Copy
April 2022
Hello all!
 
“If we were to begin about the west wind (to say nothing about the rest) whose works and ways are entirely different and arouse a correspondingly different set of associations, though in identical seas and coasts, our reverie might grow tedious.  Soon, under Providence, many of us will be doing, not dreaming.  ‘There lies the port; the vessel puffs her sail; there gloom the dark broad seas.’  Let us invoke fair winds and piously exorcise fogs and calms for all those who in this year of grace go down to the sea in small cruising ships.”  Erskine Childers, from Envoi:  The Yachting Mood, published in The Times, May 1913, as reproduced in A THIRST FOR THE SEA, The Sailing Adventures of Erskine Childers, by Hugh and Robin Popham.
 
In one of our ASA Committee Zoom meetings recently, Chairman Tim Fenner spoke of having just read A THIRST FOR THE SEA, finding it very good reading. The above quote is from the very end of the book, the end of a little rumination on the cruisers mind during times ashore and with the coming of spring. So here we are, spring has sprung and feeling the wind on our cheeks we plot a course in the mind, looking forward to time at sea. With Tim’s recommendation, I found a copy of the book and would recommend it myself.  You might know Erskine Childers from his book, THE RIDDLE OF THE SANDS. If you haven’t read the latter, you might do so before going on to the former.  Have fun, but don’t neglect preparation for sailing yourself.
 
My old observation is seeing a noticeable change in weather patterns within 2 weeks of the equinox (solstice too), sometimes before, sometimes after. This year the change seemed to come two weeks before. Of course, now we get cool breezes and rain every few days, but that’s what feeds the leaves, together with increased sunlight, but it does affect what gets done. Anyway, we are still months away from more consistent sailing weather, so we enjoy the mild dry days when they come and watch the birds sailing in and around in their own celebration of spring.
 
ASA Chairman Tim Fenner has sent in his report about the ASA Annual General Meeting.  Sounds like good food, good fun, and even a little business, with a good crowd in attendance.  On to another year.  Join in!
 
Talk about going “down to sea in small cruising ships” (above)!  Paul Jones reminds us of the voyages of Joshua Slocum, reviewing Voyage of the Liberdade. There’s a small ship cruise in a ‘home’ built boat!
 
In rainy Port Townsend, TALLY HO now has her deck planks laid!!  Covering boards and king planks still to go, but the last video shows that big step. There is still a lot of work to do on the deck and the interior. Leo ended the video showing the Sitka spruce had arrived toward building the spars and mentioning the need to bolt the lead ballast to the structural keel. Plenty more exciting and instructional videos coming!
 
Have fun and enjoy the beautiful weather! I say that, but think of the many in Australia getting way too much rain, not to mention Ukraine getting a different kind of rain.
 
Cheers,
Thad Danielson,
ASA Hon Sec
STOP PRESS ... !
Here's a fellow sailing an Albert Strange design, Cloud, in a model of his own construction. We enjoyed watching this Youtube video this morning,
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QBwVM6GkwQ 
Perfect for these early spring days, before we actually are out on the briny deep. Look at her go!!

 
CONDOR    AT CORRALEJO,  FUERTEVENTURA
This converted Scandinavian trading schooner came into the harbour in Corralejo and berthed alongside whilst I was already sketching in the area.. I lost no time in completing this quick painting as the crew indicated that they were only there for a fleeting visit. The speed at which I had to get this image down resulted in a very free painting with minimal drawing and the use of a very restricted palette. Before they left I was invited on board for a look around and they proudly told me that the two massive masts were in fact recycled telegraph poles!
 
TONY WATTS
 The ASA AGM Weekend

Report 


March 11th-13th  2022

 The 45th AGM of the Albert Strange Association at Wells next the Sea.

Wells-next-the-Sea on the North Norfolk Coast has been a port of call for members of the Humber Yawl Club since its instigation along with Blakeney a few miles to the East. The Norfolk coast is a very attractive area and as I sat in the Wells Sailing Club main room looking north out over the saltings to the distant sands and sea I could not want a more attractive view!

I, the chairman, was joined on the “top table” by Jamie Clay, owner of “Firefly”, taking the minutes and Hugh Browton the treasurer, who together were able to provide their reports and help me, as I am new to the job.

