The Boater Issue 133 May-Aug 2018 The Boater - Issue 133 - Bumper Edition Editor: Jane Percival (Content) Dep. Editor: Mike Phillips (Layout, Artwork) Front & Back Covers: Peter Scrutton Contents 1. Contents 2. TVBC Calendar 3. Welcome Aboard 4. Club News Section 4. Clewer Island BBQ in aid of “MOMENTUM” 6. New Members and Boats 8. Fitting Out Supper& Awards 12. Beale Park Boat Show 17. TVBC Social Evening at ‘The Bells’ 18. Royal Swan Upping + “Nesta” Part Two 28. The First Ever Trad Rally 31. The Day the Rally Died 33. The Trophy Winners at the TTBF 2018 34. The 40th Thames Traditional Boat Festival 36 TTBF Photos from Amersham Photo Society 40. Featured Boat: “Lady Emma” 48. The Voyage of “Lamara” - Part 1 51. Thames Yards revisited - Thornycroft 55. Crossword no.75 56. The Big Picture

Advertisers 5. Momentum (Charity) 11. HSC & Saxon Moorings 27. Henwood & Dean 27. News 38. Tim O’Keefe 47. Stanley & Thomas Back Cover: Classic Restoration Services

Cover Picture: “Lady Emma” with boatbuilder Colin Henwood at the helm of his beautiful restoration (Full article p.40). Photo Credits-pages: 4,5 Jane Percival: 9,10 John Llewellyn: 6,7 Photos supplied by owners past & present: 24(L), 25, 31,32 Mike Phillips: 48-50: Ed White 51-54 John Llewellyn. Other photo credits are with the article. The Editor welcomes contributions to ‘The Boater’, which should be Emailed to: Jane Percival: - [email protected] For details on how to send photos, see page 3 1 The Boater Issue 133 May-Aug 2018 TVBC Calendar for 2018-2019 NOTE: Unless marked otherwise, contact Theresa, the Hon Secretary, for details [email protected]

July 2018: Weds 4th-Sun 8th : Mon 16th to Fri 20th : Royal Swan Upping: TVBC boats provide the towing (organiser: Colin Patrick - contact [email protected] ) Fri 20th to Sun 22ⁿd : The Thames Traditional Boat Festival, Henley. August 2018: Fri 3rd to Sun 5th: TVBC Boveney Lock Rally (organiser Jane: [email protected]) Fri 24th to Mon 27th: TVBC Lock Island Rally: Bank Holiday Weekend (Organiser:Theresa: [email protected]) Sat 25th to Sun 26th: ATYC rally at Kingston (TVBC invited) September 2018: Sat 1st - Sun 30th: Totally Thames Festival: http://totallythames.org/ Fri 7th -Mon 10th: St Katherines Dock Classic Rally (TVBC Boats attending , organiser Jane) Fri 14th to 23rd : Southampton Boat Show October 2018: Thur 25th TVBC Social Evening at ‘The Bells’. Full details on Page 17. Book Now! Featuring “Panorama of the Thames” illustrated talk and a full buffet. Email Peter to book at [email protected] December 2018: FRI 14th: TVBC Christmas Party. This will be jointly held with the Richmond Club. Venue will be the Richmond Yacht Clubhouse on at 4 Eel Pie Island, TW1 3DY. You are requested to “bring a dish”. contact Theresa: [email protected] to book February 2019: TBA: Skittles Evening March 2019: TBA : TVBC AGM *NOTE: Non-TVBC Events are in italics The Club on the Internet: Main Web Site: www.thamesvintageboatclub.com. Members Only Boats Database: www.thamesvintageboatclub.com/club/ (Email the Hon Sec for Login and Password. Members details not included) Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/thamesvintageboatclub 2 The Boater Issue 133 May-Aug 2018

Welcome Aboard

Phew, it’s been a scorcher! being completed for the forthcoming Lovely for sun worshippers, but not so months - but if you have any good for our wooden boats and those of suggestions for outings or venues in the us trying to protect them and work on future, please feel free to contact them! myself and the Committee with your After the freeze of winter followed by a bright ideas. Our Christmas Party is long wet spell, it has been a huge once again being held as a joint event challenge for the yards restoring with Richmond Yacht Club, at their anything outside of a heated, dry shed excellent club house on Eel Pie Island, as well as for our DIY owners. Twickenham. It was a great success last As I walked along the bank at the Trad year. Boat Festival, the evidence of freshly I hope you enjoy this Special Bumper painted hulls cracking under the strain Edition of The Boater and by the time was plain to see, but as I am writing this you receive your copy we will be into editorial the rains have arrived and the Autumn and it will be time to dust off British climate is back to its usual peaks those covers and prepare our boats for and troughs. laying up - apart, of course, from those Hopefully river levels will have of us who can enjoy the flexibility of a recovered in some of the worst affected 'frostbite season' in between the areas - especially the Windsor reach, necessary lock closures. where our boats are constantly going Many thanks to all who have aground, and unfortunately, I am a contributed to this edition (the largest regular vistitor to the EA incident report ever) which I hope you will enjoy. line to enquire where all the water has With best wishes gone! Jane As a Club, we are about to a special Social Evening at “The Bells”, Staines – full details on page 17. This one is too good to miss! Our Club Calendar is now

I am always very happy to receive articles, letters, and photos from club members to include in future issues! Guidelines are: articles in Microsoft Word format or text- only PDFs; photos separate, as attachments, in JPG format and as high a resolution as possible (max of 9.9Mb each) i.e. big files! Letters can be just emailed. Thankyou! Ed.

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It’s always very pleasing when club members can come to the aid of each other and when Reg Francis was experiencing difficulties with his Morris Vedette engine, no fewer than 14 members responded to him in such great detail that he would like to pass on his sincere thanks to all of you who provided such ‘gems of information’. Such was the quality of the response, Reg would like to create a compendium of the observations for a future article in The Boater. Evelyn counting the takings Over £300 was raised from the profit on 41 members and guests attended the the BBQ and raffle and as you can see Island BBQ in aid of our nominated above, there’s still the banking to take children’s charity MOMENTUM and care of after the event! also to celebrate the birthday of Evelyn Lewis.

After over 30 years of ownership, Evelyn Lewis’s beloved Dunkirk Little is to be restored in readiness for the next Dunkirk Return. Over the past three decades she has been a holiday home, charter vessel and residence for the whole family – she even featured in an episode of Poirot! For the last 25 years she has been Evelyn’s home so Evelyn has now moved onto a substitute steel boat while the restoration takes place – that’s real dedication to boating for you!

The Clewer Island Charity BBQ

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Trailer boaters will be pleased to learn that Henley Town Council are to rebuild the New Street slipway, which has been unsatisfactory for some time, but is currently dangerous to use.

The EA have removed some 63 tons of Floating Pennywort (or “Tarifa” in the slings awaiting restoration Marshpennywort) from an area of river between Marsh to Sonning. This NOTE: This issue has been delayed for various reasons, so we decided to make it causes a range of problems, including a largest ever “Bumper Edition” packed changing the availability of oxygen in with photos and articles. We hope you the water, threatening fish and enjoy it! The Editors invertebrates and choking drainage.

