|
HIGH WATER SPRINGS AT BROUGH HAVEN
|
|
|
A water colour by Tony Watts showing the Humber Yawl Club HQ at Brough Haven
|
|
|
ASA Summer Sailing Meet 2022
|
|
After the initial panic of Russell’s missing dinghy... the wind kicked in we had a great sail on Mist with fine views of the barge and smack race, an excellent dinner at the sailing club and I found free parking next to the Club for my Motor Home so we could have a few beers and the band played till midnight.
Wonderful weekend!
|
|
|
Nirvana with Galatea in the distance.
|
|
|
Mist
Photo by Jamie Clay
At last a great shot of Mist in her element
Skippered by owner Russell Read
and accompanied by Mike Cottam and Chris Burns
|
|
|
Ah, my dinghy; do we have to mention that ?
By Ex- Chairman and Knottologist Russel Read
Well, Chris Burn and I (tying her fore and aft, a knot each) secured her, my vintage red Tinker Tramp inflatable, alongside Mist at 10pm on Friday night. By 8am Saturday she was gone. So either stolen or ..... unbelievably ..... broken free and gone adrift on the tide and wind. On the worst possible day. And still fitted with the propulsion leg of my electric outboard (but not the battery).
Once ashore I spread the word as best I could, including an email to the Essex Police Maritime Unit since local opinion pointed to theft - which I was almost keener to believe than inadequate knot-tying!
Incredibly that same evening while we were having dinner at the Yacht Club, two lads from the West Mersea inshore lifeboat crew came in and said they'd found it - four miles away on the other side of the Blackwater. Much relief and rejoicing; plus a mutually embarrassing conversation between crew and skipper about knots!
Russell
|
|
Fabian Bush aboard 'Hanser'. She was built (guessing) mid-70s by Arthur Holt who also designed her. The company was called Holt and James at Heybridge Basin. She was originally given a conventional gaff rig. She now has alternative gaff and bermudan rigs set on the same mast. Fabian has been experimenting with various modifications, including the mizzen which he added mainly for improving manoeuvrability (just as with the Thames barge) and yes, it does sheet to the rudder blade. It is actually stepped on the rudder post. She has a lifting keel.
Jamie Clay
|
|
|
Pete Clay Dave Tilbury Fred Edwards
|
|
|
Chris Burn, Gordon Scott Nirvana
|
|
Fabian Bush coming alongside Nirvana in the new dinghy he has designed for the Nottage Institute.
|
|
|
|
Hugh Browton and Pete Clay aboard Nirvana
|
|
|
Report Of The ASA Summer Meet (North)
|
|
The planned meeting this summer of the ASA was to be held at West Mersea but it was modified as not many folk fancied staying in a shed, all be it one which was restored and in a quite remarkable location in the creeks of West Mersea and also because the number of Albert Strange designed classic yachts that were actually going to be able to join us could be seriously limited. As it happened three yachts attended along with three visiting members who had an excellent Saturday on the water. There was to be a group from Yorkshire going down to West Mersea but when the plan was modified, Bill Rayner, who owns a Victoria 34 (rather nice comfortable and competent cruising yacht) based at the Humber Yawl Club where Albert Strange was a founder member, offered a weekend trip down the Humber we accepted this alternative! As it turned out it was an excellent result for three of us staying in Yorkshire.
We met at the Humber Yawl Club on Saturday morning in fine weather but little wind. The HYC is located on a tidal creek at Brough above the Humber bridge. (See this month's watercolour by Tony Watts) The tide lifts the boats out of the very soft mud for two or three hours either side of high water. A midday tide would be a neap tide so we were required to wait until an hour before HW before being able to leave the berth. We enjoyed quiet sailing against the last of the flood and then with the ebb and a light westerly breeze. Tarentelle sailed down the north side of the Humber to the Humber bridge where she crossed over to the Lincolnshire shore until the river turns south, east of Hull, where we again crossed over to the Yorkshire side passing Paul, the old fishing village and continued on the Yorkshire side in the Foul Holme Channel which kept us well away from shipping activity around Immingham. At the end of the Foul Holme Channel there is a pinch point where all the channels meet. We stayed north following the starboard hand buoys to 7A where the seals bask on the shoreline near Hawkins Point then we went right down the middle into the vastness of the region below Grimsby through the ship anchorages thus avoiding ship movements, heading for Bull Sands Fort (which was for sale recently) off Spurn Point.