From the left: Jamie Clay, Tim Fenner, Hugh Browton, Steve and Dick Wynne, Mike Cottam.
To my left Dick and Steve Wynne who had driven from London south of the river early that morning after giving up on the previous day due to severe traffic congestion. Dick owns and manages Lodestar books which has printed John Leather’s book on Albert Strange and other interesting new books and historic reprints. He is also responsible for the ASA Year books, a quality publication!
A sense of excitement at the AGM

Mike Cottam, a new member, who has a wealth of knowledge about small boats and canoe yawls, was there. Also a recent member as a result of the Thalatta meeting last August, Bill Anderson. Beside him were four members of the Humber Yawl Club -Tom Holdich, a long time member and now a trustee, Chris Nash, Bill Rayner and another new member, Dave Wildbore, who joined after sailing aboard “Mist" last summer. Kate and Ed Allen, from London, owners of “Chiggo”, a David Moss Sea Otter 18 were in company with our previous chairman and the organiser of this AGM weekend, Russell Read, who is also owner of “Mist" recently restored by John Krejsa, now sadly no longer with us.

Peter Clay, owner of “Nirvana" sat near John Hobson and Sally Greaves-Lord. John compiles our fine monthly Newsletter and Sally copy reads it and adds antiquarian photographs of Scarborough.

Pete Clay and Mike Cottam

Apologies were received from Kate Fozard, our membership sec., Richard Powell, tech. sec., Gordon and Sue Scott, Robert Westling and Anne Krejsa and Hon Sec Thad Danielson.

The AGM went well as there were no contentious issues, possibly because folk were asked to raise issues well before the meeting to be dealt with in good time. So ended the AGM, on time ready for tea and two presentations by a father and his son! Jim Ring gave a very polished presentation about the mysterious Erskine Childers, author of “Riddle of the Sands” and his Irish connections and commitment. Jim’s son Ash Faire-Ring then delighted us with such an enthusiastic description of the rescue and restoration on 1/3rd size sailing barge “Growler” that the following morning almost everyone present went to Burnham Overy Staithe to see “Growler” for themselves! All in all the Saturday afternoon was enjoyable and we repaired to the Golden Fleece upstairs room as we had the previous evening, where the staff treated us very well!

AGM Dinner in the Golden Fleece

On the Saturday morning we had an excellent visit to “Rescue Wooden Boats” combined with the "Maritime Heritage Centre” a few miles to the east of Wells at Stiffkey. The volunteers opened the venue for us specially, welcomed us and provided a short talk about their work and made us teas and coffees!

Our introduction at 'Rescue Wooden Boats'

Will Darby also ran tours to various large sheds to see a significant collection of ex-RNLI lifeboats and the Stiffkey Cockles (the local dayboat built by George Hewitt), which Will maintains. We were also introduced to David Hewitt (George’s brother), the boatbuilder who rescues wooden cockle boats, previously for local fishermen and now for leisure sailors. David was a mine of information about boat building! 

 

Some of George Hewitt's astonishing lifeboat collection
Left:   Ash Faire-Ring shows Growler to Jamie Clay and Dick Wynne
Right, Growler under wraps 
The weather was good with a kinder southerly wind, the location a delight to the eye and the events most enjoyable, so much so that some said why don’t we come here again next year?

The AGM

weekend is

another good

reason to join

the  ASA


https://albertstrange.org/join/
The ASA In California
By Paul Jones
 Dave Ahrens is building Theresa II at his home in Lake County, California (which is about 110 miles north of San Francisco). Dave, Lad Lavicka, and I have ‘threatened’ to get together since last summer, but for one reason or another it just hasn’t happened yet.
Because we have not met in person, the trip is part social so that fellow ASA members can get to know each other, but also practical in that Lad and I hope to help Dave with the build if we can.
Dave is laying up the stem and stern (as the keel is complete) and can use a helping hand with laminating some of the longer pieces.
We also plan to have a Spey casting demo for Dave’s benefit and there might be some wine involved as well as rumor has it Dave can count winemaking among his many talents.
We will explore the possibility of establishing an ASA-CA “subcommittee/branch” but could use some intel about just how many ASA members live in our state?

Ed's

Top Tips


When antifouling, an extra coat along the waterline, at the bow, stern and to the keel will help to keep these critical areas clean (hopefully).
When done clear any antifouling collected and blocking your seacock inlet grills. 
 Also remember now is the time to test the nav lights in case bulbs are blown or connections have become faulty.