The club’s chosen charity for 2018

Today Momentum provides so much to so many families. Being told your child has cancer or another life-limiting condition is devastating. Day-to-day life is turned upside down. Momentum supports the entire family during times of unimaginable strain – the children and their parents, but also siblings and grandparents.

www.moment-um.org

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Anne Ceome

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Jomarna Lady Emma

Moja Neptunes Favour

Serendipity Sevillana

Sunrise 7 The Boater Issue 133 May-Aug 2018

This year’s Fitting Out & Awards wined and dined handsomely prior to Evening was held at The Runnymede- the Awards Ceremony. on-Thames Hotel and was attended The list of winners and a selection of by 43 members and guests. photographs recognise the support With drinks on arrival and an and dedication of club members to extensive buffet menu, everyone was the ongoing aims of the TVBC.

Presented by the Commodore, Jane Percival, at the Fitting Out Supper at the Runnymede Hotel on Saturday 5th May 2018

1. Tony Sanders Attendance Trophy: “Most regular attendees at Club events”: Evelyn Lewis

2. John Mauger Trophy: “Best Amateur Restoration” Alain Lamens with ‘Little Ann II’

3. Boat Handling Trophy – “Most skilful boat handling during a Club event”: The Consuta trust

4. Illuminated Cruise Trophy: “Best TVBC presentation in the Trad Festival Illuminated Parade 2017: Gillian Watson with ‘Festivity’

5. The Boater Trophy: “Best contribution to the Club for the year”: Steve and Geraldine Bil

6. The Silver Salver: for the best TVBC boat of the year: Matt Cain with ‘Lady of Mann’

7. The Longest Cruise: Lynn Atkin and Graham Meyer with ‘Amoreena’

8. Best new TVBC boat at the Trad Rally: ’Elsa II’ owned by Shelley Price and Chris Brightman

9. Skittles champions 2018 Richard and Elaine Prunier 8 The Boater Issue 133 May-Aug 2018

Evelyn Lewis-Tony Sanders Trophy Steve and Geraldine Bil - Boater Trophy

Shelley Price & Chris Brightman- Best Boat Alain Lamens - John Mauger Trophy

Matt Cain - The Silver Salver Gillian Watson - Illuminated Cruise Trophy 9 The Boater Issue 133 May-Aug 2018 More photos from the Fitting Out Supper at the Runnymede Hotel

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11 The Boater Issue 133 May-Aug 2018

made full use of the beer tent and food outlets and enjoyed a group BBQ & Buffet on the riverbank. Again, the club staged Sail Pasts on Saturday and Sunday with commentary, and encouraged the public to come aboard for a spin around the lake, especially the Bil family Tugs, which It was another really lovely Beale Park are always busy at Beale. Show held on 1st to 3rd of June, which was well attended by members both Unfortunately, the crowds didn’t with and without their boats. materialise for the organisers and some I was lucky enough to be custodian of of the traders even packed up early - the 50ft Yacht Tender , who’s possibly the clash with school half term owner was very happy to support the was the issue as the weather was lovely. event for the organisers, who provide Hopefully, next year will be better great pontoons and a large pitch for the attended by the public and the Club will TVBC’s show tent. be there in force again. is always a crowd puller and I was kept busy discussing her history, restoration and firing up the Rolls Royce engine for enthusiasts!

There were 14 Member boats on display, which provided a spectacular array of diverse craft from 8ft up to 53ft, with Motor Cruisers, Work Boats, Launches, and a Canoe and again we were utilising ‘Serendipity’ to fund raise for our children’s charity “MOMENTUM”. (Restored by Adrian Pam Chart provided wonderful Mettem) refreshments and home made cakes and ( 16ft 2-man racing canoe built by encouraged visitors to the stand to try Canadian Canoe Co.) JP and win our teddy bears in return for a All photos in this article 12 donation. Those of us staying onboard are by Mike Phillips The Boater Issue 133 May-Aug 2018

Cristobel II with Vanessa astern

Charles Cooper Henderson

Shackleton 13 The Boater Issue 133 May-Aug 2018

Lady Genevieve

Oxford

Miss Coquette

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Pourquoi Pas

Marksman

Jomarna 15 The Boater Issue 133 May-Aug 2018

Gelyce

Vanessa

Clinker (Restored by Adrian Mettem)

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number of people that can be accommodated, I need to know I am delighted to inform you that we numbers ideally by Friday 12th have booked the ‘Panorama of the October, but we have extended the Thames’ to give an illustrated talk cutoff date to Wednesday 17th if you during our October social evening. email to Peter at: (www.panoramaofthethames.com) This is a project which is creating a to book your place(s). On receiving contemporary record of the Thames your order, we will email you to riverside through between confirm we have received it. Hampton and Tower Bridge. The project also includes historical The cost of the buffet is £12.95 per panoramas of the Thames riverside head which should be paid in advance which compares the present with the either by cheque (payable to Thames past. Vintage Boat Club) and sent to me at: 12 Ferndale Avenue, Chertsey, Surrey We have booked the private function KT16 9RB room at ‘The Bells’ which is situated in or pay by BACS: Sort 40-38-04 A/C 124 Church Street, Staines, TW18 4ZB 31380656 (reference: octsoc18) (www.thebellspub.co.uk) Please note it will not be suitable to We will meet from 7pm onwards. A process payments during the evening. buffet will be served at 7.30pm before the Panorama of the Thames See my previous Email for details of presentation. The bar will also be the buffet menu. Please advise if you open. would prefer a vegetarian hot dish.

PLEASE NOTE: For catering Email for bookings: purposes, and as there is a limit to the

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Part Two of Nesta’s restoration story focus is its opportunity to provide has been promised for the next issue education, especially to schoolchildren, but in the meantime, we have been about the swans’ biology, the asked to share our first experience of importance of a healthy river, and how ‘Swan Upping’ - the 700-year-old Swan Upping contributes to the tradition and annual ceremonial census conservation of the swan population of the Thames swans. Many will have today. seen the flotilla gliding along the Thames in the third week of July with In years gone by, Swan Upping took the Queen’s Swan Marker, David place between London () and Barber MVO (Royal Household of the Henley, but nowadays the journey Sovereign), resplendent in scarlet jacket begins at Sunbury and ends at and gold trim, as he oversees the entire Abingdon, taking five days to cover the proceedings. 79 miles. The Uppers appreciate being towed at intervals and as usual this year TVBC was strongly represented by

The Swan Uppers (rowers), dressed in uniform, advance upriver in six traditional wooden skiffs, two each for The Crown, the Vintners and the Dyers with each skiff flying their respective flags and pennants. There are nineteen Swan Uppers in total,

The Queen’s Swan Marker, David Barber, oversees the Upping each year During the week we learnt many things, one of which is that the main purpose of Swan Upping is the welfare The respective flags of the Crown, the Dyers and and conservation of the swans on the the Vintners’ contingents seen in order River Thames. Another important

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who have, in the preceding three years, finished their apprenticeship to become Thames Watermen. Seats in the skiffs for Swan Upping are highly

