Little Ship

LITTLE
SHIPWINTER 2020/21

RESILIENCE OF
LITTLE SHIPPERS

Combatting lockdown

ON THE WATER

Precious time spent
on board Trade Wind

PLUS ...

Members sailing and
racing, book reviews and
news from our HPOs

QUIET MORNING ON LOCH LEVEN

Photo Competition showcases our beautiful sailing grounds

CONTENT

LITTLE SHIP CLUB CONTENT

President: Mike Golding OBE COMMODORE’S COLUMN: What a peculiar year 2020 has been
Anne Billard reports ..................................................................................3–4
Commodore: Anne Billard
NEWS FROM YOUR COMMITTEE:
Vice commodores: Annual General Meeting notice and Committee contact detail ......................................4
Membership: Paul Banks
Sail and Power: Jonathan Hague AT THE CLUB: Lockdown – resilience of Little Shippers
Snapshot of how members have combated lockdown and restrictions ......................5–6
Rear commodores:
Commercial: François-Xavier Béry AT THE CLUB: Photo Competition 2020
House: Charles Quayle Showcasing members’ magnificent photographs and paintings ...............................7–9
Marketing: Vacant
Motor: Don Walker ON THE WATER: We broke out of the lockdown!
Racing: Barrie Martin Tim Bizzey recalls the highlights and shares images that capture members’
Social Secretary: Benedict Ryan joy as they set sail for Weymouth ................................................................10–12
Training: Paul Kelly
ON THE WATER: We heard it for the buoys in August 2020!
Hon legal adviser: Mark Turvey LSC boats took to the water in August for the ‘dream rally’ in the Solent.
Tim Bizzey reports .................................................................................13–16
Hon treasurer: Arlene Keenan
ON THE WATER: Itchenor outings: twice in 20 years and 20 days (or thereabouts)?
Members of the Club Committee: Covid-19 restricts Itchenor rally, organiser Michael Forbes Smiths reports ...................17–18
Iain Pickard, Benedict Ryan
ON THE WATER: Great to be back on the water
President’s committee: Hunter Peace shares the highlights of his precious days spent on board Lazy Life...............18
Michael Forbes Smith, Jill Moffatt,
Pete Newbury, David Roache, CRUISING: Playing in my own backyard
Don Shackley In the first of a three-part series covering Bagheera of Whitby’s summer cruises
David Clements takes us into West Devon and Cornwall ......................................19–22
Honorary life vice president:
Sir Robin Knox-Johnston AT THE CLUB: Have a sparkling Christmas!
John Downes shares his expertise on the best sparkling wine .....................................23
Little Ship Club Ltd, Three Cranes Walk,
Bell Wharf Lane, Upper Thames Street, ON THE WATER: Trade Wind back in the water at last!
London EC4R 3TB Through a series of photos Tim Crabtree shares the precious time spent
Tel: 020 7236 7729 Fax: 020 7236 9100 on board Trade Wind with Liz and Wooster the sea cat during this unique summer ........24–27
Internet: www.littleshipclub.co.uk
Email: [email protected] ME AND MY BOAT: Far from plain sailing
David Lowe’s tales from Mallorca illustrate that even in this restricted time
Directors: The Club Committee the world of sailors is never dull ..................................................................28–31

Members: All Guaranteeing Members RACING: LSC Fast Cruise race and prize chucking fun!
Snapshot of the first Fast Cruise held in September ...........................................32–33
Club secretary: Nicholas Long
EVENTS AND TRAINING: On the water and at the Club
Hon librarian: Geoff Quentin Details of upcoming rallies, cruises, races and training opportunities .........................34–35

HPO liaison officer: Anne Le Verrier-Bizzey ADVERTISING: Opportunities to advertise in the Little Ship ......................................35

Hon chaplain: Revd Andrew Wright AT THE CLUB: Recently on social media .......................................................36–38

Hon archivist: Ian Stewart OBITUARY: Richard Taylor .............................................................................39

Editorial committee: Brian Humber, FROM THE ARCHIVES: Article first published in Steamboating in
Chris Nicholson, Deborah Wheeler January/February 1992 The African Queen vs the English Channel .........................40–43

Managing editor: Anne Billard BOOKS: Reviews
Members review a selection of recent donations to the Club library ..........................44–47
Design and production: Linda Mugridge
Tel: 01843 215131 / 07388 902302 HPO NEWS: LSC HPOs share their experience of Covid-19
[email protected] HPOs give an insight into how various nations have managed this challenging year ...48-54

Advertising: for advertising enquiries HPO CONTACT LIST ....................................................................................55
[email protected]
Cover photograph: ‘Quiet morning on Loch Leven’ by Patrick Tyrell, awarded the
Copyright: None of the material in this journal Commodore’s Choice in this year’s Photographic Competition.
may be reproduced without written permission of
the Editorial committee. Little Ship is ‘printed on demand only’
The Little Ship is published three times a year by
the Little Ship Club Limited. All editions are To make sure you keep receiving your printed copy of the Little Ship please contact the Club –
published online and sent free to members on turn to page 55 for further details and a contact slip. If you have done so already, there is
request. Articles appearing in this magazine do nothing more for you to do, and the Little Ship will keep landing on your doorstep.
not necessarily represent the views of the Little
Ship Club or its officers. Charts: No responsibility
is accepted by either the contributor or the Club
for the accuracy of charts or other sailing
directions published.

2 LITTLE SHIP WINTER 2020/21

COMMODORE’S COLUMN

WHAT A PECULIAR
YEAR 2020 HAS BEEN!

Anne Billard outlines how Little Shippers and the Club have
tackled the disruptive challenges posed by Covid-19 and looks
forward to the Club’s 95th anniversary year. Anne introduces
features in this issue of the Little Ship that portray the resilience
of members off and (when permitted) on the water, which Anne
says will make the Club “a stronger community”.

The ancient, inalienable, right of the free-born “... in its 95 as we could meet, we did: the ‘regional Little Ship
people of the United Kingdom to go to the pub, years, the Club’ had their first meeting in Huntingdon (when we
visit their friends, hug their loved ones, hold Little Ship could find the village!). As soon as we could go
parties at home or on pontoons, go sailing … all were Club has come sailing, we did: to Weymouth (see page 10), on the
curtailed when a severe acute respiratory syndrome through many Solent (see page 13) and to Itchenor (see page 17). The
coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) visited us from the other crises Fast Cruise series went on – until, early November,
Celestial Empire. and those of the country was once again plunged into lockdown
us at the helm (photos of Fast Cruise 1 on page 32). At the time of
Covid-19, as we have got to know this disruptive are resolute writing, this lockdown should end on 2 December,
pest, has done its very best to ruin our lives since last that this one, and I have no doubt Jill and Charlie are huddled
March. like the others, together plotting for the next one as soon as allowed.
will only make
But that was not counting on the resilience of Little us a stronger Some members went sailing on their own – as
Shippers, and our determination to prevail: in its 95 community.” instructed, staying carefully socially-distanced: read
years, the Little Ship Club has come through many the report from Lazy Life’s sail west (see page 18),
other crises and those of us at the helm are resolute Trade Wind’s trip all the way to the Scillies and back
that this one, like the others, will only make us a (see page 24) and the first instalment of David
stronger community. Clements’ summer sailing in the West Country (see
page 19).
Since life came to a halt, we have kept in touch and
exchanged news. Some, rather wonderful: Paul Banks Lest we forget how lucky we are to be surrounded
and Barrie Martin became grandfathers for the first by such beautiful sailing grounds, this year’s photo
time while Robin Young welcomed a granddaughter; competition (page 7) will fast remind us.
Blake was born to Theo and Otto to Adam, our
Bovingdons partners (see page 6). Other news were, We are very clear that rallies were not cancelled, but
sadly, not so positive: a couple of members battling rather merely postponed. And so, the 2020 Mallorca
renewed onslaughts of cancer or other illnesses, and cruise will now take place early June 2021; we are
the shocking news of well loved, long-term member hoping that our Corinthians friends do come and sail
Richard Taylor’s unexpected death (read his obituary with us at the end of June for a delayed joint rally.
on page 39) . Although the course might have to be slightly
different to allow for new regulations brought in by
Keeping active during the lockdown, the Brexit, we are looking forward to hosting them at our
Commodore and Club Secretary embarked on Bell Wharf Lane clubhouse after a river cruise to
running programmes, both finishing a ‘Couch to 5k’; Greenwich.
and our Hon. Solicitor built a home bicycle.
We plan to enjoy opening season rallies on the East
Our catering partners, Bovingdons, worked with St Coast in West Mersea and on the Solent in Yarmouth,
Barts Hospital Trust and the NHS, delivering food to visit our regular haunts in Calais and Holland … to
the doctors and nurses working on the frontline. race Round the Island … relax for a lazy week on a
gulet in Turkey … go canal narrow boating … and
When a Little Shipper is prevented from sailing; much, much more.
when regulations forbid them to while away the day
exchanging sailing stories while nursing a beer or two, Our tech whizzes set up a zoom link for the Club,
the next best thing is, obviously, to read about sailing, which allowed our Tuesday club nights to carry on
as evidenced by the number of reviews our Hon virtually. From as far afield as Australia and Fiji, the
Librarian received (see page 44). USA, as well as Leicestershire, Hampshire and
Scotland, news was exchanged, friendships were
Inevitably, our programmes, both on the water and
at the clubhouse, were greatly disturbed. But as soon LITTLE SHIP WINTER 2020/21 3

