Tag: Decima

2 Nice Videos

December 21, 2012 /

Mark Boyle Sign-writing from Feb 2011, Picture by Matt Care

Just a quick couple of bits of video which might be of interest to you. First an 8 minute sequence which includes an interview with Catherine De Bont in which she describes early life growing up among boats and learning barging skills, plus lots of lovely footage from the decks of Cambria as she sails under the Dartford Bridge and up through Tower Bridge. In the latter, Richard Tichener suffers “boom droop”, Stretch races about all over the gaff and the Pihamas manage to look very cold huddled by the wheelhouse.

It’s Facebook URL is below, and I cannot find a normal ‘You-tube style one, so you may have to be on FB to be able to get at it. It was posted to FB by Simon North – Thank You Simon.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151144609602032&set=p.10151144609602032&type=2&theater

Also on Facebook there’s a nice intro to the new Video for sale through the Edith May website, covering the Medway Match. It’s on

http://youtu.be/s-4iQoAVSfM

That one has a few quick interviews to start including a classic bit of strategy from Tim Goldsack “We’ll use the same tactic we always use which is to get in front and stay there!” I can see how that would work, Tim! It then has some glorious footage of barges speeding about in a stiff breeze – Edith May herself, of course, but also Decima, Repertor, Lady of the Lea and more. Both worth a look.

My picture today is some of that lovely sign-writing by our friend Mark (Nozz) Boyle.

In a Nutshell

September 16, 2012 /

As predicted, Arthur Percival’s ‘Nutshell Guide’ to Faversham Creek produced a good few barge related snippets. I knew, of course, of the use of ‘Hufflers’ to help barge crews lower and raise rigging when shooting bridges, but there was a whole Huffler (or “hoveller”, says AP) industry in manually towing barges up the creek from the Hollow Shore, Shipwrights’ Arms junction. The Huffler would meet you at Hollow Shore and drag you up by walking up the west bank of the Creek. The job became known as “a couple of bob on the line” because 2 shillings was the rate for the job. AP even cites a magazine article in his bibliography entitled “A Couple of Bob on the Line” by boat builder Dick Dadson (Magazine of the Faversham Society, 1966, Vol 1, No 2)

Some of you will know the Creek and Faversham pretty well, but did you know that the HGV yard, now used by Francis Davis Haulage (Agrigano) round by Morrison’s used to be a barge building yard owned by shipwright Cornelius? Or that there was a barge building yard called Whites on “Crab Island” at the end of the Front Brents. Or that the far end of the new houses built on the former Pollock’s Ship Yard was Perry’s Brickfield which “saw its heyday at the end of the 19th Century and closed about 1907”. There were also barges being built around Hollow Shore itself by the firm Thomas Madam, Thomas also being the landlord of the pub there.

It is bitter sweet though to know that this history book is itself now a piece of Creek History, having been published in 1987. It pre-dates all the recent changes, demolition of Paul’s (Paul and White’s Foods Ltd) tall grain-elevator buildings and industrial stuff, now replaced by restaurants and new housing. AP still has Gillett Cook as an extant feed merchant occupying the wharf buildings and Whittle importing deal (wood) and the pub is called the Coal Exchange, its old name; It is now back to being the Swan and Harlequin. He also has Decima owned by Dennis “Beefy” Wildish.

A nice read if you can get hold of a copy.

Cambria becalmed, Thames Match 2012; Picture by Phillip Barnes Warden

Decima in Pin Mill Match. Photo By Dave Brooks

23 Barges!

July 3, 2012 / / 1 Comment

Dave B is making scurrilous remarks that I may have coerced this article out of him …”seeing as you practically forced my arm up my back”. What a suggestion! Anyway, seriously, I am delighted to receive the following from Dave describing his mission to Ipswich and Pin Mill over the weekend.

“We arrived at Pin Mill late in the morning of 29^th June”, says Dave, “to find just Edith May and Melissa present for the race though Betula was at her mooring by the Butt and Oyster Pub. A quick spin down to Shotley revealed the Reminder at Harwich, then back to the Butt and Oyster for lunch. Off to Ipswich Dock and things were much more promising, with Centaur, Lady Daphne. Ardwina, Marjorie, Victor, Lady of the Lea and Phoenician all present and soon to be joined by Thistle and Hydrogen who were waiting to lock in. We decided to head back to Pin Mill and on the way spotted the little yacht barge Rosie Probert at Stoke Quay. Pin Mill was still quiet but some of the Edith May crew were at the pub and it would have been rude not to stay for a drink.

On the way back to the car I stopped to ask a local where Bob Roberts had lived. He was somewhat bemused having received that morning a letter from Sheila Roberts telling all about the re-dedication. He asked our connection with Bob and we explained we were part of the Trust. His name was Ron Watts and he’d sailed with Bob on the Cambria in the past. He kindly walked us down to the cottage where Bob had lived.

On the following morning were headed off to the Butt and Oyster for Cumberland Sausage and Black Treacle basted Bacon rolls and coffee. Bring on the race. A short drive to Shotley and onto the point and somewhat surprisingly Mirosa was leading the Edme and the Marjorie in the bowsprit class. Edith May was leading the fast stays’ls but had been overhauled by Melissa, Repertor and Decima by the time they reached Lowestoft. Reminder was following and Victor we think started but then seemed to change his mind and joined the following Hydrogen, Thistle and Kitty. The slower barges were next up with Ardwina, Centaur and Lady of the Lea going well, but sadly a collision between Lady Daphne and Phoenician meant an early return to Ipswich for both. Cygnet, Dinah and Cabby (not certain if she was racing or following) were the last barges to pass us at Shotley.

Decima in Pin Mill Match. Photo By Dave Brooks

It was an interesting race and as the barges headed back into Harwich harbour Mirosa was leading with Edme appearing to follow the wrong course and having to double back in order to sail up the Stour. Mirosa did well and stayed ahead of Edme to win the Bowsprit class. Repertor overhauled the Melissa to win the stays’l class and Centaur held off Ardwina in the slower class.

All in all it was a very interesting race with good picture opportunities but sad that Lady Daphne and Phoenician came together early on.”

Thanks for that brilliant report Dave which certainly gives you the Record for most Barges “seen” in one blog and mentioned in one report. I make it 22 seen and Cambria mentioned, so 23! It was a definite barge-rich environment. Today’s photo is one by Dave of Decima during the match.

Pin Mill Match

July 2, 2012 / / 0 Comments

Mark C is off for a sail this weekend with Ian Ruffles and Denis Johnson. I’m guessing that means the old girl will be out and about, and not available for visiting. I will ask around and see if I can find out any more. Meanwhile here is another of Mark’s excellent pictures, this one with all the sails down but not quite squared away at the end of a sail.

I’m hoping Dave B will furnish us with some kind of a report on his weekend of chasing the Passage Match and then the Pin Mill Match, including stopping off at Ipswich. I have a cracking picture of Decima to use with it (Taken by Dave , of course). I have this taster, though, from Ed Grandsen of Edith May via Facebook. “Highly competitive race yesterday,” posts Ed, “With Melissa and Repertor untouchable in the staysail class with very fresh breeze. We had a grand tussle with Reminder before hunting down Decima at the finish, although needed a bit more time to get by. Won 3rd prize, and 1st over start line, beating Victor by 2seconds! on Edith May Trading Company‘s timeline.” Exciting Stuff, Ed!

Sails Furled. Picture by Mark Chapman