A crowded lock, pennants and flags in evidence including the TVBC burgee! three in each skiff with four in David Three previous winners of the Doggett’s Barber’s skiff. Coat and Badge Race, representing the years 1850, 1900 and 1901. The Uppers themselves are drawn contested. The race is now part of the from a variety of backgrounds from the Thames Festival, in September. Pool of London to the upper reaches of the Thames, but all make their Historically, swans were highly prized living from the river. Many Uppers are at great banquets and the Crown accomplished oarsmen with Henley claimed ownership of all swans dating winners and Olympic contenders back to 1186 when the first written among them, also winners of the record of the swan as a royal bird was Doggett’s Coat and Badge Race. Held documented. Hence, Swan Upping has every year since 1715, the generally a long-standing connection with the little-known Doggett’s race is the oldest monarchy. Queen Elizabeth II, event in existence having taken inheritor of the ancient title ‘Seigneur place long before the Henley Rowing of the Swans’, can lay claim to any of Regatta and the and the unmarked mute swans within the Boat Race. The winner open waters of and . gets a splendid scarlet coat with a large Over the centuries, the Crown granted silver arm badge embossed with an right of ownership to some aristocratic image of the horse of the House of families, to institutions and to guilds Hanover – and the honour of joining a (livery companies). In the fifteenth very exclusive group. The century, however, the Crown granted race of 4.6 miles is only open to those

19 The Boater Issue 133 May-Aug 2018 ownership and a share of the stock of During the catch, swan families are Thames swans to two medieval livery taken ashore and the cygnets are companies, the Worshipful Company of examined, marked (ringed), weighed, Vintners and the Worshipful Company measured to access their growth rate of Dyers and today this arrangement and given a health check. The most endures. common cause of injury is fishing tackle; swans often swallow baited hooks or swim through fishing lines and become entangled. The data collected is recorded by ‘The Prof’, Professor Chris Perrins, Warden of the Swans and is kept at the Zoology Department of Oxford University.

How did we get involved in this eccentric, quintessentially British tradition - an intense, glorious five days on the River Thames?

We had joined Thames Vintage Boat Club last year, on the recommendation of fellow Mid Thames Yacht Club members, Roger and Jenni Haile, and been along to several TVBC events. The skiffs converge on the brood and surround it We were interested to learn that Swan Upping’s name derives from the traditional cry of ‘All- Up!’ on the sighting of a brood of cygnets, when the oars of the skiffs are directed upwards before the ‘catch’ begins. The catch is underway when the skiffs converge on the brood and surround it, gradually closing in until the birds can Topaz and Nesta moored at the Beetle be lifted from the water. Boxed in by and Wedge, Moulsford the skiffs, each bird is plucked from the TVBC members Malcolm and Janine, water, its feet and wings are delicately whose handsome boat Topaz is moored bound with laces and it is registered outside their riverside home in and checked for injuries. Sunbury, had seen us on the river locally as we are moored nearby. It seems they had an inkling that Nesta

20 The Boater Issue 133 May-Aug 2018 was the type of boat that would do In keeping with Swan Upping’s royal well accompanying the towboats at patronage, on the first morning, after Swan Upping as they suggested to us we had all gathered and were acquainted with each other at The Weir, Sunbury, there followed a toast to Her Majesty The Queen, with some very special port. We also toasted the underpants of the late actor, Rodney Bewes, a much-loved TVBC member. After this in-joke we had a feeling we were in for a fun week. One by one that morning we were introduced to Colin Patrick, Swan Upping’s Commodore, David Barber, the Queen’s Swan Marker, Professor Chris Perrins, ‘The Prof’, Department of Zoology, Oxford University, Wendy Hermon from Swan Support and of course the Uppers – a sea of rowers in On Day Two we started towing white trousers with either red, white or blue shirts. Red for the Queen’s last year that we might want to join in. rowers, blue for the Dyers and white Nesta’s credentials were partly to do for the Vintners. Each ‘team’ had a with being a suitable style of boat but distinctive flag displayed at the rear of also because we were told the large their respective skiffs with the leaders wooden samson posts were ‘perfect for wearing a smart blazer and tie and a towing’ as it’s a simple process for us to swan feather in their cap. As hook the long ropes of the Thames participants, towboat crew were also skiffs over the posts to give a tow. given a swan feather which we wore with pride in our various hats. We started off as a towboat in training on the first day and were told we would be standby on the Friday. However, following the temporary misfortune of one of the other boats, on Day Two, we were asked to ‘take a tow’, so we started towing that day and towed every day after that. What a privilege it was!

Day One The Uppers in action – the Queen’s, Dyers and the Vintners with ‘The Prof’ alongside 21 The Boater Issue 133 May-Aug 2018

At 9 am this merry flotilla left from Marine, the Princess Royal then outside The Weir pub. The skiffs were climbed on to the steam boat Alaska followed by the press boat followed by before boarding a small boat on which the tow boats (us). she was taken by ‘The Prof’ to witness two of the catches that afternoon. The first ‘catch’ of this year’s Swan Upping took place near Walton Bridge where the first cygnets were located. By 9.35 we were on our way again. Ten minutes later the next catch was in progress.

After a few more catches we arrived at The Swan in Staines. A buffet lunch awaited us there and after two more catches that afternoon we arrived at our mooring for the night at Eton Public Moorings where we could see the silhouette of Windsor Castle across HRH princess Ann with David Barber the river on the Windsor side. Dinner that night was at Gilbeys in Eton. In the evening we were moored at Marlow and there was a very jolly get Day Two together at The Two Brewers where The first catch of the day was at 8.45 the whole group stood outside and we had our first tow that morning chatting. We were introduced to the at 9.15. newly-appointed Swan Warden of the Vintners Company for 2018-9, Ann There were several more catches that morning before we stopped for lunch at The Ferry, Cookham. The Princess Royal was meeting the core team - David Barber, the Uppers, ‘The Prof’, Wendy Harmon as well as those who had been involved in Swan Upping for many years; Brian and Carolyn of Lady Evelyn II, Martin and Carol of Arcadia, Colin and Mary Patrick. After much handshaking on the grassed area of David Barber’s company, D B TVBC boats moored at The Compleat Angler, Marlow

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Hill, who was very encouraging to us children were given an official as a new towboat and appreciative of attendance certificate from David all the Uppers and towboats. Later, we Barber which was headed up with the had a bar meal at The Compleat Buckingham Palace logo. Angler. Everyone was tired so we all headed to bed early. We left The Compleat Angler at 9am and there were two catches before we Day Three arrived at Leander Club for lunch. A delicious buffet of roast beef, chicken Coffee and pastries were served early and salads, in beautiful surroundings. in the morning on the lawn at The Compleat Angler before the In the afternoon we undertook our schoolchildren arrived for an second tow helping David Barber and educational talk from David Barber, the Queen’s rowers before stopping Jeremy from the Dyers and ‘Milky’ for tea, cakes and sandwiches at a from the Vintners. The children were private home. Local schoolchildren told about Swan Upping’s history were also there having tea on the lawn whilst Wendy from Swan Support under a large marquee and again brought out a cygnet for them to see. David Barber gave a talk. The Swan Warden of the Vintners, Ann Hill, thanked the ladies who had produced the gorgeous cakes and the host for welcoming us to her beautiful home on the riverbank.

Nesta was going very well but that afternoon we had a battery lead problem. Steve Bil, who helms the press boat, was at hand and helped Alex to fix it. We were very grateful to Steve. Jeremy from the Dyers, showing a cygnet to local schoolchildren After another busy afternoon we had ‘The Prof’ talked to the children and dinner that night at the Coppa Club encouraged them to think about how Restaurant, Great House, Sonning. they could contribute to the wellbeing For the first three days the press boat of the river. It was emphasised that attended, carrying the Buckingham young anglers are warned about the Palace Press Officer together with dangers of fishing and are taught to be various TV crews, national newspaper careful to avoid damaging the habitat reporters, photographers, and and injuring wildlife. Afterwards the

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international TV crews such as CNN. The photographs are syndicated throughout the world. This was their last day with us.