Have you got a tip to share?

news@albertstrange.org
 
ASA Summer Sailing Meet
5th - 7th August

 Very close to the Water
 
We have booked the famous Packing Shed at West Mersea


The First Weekend in August,  Friday 5th late afternoon to Sunday 7th afternoon.
 
The Packing Shed was originally built for packing oysters, the local bounty. By 1990 it was dilapidated but in 1992 the shed was restored and now provides a unique local amenity as a venue for parties, weddings, open days with cream teas and overnight stays.

The packing shed has two rooms, a microwave, a loo and lighting provided by a generator.
It’s basic but good being located right amongst the moorings with yachts of all kinds passing by. A classic site for classic yachts. Our ASA fleet will moor nearby and take folk out sailing on the glorious Blackwater.
On Saturday evening we will arrange for a meal to be delivered to our select location to meet with the yacht crews we have sailed with during the day. 
We will have the shed to ourselves. Guests will need to bring their own food for breakfast and lunch with perhaps a “ping” meal on Friday evening. Saturday’s meal will be an additional cost.

A launch will be provided to take us to and from the island when we arrive on Friday 5th August, on Saturday afternoon and take us off the island on Sunday 7th. The ASA yachts have tenders to reach their moorings and folk can bring their own inflatable or canoes.

 
Sleeping on a camp bed or lilo on the floor, sitting on one's picnic chair, sailing aboard classic A.S. yachts and gazing at the remarkable action on the river including a barge and smack race.  
Bring your watercolours, bring your camera!

 
Only £109
plus Saturday’s meal
Non members who fancy the experience can join up here
https://albertstrange.org/join/
 
Contact Tim Fenner

07791 646425

 timfenner394@yahoo.com
ASA ON INSTAGRAM

By Nikki Button
Instagram is a great way of connecting with people and building our community; it provides a platform which allows us to share the wonderful work of Albert Strange and get new interest in him, and in the ASA. As well as potentially gaining new paying members, we also have the opportunity to keep Albert and his work alive. Instagram allows you to search for other similar accounts and add its followers. The people I have targeted have already shown an interest in classic yachts/ sailing, and if they don’t know much yet about AS, they soon will! So far we have gained 400 followers, had classic yacht accounts (with 30,000+ followers) 'follow' us as well as 'like' our posts. I also received a message from photographer Nick Guttridge who is very interested in Albert Strange and would love to photograph/ film the yachts and help promote us on social media.
 
In order to continue to grow this Instagram community, it is essential that regular posts go out – at least weekly. This is in the form of a picture or video  with a few sentences as a caption. It’s important that content is varied, so some recent pictures of yachts, as well as old photos, drawings, photos of yachts being worked on. We now have a WhatsApp group that  can all share and access information quickly and we would welcome your input in the way of photos and copy sent here...
news@albertstrange.org
This does not mean to say that everyone needs to be on their phone all the time, it just means that if I have a question, someone might be near their phone and able to answer. Similarly, if someone comes across something that they would like to be posted, it can easily be shared and we can all contribute sentences.
Letters To The Editor
Anne Krejsa writes...

I am very pleased to have spent a grey and rainy morning reading the 1st March Newsletter, and thank you. I don’t  know how I became unsubscribed either, but thanks to my ineptitude with  the computer, I probably caused it myself.  Best regards, Anne
 Rick Powell writes...


Well done with the Newsletter, it seems to be going from strength to strength. You did say that it was going well with plenty of copy. 
 
Noticed Dolly has departed, have to say I was not a fan, bit off the subject to me*, but a very useful filler when copy is a bit thin. I can always do a quick recipe from my cookbook if you are short at any time, I even have a few veggie ones!
 
Wasn’t that little ‘Tracie’ a lovely boat, that sheer line was up to AS standards, shame it is a sloop, but who am I to criticise.

 
Dolly Norris writes...

Dear all,
Well it was fun putting my recipes up for you while it lasted and I am glad I managed to give you Albert's scouse recipe before I was so

unceremoniously  booted out of Yawl Towers.
I barely had time to gather up my whisk before the ASA security team were escorting me off the premises.

I knew I wasn't popular with the committee, I didn't always see eye to eye with  Jamie Clay and Russell Read, especially over soufflés  and of course Thad was jealous of my pastry.

