Traditional Boats
Thames Barge Racing
Maldon Essex
1) “Where is the Wind?” 1990
Barges are heavy and slow to turn. Our crew is letting out the sail to try and avoid the boat ahead, (even though we have “right of way”, being on the starboard tack) But, where is the wind?
2) “Dog Watch” 1990
Racing quietly. Will we catch up? (And wake the dog?)
3) “Calling In The Crew” 1990
Sails are furled after the barge race. Time for tea.
Sailing around Skye in “Britannia’
A 60ft gaff-rigged cutter, converted from a fishing boat
1) “Bouncing Out The Bowsprit” 1989
The bowsprit is held by the pressure of its weight under a bar. To move the bowsprit, someone must bounce on it as others pull the ropes.
2) “Flying Nearly, Almost Swimming” 1989
Britannia was caught in a sudden storm. Here we are, running before the wind up the Sound of Sleat. Standing in the bows, I did a lot of shouting!
3) “Hauling Up The Mainsail” 1990
On Britannia the spars are very heavy. Raising the mainsail was a team event.
Newson’s Boatyard, Lowestoft
Repairing “Zela”, a traditional gaff-rigged cutter
1) “Choosing the Timber” 1996
Propped up on the slip, the old planks can be cut out, and new timber chosen to replace them.
2) “Steamed, Bent, Clamped” 1996
The new timber, having been softened in a “SteamBox”, can be bent and shaped around the ribs of the boat.
3) “The Last Clamp” 1996
The new timber is held in place with heavy clamps. It is allowed to cool and harden in it’s new shape. It is then fixed to the ribs before the joints are caulked.
Ipswich Harbour
Visits by traditional boats and Tall Ships
1) “Head For Heights” 1996
Climbing the rigging, with high up reflections
in the windows of the modern “Contship” Offices.
2) “Jubilee Horn Pipe, Grand Turk” 2002
A visiting Tall Ship, next to the “Contship” building. Since the visit was at the time of the Queen’s Golden Jubilee, I decided to imagine a show in her honour.
3) “Jubilee Horn Pipe Practice” 2002
I learned to dance a Hornpipe in the year of the Queen’s Coronation.
At her Golden Jubilee I imagined the sailors practicing
beside the Grand Turk, with a fiddler on the bows.