COMMODORE’S COLUMN / NEWS FROM YOUR COMMITTEE

renewed and tightened. Anne Bizzey did a wonderful “... free of the the big screen in the dining room, to listen to our
job enticing our HPOs from all over the globe to join confines of regional and international representatives updating
in and share local news. Turn to page 48 for their geography, the us on what has been happening in their corner of the
anecdotes and pictures. community of world and what they hope 2021 will bring.
the Little Ship
Other Club nights were a mix of virtual quizzes, Club has Our AGM is scheduled for 2 March. We aim for it
lectures (from members such as Steve Burgess, shown that it to be (at least partly) held in person; but even in that
Lindsey Gill etc.), outside speakers, as well as our still thrives, case, we plan to give virtual access for those too far
President, Mike Golding, who gave us a commentary even in the from London to attend in person. In whatever way,
on the start of the Vendée Globe: from a veteran of the most taxing of do join us: this will be your chance to hear about our
race, his insights were particularly special. circumstances.” plans for the future. Signs are that, by then, we may
be living through the end of the crisis. We will be in a
The uncertainty of those last months has been position to report in detail on the consequences of
draining: following somewhat confusing government Covid-19 for the Club and look forward to the year
regulations, we kept having to change our plans, often with renewed confidence.
at short notice. I was particularly disappointed to have
to cancel what I planned to be a French Trafalgar Whenever we can safely say that Covid, lockdown,
dinner to celebrate the 215th anniversary of the battle. Tiered living, and 2020 in general are behind us, these
While our stalwart winter events, the Shanties evening knock-backs, this ever so bumpy and unsettling year
and Carol Service and Christmas dinner could not be will have had one happy consequence: free of the
held in person, the dedicated organisers found a way confines of geography, the community of the Little
to make them fun, virtual, events. I am indebted to Ship Club has shown that it still thrives, even in the
both the organisers for their efforts, and to the most taxing of circumstances.
members signing up: for their patience, their trust that
this is only partie remise. To paraphrase Michael’s report of the Itchenor
rally: this awful year has brought home how very
2021 is the Club’s 95th anniversary year. much we long for ‘sailing in good company’ to be
In a move symbolically significant, the year will with us once more!
start with our debuting our new entrance, on the
Thames Path, renaming our address ‘Three Cranes All that remains is for me to wish you a merry
Walk’. Turn to the back cover of this magazine for a Christmas. Whatever your plans, I hope it is warm,
preview. full of love and laughter.
As ever, the year will open with the HPO dinner.
Anne Bizzey is organising a very special evening: on Let us wish for 2021 to be happy and joyful; may
12 January, join us (we hope) at the clubhouse; or on the new year bring fair winds, following seas and
much ‘sailing in good company’. s

Anne Billard, Commodore

COVID-19 / AGM PLEASE GET IN TOUCH

The Little Ship has been produced over a period of fast changing advice and regulations. s [email protected]

Unavoidably, therefore, some of the events planned – rallies as well as social – might be s Marketing Committee:
cancelled / amended by the time you read about them, or at a later stage. [email protected]

At the time of writing, we have our fingers crossed for the lockdown to be indeed lifted on s Membership Committee:
2 December and that we therefore can hold a lunch at the Club before Christmas. [email protected]

The AGM is planned for 2 March. We hope the event is a hybrid at-the-club and virtual, s Racing Committee:
so that many of you can attend who may perhaps not otherwise – either for health, or [email protected]
geography, reasons.
s Sail and Power Committee:
A new Club Committee, and a new Commodore, will be elected. Do not miss this [email protected]
opportunity to listen to their plans for the Club for the next two years, communicate what
you want out of the Little Ship Club, and, generally, get involved in the life of your Club. s Social Committee:
[email protected]
This will also be your chance to question or comment on my tenure and our track record
for the last four years, and thank the Club Committee who has worked so hard for you in s Training Committee:
that time. They do deserve your gratitude! [email protected]

WE WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU s Young Section: Benedict Ryan
[email protected]
The Club is always eager to hear from members. Please remember the Little Ship when
you have a story to tell which would interest fellow Little Shippers: on or off the water, we s Editor: Anne Billard
want to hear it. Email the editor: [email protected] [email protected]

4 LITTLE SHIP WINTER 2020/21 If you are a new member, please
get in touch with Paul Banks:
[email protected]

AT THE CLUB

LOCKDOWN

RESILIENCE OF LITTLE SHIPPERS

Times of crisis are known to bring out the
very best in people.

For our Club, the ‘very best’ turned out
to find ways to keep busy, and keep on
meeting, laughing, and drinking.
A friendly competition has developed for
the most creative background to our zoom
meetings; when the Commodore’s
Cocktail party had to be cancelled, we
replaced it with a drink competition. Some
of us visited the animals in the zoo, while
one member resurrected the ancient art
of tatting.

Above and right:
Virtual club nights.

Left: Keeping
company with
the animals of
London Zoo.

Below: LSC cocktail
competition: Jill
Moffatt’s drink and
(below left) Jenny
Jones’ glass.

Left: Paul Kelly
getting ready for
Club night on
Wee Dram.
Right: One member
mastered the art of
tatting.

LITTLE SHIP WINTER 2020/21 5

AT THE CLUB

When we heard that the Queens were at
anchor, we went to photograph this
mighty sight. We hope you enjoy these
pictures, shared by various members.

BEAUTIFUL BABIES

Celebrating the best news of all in these taxing times: new lives at the Little Ship Club.

Ida: Barrie Martin’s Blake: Theo Wieder’s Dylan: Paul Banks’ grandson. Charlotte: Robin Young’s
granddaughter. granddaughter. granddaughter.

6 LITTLE SHIP WINTER 2020/21

PHOTO COMPETITION 2020

PHOTO COMPETITION 2020

ADJUDICATOR’S REPORT

A slightly different Photo Competition this therefore awarded ex-aequo to Tim The winner of the Art category is ‘RMS
year. Crabtree ‘Droppy Nose Point Bryher to Olympic, Old Reliable’ by Frank Walters.
Castle Bryher’ and Mike Salter ‘Sunset at
Undoubtedly because of so many Ballahuilish on Loch Leven / the sun Many entries have caught our
disruptions to our sailing programme, setting over the hills of Morvern on the attention, and we are showcasing those
there were no entries for the Portraits or other side of Loch Linnhe’. which touched us most.
Animals Afloat categories this year.
It was impossible not to have a With our thanks to Patrick McCullough
However, the quality of the entries Lockdown category, and we felt giraffes for organising, and to everyone who
submitted for the Waterscape/Weather supporting the NHS were a deserving participated. Like much else, the prize-
category was such that it was impossible winner. giving will have to wait so look out for
to choose one winner, and the prize is further announcements.

CATEGORY 1: WATERSCAPES / WEATHER

Marine and inland waterways

Category 1 winner ex aequo ‘Droppy Nose Point Bryher Category 1 winner ex aequo ‘Sunset at
to Castle Bryher’ Tim Crabtree Ballahuilish on Loch Leven / the sun setting

CATEGORY 2: MAKING WAY over the hills of Morvern on the other side of

Vessels under way, not drifting Loch Linnhe’ Mike Salter

Category 2 winner Please take part in the
‘Sailing on Helford competition in 2021 and
submit your photographs
River’ and artwork from now
right up to November
Tim Crabtree 2021. Members are asked
to send entries both as
prints and as digital copies
to the LSC office and email
[email protected].

LITTLE SHIP WINTER 2020/21 7

PHOTO COMPETITION 2020 CATEGORY 4: LOCKDOWN HUMOUR

CATEGORY 3: RALLIES Capturing those humorous moments

Rallies and water based Club events, ashore or afloat

Category 3 winner ‘Weymouth at dusk: Breakout Cruise’
Anne Billard

CATEGORY 5: ARTWORK

Any painting, sketch or artwork on the theme
‘The sea, it’s in our blood’

Category 4 winner ‘The perfect lockdown combo:
giraffes, the NHS and an LSC cap?’
Anne Billard

ALAN WALDEN-JONES TROPHY 2020

Category 5 winner ‘RMS Olympic, Old Reliable’
Frank Walters

Another great
painting
‘Juno on a
bright and
breezy day’
Frank Walters

The Commodore’s Choice was awarded to Patrick
Tyrell for ‘Quiet Morning on Loch Leven’ in the
Waterscapes/weather category.

8 LITTLE SHIP WINTER 2020/21

PHOTO COMPETITION 2020

MORE MAGNIFICENT PHOTOGRAPHS

‘At Anchor St Helens Pool Isles of Scilly’ ‘Calmer Waters A Blast From The Past’
Tim Crabtree Benedict Ryan

‘Seagulls Conform to Lockdown’ ‘Sunset over Sampson Isles of Scilly’
Patrick McCullough Tim Crabtree

‘St Michael’s Mount Cornwall’ ‘Cutting it close (or
Tim Crabtree is it an illusion?)’
Anne Billard

LITTLE SHIP WINTER 2020/21 9

ON THE WATER

In July Little Shippers embraced their much missed freedom and set sail for
Weymouth. Tim Bizzey recalls the highlights and shares images that capture
members’ smiles expressing the joy that ‘Sailing in Good Company’ brings
to us all.

WE BROKE OUT OF
THE LOCKDOWN!