Day Four

The next few days felt a bit more relaxed - the press boat had now left and there were longer reaches between locks - but we still did lots of towing and the rowers did lots of rowing! Although we had already been towing since Day Two on Day Four we were handed the official Towing the Vintner’s skiff Swan Upping flag by Jim and had lunch on the same boat upriver at Christine, of Pourquoi Pas, as they Mapledurham. were headed to the Traditional Boat Festival having been towing for the In the afternoon, at Grotto Wharf, first three days. It had been great courtesy of Chris Cockburn we spending time with them both. enjoyed a splendid spread of sandwiches, cakes, scones and tea. We were also offered some fine Cockburn’s port and a glass of champagne.

Later that day we towed three skiffs at the same time…with one of each of the skiffs from the Dyers, Vintners and the Queen’s.

In the evening we moored up at The Beetle and Wedge, Moulsford. Alex and I took advantage of the bed and breakfast option there. It was The official Swan Upping flag with the TVBC logo wonderful to sleep in a comfortable bed and to have a good soak in the After a double tow that morning, bath. It did feel like our days had towing the Dyers and the Vintners at been dominated by food – breakfast, the same time, we stopped for coffee coffee, lunch, tea, dinner and we also on the Caversham Princess and later very much enjoyed the cooked breakfast at the Beetle and Wedge the 24 The Boater Issue 133 May-Aug 2018 following morning. It felt very The last catch of the day and of Swan civilised after several nights of what we Upping 2018 took place near call ‘river camping’, Nesta having Abingdon Marina and at around 5pm, minimal facilities on board. We under Abingdon Bridge, there was a ordered extra sausages for our cooked final toast to the Queen with onlookers breakfast that morning and squirrelled lining the bridge. them away for Pea, Janine and Malcolm’s adorable Lowchen who In the evening the towboats’ crews had accompanied them on the entirety were treated to a meal at the Broad of the trip – a great little addition to Face in Abingdon before fond the team! farewells were said and David Barber and the rowers boarded their coach to Day Five where they had been staying every night soon to travel on from there to As was customary, we toasted the their own beds. Queen at the start of the day. We towed the Queen’s rowers first thing Numbers were down a little this year that day and stopped for bacon rolls but not as much as was feared. As and coffee at Bensons River Station, at David Barber explained, “All in all it Wallingford, a popular local spot with has gone very well but it has been a a large terrace outside. As ever, it very, very hot few days. The number must have been quite a picture to see of swans is a little bit lower than last us all arriving, skiffs, towboats, men in year but last year it was much higher fancy outfits and the towboats. than average with 132. Two years before that it was only 80 which was Lunch that day was at the Barley Mow very low. If we get just over 100 this pub at Clifton Hampden. The Uppers year it would be perfect. We continue were now on the home stretch. to urge people to keep their dogs on

The Uppers toasting the Queen at Abingdon at the close of the Upping 25 The Boater Issue 133 May-Aug 2018 their leads when the swans are exhausting, intense, and very hot, it nesting.” It is reported that the had been enormous fun. My abiding number of 106 was achieved this year. memory, and a highlight for me, was seeing the flotilla of skiffs and The days had all followed a pattern towboats gliding purposefully but with variations on each day and we elegantly through the water, with the were pleased to hear from the Dyers’ river glinting in the sunshine - a leader, Jeremy, that Nesta fitted in breath-taking scene we will never well as towboat as the Uppers said forget. It was magic. they liked the sound of her engine as they said it resembled a lullaby and “Uppers” pictured they found this relaxing to hear as below and David Barber and the they were towed behind us. Princess Royal on a previous It had been great to spend time with page: “My a group of TVBC members at Swan Marlow” Upping and then see many more Pages 18 (left), members when we called in to the 20(left): Jane Trad Boat Rally on the return Percival: downriver. It was good to know that Remainder by our little wooden boat had been useful Amanda Amanda & Alex, proud and although the week had been Phillips. owners of “Nesta”

The Swan Uppers and supporters photographed at Marlow

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www.riverthamesnews.com

We cover news and events on both the and the non-tidal river plus a look back at the Thames’ fascinating history and its classic boats. Our website is aimed at everyone and anyone who loves the Royal River – whether you take to the water or step out on the . Send us details of your events – plus we always welcome new ideas for our coverage See our Thames books page – and our Information Hub page gives you easy access to vital sources For the current edition go to www.riverthamesnews.com Submit news to: [email protected]

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It is quite amazing that 40 years have passed since the first ‘Trad Rally’ was conceived by the River Thames Society in order to try to halt the demise of traditional wooden craft in the then fibreglass era. So, on 23rd July 1978, after a dull start In 2007 Mike Phillips, Club Webmaster to the day, the sun came out as helpers & Boater Sub Editor, put together a began to arrive and, as Mrs. Audrey complete history of the TTBR which Osland remembers: was for many years displayed in the Admin tent. The following text and photos are from the original material provided by the RTS. Over to Mike:

A chance idea - put to paper by John Ormiston in the autumn of 1977 in a letter to the then Chairman of the River Thames Society, John Coleman - sowed the seed of the now highly successful Traditional Boat Rally…. At the first (RTS) organising meeting for the Rally held at Henley, Dennis Osland suggested Fawley Meadow, with its deeper water and greater space, as a more suitable site than Remenham Club. Roger Browne remembers so clearly his first ‘on-site meeting’ with Sqdn. Ldr. Osland a few days later: The Plaque given to all boats attending

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The Prize giving. The trophies seen on the table are still awarded today.

Nine years on Roger Browne (Organiser of the first rally) and Audrey Osland The Rally proved popular with both boaters and public. Robin Newlands is seen on the right recalled the feelings of many of those who experienced the excitement of that first rally:

“Larchwood” together with “Moriarty” and “Juliana”

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The list of Traditional Boats that took part in the First Trad Rally:

STEAM *Thames Esperanza (TVBC) *Allison Marie Banshee Zolander Nell of Oxford (Replica - original 1923) SLIPPER LAUNCHES *Knight Errant (TVBC) *Larchwood (TVBC) *White Streak Above all, the organisers realised that, *Silver Tassie *Juliana although thoroughly exhausted, they William Edward and their excellent team of workers Victorine Meurend had pulled off an event which had Moriarty somehow ‘worked’. Attention had MOTOR CANOES been focussed on the beautiful *Silent Minstrel traditional craft of the river, not as in a Water Witch stagnant museum, but in action, set Pagan II against the magnificent backcloth of OTHERS the Royal Regatta course at Henley-on- *Humble - Umpire's Launch (TVBC) *Wise Folly - Launch (TVBC) Thames. Asked about his ‘special *Flying Spray - Launch moments’ of the early Rallies, Roger *Elsie - Launch Browne remembers: Memory - Motor Cruiser Julie Ann - Admiral's'Launch Viveen - Harbour boat SKIFFS/GIGS *Sir Toby Belle Epoque Lucy OTHERS Podge - Punt Beresford - Canoe La Lisonjera - Canoe (Plus various other un-named craft)

NOTE: Those boats marked with an asterisk * (13) are still with us today per our database. Five are well-known TVBC boats!