All day the wind had remained light and flukey and a mile or two short of the fort it died altogether yet we could see ahead of us in the Humber mouth the water was darkened by a sea breeze which gradually made its way towards us. It arrived from the south east and so we tacked into a hearty 3/4 towards the Lincolnshire shore with the last of the tide under us to anchor a quarter of a mile down stream from Haile Sands Fort, Bull Sans Fort's opposite number in the entrance to the river. Despite the breeze our berth wasn’t too bad. There was a chop coming from seaward but we were in a bit of a sand bay there at low water and the over night wind was due to go westerly so when the sea breeze died and the tide changed we were well placed unlike some fellows from the club who overnighted at Spurn Point. They gave it best at 3.30am the following morning and headed back to Hawkins Point that proved to be a modest improvement, we on the other hand were not shaken and therefore didn’t stir. It was a lovely lonely spot with Spurn light visible across the estuary and shipping moving in and out to the north at a safe distance. We had a very congenial meal in the comfort of Tarentelle’s cabin.
|
|
The following morning we were away at 8am in fine weather with a good westerly breeze, heading north to avoid the tide taking us onto Clee Ness Sand which sticks out some way into the estuary just above the forts and so from the tip of Clee Ness into deeper water to cross the shipping channel to find our way into the Foul Holme Channel again, which is the quieter of the two routes past Immingham’s busyness, passing Yorkshire farmland to starboard and avoiding another sandy ness off Stone Creek. The channels join again near Paul whence the main channel goes around the outside of the bend of the river passing Hull at a great rate but as we were on the way down river, so we returned, crossing over to the Lincolnshire shore. Finding the buoys to take you across this part of the river requires some concentration and steadiness of purpose as despite being in a (rather ill defined) channel the water does thin out in places and a lonely open spot it is too!
From then to the bridge is easy pilotage with perhaps a little choppiness, courtesy of the wind over the tide. Under the bridge about the middle and then into the main shipping route because the North Channel we took on the way down has a shallow patch above North Ferriby and we were early on the tide. A member of the HYC and the ASA had his yacht dragged sideways at an alarming angle (water over the cockpit coaming) over the sand by the force of the tide at this point (just west of North Ferriby) a year before by being too early on the tide! The Shipping Channel turns south and stays very close to the Lincolnshire shore indeed especially at first until it turns west east of what used to be Reads Island. Following the Lincolnshire side up river brings the Aircraft factory at Brough into sight but the skipper has to be patient until well to the west near Whitton Ness before being able to cross the Pudding and Pie bank and head north to the Yorkshire side and so to the creek at Brough and the HYC.
As an alternative to West Mersea and sailing the Albert Strange designed yachts, it was a second best but a good close second being rather poignant as we traveled the river so familiar to Albert Strange and his friend George Holmes plus many others over the years who have benefited from their pioneering work and enthusiasm. Many landmarks we saw would not have been in place before the turn of the nineteenth century, even the forts would have yet to have been built but the same vigorous tides and general lay out of the sandbanks would have coloured the Yawl Club pioneers pilotage however the Hydraulic Tower at Grimsby and the light houses on Spurn Point would be the same then as now.
|
|
Thad's
Top Tips
Sometimes it's good to sit and think.
Othertimes it's good enough to just sit.
...and I might add,
"you never know what will happen"
"Unexpected thoughts will come to you..."
"or a bird may come to visit"
Have you got a tip to share?
news@albertstrange.org
|
|
|
Two Half Hitches
The two half hitches or double half hitch is a durable and adjustable knot that is one of the most common methods used for mooring. The knot consists of a simple overhand knot followed by a half hitch. This sturdy non-slip knot can be used to secure boats to almost any size or shape post, dock, tree, ring etc by tightening the adjustable loop end around the object. The two half hitches is easy to tie but can be slightly harder to untie if under extreme load.
Ideal Uses
|
|
Docking, mooring, securing a dinghy.
Thanks to...
https://www.anchoring.com/blogs/anchoring/8-essential-nautical-knots-for-your-boat
|
|
Austen Sleightholme writes...
Your research re Albert and his time in Liverpool interests me, as you have found very little is known of him and his sailing activities whilst in and around Liverpool.
He was head hunted to Scarborough by William Sporston Caine the town's MP from 1880 to 1885. He had business interests in Liverpool and was intensely immersed in liberalism and temperance matters and I was wondering if this is where Albert came across Caine whilst in Liverpool. Albert was very active in the Liberal movement in Scarborough, in fact being a share holder, I think with an investment of a pound and possibly was friendly with Caine until he lost his seat to Sir George Sitwell. Just a thought of enquiry, worth pursuing. The only link to the sea as far as Caine was concerned is that he was made Civil Lord of the Admiralty in 1884 two years after being defeated as Scarborough’s MP.
You probably are aware that there is a quite a lot regarding Caine on Goggle. Again there could be a link within the various websites that could lead to new information regarding Albert’s time while teaching at the Liverpool Collegiate.
|
|
Rick Powell writes...