A s the pandemic began to moderate in June of Above: Bangoes
this year it became obvious that an and Storm Petrel
opportunity was developing for marinas to anchored in
reopen, for sailors to check out their yachts and even Studland Bay.
more possibly that we might be able to go to sea
again. So, the Club resolved with all optimism to Right: Commodore
plan among other things a couple of rallies in and Anne Billard with
around the south coast. Anne Le Verrier-
Bizzey, HPO liaison
Thus, it came to pass that on Wednesday 15 July on board Storm
four Little Ship Club yachts with their crews arrived Petrel.
in Poole Quay Marina with a view to making the
most of their new-found freedom. Storm Petrel led the Below: Pontoon
rally proudly flying the Commodore’s burgee, and party in Weymouth
yes, she was on board as well. In company with us Harbour.
were Olivia, Hadedah and a newly arrived Bangoes
having recently returned from Turkey and now
enjoying the chilly waters of the English Channel.

10 LITTLE SHIP WINTER 2020/21

ON THE WATER

Distancing was fully respected but did not Above (left and
noticeably affect our interaction with one another. right): Anne Billard
with Anne Le
On Thursday morning we broke out of Poole, Storm Verrier-Bizzey and
Petrel and Olivia anchoring up at Goathorn Point Martin Sandford on
whilst the others enjoyed another day in Poole or board Storm Petrel.
went on to anchor in Studland Bay.
Right: Delicious,
Friday brought interesting weather, quiet in the freshly caught fish.
morning so we set off for Swanage and were soon
able to turn off the engine whilst the wind blew up Right below:
quite strongly enabling us to have a dice up with Pontoon party in
Bangoes and shelter on moorings later in the day. We Weymouth Harbour.
had a chance to have a look around Swanage which
by this time was seething with holidaymakers Below inset:
determined to enjoy the warm and sunny weather. Lulworth Cove.

On Saturday Hadedah had resolved to make it to Below: Bangoes
Weymouth as they had crew to offload but very and Storm Petrel
shortly they re-appeared having faced in to strong anchored in
south westerlies with St Alban’s Head looking like a Studland Bay.
maelstrom, as it can often do. This turn in the
weather was unexpected but Sunday dawned quiet
but overcast so off we set for Weymouth. We headed
for the inside route, an arm’s length from St Alban’s
Head which with wind and tide happy with each
other gave us a smooth passage out into Weymouth
Bay. At this point our convoy stretched out with
Storm Petrel heading to an inshore hunt for dinosaurs
while the rest headed off towards the distant
cruise ships laid up in Weymouth Bay and our
reserved berths in Weymouth Harbour.

Weymouth Harbour is a delightful place
with a friendly harbour master and clean
pontoons and excellent facilities. Here we
stayed for three nights in sunny and warm

LITTLE SHIP WINTER 2020/21 11

ON THE WATER

Top: Distant view of weather enjoying each other’s company moored up back through the beautiful Nothe Gardens with
Swanage Bay. like ducks in a row. views across to Portland Bill. Excellent fish and chips
to boot!
Top and above right: On Monday we took a bus ride to the Abbotsbury
Queen Mary 2. Swan Conservancy to find the swans in full moult Wednesday ended our time together and we
which we were to hear prevents them from flying for reluctantly set sail for home, taking a closer look at
Above: Hadedah. about six weeks. The buses were predictably the cruise ships on our way and getting a special
unpredictable, so our team leader called up a taxi view of Queen Mary 2 who was looking very sad and
Below: Boats and we had a trouble-free return to base. lonely and in need of a coat of paint.
moored in Studland
Bay. Bangoes had to head back home to the east coast so The Solent is an easy day sail from Weymouth
on Tuesday morning we waved her a sad farewell with a following breeze, some went nonstop home
and wished her a happy passage home to her new whilst others moseyed on home in happy recollection
berth on the River Crouch. The rest of us took a walk of a good time had by all. Which goes to prove that
around the remarkably interesting old town, along ‘sailing in good company’ is alive and well and
the south side of the harbour to the Nothe Fort and continues to give pleasure to us all. s

12 LITTLE SHIP WINTER 2020/21

ON THE WATER

WE HEARD IT FOR THE
BUOYS IN AUGUST 2020!

Several LSC boats took to the water in August for the ‘dream rally’ in the Solent. Tim Bizzey tells the tale of
challenging sailing, stormy weather, a soggy barbecue, delicious dinners and a kite flying competition

enjoyed by all who attended.

Here was a chance to revive our summer Top: Anchored
cruising programme whilst maintaining our boats in Beaulieu
respect for the distancing rules following the River.
relaxation of the endlessly long lockdown.
Above and right:
The plan was to dream up a rally that everyone Dinner at the Royal
could take part in, that would be mostly informal, Solent Yacht Club,
and with the freedom to join either for the whole Yarmouth Harbour.
week, for just a few days or to meet up along the
way. It was therefore self-evident that there needed
to be plenty of sheltered places to meet in familiar
waters but with some decent sailing and interesting
things to do. We also had in mind a revival of the
atmosphere of some of the highly successful rallies
organised by the Club in years gone by.

Lo and behold the bookings started to click in, with
an amazing response which resulted ultimately in a
maximum of nine boats together at one point whilst in
other locations some came and went as they were able.

We began the rally in Yarmouth Harbour, rafted
up together, on Friday 21 August and, having settled
down on a pleasant summer evening, we walked up
to dinner at the Royal Solent Yacht Club, one of our

LITTLE SHIP WINTER 2020/21 13

ON THE WATER

favourite clubs with whom we have a close Top: Red Lion, gathering, Monday took us east with the tide
and friendly relationship. We were met by Freshwater. and light airs to Bembridge where we settled
the Commodore, Anne Kyle, who chatted to in to finger berths and prepared for bad
us about their arrangements to keep the Top, above and weather with the help of the marina staff who
Club open whilst complying with the right: Barbecue in were concerned about our security. Our
distancing requirements. We were arranged Bembridge. arrival was halted by the docking of an
in the dining room in tables of six and enjoyed enormous Dutch barge which lives alongside
a delightful dinner with the usual lovely views Above: Storm Petrel the main gangway, a feat of vessel handling well
over the Solent to aid our digestion. anchored with other worth watching.
LSC boats in By this time the weather was looking worryingly
Saturday was a lay day with the traditional walk to Beaulieu River. gloomy, especially as the barbecue was arranged for
the Red Lion at Freshwater where we packed out the the evening. This is the point at which the organisers
garden and were joined by Robin Whaite, who had usually panic, offer refunds and make a dash for the
spotted our burgees fluttering away in the harbour. harbour entrance. To make matters worse, the
marina staff had ominously refused to erect the
Sunday took us on the testing passage to the marquee. It transpired they were right. We all turned
Beaulieu River where this year swinging moorings up with warm clothing ready to party but just at the
have been laid down on the long reach. We settled in crucial moment the rain began to lash down and the
and some of us belayed the dinghies and motored up wind became not just serious but really threatening...
the river to Gins Farm where Barrie Martin met us and But we are, of course Little Shippers, and have
entertained us for local ales at the RSYC clubhouse. diverse ways of enjoying ourselves like singing sea
We then had to act as ferries, unfortunately at no shanties out of tune and telling jokes through gritted
charge, to get everyone back on board. Great fun in teeth. In due time the barbecue stayed alight, food
the dark, the river is a lonely place at night!

With the weather uncertain and a big storm

14 LITTLE SHIP WINTER 2020/21

ON THE WATER

was consumed followed by a headlong dash back to Top: Kioni anchored
the shelter and warmth of the Eberspacher. Even our with other LSC
president could not tell a more harrowing story of boats in Beaulieu
derring-do! River.

All night and all day Tuesday it blew old boots and Above: Ship Inn,
we began to think of giving up and catching the ferry Itchenor.
home. On Wednesday morning it was still blowing
hard, but the forecast was looking better. So we set Right: Kioni and
off on the afternoon tide and took a bumpy ride Olivia, at Itchenor.
across to Chichester where we were met through the
binoculars by the waving arms of our past
Commodore Michael who had most generously
arranged moorings for us on the island pontoon at
Itchenor. The kite flying competition had all but been
forgotten but following a few glasses of wine, up
went the kites only to get mostly tangled in the
rigging. Big prizes were awarded, as promised!

On Wednesday we picked up the ferry to Itchenor
Quay, were entertained for drinks by Michael Forbes
Smith in the Itchenor Yacht Club and later took lunch
at the Ship Inn.

There then ensued a discussion as to whether we
should press ahead with our final night in Cowes.

LITTLE SHIP WINTER 2020/21 15

ON THE WATER

Images of the kite
flying competition,
Itchenor.

Above: Drinks at the
Itchenor Yacht Club.

Sadly, our Commodore Anne, “The kite flying competition had
who was to have hosted our all but been forgotten but
party in Cowes, was at home following a few glasses of
in quarantine, so we decided to wine, up went the kites
sail for home ports on Friday only to get mostly
morning. We made a pretty sight tangled in the
as we headed together down the rigging.”
harbour and waved a cheerful
farewell as we made course for home.
In the event several of us did meet on
Friday evening at the Island Sailing Club
in Cowes which was a grand finale to an
excellent weather-dodging summer cruise in
good company.

On the basis of the enthusiasm expressed by
all of those who attended, look out for next year’s
Early May Bank Holiday Rally to Yarmouth and
late May Bank Holiday cruise to France and/or the
Channel Islands. s

BOATS ATTENDING
Attendees included Storm Petrel, Hadedah, Kioni,
A Day At The Races, Snoek, Olivia and Sea Spray
although we were sorry to lose Capricorn and
Mahina who missed us at short notice.

16 LITTLE SHIP WINTER 2020/21

ON THE WATER

ITCHENOR OUTINGS:TWICE
IN 20 YEARS AND 20 DAYS
(OR THEREABOUTS)?