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committing themselves to any major Excluding the massive flood of 2007, expenditures, and announced this on which occurred in the middle of the 14 May 2014. 2007 Thames Traditional Boat Rally At this point, and after 20 hard years in (celebrating its thirtieth anniversary) the saddle running the Trad Rally, the and put the whole of Fawley Meadows Stuart Wilkinson and the underwater, all went well with the Trad Chairman Tony Goodhead resigned Rally until 2012 when a huge rainfall and disbanded the committee. At a just before the Rally date turned the meeting held in Penton Hook Yacht upper meadow of the Rally site into an Club, Tony and Stuart explained the unusable lake. (See below) situation and asked for volunteers to form a new committee. No-one came forward so at that moment the TTBR was considered officially dead. However two members of the old committee, Robin Ford and Mike Phillips, refused to allow it to die and decided to find a new site for the Ral- ly not prone to flooding, and start it up again. After many weeks of search- ing for a new site they ultimately de- cided that there was no better venue The flooded upper meadow in 2012 than Fawley Meadows, with all its amenities and easy access. In addition it The Rally Committee met and decided was discovered that there was in fact a reluctantly that it had to cancel the 2012 drainage system for the upper meadow Rally. As many items had already been (the one that got easily flooded and booked, such as the tents, it turned out caused the cancellation in 2012) that to be a very expensive decision and was broken and neglected but was in nearly bankrupted the Rally. Then in fact repairable (and subsequently was). 2014, when a similar massive rainfall Robin and Mike called a public meet- was predicted for July, after much dis- ing at Penton Hook Yacht Club on Sep- cussion the committee decided to tember 30th 2014 to seek help for cancel the 2014 rally, in advance of rescuing the TTBR. They put together

31 The Boater Issue 133 May-Aug 2018 two excellent PowerPoint presentations to state their case. These proved to be very effective. They asked for volun- teers willing to join a brand new Rally Committee to stay behind after the meeting, and as everyone filed out there were 23 people remaining, willing to form a committee and create a new Trad Rally, (soon to be re-named the Thames Traditional Boat Festival.) The Lady Mayor of Henley opening the first Over many months and many commit- Thames Traditional Boat Festival in 2015 tee meetings Mike and Robin worked with the new committee members to The brand new “TTBF” has been huge- help them learn their various new man- ly successful since its creation and agement roles, calling on their many grows each year! Seen in a direct line- years of experience on the previous age from the old TTBR (many of us still TTBR Committee. It is no small job to refer to it as “the Rally”) this year is the put on an event of this size but the new fortieth year of this unique boating committee took it on with great enthusi- festival! Long may it continue under its asm and a very great deal of hard work. able management (who, by the way, are It was decided to rename it to the always looking for volunteers to help!) “Thames Traditional Boat Festival” and ( to greatly expand the number of attrac- tions. The first Festival in 2015 was a massive success. Thus was the famous “Trad Rally” born again with a brand new committee (not the first time this has happened over the years!) Regrettably Robin passed away last year. His contribu- tion to the TTBR and latterly the TTBF was enormous. He A shot of the busy and very successful will be sorely missed. first “TTBF” in 2015

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33 The Boater Issue 133 May-Aug 2018

Fast forward to this year’s organised and headed Festival on the 20th to 22nd up by Jan Stanton with of July which was great support from generally regarded as one husband Mike on of the best to date with 'spotting duties' - Jan over 140 traditional craft kept us amused and on the pontoons and a entertained in between whole array of exhibitors, her team of experts entertainers and catering covering the sail pasts outlets for the boaters and and aerial displays. public to enjoy. The TVBC were there Centre point this year was in force with no less the Crooked Billet, than 54 member boats providing a wide selection of food and a on display and were again the recipients very busy bar! and with the heat wave at of several awards on Sunday afternoon, its height, copious amounts of ice cold one of the most popular being Charlie drinks were the order of the day. Bil bagging the Rosie Trophy with his This was complemented by everything spectacularly illuminated tug from the new SoulFood Kitchen, . Nepalese curries from The Happy Chief Judge, Adam Toop and his team Gurkha, Pizza’s, BBQ food and the ever of experts really had their work cut out popular Field Kitchen, serving delicious to separate the overall winners as the breakfasts at very affordable prices. standard of presentation was at an all Star attractions included Gloriana, a time high- but to the victors the spoils large contingent of amphibious and and on the previous page is the list of military craft and of course the return of the this year’s trophy winners. Bluebird K3, supported by the Classic Motor Boat Association- which made a fabulous run up the Regatta Course, more than making up for the aborted attempt in 2015. In the air were displays from The Great War Team of Triplanes, based at White Waltham Airport and also the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, which arrived just on cue as the Dunkirk Little completed their orderly sail past. All of the above were welcomed and presented by the Commentary Team, Club members at the Crooked Billet 34 The Boater Issue 133 May-Aug 2018

Some of the 54 TVBC Boats at the Festival Crowds awaiting “Bluebird’s” arrival

Dunkirk Little Ships at the Festival “Miss Coquette” and more TVBC Boats

One of “The Great War Team of Triplanes” Sir Malcolm Campbell’s “Bluebird K3” 35 The Boater Issue 133 May-Aug 2018

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Photo credits: Chris Smith, Eddie Morton and Mr Bowker, of the Amersham Photographic Society. This is a random selection of their excellent photos 37 The Boater Issue 133 May-Aug 2018

38 The Boater Issue 133 May-Aug 2018

39 The Boater Issue 133 May-Aug 2018

From Simon: “It was always a dream There is a sense in which restored of mine, if I became successful, to have boats are like children. You get one, a boat I could use to take family and you love it, and you can’t imagine ever friends out on the river," says Simon. loving another as much. But then "It had to be old – a boat with a events conspire… and lo! you have history. But it had to be relaxing and two. They may be poles apart in terms practical, too, which drew me towards of character and physical appearance. electric power and a Thames launch in But you love them just the same. the classic Edwardian style.”

Such was the case for Simon "Colin and I found on McMurtrie, proud owner of the 104- the River Dee at Chester, and it fitted year old electric powered Thames the bill perfectly – except that it was cabin launch – and steam powered, the hull was wonky more recently , a 92-year and the cabin needed a complete old electric Canadian canoe, also very rebuild.” much in the Thames style. Both were restored for Simon by Colin Henwood, So began a four-year marathon, during formerly of Henwood & Dean, now which the steam plant was stripped out taking life a little easier as a one-man and replaced by an electric motor and band operating out of a charming 24 batteries, the hull was deconstructed communal workshop in Long and reassembled rivet by rivet by steel Wittenham, near Wallingford. Both hull guru Michael Williams, and a new boats are loved and admired by all cabin was fabricated out of mahogany who encounter them. And, electric and Alaskan yellow cedar by power aside, they are as different as Henwood & Dean at their Hambleden, chalk and cheese. yard.

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The results speak for themselves: in the water rather than on it. It’s a is an exceptionally stylish, very different experience.” whisper-quiet reminder of Britain’s Gliding along the Hennerton glorious past, with room to spare for Backwater – that stretch of narrow people to eat, drink and be watery loveliness that runs parallel merry as they glide effortlessly through with the Thames between Henley and some of the most spectacularly Wargrave – I can see what Simon beautiful riverside scenery in the means. I have been on world. Winner of the 2015 Osland many times. I wrote a book about her. Trophy for best restoration and the I love her as if she were my own. But 2015 and 2016 Simmonds Trophy for is something else entirely. best at the Henley Traditional Boat Festival, she is a credit to Colin and the team from Henwood & Dean who rebuilt her – and to Simon, the man who kept the faith despite more than a few hair- raising moments.

