 Kirk CHERBOURG: Andrew Gordon, La (BAHAMAS): David Blackburn c/o Club of Cuba, 5ta Ave y 248, Santa Mews, Burnham Road, Althorne, Goueslonnerie, Teurtheville Bocage, C Banack, Banyan Manor, 1001 Fé, Playa, Cuidad de La Habana, Essex, CM3 6GL. Tel: 01621 743539 Quettehou, Cherbourg 50630 Tel: 2 South Indian River Drive, Fort Pierce Cuba Tel: 7204 1689 [email protected] 33 43 41 60 andrewgordon2000@ AFRICA FL 34950 [email protected] [email protected] RIVER CROUCH: Tom Davey, hotmail.com MOROCCO +212 FLORIDA (JACKSONVILLE): Darryl Pembury, 181 Friern Barnet Lane, COTE D’AZUR/MONACO: Ulla AGADIR: David Lakeman, Apt 4, Currie, 4277 St Francis Circle, London N20 0NN Tel: 020 8445 Kite, 5 Howden Road, London SE25 Assima 2, Avenue Hassan II, Agadir Jacksonville FL 32210-7305 Tel: 904 2078 pembury@tomdavey. 4AS Tel: 020 8771 9577 Mob: Tel: 01489 799957 Mob: (UK) 777 1972 Mob: 904 735 4639 freeserve.co.uk 07533 285892 07803 116572 [email protected] RIVER DEBEN: Tony Ratcliffe, Old [email protected] [email protected] GULF OF MAINE: Clint Springer, 98 Bakery Cottage, 29 The Street, LE HAVRE: vacant REP OF SOUTH AFRICA +27 Cranfield Street, Box 288, New Bawdsey, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 NORTH WEST BRITTANY: Keith CAPE TOWN: Keith Turner, PO Box Castle, NH 03854-0288 Tel: 603 3AH Tel: 01394 411461 Martin, Le Logis, 35190 Sainte 349, Somerset West 7129 Tel: 21 436 8458 Mob: 07549 989670 Thual Tel: 299 668 228 (296 786 855 1176 Mob: 07977 147861 [email protected] [email protected] 215) Mob: 681 352 259 [email protected] NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND: David TIDAL THAMES (Greenwich): [email protected] KNYSNA: ColinBrown, PO Box K McConnell, 68 1/2 Roseneath Julie Coleclough, 24 Boulter House, 1367, Plettenburg Bay, SA6600, Avenue, Newport RI 02840 Tel: 401 Royal Herbert Pavilions, Gilbert GERMANY +49 RSA Tel: 44 533 1037 Mob: 84 679 846 6233 Mob: 401 226 3999 Close, London SE18 4PS Tel: 020 CUXHAVEN: Dr Meinhard Kohfahl, 7854/84 611 3360 [email protected] 8319 8258 Mob: 07702 469694 Strichweg 75/Appt 71, Cuxhaven [email protected] NEW JERSEY (Sandy Hook to [email protected] D-27472 Tel: 472 151 339 Cape May): Steve Tyler, 54 Bayside RIVER BLACKWATER: David Curry, meikocux TANZANIA +255 Drive, Atlantic Highlands, NJ 07716 10 City Road, West Mersea, Essex, @t-online.de DAR ES SALAAM: Demetrious Tel: 732 291 0963 Mob: 732 673 CO5 8NE Tel: 01206 383624 Mob: BEELITZ WERFT FEHMARNSUND: Zibarras, Ultimate Security Ltd, PO 8631 s [email protected] 07904 095703 Erwin Pfeiffer, Wohltorfer Strasse Box 21231, Dar es Salaam Tel: 22 NEW YORK (PORT): George Milne, [email protected] 41, Reinbeck D-21465 (nr 2600308 Mob: 741 123007 110 Summit Street, Englewood, NJ RAMSGATE: Rodney Pell, Minster Hamburg) Tel: 40 722 4606 Mob: [email protected] 07631 Tel: 201 567 0579 Mob: 201 Court, 23 Tothill Street, Minster, 0171 211 8511 e_pfeiffer@t- 960 4491 [email protected] Ramsgate CT12 4AG Tel: 01843 online.de NORTH CAROLINA: James Smart, 821444 Mob: 07771 764169 MIDDLE EAST 153 Riverboat Drive, Washington, N [email protected] ICELAND +354 Carolina 27889 Tel: 252 975 1014 Egill Kolbeinsson, Hjallabraut 64, YEMEN +967 Mob: 252 402 5955 jorob2@ Hafnarfjördur, 220 Iceland Tel: 565 ADEN: Capt Roy Facey, Tel: 220 suddenlink.net SCOTLAND 4066 (568 6695) Mob: 898 5181 3521 Postal address: 8 Main Street, [email protected] PHILADELPHIA: Bill Thomas, 31 EAST COAST: Cairns Birrell, The St Mary’s Island, Chatham, Kent West Old Gulph Road, Gladwyne White House, 1 Shore, Anstruther, NETHERLANDS +31 ME4 3SF, UK Clovelly Falls, Pennsylvania PA [email protected] Fife KY10 3DY Tel: 01333 313492 ROTTERDAM–ANTWERP (also 19035 3324 Tel: 610 668 1177 Mob: 07710 451779 Belgian ports): Hans Buskop, Dr H Mob: 610 416 0548 [email protected] Colijnlaan 6/167, Rijswijk NL-2283 [email protected] LARGS: Charles Harrigan, 22 Tel: 70 394 41 38 HPO Liaison Officer Noddleburn Place, Largs KA30 8UE [email protected] Tel: 01475 686638 Mob: 07977 Anne Le Verrier-Bizzey 457714 charles.harrigan@ [email protected] maxima.co.uk

Little Ship Club & Honorary Port Officers on the web. http://littleshipclub.co.uk/content/find-hpo-website Comfortable bar and lounge for informal networking

Riverside views from the restaurant serving fine food Little Ship Club a quality venue in the heart of the City

Small or large meeting rooms for flexible use

Bell Wharf Lane, Upper Thames Street, London EC4R 3TB

For information and reservations phone: 020 7248 2800