Due to Covid-19 restrictions the Club’s first rally to Itchenor Sailing
Club was more of a get together and jolly supper than a rally. But
as organiser Michael Forbes Smith expresses, the time spent
sailing with fellow LSC members brought home how we long to
experience ‘Sailing in Good Company’ again.

It all started back in 2019 when I suggested to Above: Ron Gardner As the Met police’s boats were still too restricted for
Jonathan Hague that we should have a rally to on the helm past me to assemble a crew within the rules, Jonathan very
Itchenor Sailing Club, of which I am now a Dungeness. kindly invited me to join Avventura, which I did in
member – and he said, great; you organise it! Then Eastbourne: which was a revelation. It is hard to believe
came Covid-19 and I shelved the possibility. Then, as “...it is that this enormous marina and impressive clubhouse,
lockdown eased, Tim Bizzey gallantly undertook to remarkable surrounded by apartment blocks, restaurants and so
arrange a Solent rally. Thinking how good it would be how very forth is not a development of a venerable old port, but
to charter a boat and join Tim on the water, I was gratifying it is built from scratch towards the end of the 20th Century!
guided by Jonathan towards the Met police’s Halberg to see old
Rassys berthed in the Hamble. Lee Giffard, who looks friends after Avventura arrived there just before I drove up, on
after the Met’s boats could not have been kinder: but so long!” Thursday evening, 10 September. It was such a treat
Covid restrictions meant I could not raise a ‘two- to meet up with Jonathan and his crew, Ron Gardner
bubble’ crew so only day-sailing was permitted: Lee and Kate Newman who crewed for me on my very
was very understanding and I look forward to first charter, with our current Commodore and
chartering with them in future. So, Tim then asked if I Debbie Wheeler, on the Mallorca rally! We sailed on
could fix supper at the Itchenor Club. They had just from Eastbourne with an early start, mostly by motor
gingerly opened their doors. But on the day – 26 (story of the cruise – with one notable but all too short
August, their regulations had changed, and it was off. exception), and there my peace was shattered by –
I managed to get a table for seven of the group in the Covid and the Itchenor Sailing Club. I had fondly
Itchenor Ship Inn, and we did have a drink in the believed all was fixed, but an email on my phone
Club: just a great pity that the original plan couldn’t alerted me to changing regulations – in advance of
go ahead. the next turn of the lockdown screws by HMG: every
person in the rally now had to sign in for supper in
Then Jonathan asked if arrangements for 12 person on the Club website. That ensured a busy
September were in hand! So, I had to act at the double; morning to-ing and fro-ing on the airwaves. But to
back to Itchenor Sailing Club and the harbour master’s my surprise and delight, in the end it all worked,
office. This was not so much a rally as a get-together though it did need some help from Katrina Durrant
and jolly supper together; but it did have one curious who as always rose to the occasion in her
statistic in the relative distances travelled to the wonderfully equable way: thank you Katrina.
Chichester Harbour Itchenor pontoon. In the case of
both John de Witt’s Pym and Sylvia Chester’s Seaspray, We crossed Chichester Bar about 1700. The harbour
they needed to motor for less than 11.2M from their master had told me that, though berths could not be
berths in Birdham Pool Marina. Jill Moffat and Charlie booked on the pontoon, we shouldn’t have a problem
Quayle’s Kioni (a sister Bavaria 34 to Pym) were a for four boats, at this time of the year. When we
leisurely 17.5M off, in Port Solent. But Jonathan’s arrived at the pontoon, the visitors’ end was full! So,
Avventura was a bracing 117M away, in Ramsgate. we tied up with over half of Avventura’s 13 plus
metres in a reserved berth.

LITTLE SHIP WINTER 2020/21 17

ON THE WATER

After a jolly evening on board, we were greatly Right: Farewell to
relieved that the berth owner had not appeared by Sylvia and Seaspray
the time one of the visitors departed early next on Itchenor pontoon.
morning! And then another left, so we were able to
ensure that our three partners were able to raft on the past Dungeness (another Jonathan backdrop), past
two berths now freed up – phew! The Club’s tender Dover and the South Foreland, and so home to
had been made available for us, and Ryan the sailing Ramsgate, where Claire was there to meet me having
manager ferried us ashore and back when the time booked us into the Falstaff, a former pub now a very
for dinner arrived. comfortable mini-hotel. And so, another short
adventure over. It brought home to me at least, how
Again, it is remarkable how very gratifying it is to very much we long for ‘sailing in good company’ to
see old friends after so long! We sat outside with our be with us once more! s
drinks, before being summoned in for our paellas –
delicious, even when served in cardboard boxes (no
washing-up required by the attenuated Club staff!)
Claire my wife joined me, and before I knew it, she
had signed me up for the return passage all the way
to Ramsgate!

So, we all said our farewells and set off on Sunday
morning; past Selsey Bill, the Seven Sisters and
Beachy Head (now one of Jonathan’s zoom
backdrops) and on to Eastbourne again, where we
spent another jolly evening. On again next morning,

“GREAT TO BE BACK
ON THE WATER”

Hunter Peace shares the highlights of his few precious
days spent on board Lazy Life in August.

I am just back from a couple of sunny and hot packed out as was Fowey with the only free Top: Lazy Life afloat.
but windless weeks on Lazy Life but great to berth opposite the china clay berth! Above: Thick fog near Dartmouth.
be back on the water.
We had intended to visit Salcombe but
The aim was to anchor wherever possible to heard on the news it was closed to visitors so
maintain social distancing. From Cowes to returned to Dartmouth where the holiday
Weymouth via Poole Harbour passing four makers were generally respecting social
cruise ships laid up at anchor off distancing and wearing face masks.
Bournemouth and a further nine in
Weymouth bay. Then thick fog forced our return to harbour
after 4M of near zero visibility but we berthed
We were lucky to get a berth in Weymouth opposite David Clements our HPO
but only for one night as they will not permit Dartmouth.
rafting reducing capacity by 70 per cent and
you have to pay a £20 non-returnable deposit Visibility improved somewhat the
at least 24 hours in advance. With strong following day but only seeing land after 60M
westerlies we anchored the next two nights in at St Alban’s Head before we anchored after
Portland Harbour before leaving for 11 hours motoring in Studland Bay. A very
Dartmouth where we secured to buoys in the early start to catch the tide at the Needles saw
middle of the river. Here they allowed one raft us back on a grey and deserted Solent.
out with yachts facing opposite directions.
Then on to the Yealm which was absolutely The highlight of the trip was the constant
company of porpoises who have returned in
considerable numbers to the west country. s

18 LITTLE SHIP WINTER 2020/21

CRUISING

PLAYING IN MY
OWN BACK YARD

Back in March, when the first lockdown started, it had seemed that the season would
be a write-off. But David Clements, and 24-year-old Bagheera of Whitby still managed
three cruises, tucked away approaching 700 miles of sailing and visited three new
anchorages. David concludes: “The whole season was a reminder of how lucky we are
to have such a varied cruising ground on our doorstep.” In the first of a three-part series
David takes us into West Devon and Cornwall.

MONDAY 6 – MONDAY 13 JULY 2020 Top: Bagheera had not been informed with the result that the
anchored in the service batteries were flat. On coming down to do a
What a season it has been! Bagheera of Whitby, my Helford River. few jobs the week after launch, there was a terrible
Bowman 40, was lifted out for her annual smell in the saloon and the carbon monoxide alarm
maintenance on Monday 23 February 2020, the day Above right: A was sounding. Eventually, the problem was traced to
lockdown was announced. After a long hiatus when happy Skipper as ‘cooking’ batteries and both had to be replaced –
the yard was closed, we were able to get the work list we round the another big bill. After a few more days of work to get
under way, the principal item being the installation Dodman. her fully commissioned, she was in good shape for
of a new windlass, which proved to be an awkward the first cruise of the year, which started on 6 July –
job with the installation costs exceeding the cost of the day we were released from our first lockdown.
the windlass itself! Having admitted defeat on
running new wiring for the bow light through the 6 JULY – DARTMOUTH TO SALCOMBE
pulpit, as originally done, it was re-wired through a
new deck gland and with the usual other jobs, it was The crew for this trip were Mike Gill and Robert
an expensive lay-up. However eventually all was Lane, both of the Little Ship Club. With the Channel
done and she was re-launched on 3 June – but still Islands closed and France a non-starter, the choice
with tight restrictions in place. Disaster then struck; came down to leaving the Dart and turning to port or
there had been a power cut in the yard at Galmpton starboard. For a week’s cruise, it was a no-brainer and
for a couple of weeks before re-launch about which I after stowing gear and settling in, we left the mooring

LITTLE SHIP WINTER 2020/21 19

CRUISING

at 1420 and enjoyed a fine sail across Start Bay in a Above: Black Rock a reef and then at Force 6 took in six rolls of the
moderate north-westerly breeze. We reached Start at and St Anthony yankee. By now the sea was building with wind over
1620 and as we rounded the point, a very large back Head. tide and we had a choppy passage across the long
appeared on our port side but didn’t stay visible for Above right: Robert and uninteresting Whitsand Bay and past Looe and
long enough to make a positive identification – but it Lane at the helm off Polperro. At Udder Rock, virtually the only outlying
was no dolphin, it was something much bigger. St Anthony. rock between Portland Bill and Falmouth, we gave
up the struggle and motored the last few miles into
The sun now came out and we enjoyed a fine beat Above: Salcombe Fowey and picked up a vacant mooring as the
past Prawle Point but with the tide now against us, it at sunset. weather closed down.
was slow going and it was 1835 when we crossed Below: Evening
Salcombe Bar and moored up to a buoy on the in Fowey. It was a grey and mizzly evening, only cheered
East Portlemouth side of the estuary. It was by Mike Gill’s famous steaks and the
a glorious evening and the sun stayed with
us until late as we enjoyed a wonderful appropriate accompaniment of wine.
sausage casserole, courtesy of Helena, Day’s run 46.6M, engine hours 1.3.
Robert’s wife.
8 JULY – FOWEY TO FALMOUTH
Day’s run 22.0M, engine hours 1.2. (TRURO RIVER)