So it was the Ides of March for me...

But "Et Tu Rick Powell" *
I never expected that!

... and then having the cheek to offer his own recipes for publication! 
 
Are you sad to see Dolly go? Was her dismissal unfair? Will you miss her cheery column? Or would you rather have the delight of Rick's recipes for decadent dishes? Please let us know.

news@albertstrange.org
Jamie Clay writes...

Concerning last month's issue of the ASA Newsletter.
I'm mighty intrigued by the space for "bleeping apparatus" on Tavie II.
Could Mr Powell elaborate?
Bernard Jones writes...

I am  pleased to have found the ASA Newsletter which has inspired me to produce these sketches.

I have sailed on the Thames barge "Reminder" and was lucky enough to be aboard when we came second in a race of fifteen barges.

"Tradition has it that after the 1928 Thames Barge Match, Fred Horlock promised his victorious rivals that he would give them a “reminder” of the speed of his barges. The following year 1929, Reminder was launched at Mistley and fulfilled his expectations, becoming Champion barge on the Thames and Medway. Reminder was also one of the last barges built."
http://thamesbarge.org.uk/boats/reminder-2/



 
John Davis writes...


Hi thought you might like to see a painting of Endeavour replica in New Zealand
Regards
John Davis
INVITATION

Our AGM & Social Buffet will be on Monday 11th April at 7.30PM in the Anglers' Club, Scarborough.

PLEASE let us know if you are coming so we can order enough food.

Email: scarboroughmaritime@yahoo.com
 
View the Agenda, Annual Report, Accounts & Membership Renewal form by clicking here
 
Our current exhibition on the Scarborough Borough Engineer, Harry Smith, and his work, will end on Sunday 3rd April.

Our next exhibition, 110 years since the Titanic disaster, will start on Wednesday 6th April.
You can view the latest Scarborough Maritime Heritage Centre Newsletter here

https://www.scarboroughsmaritimeheritage.org.uk/admin/kcfinder/upload/files/Spring%202022.pdf
We are happy to accept letters on most topics, please send them to:

news@albertstrange.org



Paul Jones


BOOK


LOCKER


 



Voyage of

the Liberdade





by Captain Joshua Slocum


Adansonia Press, 2018.
First published in 1890.
Joshua Slocum is known around the world for his stunning accomplishment of becoming the first person to circumnavigate the globe under sail in his famous Spray, but he is less well recognized for his early exploits as a merchant marine captain and his daring sail in 1888 in a small boat with his family from South America to Boston. But this 87-page book is packed with interesting observations of the people they encountered, the hardships met and overcome at sea, and fascinating anecdotes about a bye-gone era. The only thing I didn’t like about it was its brevity.
 
The story starts with Slocum leaving the port of New York for Montevideo aboard the bark Aquidneck with a crew of 10 men in late February of 1886. He describes his ship as “a tidy craft of 326 tons’ register, hailing from Baltimore, the port noted for clippers, and being high famed above them all for swift sailing, she had won admiration on many seas”. 
 
Right away, the sea adventure begins as the Aquidneck and her new crew get ravaged by a hurricane. Sorting things out in typical Slocum style, they manage to put the ship back in order and square off for South America. They make it to Montevideo after a passage of more than 2 months!
 
The next several chapters deal with his struggles to obtain and deliver cargo (which included yerba maté) per the instructions from the ship’s owners while Uruguay and Brazil were in the midst of a cholera epidemic and later a smallpox outbreak. The struggles with unscrupulous pilots, some of whom are downright fakers, and narrowminded bureaucrats in the harbor administrations who enforce quarantine regulations on him are epic. Plus, he gets into more heavy weather in the form of a local wind known as a “pampeiro”, one of which knocked the Aquidneck down “at the first blast of the tempest”. I would be remiss in leaving out a pirate attack, one of whom was shot by Slocum as he defended his family and ship. He was tried and acquitted.
 
The key event in the story comes shortly after Christmas in 1887 when the Aquidneck is wrecked on a sand bar that was exposed to strong swells from the ocean. This essentially stranded the family in Guarakasava, Brazil. 
 
“This was no time to weep, for the lives of all the crew were saved; neither was it a time to laugh, for our loss was great”. The working crew were able to get to Montevideo, but the family had no such recourse available, so Slocum began his plan to build a craft capable of sailing the family home from there to the United States. 
 
