James Miller was my great grandfather. I have traced him as being the
captain of the Allhallows and the Stoke. I would be grateful for any
information about James or either of these Thames Barges. I know
Allhallows was destroyed by fire on a trip from Harwich to London. I
wonder if anyone knows what happened to Stoke.I would also be gratful
for any information about Henry Miller James`s son who worked with him
on the barges and who was disabled. Many Thanks for any help you may be
able to give. Regards Jack Stone.
Anglia broke her back here when given a 'poor' mooring, so I am told. I took photos of what was left of her a couple of years ago, but I think things may have changed now as someone was building (?)houseboats at that location last time I looked. Yes there was fire damage and not much left. On the opposite side of the canal entrance is the remains of the Viking - there is quite a good photo of her in a little ships book and I've seen the same on the 'net.
Not seen your photo of the rudder bbut there is the remaons of the Mayflower's stempost between the pub and the old canal lock.
there is mention of Anglia suffering fire damage. Does anyone know if she sank off the lock to the so called "Strood Canal"? The correct name is the Medway entrance to the Thames & Medway Canal.
If you see here:
http://simplywhitstable.mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/barge7.htm
there is mention of Anglia suffering fire damage. Does anyone know if
she sank off the lock to the so called "Strood Canal"? The correct
name is the Medway entrance to the Thames & Medway Canal.
Mike
I wonder if anyone can shed light on the top section of a barge rudder
that lies immediately below what I assume is Strood Promenade [for
want of a better name]. The location is just oppossite Strood station
next to a car parking area. It is adjacent to the pier that has th ex
Soviet submarine on the end of it.
I'm enclosing a pic of the rudder - seen thro' about a foot of water!
Also a shot of the railings and submarine that should enable anyone
with local knowledge to identify the place I'm talking about.
The photos I'll put into a folder called "Strood Hulks".
Mike
Michael,
The maps are fascinating. There's something about them ... that
encourages the imagination ...
Re the name .. I've a PLA map of the docks 1921 and "St. Katharine
Docks" was in use then. It's in two digital files [1.5MB total] if
you'd like a copy.
Regards, Mike
I have placed two new links to Cross's maps on here (1850 & 1861). They
can be enlarged and then enlarged again giving a huge amount of detail.
Anyone interested in (not only the City of London)the old docks will
find thiese links most useful. Does anyone know or can give me an idea
as to why St. Catharines is now known as St. Katherines - thats quite
a name change in a few short years.
Sadly on the night of the 27th David Speight passed away. He will be
remembered by us all for his magnificent achievement in building from
scratch, the barge "British King II" in his backyard. At least he got
to see her used as he wished although he was too ill to leave his
bedroom when BK2 was loaded and taken away for the film (yet to be
released) "Attonement". Here is a local link which features David.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/essex/videonation/walton_foundry.shtml
Hi Mike, I clicked on the link at the bottom of this message and was
taken straight to those fantastic photos....... Please try again.
Anyone else experiencing problems?? If so I'll email the photos to
you.
--- In Thames_Barges_2@..., "Mike Wignall"
<thamesmatch@y...> wrote:
>
> Michael,
>
> Unfortunately the link to "photozo" does not work. However, your
own
> photos of BK2 and Redcar beach were interesting. What puzzles me is
she
> watertight when bolted together? What happened when the tide came
in?
>
> Mike
> www.thamesmatch.co.uk
>
> PS Re your "Southend" personal e-mails to me ... your Tiscali
server
> has bounced my last two posts to you. Thought I'd let you know ...
I'm
> being a responsive respondee - but I'm being thwarted! I'll keep
> trying.
>
> --- In Thames_Barges_2@..., "Michael Land"
> <thamesbarges@y...> wrote:
> >
> > http://www.photozo.com/album/showgallery.php?cat=6773
> >
>
Michael,
Unfortunately the link to "photozo" does not work. However, your own
photos of BK2 and Redcar beach were interesting. What puzzles me is she
watertight when bolted together? What happened when the tide came in?
Mike
www.thamesmatch.co.uk
PS Re your "Southend" personal e-mails to me ... your Tiscali server
has bounced my last two posts to you. Thought I'd let you know ... I'm
being a responsive respondee - but I'm being thwarted! I'll keep
trying.
--- In Thames_Barges_2@..., "Michael Land"
<thamesbarges@y...> wrote:
>
> http://www.photozo.com/album/showgallery.php?cat=6773
>
Hi Mike no my camera is pre card and runs on floppy disks. Very
susceptible to the vageries of heat/any mis-handling/ wear and tear.