7 JULY – SALCOMBE TO FOWEY It was a damp and grey morning and after
breakfast we went alongside the Albert Quay
The crew was up and about at 0730 and we for urgent stores (a visit to the legendary Quay
went alongside the Normandy pontoon for Bakery and a Times!) and it was not until 1135 that
croissants and the Times. Departure was 0945 we left Fowey. With the breeze stiff and still in the
and once outside we sniffed the breeze to find that it west-south-west, we kept in the reef from the day
had inconveniently backed round into the west- before and had a great fetch out to the Dodman. It
south-west. For a couple of hours we struggled to seemed to take a very long time to pass it – in fact the
stem a foul tide along the rugged stretch of coast log reports that it came abeam on port tack at 1325
between Bolt Head and Bolt Tail but as we ran into and then again on starboard tack at 1410! In between,
Bigbury Bay, the tide eased and we made reasonable the sun came out and we ate enormous Quay Bakery
progress. Inside Stoke Point (too far inside it for the pasties for lunch.
liking of the crew!) we tacked out and worked our Normally, Fowey to Falmouth is an easy four to
way across the mouth of Plymouth Sound, passing five hours but beating into a chop, things are very
Rame Head at 1445. The wind was steadily different and it was not until 1700 that we finally
increasing and when it reached Force 5 we tucked in brought St Anthony abeam. We abandoned plans to
continue on to the Helford River and turned north
past Black Rock and into the smooth waters of the Fal
estuary. It is always a a great feeling to enter the Fal;
with the tide nearly high, we were able to sail
anywhere without fear of grounding and sailed all
the way up to Turnaware Point in warm sunshine.
Now under engine, we motored up to Malpas to have
a look at the new deep-water pontoon before
dropping back to anchor on the west side of the Truro
River off the entrance to Church Creek – a beautiful
spot and perfect peace. With treacle tart for supper,
the world seemed a better place and Covid-19 a long
way off.
Day’s run 38.4M, engine hours 1.1.

20 LITTLE SHIP WINTER 2020/21

CRUISING

9 JULY – TRURO RIVER TO ST MAWES Top: Entering under yankee only in glorious evening
Helford River at sunshine. Sadly, there was just too much
It was a totally peaceful night and a new anchorage dusk. north in the wind for the anchorage to be
for Bagheera. After rain overnight, it was another grey tenable and we motored round to Helford,
morning and the Skipper tackled the unpleasant task Top right: Cawsand picking up a buoy in the Pool at 1915. It was
of investigating why the holding tank pump-out Bay. a cool but beautiful evening – Helford
pump had failed. It was easy to see the problem – a looking its very best.
broken rocker lever – but not so easy to source the Above right: Truro Day’s run 6.5M, engine hours 0.9.
necessary part as RM69 no longer have a UK agent River near Malpas.
and so nothing was available in Falmouth. 11 JULY – HELFORD RIVER TO
Above: A Skipper's CAWSAND BAY
When we left the anchorage at 1130, there was an work is never done.
amazing amount of mud on the chain and the In glorious sunshine, we carried out the final job on
anchor and it was a slow job to get it all off to the wind generator, rigging the actual unit on its pole
avoid carrying it down into the chain locker. on the counter. It was a relief to see it work and to
It was a ‘tourist day’ and we visited see the charge trickle into the batteries.
Restronguet and Mylor before picking up a
buoy in St Mawes for the night. With the The wind had now inconveniently backed round
weather still damp, the day was spent into the east and fallen away to almost nothing and
cleaning and polishing and finishing tasks so with time beginning to press, we motored out to
which would normally have been done start the long trip east. Some 3M short of the
before launch. Dodman, a light breeze arose out of the south-west
but it was fickle and soon disappeared again and it
The evening takeaway fish and chips from was not until 1530 that it finally settled in.
the Watch House were rather a disappointment –
we managed to produce a much better standard in Not long after passing Polperro we saw Wild Song,
Hinton St George’s Lord Poulett Arms (the Skipper’s our neighbour on our home pontoon in Kingswear and
home pub) during the lockdown! the boat belonging to Paul Heiney (Commodore of the
Royal Cruising Club) and his wife Libby Purvis and we
Day’s run 7.5M, engine hours 1.9. called them up for a chat. They had received a severe
battering rounding Start Point the day before – a timely
10 JULY – ST MAWES TO HELFORD RIVER reminder that this can be a dangerous headland.

As Robert was leaving us that day, we settled down We had no fixed destination in mind and
to enjoy St Mawes. It was bright and breezy with a eventually anchored in Cawsand Bay, which was
classic north-westerly airflow following the warm unusually devoid of a swell and gave us a quiet and
front of the previous day. The Skipper set to work to comfortable night, once the hooligans on jet skis and
install a new wind generator, having finally in RIBs had gone home.
conceded defeat with the Forgen which suffered from
heavy corrosion and failed bearings; after the fourth Day’s run 38.6M, engine hours 4.8.
problem, it was consigned to the scrapheap! The new
one is a Giga Turbine, all made of stainless steel and LITTLE SHIP WINTER 2020/21 21
HDPE and so at least rust should not be a problem!

Helena arrived at 1030 for tea and toast before she
and Peter headed home to Castle Cary and work
continued on the wind generator. Like most jobs on
the boat, it was incredibly awkward and involved
extraordinary contortions to get the wiring through
from the stern to the battery box area and to make all
the connections. Still, it was eventually finished and at
1750 we left St Mawes and ran down to Gillan Creek

CRUISING

12 JULY – CAWSAND BAY TO RIVER YEALM Above: Inshore had not been very adventurous, we never tire of the
lifeboat greets us anchorages of west Devon and Cornwall.
It was a very still morning, ideal conditions for running in Dartmouth.
out the anchor chain to remove all twists after the Below: Up close Cruise distance 201.1M, engine hours 17.3.
replacement of the windlass. It was soon done though and personal with
and we left at 1040 to spend a day pottering about Prawle Point. A MAINTENANCE VISIT BY THE SKIPPER
Plymouth Sound. With virtually no wind, we motored AND THE FIRST MATE, 28 – 31 JULY
in past the breakwater and explored the little bays that Below: Start Point.
lie between the Narrows and the Citadel, one of which Various problems had manifested themselves at the
looked promising for a future anchorage. We then ran end of the previous cruise; the boom vang was seized
up the Cattewater past Plymouth Yacht Haven to the up, the engine stop system had failed and the holding
bridge at Plymstock before turning round and heading tank pump needed to be repaired, as well as the
back out of the Sound and into the Yealm, picking up a completion of such items as cleaning all the chrome and
really filthy mooring in the Thorn Pool at 1530. The stainless steel. A new stop solenoid had been sourced
new mooring arrangements required us to move to and RM69 had very efficiently despatched the repair kit
another equally filthy mooring before we could
settle down to enjoy the beauty of this spot. It for the pump and so it was clear that a maintenance
was a perfect Yealm evening, with supper in visit was required. The new solenoid failed to
the cockpit (toad-in-the-hole!). remedy the problem with the engine stop
system but fortunately a spare was sourced
Day's run 16.0M, engine hours 2.8. locally the next day. The pump was re-built
and re-fitted without major problems.
13 JULY – RIVER YEALM TO In the afternoon, we went to Dartmouth
DARTMOUTH and had an interesting walk around parts
of the town that we had not previously
It was absolutely still in the night, one of explored, including finding a lovely
those times when you wonder whether the community orchard which in October we
boat is actually aground there was so little were surprised to see featured on a TV
movement and we motored down the a glassy programme about Devon and Cornwall.
Yealm to the bar. As a sail, it was frustrating, with The next day Bagheera's engineer Nick delivered
a little breeze playing games with us all morning as
we made our way across Bigbury Bay – engine on, the new stop button which turned out to be the solution,
engine off, engine on, engine off... As we passed although replacing it meant having to remove the whole
Prawle Point, we called the NCI station to welcome engine control panel to get at the fixings for the button.
them back to duty after the lockdown and at Start With most of the work completed, it was play-time and
Point, a proper breeze arrived and we had a great Diana and the Skipper had a lovely walk out to Inner
broad reach home across Start Bay. At the Froward Point and enjoyed a picnic sitting just below
Homestone, the engine was started again and by the NCI look-out post, looking out over Start Bay. In the
1540, Bagheera was back alongside in Kingswear. afternoon, rigger Barry Hollis plus partner and friend
arrived to refit the vang. It turned out that the problem
It had been lovely get afloat again and while we had been a blocked drain hole which had allowed salt
water to accumulate inside the vang and create massive
corrosion which had caused it to seize up.