“It’s true what they say," Simon says. "Restoring a boat isn’t for the faint- hearted, and there are inevitably times when you have to keep your “Lady Emma” - Gliding along with her builder at the helm head (not to mention your bank manager’s) when all around are losing She started life in 1926 as – a theirs.” 25-foot petrol-engined motor canoe built by Andrews of Maidenhead, one So why do it again? Is there perhaps a of the most celebrated Thames degree of self-immolation involved?" boatbuilders of the early 20th century. "Not at all," says Simon with a smile. Canadian canoes had first appeared in “The fact is, I’ve wanted a canoe ever Britain in the 1880s, but it was after since I paddled about in one as child. the First World War that they became It could never have been my first boat fashionable on the Thames. "Many – was the realization of had electric power from the word go" a long-held dream and she’s since points out Simon. They included become a hugely important part of my , which was built in 1925 life. is more of a fair for Lord Astor at and which weather friend in that she requires a has since had work done on her, not sunny day and still water. But she’s entirely coincidentally, by one Colin beautiful nonetheless. With her, one is Henwood. 41 The Boater Issue 133 May-Aug 2018

more," says Colin with a twinkle in his “Yes,” confesses Simon, “Colin and I eye. had talked many times about the joys At that point Simon dropped in on of owning a boat like – but Colin and began casting longing he got there first." glances at her. Still shaken, if not stirred, by the cost of restoring Colin himself takes up the story: , he was not in a position to "The first I knew of was in the make Colin an offer there and then – 1990s, when she was owned by a but as ever, he had a plan. With a delightful chap called John Crevell, marriage in the offing to (yes, you who ran a chandlery business at guessed it) Emma, Simon concluded Runnymede. John eventually put her that Colin"s project boat would make up for auction and I delivered her to a the most wonderful wedding present. vintage car dealer in London, "I hadn’t even asked her to marry me imagining I’d never see her again." at that stage," laughs Simon. "But I hoped she’d say "yes" – and I was Colin goes on: "Fast forward a few pretty certain she’d adore years and a boat dealer I know by the ." name of David Sherriff asked me if I wanted to exchange her for a chestnut So Simon put what might be termed skiff we’d built as a project boat a an "emotional deposit" on the boat – while back. She was pretty ropey, but with a promise from Colin that he I thought, why not? We stripped her would shout if and when the bills down, put her in the back of the yard really began to mount up. That was at Henwood & Dean, and worked on more than good enough for a man the hull on and off when things were who had never willingly let business quiet – which wasn’t very often."

And there she languished until one day in 2016 when Colin decided to sell the business so that he could mess around with boats as and when he felt like it. " seemed like the perfect first project – challenging, but manageable and with the potential to become a fantastic boat. You only have to look at the hull shape. They The central compartment containing really don"t make them like that any motor, batteries and charger

42 The Boater Issue 133 May-Aug 2018 get in the way of his craft – especially voltmeter and ammeter, but the where good friends were concerned. control box is mounted remotely on the port side of the bow compartment. Colin had long ago decided to make This leaves only the beautifully the switch to electric propulsion, and minimalist controls on view – the with Simon’s blessing called in Emrhys original brass steering wheel frame, Barrel and Ian Rutter at the Thames now with a new mahogany rim, and a Electric Launch Company to spec up twin of delightful key the necessary parts. "It was a question case and control knob: turn one way of balancing the minimum power to go forwards, the other to go back. requirement against the maximum space and weight the boat could accommodate. We settled for a 36V motor, which meant we had this, plus six 6V gel batteries and a charger, to squeeze into the central compartment. But Simon and I agreed the compartment should be as low as possible – and with a beam of 4ft 3in and a draft of less The original brass steering wheel frame, with a new than a foot, that left precious little mahogany rim, and key case and control knob. room for manoeuvre." The rudder linkage is from the original boat, suitably refurbished.

So far as the Mahogany carvel- planked hull was concerned, Colin chose to omit the original cockpit panels and turn the copper-fastened, steam-bent Oak ribs into a design feature – a celebration of the boat"s construction, as well as providing some much-needed extra elbow Squeezing the electric motor, six batteries and charger into the central compartment room. He also opted to make a called for some ingenious design. feature of the metal stem capping, which he reshaped from bars of solid Colin ended up siting the motor brass ("one hell of a job") to replace centrally with two batteries to each the old paint-covered steel capping. side and two more ahead of it in the bilge with the charger mounted on The teak moulding along the outside top. The set-up also includes a of the hull was definitely worth

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The ensemble is completed by a superbly designed and crafted two- piece zipped cover courtesy of Colin McClenn and his son Josh at Mac Hoods. The cover sits on four stainless steel bracing hoops and is secured with bungee straps, yet can be removed and stowed away in a matter of minutes. Needless to say, when was The stern, showing the boat’s name in a unveiled to the judges at this year"s unique manner retaining, but was shot and had to be Henley Traditional Boat Festival, it was renewed. Colin also decided to reshape enough to win her Best Restoration and the ends of the cockpit, and to refinish Best Electric Boat like them with his trademark coaming, before her. And what does her which is raised at the bow and stern namesake, the new Mrs McMurtrie, and curves gently to finish almost level think? "I love her. I just love her," says with the covering boards amidships. Emma. That makes two of them.

The seats were built by Colin from scratch The seats were built by Colin from scratch, having first spent hours with MDF dummies determining the optimum position, rake and cushion height. Colin’s neighbour Mary Flawless decking and lustrous varnish: Thames Cowdry of "Mary"s Chairs" then boatbuilding at its finest. stepped in to make up the beautiful yet deceptively comfortable cushions, Opposite page: A selection of photos which employ three different densities showing some of the outstanding features of foam and piping that picks up the of Colin Henwood’s superb boatbuilding colour of deep red skills. PHOTO CREDIT: All photos except last page by Mike English. Last page upholstery. 44 photos by Simon McMurtrie The Boater Issue 133 May-Aug 2018

The control position in the stern The stern, with storage space

New metal fittings were cast by Colin to match the Colin has made a feature of the ribs boat’s originals.

The deck is Alaskan yellow cedar – one of Colin’s favourite woods. Neat removable fittings for fenders

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Simon McMurtrie, proud owner of Lady Emma, at the helm of this 92-year old electric Canadian canoe featured in this article

Bought for her as a wedding gift, Emma McMurtrie says she loves her namesake “Lady Emma” 46 The Boater Issue 133 May-Aug 2018

.