He arrived at a design, which he called a canoe, but is a craft of 35 feet LOA, draft of 2.5 feet, 6 tons of weight. Slocum used a photo he had of a “Japanese sampan” and his knowledge of Cape Ann dories to design his rescue craft. The three-masted rig was, according to Slocum, a “Chinese sampan style”. The details of the family’s construction of Liberdade are fascinating as Slocum used local labor and materials, as well as items salvaged from the wreck. The Liberdade was launched on the very day slavery was abolished in Brazil, namely the 13thday of May 1888. 
As they make their way up the coast, Slocum weaves some surprising elements into the book, including a visit from a bird which has a profound effect on the crew, quotes from his favorite poets, an encounter with the ghostship  Aquidneck, a run-in with a hostile whale that nearly sunk the Liberdade, and much more! I found myself in awe at the family’s resilience as they rebounded from one setback after the next. They lost an anchor, had a hair-raising close call with an uncharted reef that was awash when they ventured too close to the coast, and dodged some rough spots in the Bahamas. 
 
The remainder of the story is their run up the coast to Washington, DC, where the Liberdade spent the winter.
Though Slocum states that he donated his vessel to the Smithsonian Institution, a quick fact check on that ending note of his revealed that she was never really accessioned into the collection. Instead, Slocum disposed of his boat before taking off on Spray
I highly recommend this remarkable little book, and further suggest Slocum’s 

Sailing Alone Around the World

if you haven’t picked it up yet. It’s a classic of adventure literature – and I’ll leave the last word to Slocum...




"I must feel the deck beneath my feet once more" 
Scarborough Harbour  
Still On The Road
Continuing the travels and adventures of our most illusive ASA Member Mike Kiljan the indefatigable octogenarian.
 
Ciao dear A/S newsletter readers— l write this update from: Arabba, A Dolomite mountain village— Stegg, my Lord and skiing partner ( also excellent chef is now back in England)
I have resisted his attempts to lure me back to his estate, time enough for that later. I have been doing a great amount of skiing for the last 3 months. Thoughts about warm clear waters are sabotaging my daily routine of skiing. I decided to stay here until the middle of April to ski as much as I can this winter. A spectacular winter and l find it hard to leave these magnificent mountains. No bones broken or serious injuries so that’s a joy.
Photo; Lord Stegg Of Tonsley
 
Mike under control on a steep descent
Some highlights from this winter's skiing season—Riding on top of a gondola, actually on the outside was like something from a James Bond film— watching 2 white martens playing—Guiding 8 American skiers, with Stegg leading up front and I being a tail end guide was exciting. We led them all around our favourite places-Our snow is, by noon, very mushy and soft. In Colorado and New Zealand we called it:: mashed potatoes or leg breaker snow- Marvelled as 1,300 true athletes raced down into Arabba, put “ skins” on their narrow skis and ran up to the pordoi pass. These hard core men and women are so fit and strong!! The race is 42 kilometres. Altitude climbed is 2,700 meters. They finished the race faster then I can using lifts and alpine skis!!
1,300 ski racers will fly around the Sella Ronda mountains seen behind the racers


And very best wishes to you and your families for a super happy summer
Ciao amigos.

Mike
Caption Contest Submissions
Yoga can reduce weight. Now this
is the downward facing dog pose.

Sally Greaves-Lord

You are standing on my fingers
Stephen Bartlett

Tim Knight's idea of a pub crawl !
John Hobson

Could you direct me to the Gents?
Tim Knight

Yer int wrong bar for that sort of carry on Mate!
Lord Stegg Of Tonsley
This Months Caption Contest
What would you say in this situation?
 
Lets have your suggestions please
news@albertstrange.org
Previous monthly newsletters can now be found on the ASA Website.
 
https://albertstrange.org/newsletter-archive/

All contributions, photos, articles, letters to the Editor are very much appreciated. Please forward to:

thaddanielson66@gmail.com
or

news@albertstrange.org

Membership of the Albert Strange Association costs £15 per year. click below for more information

https://albertstrange.org/join/

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Website links

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http://harrisonbutlerassociation.com
https://www.humberyawlclub.com
http://scarboroughsmaritimeheritage.org.uk
https://syc.org.uk
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