With the key items completed, we could complete
the cleaning of the chrome and stainless steel, make
up and fit a new pad for the outboard bracket and
make up a new chain and rope strop, the old one
having mysteriously vanished over the side during
the first cruise. To celebrate, the last day was spent
drifting around Start Bay in the sunshine and then
motoring up to the anchorage off Dittisham Mill
Creek for lunch before returning to the berth,
packing up and heading for home. It had been a lot
of hard work but Bagheera was now back in full
working order and ready for the next cruise. s

22 LITTLE SHIP WINTER 2020/21

AT THE CLUB

HAVE A SPARKLING CHRISTMAS!

We all need a bit As the winter and these crazy
of sparkle in days just keep on rolling, we
these dark, crazy ‘Little Shippers’ need a big
days, especially boost – a glass of sparkling
during the festive wine will do the trick!
period. John Champagne is a popular first
Downes shares port of call but our shelves are
his expertise on groaning with bubbles from all
the best over the world so there’s a
sparkling wine mood-lifting sparkler to suit all
from all over the pockets. And, don’t forget, as
world to suit all well as making a cracking
budgets. festive aperitif, sparkling wines
will also enhance your
Christmas lunch … how about Franciacorta stay ‘on the lees’ bring a smile to your face in
pouring crisp, dry bubbles with for 18 months, “that’s three these troubled times.
the smoked salmon? million more than Champagne”,
they boast. New Zealand bubbly is also
Champagne, from chilly made from ‘the Champagne
vineyards in north-east France, Chile has been producing grapes’ grown in their ocean-
is generally a blend of sparkling wine for decades and cooled vineyards and was a
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and is improving year on year. cracking choice at my recent
Pinot Meunier grapes and is Montes’ ‘Sparkling Angel’, a ‘SD’ Golf Day event at a
made by a second fermentation blend of Pinot Noir and glorious Brocket Hall; Cloudy
in the bottle, where a little more Chardonnay from their coastal Bay Pelorus awaited the thirsty
sugar and yeast is added to a Zapallar vineyards in the golfers on that warm, sunny
still dry wine to produce a little Aconcagua Valley about 80 September day.
more alcohol and a little more kilometres north of Santiago
carbon dioxide – the fizz. The proudly announces that the We can’t of course forget
time the wine spends on ‘the ‘bottle fermented wine’ has English Sparkling, the wine
lees’, (the dead yeast cells) in been aged ‘on its lees’ for that’s taking the world by storm
the bottle following the second three years. and giving Champagne a run
fermentation is an important for its money in international
quality and taste factor; Moet et Chandon use all their competition. We have vineyards
Taittinger N.V. spends three Champagne skills in Argentina scattered all around the south
years on the lees in their cool and their Chardonnay-Pinot of England so there’s no excuse
Reims cellars to give the crisp Noir Chandon Rose N.V. is well not to pop in and buy a bottle or
citrus flavours attractive yeasty worth a colourful glass; 18 two. As the world’s no. 1 fan, I
overtones. months on the lees gives the raise a glass of English
vibrant strawberry fruit another Sparkling to all my fellow ‘Little
Cava, the Spanish sparkler is dimension. Shippers’. The toast? To the
made in the same way as end of these crazy days.
Champagne but from different South African sparkling wine, Cheers!
grape varieties; Xarello (gives as with most of the wines from
acidity), Macabeo (soft, floral) the fairest Cape, doesn’t get the John Downes
and Parallada (richness). Often praise it deserves. Simonsig www.johndownes.com
under-rated, it’s generally great Methode Cap Classique will
value for your tenner.

Or, you could ‘go Italian’ with
a bottle of fine Franciacorta
from the Lombardia region of
northern Italy. Chardonnay is
the major player but Pinot Noir
and Pinot Blanc can also join
the blend. It’s not cheap but
often has a price tag £10 lower
than Champagne. The
Franciacorta winemakers are
proud that 14 million bottles of

LITTLE SHIP WINTER 2020/21 23

ON THE WATER

Tim and Liz Crabtree along with their kitty, Wooster the sea cat, soak up every precious moment
aboard Trade Wind during this unique summer. Through a series of photos Tim shares the highlights.

TRADE WIND BACK IN
THE WATER AT LAST!

It’s June and Trade Wind is Above and inset:
back in the water at last. June, crew – Tim,
31 JULY Liz and Wooster
We are being very enjoy sunny
fortunate with the moments on board
weather with blue skies Trade Wind.
but cold winds until
today. No sailing today. Top and left: View
We enjoy the view from from Porthcressa to
Porthcressa to St Agnes, St Agnes.
Gugh with Annett and
Bishop Rock lighthouse
behind.

24 LITTLE SHIP WINTER 2020/21

ON THE WATER

7 AUGUST Above: Visitor’s map 14 AUGUST –
of St Helens and Liz T RA DE W IND IS COMING BACK EAST
We visited St Helens, an uninhabited island, on in front of a ‘pest
Thursday, a beautiful day, where all ships in the 18th house’ on the island. We made passage back from Scilly on Friday, a four
Century returning from their voyages who had the hour 30 minute passage all the way in thick fog,
plague needed to anchor and drop off those ill to Left and below: having weighed anchor at 0500. Penzance was
isolate in ‘the pest houses’ [that’s one still standing View from shrouded in thick fog so dropped anchor outside the
behind Liz] until they died or recovered. Porthcressa to harbour and fortunately the sun came out later. We
St Agnes. took on water (foc) before picking up a visitor buoy
So things don’t change much do they…. outside the harbour wall (foc) for the night and
dinner ashore at Blacks in Chapel Street.

The following day we made passage to Falmouth
Marina. A calm sea, glorious sunshine and a track
close in around the Lizard.

LITTLE SHIP WINTER 2020/21 25

ON THE WATER

21 AUGUST Top: Trade Wind
flying the LSC
We have made it to Plymouth after a return to burgee.
Falmouth to pick up some fuses for the anchor
windlass. I weighed anchor rather too Above: Beautiful sky
enthusiastically when leaving Trelissick and only over calm waters.
found out when we arrived at Charlestown! A
nuisance but a simple solution once I was able to Right and below:
speak to a great guy Rupert of Waters Marine in Weymouth and
Falmouth. This was the second time he’d helped us Weymouth Bay.
out as I thought I had a battery problem, which he
was able to diagnose and confirm that it was simply
a readout that was incorrect and the batteries were
fine. I strongly recommend him if any member is
in need.

We dropped anchor in Gorren Haven and off Looe
before reaching Plymouth yesterday afternoon.

We’ve cleaned the boat inside and out in readiness
for crew arriving today, our son Robert and his
girlfriend Sophia who join us for a week.

4 SEPTEMBER
Liz and I are nearly at the end of our eight week
odyssey from Southampton [Hamble] down the
south coast to Scilly and back.

We spent two nights in Weymouth Harbour so that
Eliza our one year old granddaughter could
experience her first visit to a proper beach and to
swim/paddle in the sea, which she loved.

Weymouth Bay was full of seven cruise ships at
anchor waiting from the time when they can again
operate. An amazing sight with two of the three
Queens there, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary 2, a
fantastic sight. Now in Poole harbour having
dropped off Eliza and her parents Sarah and David.
Eliza took the whole boating thing in her stride.
Including a ride in the tender today in a choppy
Poole harbour and a rolly passage from Weymouth
yesterday when she slept in her bunk despite the sea!
A new member in the making!

Home on Monday so we can prepare for our
daughter Helen’s wedding on 19 September.
Wedding and bridesmaid dresses to finish and lots of
other things to do!

26 LITTLE SHIP WINTER 2020/21

ON THE WATER

Left and below:
Trade Wind passes
the Seven Sisters
flying her new
ensign.

Right: Ramsgate 2 OCTOBER
Royal Harbour, Trade Wind is nearly home, proudly flying her brand-new ensign.
Thanet.
We have done well since leaving Hamble on Monday.
lunchtime. A brief stop in Brighton, not recommended, entrance
is difficult (like a washing machine even in light winds),
depressing when inside and little room for manoeuvre. 0640
departure in low cloud and drizzle but this soon cleared and a
lovely cruise to Ramsgate with a fair ride and light winds on our
backs. Beachy Head, Dungeness, Dover slid by arriving
Ramsgate at 1500 in warm sunshine.

Think we may be in Ramsgate for a few days until the next
weather system blows through before our passage to
Woolverstone. There is a possibility we might make the end of
season east coast rally but need to see how things pan out. s

LITTLE SHIP WINTER 2020/21 27

ME AND MY BOAT

2020 has been a unique year for us all. But as David Lowe’s experience illustrates even in this restricted
time the world of sailors is never dull! Although David could only spend two weeks with his boat Flying
Circus he dealt with losing his moorings in Mallorca, boat repairs and dramatic weather including Storm
Gloria. David shares his story.