CAPRICE: 20’ Edwardian Day Launch circa 1920. Electric Motor by Thames Electric Launch Co. Guide: £10,900

SEA MELODY: 33’ Bates Star Craft built 1960’s. Twin BMC Navigators. Sleeps 6. Guide: £39,995

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membership, we thought our boating was over, but the bug bit again! There really is nothing like the joy of owning a classic boat, and we searched the web and looked at various offerings, and had the displeasure of being let down by a broker who promised us to hold a boat which seemingly fitted our needs until we got to see her, then mailing a few days before, telling us that he’d accepted an offer – very un-professional, to say the least. Then, came on the “Lemara” market, and she was located in Royal Turn right! That was the cry as we left Quays Marina boatyard, North Shields, the Tyne, starting our journey south, River Tyne, nowhere near Hereford!! with wife and a good buddy as crew. We already knew , as she was Next stop Hartlepool, 25 nauties away, over-wintered in Crinan Boatyard every an easterly swell but reasonable forecast winter, as was ‘ ’, the Silverette of sou’westerlies for the rest of the day – class boat we had cruised round the an offshore wind would be favourable. Inner Hebrides for 15 years (and Flooding tide under us (it goes designed by the same man and built in southwards in the North Sea), so with the same yard as , but earlier, in 1600 rpm on each we should get 6 knots 1935). So, reality became a boat in the at least over the ground. That was the north-east and home in Herefordshire, plan! But the fixed VHF decided to four and a half hours away. We spent play up, again, receiving well but no the rest of 2017 getting to know , answer to calls. The hand-held was making some of the changes that new working well, so we decided to go. owners always do, and making a couple A bit of background - our latest (last?!) of tentative cruises along the coast, as classic boat is ‘ ’, an Ormidale well as going upriver into the centre of class of John Bain’s design, and built by Newcastle, a delightful experience. Silvers of Rosneath, Gareloch, Clyde, in Since buying last April, we had 1957, registered in 1958, 12 metres long been cogitating over how best to get her and 17 tonnes, twin 2.5 diesels built by to our nearest navigable waterway, the BMC and marinised by Thorneycroft. Severn. We had cruised the Forth and Having sold , now owned Clyde canal in our previous Silvers boat, by David Guy and listed in TVBC’s and to revisit our cruising ground on 48 The Boater Issue 133 May-Aug 2018

Scotland’s west coast on the way was The next stop was Whitby, at the very attractive, but might have estuary of the river Esk, and a delightful had air-draft problems through the town, see the first pic, how delightful! canal, and the leg from the Tyne to We found a pontoon mooring for lunch Grangemouth was not inviting, at 150 and called ahead to Scarborough to miles and not much in the way of good confirm a night’s stop, having chatted to moorings, so south it was. Or, by lorry! the watchman a few days earlier, but But some coastal cruising was also the guy on duty today said no-go, the attractive, and if, just possibly, we inner harbour pontoons were being managed to go along the south coast, repaired and the outer harbour was full. that would be great, so a lorry was out, So Bridlington was the next option, and too, at least for now. Another aspect after lunch in the sunshine, we set off was that we want to get the saloon re- again, but as we went out, many other fitted, and we know of several good boats were coming in, wonder why? yards on the Thames, so next winter on Well, the reason was the haar, a sea fog the river which is our ancestral home which settles in very quickly, and the became the plan for this year. wind was picking up quickly, too. A To continue – having turned right and few miles out and we hit a wave which headed south along the Northumbrian threw the table over and the crew on coast, the swell set in, following the the floor, so that was enough, we turned remnants of the ‘Beast from the East’ back, but the fog was now quite thick, and its accompanying easterly wind. So maybe 40 yards vis. My buddy saw his we rolled our way to Hartlepool, chance to show off his latest gadget, a arriving 4 hours later, but with a pad linked to a GPS, and with a welcoming marina berth to relax in, program which plotted the boat’s and a good restaurant to finish off the position, real-time, and a line on the day. Hartlepool Marina is accessed relevant chart representing the track for through two sets of harbour walls, both the next 10 minutes. After some while with narrow entrances, but also with a looking into the gloom, he said ‘the bar between them, so we had to get out harbour entrance should be dead the following morning before the depth ahead’, and it was, right on the nose. I was less than our draft. The was very impressed by that bit of harbourmaster was quite specific about technology. our latest time of leaving, and we duly So, what to do next? With waited for a locking-out before the Scarborough out of the question, and deadline. But, we hadn’t paid our Bridlington a drying harbour, staying in overnight stay bill, so a visit to his office Whitby for a couple of months until the meant that our exit from the lock was a next leg seemed a good option, so the few minutes later than planned, and we following morning we chatted to the rubbed along the bottom a few times harbourmaster, who, almost gleefully, before getting out into deep waters – told us that visitors could only stay for phew! 14 days, at the overnight rate of £31 pn, 49 The Boater Issue 133 May-Aug 2018 and there was no provision for short- evening, but fortunately a good term moorings. Plus, if I took out an restaurant, right on the quayside, kept annual licence and then left after a us happy. couple of months, there would be no The final leg to Grimsby was an anti- refund!! He explained that the marina climax, calm seas and sunshine, as the was owned and run by the local high pressure which had been bringing council, as was Scarborough. So, the the easterlies went south and winds next day looking reasonable, weather- veered to south/southwest during the wise, we set off again, this time re- day. We rounded Spurn Head in considering Bridlington’s drying lovely sunshine and a slight swell, and harbour. And it turned out OK, being called Fish Dock Island, the lock into moored on a pontoon with good the fish docks and marina, about opportunities for stopping Lemara locking. The arrangement turned out falling onto her bilge keels, and lovely to be that the lock is opened to ‘free- soft mud to cuddle into. The weather flow’ when water heights on both sides turned nasty the following day, so we are the same, and boats can drive stopped a second night, using the day straight through, under the control of in between to go back to North Shields the lock-keeper, about 2 hours either to get the cars, by bus and train. The side of high water. Outside this period, forecast was getting better all the time, up to 3.5 hours either side of high so we decided it was going to be water, a boat has to be ‘penned’ through, and we chose to do that, as my crew buddy wanted to get home that evening. This not only cost us a tenner, but meant we shared a lock with a big commercial , which kept station with the engines, no ropes for him. The wash from his props made our job of keeping away from the lock-side and the catamaran very tense, but there was no damage. The lock staff were very “Lemara”at Bridlington Harbour helpful, throwing ropes down to us to hold station, as there were no mooring Grimsby, contacted the very co- points within reach, but we felt out of operative berth-master there to reserve place and had to be very vigilant as the a berth, and drove straight there, lock filled. But the lock opened onto a leaving one car and coming back to serene dock, and the berth-master Bridlington in the other one. Very showed us to a pontoon where surprisingly, all the fish and chip shops will stay until the next leg – Ipswich! in the town shut around 6.30 in the

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Platts Eyot, on the Thames at Hampton. Platts Eyot was no stranger to boatbuilding. For generations it had been in the hands of the Tagg family who used it at first for growing withies for making baskets and fish traps Around 1860 Tom started boat building on the island, producing excellent skiffs which attracted many export Where it all began: The early yard of John Thornycroft at orders. His business grew apace in a drawing from the London Journal of 1874 and was referred to as “The Island showing the ‘Sir Arthur Cotton’ described as the fastest Works”. By 1864 he had built a house boat in the world with a trial speed of 21.4 knots. and offices with a tower on the north- east corner, presumably to house a At peace or at war, the craft produced cistern for a water supply, and a belfry by Thornycroft on the Thames have to ring out the times of meal breaks and furnished the needs of those at leisure shift changes. and those at arms. The company was A large shed that now covers the founded at Chiswick in 1864, and by slipway and an adjacent workshop are 1871 had a world-wide reputation for also believed to belong to the Taggs naval shipbuilding. Space at this site era. In 1887 there was a dispute was limited, so the building of wooden between Taggs and the Vauxhall Water hulls was often farmed out. Company who wished to acquire the By 1904 the company found that with island. It was resolved by the water the increase in size of destroyers and company buying three-quarters of the other seagoing vessels it would be island for £1,000 and paying Tagg £500 necessary to acquire larger premises. for burying pipes under the remaining They therefore moved the shipbuilding portion. A year later a channel was side of their business to Woolston, excavated across the greater part of the Southampton, and the building of small width of the island to take water from boats was transferred to a new yard at the side. This became a