I liked your piece on early AS, I think it a reasonable assumption that AS spent his holidays sailing. His writing suggests that (RYYC lecture) of ‘eighteen summers of more or less single hand work’ so likely that summer holidays not spent in Liverpool. If you recall I do have the address of his lodgings in Liverpool, in 1878 it was 63 Woodville Terrace and in 1880 he moved to 75 Woodville Terrace, Everton, Lancs. He was in Liverpool for at least 3 years. He also exhibited at the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool during this time, they might have something more than just his address, a brief resume perhaps?
Regards, Rick
|
|
|
Tim Knight writes...
Dear Editor
I was recently approached by a work colleague who used to sail a Yorkshire One Design and retains an interest in classic sailing. She was interested to know more about Albert Strange and the association having noticed my ASA lapel badge, so I directed her to the website. Following this I decided to revisit the website myself and was puzzled to see that we are still advertising the sailing meet for summer 2021. I am sure there must be a logical reason for this but it is not helping me drum up new members.
Any thoughts ship mates ?
yours Tim Knight
|
|
Paul Jones writes...
Look what they are looking for! It’s what ASA needs!!
|
|
Paul Jones writes more...
Dear Editor:
As you may have noticed, I haven’t submitted a review for the Book Locker in quite a while. But how about a podcast review? Maybe we can consider it to be the start of what might be called the Podcast Lazarette.
I recently found out about “The Mariner’s Mirror” podcast, which is presented by Dr. Sam Willis.
According to the website, it is the “world’s No.1 podcast dedicated to all of maritime and naval history. With one foot in the present and one in the past we bring you the most exciting and interesting current
maritime projects worldwide: including excavations of shipwrecks, the restoration of historic ships, sailing classic yachts and tall ships, unprecedented behind the scenes access to exhibitions, museums and archives worldwide, primary sources and accounts that bring the maritime past alive as never before.” The podcast is also supported by the Lloyds Register Foundation.
I first found out about it through the newsletter of “The Sutton Hoo Ship’s Company.” In the most recent edition there is a link to Dr. Willis’ interview with Tim Kirk, master shipwright for the reconstruction of that famous Saxon ship. The video of the interview is well worth watching and it can be found on the Sutton Hoo Ship’s Company website at www.saxonship.org.
In the most recent version of The Mariner’s Mirror podcast, Dr. Harris interviews the author of Sailing School: Navigating Science and Skill, 1550-1800, by Dr. Margaret Schotte. I haven’t read that book yet but it looks very interesting and I will tuck into it soon.
In the podcast they discuss the “scarcely believable tale” of the HMS Guardian, which in 1789 set off from England with provisions and convicts for Botany Bay, Australia. This 44-gun, 2-decked ship of the Royal Navy was soon to experience a major disaster after rounding the Cape of Good Hope. The key details of what happened are explained in the interview and I highly recommend it to the ASA audience.
Paul Jones
Pacífica, California
|
|
Joe Engel writes...
Thad.
Glad you are doing better!
I enjoy your enthusiasm and look forward
to “news” on Bee-
Happy sails
Joe
“Prudence” in DC
|
|
|
Thad replies...
I remember when I was working on the boat with one of the yard workers and someone looked over the rail and said "It looks like you are busy, Thad. I'll come back another time." Then went away. I didn't recognize you Joe but you obviously know me so sorry to have missed you. Seems you must be ASA.
Thanks for the photos too!
Here is one of me as I sailed Raven around from the boatyard to moor in the harbour. I was alone and it was gusty enough so I thought I'd not sail with the jib. Did ok.
|
|
|
We are happy to accept letters on most topics, please send them to:
news@albertstrange.org
|
|
Dear Reader,
High-latitude hijinks are represented by two more paperback classic reissues from Lodestar, making four titles in the series so far:
The Sea & The Snow – In the mid-1960s a team of sailors and climbers reached the impossibly remote Heard Island (4,000km south-west of Australia, if you can imagine that) and climbed its 9000ft volcanic peak. They asked the redoubtable H W ‘Bill’ Tilman to skipper them there and back, he no stranger to the world’s southern extremities.
Blokes Up North – Nearly fifty years later two Royal Marines officers sailed and rowed their 17ft Norseboat dinghy through the Northwest Passage, encountering storms, ice, polar bears and more along their 1500-mile trek.
Both books are replete with superb photography, at just a tenner each. They are available right now on our website, and through your local bookshop if you are in the UK. And don't forget Ken Duxbury and Edward Allcard, whose classic omnibuses appeared earlier in the year:
We are still on course with Staithes – A Place Apart due in early October, and by our own Gloria Wilson, author of three Lodestar books on North Sea fishing boats. In words, photographs and paintings she distils the down-to-earth, quirky nature of the rugged Yorkshire fishing village, and former artists' colony, where she was brought up. This is in full colour, in our square format, with robust sewn, flapped softcover binding and with flaps on the cover. 144 pages, price £20.