FAR FROM
PLAIN SAILING

Sometimes when I thumb through the Club Above: Flying Circus
magazine or peruse the newsletters I get a pang in the bay – what it
of guilt that my default mode is locked on should be about!
receive rather than contribute. That together with the
fact that, like most old codgers, I seem to have rather Right: Flying Circus
more time on my hands than I would wish, has on a good day.
encouraged me to put pen to paper.
“Another left marina office allowed me to leave the boat unfolded
Having started I’m immediately wondering why I turn took me for the price of a nine metre monohull.
am bothering. My boat and I have been reunited for down the
less than two weeks this year due to the dreaded North African Lagos is a bit like Portishead without the tides and
lurgy and total distance covered for the season was coast to Ceuta, rain, it was very limited in terms of attractive places
approximately 400 metres from my buoy to the then across to to sail to so by the end of May I was off again sailing
marina’s hoist. That said the past 12 months have not the fleshpots of down the Spanish coast en route for Tangier. Another
been uneventful as you will see below. the Costa del left turn took me down the North African coast to
Sol and on to Ceuta, then across to the fleshpots of the Costa del Sol
By way of background Flying Circus is a 2005 the Balearics and on to the Balearics where I finally sailed into the
vintage Dragonfly 9.20 that I purchased as a 65th where I finally Bay of Pollensa on the north east tip of Mallorca early
birthday present to myself in 2012. Initially she was sailed into the in July.
berthed in Portishead and my first year of ownership Bay of Pollensa
was spent fighting my way up and down the Bristol on the north
Channel together with cruising the Isles of Scilly and east tip of
the south coasts of Devon and Cornwall. I learnt a lot Mallorca.”
during that year, specifically, if you’re not out of the
restaurant in Penarth when the flood starts you
probably won’t make it back to Portishead. I also
decided that I was not the man I used to be when it
came to chilly evenings, Atlantic depressions and
massive tidal ranges.

Accordingly, the next June I set off for the Algarve
via the Isles of Scilly, Brest, across Biscay and down
the Portuguese coast turning left at Cape St Vincent
and finally arriving in Lagos where I decided to
spend the winter as the delightful young ladies in the

28 LITTLE SHIP WINTER 2020/21

ME AND MY BOAT

Above: Port de
Pollensa, main
beach after Storm
Gloria hit the east
coast of Mallorca.

Right: View from a
beach bar.

At this point I had a stroke of what turned out to be “Over 30 required for members’ boats displaced by major
extreme good fortune when an English live aboard boats either works to the marina. In true Spanish style the other
advised me that the buoy I was circling had been dragged or main marina on the east coast was also planning
vacated by a Spaniard who had sold up and returned broke free similar works and it soon became clear that demand
to Madrid. I immediately picked it up and I have from their for space ashore was outstripping supply by a
been securely attached to it for nearly six years. moorings significant margin. I was now running out of time,
fetching up on sailing to the mainland would have been the sensible
2020 has been a year like no other for all of us. My the harbour option but I had no crew and the medium term
additional problems started in September 2019 when wall, the beach forecast was not great. Just to put the tin lid on it a rig
I returned from a cruise to Sardinia and Corsica to or the rocks.” inspection revealed a couple of areas of concern so I
discover that my usual place on the marina hard reluctantly resolved to spend the winter on my buoy.
where Flying Circus spends the winter months was Before flying back to the UK I called in the diver who
replaced every shackle, swivel and chain, he also
lengthened the main 30mm chain that connects my
mooring setup to my blocks.

On 20 January Storm Gloria hit the east coast of
Mallorca. The wind funnelled straight into the bay
and from all accounts the waves were huge and wild.
The bay is not deep and this would have exacerbated
the situation. Over 30 boats either dragged or broke
free from their moorings fetching up on the harbour
wall, the beach or the rocks. I must consider myself
fortunate as only one of these craft hit me on the way
through and damage was limited to my port ama.
From the reports I was receiving from other live
aboards it could have been so much worse. Some of
the craft drifting through the bay were over 50ft and
had one wrapped itself round my bows my ground
tackle would have struggled to deal with the load and
the damage would have been massive.

When I flew out at the beginning of February I
found that many boats were still stranded on the

LITTLE SHIP WINTER 2020/21 29

ME AND MY BOAT

shore. My priority was to get Flying Circus out of the Above left: The resolvable problem of poorly configured and badly
water. She was booked in for coppercoating and a aftermath of Storm maintained moorings they cited the pollution caused
re-rig ahead of the LSC bash in June and there was Gloria, Port de by the boats as the justification for taking this action.
also the small matter of removing the dents in the Pollensa main It was subsequently pointed out that the town
port ama. I spent three frustrating days trying to find beach. discharges all its sewage into the bay between 0100
a marina that could accommodate me and having and 0200 every morning and everything went quiet
drawn a complete blank on this I then moved on to Above right: Boats again. A mooring association has now been formed to
inland storage. To my huge relief on the day before I run ashore by Storm fight any proposal. When I joined I was number 80. It
was due to fly home I managed to sort out a lift, Gloria. turns out that other members include officials from
transportation, a police escort and an inland storage the local council and the police. Encouraging news,
facility for 1 April. Below: A salvage we shall see!
company cut up the
I can’t recall the subsequent sequence of events but damaged craft on I am pleased to report that Flying Circus came out of
suffice it to say that by the time the due date came the beach. the water during the first week of September and she
round both the UK and Spain were in lockdown and is now back in her normal place on the hard. To use
a few of EasyJet’s aircraft were starting to turn up on “... as she an accountancy analogy; as she settled on her chocks
eBay. Happily the only payment in advance had been settled on her she was transformed from a liability back into a
to the police for the escort. Did I detected a giggle chocks she was prized asset and the relief was instant and total.
when I suggested a rebate might be appropriate? transformed
from a liability Although it is fairly self-evident I thought it might
Around this time LSC made the reluctant decision back into a be useful to set out a few lessons I have learnt or
to postpone their rally. This was undoubtedly a wise prized asset ...” remembered in the wake of Gloria:
move not least because I had heard that most of the s In any buoyed area one is always vulnerable if
members suffered from cenosillicaphobia a condition
that would have become chronic as the result of local other buoy owners do not adhere to high standards
restrictions. for their equipment and its maintenance. If you are
damaged by another craft you will be fortunate if
A very sad aspect of the aftermath of the storm was you can identify the culprit.
the way the Spanish authorities dealt with the s My diver goes down twice a year to check my
stranded boats. The local lockdown meant that mooring setup. With the exception of the 30mm
owners were unable to come out to try to salvage galvanised chain all shackles, swivels and other
their property and the town was keen to clear the
beaches in anticipation of the pending season that
never really got underway. I wasn’t there but my
local chums tell me that the authorities brought in a
salvage company that cut up the craft in situ,
everything went into skips, hulls, rigging, fittings,
even personal possessions. A chum of mine managed
to get his hands on a water maker.

A knock-on effect in the aftermath of Gloria has
been a backlash against all the moorings in the bay.
Our tenure has always been at best dubious and at
some stage during most seasons there are rumours
that the authorities are going to clamp down and
clear out all the craft. During May the town
announced with determination in the local press that
the time had come to take action. In addition to the

30 LITTLE SHIP WINTER 2020/21

ME AND MY BOAT

chains are replaced and re-seized every two years. Above: High winds Having congratulated myself for doubling up on the
I am always surprised by levels of wear particularly destroy 60ft ketch, bridle and the round turns I was overcome by the
on the galvanised shackles where the threads exhibit Cala des Hombres lure of the local hotel.
significant deterioration. Bear in mind that my Mort.
mooring is only used for five months every year and The next morning the wind was still blowing but
for two of those I am usually away cruising. the sun was out which always helps. I made my way
s To secure Flying Circus to my buoy I use a bridle back to my dinghy. On arriving at the beach my jaw
with a doubled up safety line on each side and a dropped as I was confronted by the very sad scene
chain shackled to an anchor point on my bow. illustrated in the photo above. The day before this
These ropes take a lot of wear at their extremities had been a 60ft ketch that lived on the other side of
and are changed every year. They need it! the bay. Nobody needs to be reminded of the moral
It is a while now since I have cruised UK waters but of the story. s
when I was regularly crossing the Channel 20 or so
years ago it was obvious that weather patterns were
changing. This is certainly also true of the
Mediterranean and anyone who disagrees with that
should have a word with the local fishermen. I shall
end my ramblings on another weather related note
and an incident that occurred in September last year
on the south coast of Mallorca in an anchorage aptly
named Cala des Hombres Mort (Dead Man’s Cove).
I sheltered in this cove for six days while strong
south easterly winds persisted outside. After a couple
of days the wind veered causing a significant swell to
enter the cove making life rather uncomfortable. My
partner was due to fly back to the UK so we struggled
ashore in the dinghy and drove to Palma. When I
returned at dusk that evening the wind was howling
and the boat was bouncing around like a cork.

LITTLE SHIP WINTER 2020/21 31

RACING

LSC FAST CRUISE RACE AND
PRIZE CHUCKING FUN!

Jill Moffatt and Charlie Quayle
organised the Fast Cruise
series again this year. The first
Fast Cruise was held on
10–11 September, followed by
a dinner at the Island Sailing
Club in Cowes. Those that
participated and/or won last
season and were at Cowes at
the weekend were awarded
their prizes in a Covid-secure
manner (i.e. by chucking them
to skippers on their boats!).

Above: Storm Petrel.

Right: LSC boats on
the pontoon.

Below: Members
catch up with friends
at the Island Sailing
Club.

Right: Steve Perkins
on board Blue Pearl.

32 LITTLE SHIP WINTER 2020/21

RACING

Above: Members enjoy dinner at
the Island Sailing Club.
Right: Julie Overall on board
Olivia.
Below: Club boats moored
together.
Left: Liam Hayes on board
Finesse.

