New frequent correspondent and now Ace Ferretter-out of interesting barge related stories, spotted this interesting item about a possible development in the “Disneyworld” stylee, on the banks of the Thames.  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-19867695 The plan is apparently to build on the peninsular a £2 billion resort about which the report says ”

Developers have been granted a licence from Paramount Pictures to use its name on a resort on the Swanscombe Peninsula, near Dartford.

The scheme has been offered “support” by Dartford and Gravesham borough councils.

The site’s developer, London Resort Company Holdings, is now looking for further investment for the project.

It estimates the park, which would be based on a former cement works, would create up to 27,000 jobs.

The 900-acre brownfield site is next to Ebbsfleet International station, which is 17 minutes from London and two hours from Paris.

‘Economic growth’

Tony Sefton, project leader, said the company hoped to open the site in 2018.

He said: “Over the next 12 to 18 months we will be progressing the planning application,…. blah blah…. (Readers should go chase up the link of interested).

David Rye notes, in an email to a gent named David Wood (who, I regret, is not known to me) that he is “not sure if there is a barge connection in this area but if so suggest its history be researched and recorded before it is too late”

Clock and Barometer

Clock and Barometer on Cambria; Photo by Matt Care

David Wood quickly responds to DR saying “Thanks email 8 Oct 2012, at 19:02, with news from BBC and ITV  calling for an investigation of the hulks and other maritime remains to south of Broadness  in the creeks and marshland on the ness opposite Grays (St.Clements/ Fiddlers Reach/ Northfleet Hope)  in the Swanscombe Area of Dartford BC  ref. 9.1.c.3. TQ.60.76 of the current Hulks list extending to the Northfleet area of Gravesham Borough 9.1.d.2 TQ625.747.

This could affect any remains of John Byford, Warwick, and Windward and the various semi residential hulks / boats in the creeks which I recall being visible from the river, never having myself ventured so away from Greenhithe on foot.  I do not know if the dozen or so hulks listed in Northfleet remain or could be affected.   I would urge the Committee of SSBR to consider whether the Society should re-survey the area, perhaps before the next meeting bearing in mind the absence of craft affected by the Thames Gateway, the loss of Trojan and the querie about Montreal near the yacht club.

I have mentioned your email to the SSBR Chair who suggested that we should contact the archaeology dept of the Museum of London to see if their foreshore study has any relevance and of course Gravesham and Dartford Museums as well as the local yacht clubs.  No doubt the bird lobby will have the proposals in their sights and the Society should add the proposal to the agenda.”

and David Rye remarks

My goodness David I did not realise such a suggestion would bring forth such information so quickly.

My thoughts were that gathering any existing information needs a bit of forward planning and presumably next year’s ‘good weather months’ might be the last chance in some parts of that area.
Thank you for following up – regards David.
All of this was also pinged around the relevant bodies, persons and societies such as the SSBR, Tony Farnham and so on.
So, well done the two Davids and now everyone else for getting on the case so quickly. We don’t need any more Trojan surprises.