51 The Boater Issue 133 May-Aug 2018 useful wet dock. Pipes were laid under Works, The Immisch Electric Launch the gravel of this channel to extract and Boat Company continued trading water which was pumped to the filter until 1909, but it is believed Moritz was beds on the bank. interned at the outbreak of the First World War. John Thornycroft put Platts Eyot very firmly on the map. The company’s contribution to the war effort from 1914- 19 was prodigious. They secretly developed and built Coastal Motor Boats (CMBs) which were powered by a Thornycroft V12 engine and carried a single forward-facing torpedo fired from the stern. This design required the crew The wet dock to aim the boat at the target, drop the torpedo tail-first over the stern then So large was the water extraction system maintain sufficient speed to keep ahead under the island that local fishermen of it before swerving out of the way. complained that fish weighing 30lb had This manoeuvre was perfected by been sucked into the intake. When a Lieutenant Augustus Agar, who won the new shed was built in the 1930s an area VC after sinking the Russian Bolshevik of the concrete floor collapsed after the cruiser ‘Oleg’ with a single torpedo from clay pipes beneath gave way. CMB No 4. (The boat is now preserved Extensions to the waterworks led to the at the Imperial War Museum Duxford.) unoccupied part of Platts being used as a dumping ground for spoil, and by 1901 it appeared a barren waste. Meanwhile boat construction work continued, and in 1889 an electric motor pioneer called Moritz Immisch moved to Platts to build his launches. With his partner he operated a fleet of hire boats and established charging stations. Immisch became a A 55ft CMB of the First World War contractor for work on wooden hulls A curious type of spiral propeller was farmed out by Thornycroft, and so this designed by Sir John Thornycroft at this famous company’s connection with the time to eliminate “beat” - the sound that island became established. After could give away a ships position to Thornycroft’s arrival in 1904 the yard German hydrophones. It could also became known as Hampton Boat jump over booms and wires without being damaged. 52 The Boater Issue 133 May-Aug 2018

In peacetime the sophisticated hydroplane-hulled 30ft vessels that skimmed through the Kaiser’s coastal defences evolved into racing boats for the “fast” set. The only example believed to be in existence is “Sereia”. She was built for Cyril Gleeson in 1928 who used her to race on the Shannon river in Western Ireland. In 1993 after “Miss England III” nearly 25 years out of the water she was of Messrs Thornycroft’s wood yacht and bought by Ugo Baravalle for restoration boatbuilding business, and practically at his boatyard in Italy. She made a all the construction undertaken has memorable appearance at the Thames been to orders from this company.” A Traditional Boat Rally in 1994. photograph clearly shows the house With the return of peace the Hampton with belfry built by Tagg. The article yard busied itself with the building of says: “In this view may be seen the luxury boats for export, craft for foreign greater part of the works as navies, passenger boats of many types, photographed from the south bank of tugs and patrol and inspection launches. the river, the offices being to the left and Particularly notable was ‘Miss England three building sheds on the right. So III’, which skippered by Kaye Don in narrow is the island that the building 1932 set the world water speed record farthest away abuts on the water’s edge of 119.81mph. on the other side, while boats can be launched at the right-hand end of the central shed”. The reporter saw two 28ft ships’ lifeboats under construction and a 40ft CMB. In completed state were a 25ft cruiser with canoe stern, and Thomas Thornycroft’s 35ft motor cruiser ‘Scoter’ (In the London to “Sereia” Cowes race of July 1919 ‘Scoter’ fitted In August 1919 the magazine with a new BB/4 type 25 bhp motor was carried a the only competitor to finish the course. description of a visit to what was then The176 miles were covered in less than known as the Hampton Launch Works 19 hours in spite of rough weather and Ltd. It noted: “The island is particularly fog.) favourable to the rapid production of All machines throughout the works small craft owing to its all-round were driven by power supplied from launching and fitting-out facilities. For two power plants on the island. An this reason it has been the headquarters interesting feature of the main shed was

53 The Boater Issue 133 May-Aug 2018 its folding doors, thought at the time to be unique. They were 25ft high and opened to a width of 30ft. They were so well engineered that they could be opened by one man. Between the wars the Water Board ceased to use the island and Thornycroft gradually took over the whole of it. The footbridge built as a Seaplane Lighter H 21 wartime expedient proved to be an environmental curse as rabbits could Thornycroft designed these lighters due now cross and denude the island of to the limited range of the seaplanes vegetation. based at Felixstowe. They could not In 1947 magazine announced make a return journey after bombing that Thornycroft had started to build raids across the North Sea. and needed glass fibre boats. This innovation failed to be towed to a take-off area. As wire- to save the yard, however. During the braced planes did not take kindly to 'sixties the company were taken over by being towed at speed, submersible Vospers and much of their equipment lighters with an open stern, ramped was moved down to the Vosper yard at deck and side tanks were developed. Southampton, including CMB4, a VC The lighter would be submerged, the proudly emblazoned on its side. In seaplane winched aboard and secured, 1962 Thornycroft (Hampton) Boatyard and the tanks blown to lift the plane Ltd produced a brochure extolling the clear of the water for towing. virtues of the site for private owners. The full story of the Hampton yard after They included moorings, winter laying the outbreak of war in 1939 must await up, chandlery and facilities for a another instalment. complete refit or building new craft. The Hampton yard was eventually taken over by a newly-formed company called Port Hampton Ltd, moorings were increased, but with no boatbuilding, much of the covered space was let for light industrial use. Port Hampton still used two of the original workboats, and one of them Port Hampton as it is today proved to be the last remaining seaplane lighter H 21. She us now at the Fleet Air-Arm museum at Yeovilton, The Boater Somerset undergoing restoration. 54 The Boater Issue 133 May-Aug 2018

Crossword no. 75 Winter Maintenance ACROSS 1 consumer unit (7) 2 Pills for your water tank (5,8,4) 3 It screens out the dirt & rust particles (4,6) 4 Tidy those wires (5,4) 5 Check your power supply (7,7) 7 Essential replacements (6,3) 6 Extracts condensation from your fuel (5,9) 9 Electrical fail safe switches (7,8) 8 Soaks up any oil spills (4,4,3) 12 One for your car! (7,6) 10 Replace your lubricant (3,6) 13 circulating air (11) 11 Spanners, screwdrivers etc. (7) DOWN Answers to Crossword No. 74 Across Down 1 Thames Barrier 4 Spinnaker Tower 1 Bucklers Hard 5 Portsmouth Dockyard 2 PS Kingswear Castle 7 SS Waverley 8 Tower Belle 4 SS Great Britain 9 Chatham Dockyard 10 Tangaroa 55 The Boater Issue 133 May-Aug 2018

Dilly & Charlie Bil moving pontoons at Beale Park. Somewhat overgrown?

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