The disc in question reported bad sectors and has now gone to floppy
heaven via the recycle bin. This is happening all to often now so I'll
scour the antique shops looking for replacement floppy's or most
likely treat myself to a more up to date camera. Should have taken my
Canon A1 it's so trustworthy.......... Michael
DUH!! Quick slap to the forehead....... okay if I blame that the sun
has got to me?!!
--- In Thames_Barges_2@..., "Paul Barnes" <pavee@b...>
wrote:
>
> Blimey Michael, better change your folder title! Nice shot of WILL...
>
Michael,
Is it a digital camera? Is it that you cannot retrieve the image files
off the data card? If so I can recommend retrieval software.
Mike
--- In Thames_Barges_2@..., "Michael Land"
<thamesbarges@y...> wrote:
>
> Probably the best photos that I took during the Thames Match cannot
be
> retrieved from my camera. I am desperately seeking photos of Will
> particularly when she was bearing away from Southend near the ship
> that was anchored. Her she was being tossed around. Her bows rising
> and falling - lovely sight. Please........ anyone???
>
Hi Michael
Have been admiring your Thames Match shots - and latest opening page
shot of Decima. Wonderful! Finally got to download my photos (only a
few as was a very busy race on the leeboards etc on the journey out).
Anyway I've added 3 of the Will to the Thames match folder - Will 1, 2
& 3 (original ,eh?) - last one is a bit shakey and was taken as we
overtook her and like you we were going up and down at some terrific
speed! See also photo of Decima cutting through the waves - we had
previously hit a big wave which sent a large spray of water over the
bow and down the decks.
Regards
Paul
Michael,
I'll check and get back to you!
Mike
--- In Thames_Barges_2@..., "Michael Land"
<thamesbarges@y...> wrote:
>
> Hello Mike
> Did you happen to get a photo of Iolo receiving the Gold Belt Trophy?
> If so and you'd like to see that in the next SSBR Newsletter could
you
> email Charles Traill with it at oastfen@e...
>
Probably the best photos that I took during the Thames Match cannot be
retrieved from my camera. I am desperately seeking photos of Will
particularly when she was bearing away from Southend near the ship
that was anchored. Her she was being tossed around. Her bows rising
and falling - lovely sight. Please........ anyone???
Well - where did that weather come from!! It was ceratainly a "blip"
from the usual weather we have had. Forecast was for force 5 -6
gusting 7. After a bumpy Friday night aboard Marjorie listening to
the tyre fenders squeaking away although around 2 am it did quieten
down and the wind the next morning though still in the "wrong"
direction. On board Marjorie we'd heard that Edme had had a very
tough time trying to tie up to her mooring bouy the day before. I
was not to realise just how skillful Andy Harman and her crew must
have been to have even got near the bouy until my return trip to my
home waters aboard her. It was really good to see "Will" and I took
plenty of photos of her though many of her (the best ones) could not
be downloaded from the camera. The start was for us going to be
perfect Robert Deard had got us into a great position but none
aboard heard the gun........ if we had crossed the line it would
have been within 11 seconds. There was a coming together
between "Edme" and "Xylonite" where Edme's shrouds caught one of
Xylonite's davits and for that Edme was given a time penalty of 20
minutes. "May" and "Adieu" crossed the wrong side of the start line
(which as I understand things as differing between different
paperwork). Marjorie having beared away from what could have been a
very fine start put us 5th out of 5. Though the next time I looked
around I could not see Xylonite. It was hard going up to the turning
point and I found that due to my lack of fitness it was best if I
went onto the jib sheets rather than struggling with the leeboards -
phew....... I'd rather get a soaking up the sharp end!! Xylonite was
going great guns (we'd heard that she'd had mizzen trouble) from way
back in the distance. I had to admire some of her turns - worthy of
Olympic yachts!! Her crew very determined not to come in last and we
were being smartly overhauled by her. Our last board before the
turning point for the return leg saw us preparing the large staysail
and boom and passing on the outboard side of the Committee boat we
made a smart turn and saw us gain on Adieu and May. At times were
were ahead of Adieu but her new blue and white striped sail worked
best out of the down - wind. So we ended up coming in last but what
with penalties handed out we thought until almost time for the
silverware to be handed out that we had come in third. (Personal
comment) how the heck did a 20 minute penalty put Edme behind us???
She was waaaaaaaayyyyyyy ahead. So it was that we inherited 2nd and
the Majestic Trophy too (which I think must have been for our smart
turn around the outward marker.
Sunday morning 5am......... time to get up and get things sorted on
Edme. Having no engine it became obvious to me that this was going
to be difficult just to leave the mooring. But we soon left and 2
hours and many boards later we had made it as far as Garrison Point.