Until next time,
Dick Wynne
|
|
Photo & text Graham Drydale
Scottish Herring Fleet in South Bay - foreground I believe is Berwick steam drifter. Guide Me III (BK.247), built at Banff in 1907. She spent time as an antisubmarine net vessel during WWI before being returned to owners in 1919. Guide Me III operated under a Whitby registration before being bought by Thomas Round of 55 Sandside Scarborough and registered as SH.18. Guide Me III was broken up in 1928.
|
|
|
We are unable to report on the travels and adventures of our most illusive ASA Member Mike Kiljan, the indefatigable octogenarian, as he has temporarily gone AWOL again as Lord Stegg of Tonsley ( Hunk Of The Month August 2019) now explains.
|
|
I last saw my manservant, the old retainer Michael Kiljan in Novi Sad, Serbia, at the home of fellow ASA member and ex-Serbian Naval Officer Bole Bozinovic.
I was bound for the river Danube and another month or so of thrashing my way down the river, with some trepidation as my old paddling pals, including Michael, had all retired from paddling or produced sick notes of very doubtful veracity.
Michael was last seen going strongly for Kosovo, thence to Albania and down to Split and the island of Vis for some diving. Word is that he is sleeping on the beach for the lack of any cheap hotels.
Anyway, I need not have worried because in a group of at least a hundred kayakers going down the Danube, you’re not without friends for long and constantly meet up with old friends coming and going from the group as we made our way through Serbia and now Bulgaria. This is the 65th TID, or Tour Internationale Danubien, up to 2500km of paddling through 7 different countries. To think I was so young when I started this, almost 30 years ago.
|
|
Most are paddling sea kayaks, some are in ancient folding boats older than me and one or two can paddle a canoe fast enough to keep the pace, usually by using a kayak paddle or in a larger canoe with a couple of very experienced canoeists.
I first paddled with Michael’s old double Klepper folding kayak that we wanted to sell. Thank goodness we did, that boat is a dog and I’m amazed he could ever get far down the river in it. I lasted two days.
|
|
|
Then I borrowed the wooden beauty shown. Long, fast, roomy and dry, this one rode the waves easily. The owner had been given an old boat of New Zealand design and liked it so much he had 3d scans made and had a new one built for him. Next up was a narrow sea kayak with only a skeg, that moved very nicely too. And then I had to rent a good all-rounder Prijon sea kayak for €20 a day.
|
|
And so I made it down to Silistra from where the river runs north into Romania without my manservant or having to bring a boat of my own. 950km in a month.
Nice going!
|
|
|
A report has just arrived from our indefatigable octogenarian ASA Member Mike Kiljan who, as Stegg suspected has washed up in Croatia and it looks and sounds pretty good.
|
|
|
Compared with other Balkan countries like Albania and Kosovo and Serbia- it’s expensive, but, I have longed to see this lsland, a unique place-Adventures and history plus excellent scuba diving, especially on airplanes and wrecked ships. There’s a submarine pen and former atomic missile command— a George lll fort- a Greek cemetery and Roman bath in ViS .. Also, there used to be the largest fishing industry in the Adriatic. I have found 7 abandoned fig canneries or factories.
|
|
And I have discovered that the “Gajeta Falkusa” a small wooden and very ancient fishing boat lives on. I met the builder and owner of one such boat who has said l could voyage with him for 3 deep sea scuba diving trips which were fantastic. At40 to 50 metres l was really glad to have a thick full suit plus hood.
So, black and easy coffee now and another scuba trip—Amazing stories about the RAF base on VlS island from 1944 to 1945, I shall hike to see this disused historical airport tomorrow. Sunshine and the ocean is calling me—l MUST go!! Ciao dear friends- very best wishes A/S scuba scout Mike is— out! Ciao
|
|
|
FAIR USE NOTICE - This site may contain copyrighted material, the use of which, has not always been specifically authorised by the copyright owner. We are making such material availble in our efforts to advance understanding of Albert Strange and for the interest of our readers. We believe this constitutes a fair use of any such copyrighted material. The material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. If you are the copyright holder of any material included on this site, and wish it to be removed immediately, then please contact the Editor.
|
|
Copyright © 2022 The Albert Strange Association, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this as you are a member of the Albert Strange Association or have recently expressed an interest in becoming a member, which is good value at only £15 per year!
Our mailing address is:
The Albert Strange Association
Sun House, Hall Farm Lane
Aldeburgh, Suffolk IP15 5GY
United Kingdom
Add us to your address book
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.
|
|
|
|
|
|