The total time from Gravesend to Brightlingsea was 12 hours mainly
over 1.5 - 3 fathoms. The port leeboard having lost it's water
tightness was a bugger to lift compared with the starboard one which
was almost a joy in comparison. A man over board drill to recover a
lost flip flop looked almost embarrassingly easy (he who has done
this many a time for the B.o.T. benefit). It gave us all a break
doing this and was a useful bit of fun. Up until Southend we had
Decima chugging along on her motor for distant company - she never
did gain on us much. So we ended up back home. A quick was down of
the deck and with 2 buckets of water left to call "job done" yours
truly lost the bucket....... Sorry Andy!!
Hello Mike
Did you happen to get a photo of Iolo receiving the Gold Belt Trophy?
If so and you'd like to see that in the next SSBR Newsletter could you
email Charles Traill with it at oastfen@....
Just a "heads up" ... only 4 days until the Thames Match this year. All
you need to know is on the website here:
www.thamesmatch.co.uk
I shall be there taking photos for the site.
Regards, Mike Wignall
Those of you in the BBC Radio Essex area might like to know that I
will be talking about model barges / barges 18th July 1:30 - 2pm. I
don't expect to get too much in - but any publicity is good publicity!
This come on the back of being interviewed a couple of weeks ago about
my maritime paintings.......
Hopefully you'll be able to tape the film "The Long Memory" on
Thursday 6th July 1:45pm on Channel 4. Message about the details in
the original group on Yahoo. I'll email as many members as possible.
Please pass the word around.
Good morning all from Canada:
Noticed that the picture of "Dinah" from the 80's shows her with what
looks like a Capstan rather than a windless in the bow. Am I seeing
correctly or is this an illusion? If so was this just an addition to
this Barge in particular?
Any reply would be appreciated.
Thanks
Gerry Elvy
gelvy@...
Blackwater- what a day! One of those days I shall always remember
with a big grin and smile. I left home at 3am to join the barge at
5am from Heybridge Basin. Very little wind, lots of sunshine and
plenty of rowing ensued! I've never witnessed a barge rowing event
and to take part in one was even more thrilling! Decima, Betula,
Repertor and Xylonite were just some that rowed for it'. Think EDME
did too, but she was away in the distance and no one ever stood a
chance against her.
Blimey Michael ,it was fantastic! We got the edge on Repertor - our
rowing speed the best of all the barges (!) before we finally
caught some wind near the outer marker on a much shortened course.
Edme was first round followed by Xylonite then the Decima. Then
disaster as the wind fell away again for us but not for Repertor who
seemed to catch the lightest of airs as she slowly but surely
overhauled and passed us. Then she too came to a stop - and suddenly
the jolly boats were out again and the oar was back in action on
various boat decks.Luck had dealt us a chance and slowly we crept
back passed the hard working rowing team on Repertor. We then
sneaked passed Xylonite before the first whiff of wind suddenly made
itself known (no noone had strained themselves!) Then it was magical
as all sails were set then moved and moved again to make the most of
the wind now behind us. All was set for a thrilling dash to the
line - what a sight we must have looked as Decima, Repertor and
Xylonite all charged in together. We thought Xylonite would get us
for sure and maybe Repertor but with a final adjustment of the
foresail, Decima came into her own and we pulled away slightly to
cross the line just ahead of the other two. Talk about excitement!
After some well earned grub we motored up to Maldon - and what a
sight. A quay full of masts, bobs and barges. Awesome. Truly
magical. Thanks Tim for the pleasure of racing on Decima - a day I
shall always treasure.
And as for all those barge wrecks, another return trip to Maldon
will soon be in the offing. Reghards, Paul
Some good photos of Cambria on the move, but poor old Celtic......
wasn't she a bit of a heroine in WW2? I seem to remember reading
somewhere as playing a part in P.L.U.T.O. Surely she is worth saving?
She must be in better "nick" than Cambria!
Blackwater Match....... another race I seemed to have missed out on. I
normally go and watch them coming back in. Going by the weather around
Clacton (windspeed 2mph / 26 degrees C ) surely this must have been
another drifting match.
Michael
HI Michael. Yes Ethel Maud is progressing and is jacked back into her proper. Must phone Gary to get some 'insider' photos. Certainly most of her frames have been renewed and the rebuild continues. Thankfully she is in good hands!
Michael Land <thamesbarges@...> wrote:
Hugh Perks sent me this:- A small notice in the Faversham Times this week asks if anyone knows of the whereabouts of Leslie George of the bareg Celtic. Presumably this is the solicitors acting for the owners of Dolphin Yard as the announcement goes on to say that it is the intention to have Celtic broken-up. Another one bites the dust. On the good news front, I had a look at Shoregate Dock last Saturday and much work has been done on the restoration of Ethel Maud. She has a new transom and what looks like a port wale is going in which
suggests frames have been attended to. The gates were locked so I photographed her through the wire.
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