LITTLE SHIP WINTER 2020/21 33

EVENTS

ON THE WATER AND AT THE CLUB

If you are hoping for an active social and sailing life in 2021 look no further than a round-up of sailing activities and
social events at the Club. All events are listed on the website: https://littleshipclub.co.uk/events/all

RALLIES AND CRUISES GULET CRUISE IN TURKEY EARLY SEPTEMBER

WEST MERSEA RALLY – EAST COAST SEASON We are planning a relaxed one
OPENER SATURDAY 1 TO SUNDAY 2 MAY week cruise in Turkey sailing the
Come and join us for the traditional East Coast season opener. luxurious Gulets which are so
Organiser: John Davison characteristic and typical of the
country. No sailing skills are
YARMOUTH RALLY required, with the peaceful weather
SATURDAY 1 TO SUNDAY 2 MAY in the area the gulets normally
travel on engine. We are looking for
Join us for the the traditional South Coast season opener – the expressions of interest to enable us
early spring rally to Yarmouth. to make more detailed arrangements, to assess costs and to
Organiser: Tim Bizzey plan flights and transfers. Our HPO for Fethiye will be actively
involved in the planning of this venture so we will have excellent
CALAIS RALLY BANK HOLIDAY – SATURDAY 29 local knowledge available to us.
TO SUNDAY 30 MAY Organiser: Anne Bizzey
The annual LSC pilgrimage to Calais over the late May Bank
Holiday weekend. CANAL NARROWBOAT CRUISE
Organiser: Jonathan Hague SATURDAY 11 TO SATURDAY 18 SEPTEMBER

CHANNEL DASH TO CHERBOURG OR A week’s canal cruise from Stone,
ALDERNEY BANK HOLIDAY – SATURDAY 29 Staffordshire on the Trent and
TO SUNDAY 30 MAY Mersey Canal The week’s canal
Join us for a Channel dash to Cherbourg or Alderney. cruise will start and finish at Stone
Organiser: Tim Bizzey in Staffordshire. Stone is on the
Trent and Mersey Canal and the
MALLORCA CRUISE – DATE CHANGE plan is to go south with the route to
SATURDAY 5 JUNE TO FRIDAY 11 JUNE be confirmed and then return to
Stone. Four boats have been hired
Due to Covid-19 we have moved from Canal Cruising. There is a
the Cruise to 5–11 June 2021. If you mixture of single and double berths
have not booked and would like to on each boat. The cost is likely to be about £250 per person
come please go to our website to including fuel, mooring and a cruise dinner. Space is limited and
book online. the cruise is likely to be popular. To reserve places email to
This is your chance to visit Jonathan Hague.
Ciutadella, Port Mahon, Port Organiser: Jonathan Hague
Pollenca and Port Alcudia. A week
that is not to be missed! LET’S LOOK FORWARD
Organiser: Anne Billard
SHARE THE SAIL/FOLLOW THE FLAG
CORINTHIANS CRUISE SATURDAY 26 JUNE TO 30 JANUARY TO 5 FEBRUARY 2020
SUNDAY 4 JULY
We are planning a delayed joint The Corinthians are organising a
rally with our Corinthian friends. new on-the-water event, and they
This cruise is a mixture of sailing, have extended an invitation to LSC
history and cultural experiences. members to join. This will be a one-
The main cruise will take place in week event in the British Virgin
the English Channel. We are also Islands aboard chartered monohulls
organising a river cruise to and catamarans. Save the date and
Greenwich followed by a social event at our clubhouse. go to the LSC website to express
Organiser: Paul Banks your interest.

SKIPPER AND CREW SERVICE ON THE WATER

For all your skipper and crew requirements please use the For any queries, suggestions or offers of help with any of the
Club’s on-the-water activities please email:
Skippers and Crew forum on the Club website. Or email your
[email protected]
requests to: [email protected]

34 LITTLE SHIP WINTER 2020/21

EVENTS

FAST CRUISE SERIES 2020/21 ADVERTISING IN THE LITTLE SHIP

We plan to hold a full Fast Cruise season as usual. However, we The Little Ship looks forward to helping
you reach our audience of passionate
may have to amend bookings at short notice if the Government sailors and great socialisers.
For details on how to advertise email:
Covid-19 restrictions are changed or venues cannot [email protected]

accommodate sufficient numbers indoors. LITTLE SHIP SHOP WINDOW –
OUR SMALL ADS SECTION
Please go to the LSC website for updates and detailed
Our shop window is open to all advertisers and Club members
information. 20 MARCH have a 50% discount.There is no charge to Club members who
advertise their own boats for sale. So if you have a rental property,
FAST CRUISE 4 23 JANUARY items for sale, have a small business of your own or are a sole
FAST CRUISE 5 20 FEBRUARY trader, advertise in the Little Ship Shop Window.
FAST CRUISE 6 AND PRIZE GIVING You can choose from these window sizes:
1/4 page – 4 box side by side – 92mm (width) x 128mm (height) – £200
Organisers: Jill Moffatt and Charlie Quayle 1/4 page – 4 box vertical – 43.7mm (width) x 261mm (height) – £200
1/4 page – 4 box horizontal – 190mm (width) x 61.5mm (height) – £200
AT THE CLUB 3 box vertical – 43.7mm (width) x 195.5mm (height) – £150
3 box horizontal – 141mm (width) x 61.5mm (height) – £150
Our social calendar has, unsurprisingly, been extremely 2 box vertical – 43.7mm (width) x 128mm (height) – £100
disrupted this year. We are optimistic that 2021 will see us 2 box horizontal – 92mm (width) x 61.5mm (height) – £100
allowed to meet in person again, so preparations are well Single box – 43.7mm (width) x 61.5mm (height) – £50
under way for the HPO dinner to be held at the Club (as well For more information and to book an advert contact:
as virtually) on 12 January. Our President, Mike Golding [email protected]
OBE, will be with us.
We are also planning to hold those social events which were
cancelled (Trafalgar Night, Laying Up and Fitting Out
suppers, Shanties evening ...). Our new social organiser has
plans for a Silent Disco, a Jazz Night, a Céilidh/Barn Dance,
a Summer Ball, Casino Night, Oktoberfest ... and, of course,
29 October should be firmly in your diary for the Club’s 95th
anniversary dinner.

TRAINING

The Club offers the full range of RYA and LSC courses.
Here are some of the courses on offer, for details please
go to the Club website.

RYA COURSES

DAY SKIPPER SHOREBASED THEORY
FEBRUARY– APRIL

Accelerated course – Wednesdays 1900–2100 from February
to April.

COASTAL SKIPPER AND YACHTMASTER OFFSHORE
SHOREBASED THEORY FEBRUARY – APRIL

Accelerated course – Wednesdays 1900–2100 from February
to April.

PLANNED LSC AND RYA COURSES

The Club is planning dates for the LSC and RYA courses,
please join the relevant waiting list on our website and we will
notify you when the next course becomes available.

s RYA Essential Navigation Online course
s AED First aid course
s Practical weather forecasting
s Boat Electrics
s Basic rope work
s Braided rope work
s Motor cruiser course
s RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Shorebased Course
s RYA VHF Short Range Certificate Examination
s RYA VHF Short Range Classroom

LITTLE SHIP WINTER 2020/21 35

AT THE CLUB

RECENTLY ON SOCIAL MEDIA...

Last spring the clubhouse had to close for a first lockdown; we then could reopen for a few weeks when London was
in Tier-2 restrictions, only to have to close again in November. But we are making the most of life in a virtual, socially-
distanced, world: Training, Trafalgar Dinner and a host of speakers have joined the Little Ship Club zoom evenings.
Here is a taste of what has been happening in recent months, and the projects we are shouting about. Follow us on
Twitter and Facebook for more stories and pictures from the Little Ship Club and our friends on and off the water.

Little Ship Club @littleshipclub1 . Nov 13 Little Ship Club @littleshipclub1 . Oct 27
It is Friday and we have Have you heard we are hosting a photo competition? It
some exciting new will be held online but we expect it to be as ambitious
merchandising at the #LSC. and driven as always! We are counting on your
We are adapting to the extraordinary photographic skills and your determination
times and are thrilled to to win. Send your pictures [email protected].
announce we have our own
personalised face masks!
How good do they look?
You can now be fully
protected while supporting
your favourite club!

Little Ship Club @littleshipclub1 . Nov 11 You can also upload them to social media if you would
It is with a heavy heart that the clubhouse at #LSC is like some feedback from fellow competitors, just use the
closed again due to current lockdown measures. While hashtag #LSCphoto2020!
all the events we had planned (Fast Cruises, Carol
Service, etc) will be postponed, we are still here! Join us Little Ship Club @littleshipclub1 . Oct 26
each Tuesday for our Virtual Club Nights! Morning from the #LSC team. We hope you have had a
fantastic weekend. Over here, we are getting ready for the
Little Ship Club @littleshipclub1 . Nov 11 week and for some very exciting announcements, so
Yesterday we had a very, very special guest taking over watch this space
our Virtual Club
Night Talk: our Little Ship Club @littleshipclub1 . Oct 21
President, Mike This year is being a
Golding, who strange one. But we are
gave us insight keeping hopeful for the
about the current future and we are back
Vendée Globe with our RYA Training at
campaign. Click the #LSC. Work on your
here to get the sea skills with our wide
ppt presentation range of training
of his talk littleshipclub.co.uk/event/virtual opportunities. Join our
RYA VHF classroom
Little Ship Club @littleshipclub1 . Oct 30 course this http://littleshipclub.co.uk/training
Its Friday! When things were normal back in February,
we would be able to enjoy amazing Fish&Chips at the Little Ship Club @littleshipclub1 . Oct 20
Club. We are counting down the days until we can Virtually join us today for an amazing after-dinner talk by
indulge in this Friday tradition again. Warrant Officer 1st Class M D Gentry Royal Navy, as we
celebrate the 215th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar.
We are hosting the event via zoom at 7PM.

Little Ship Club @littleshipclub1 . Oct 20
The team at #LSC are thrilled to announce the cabins
have finally reopened to bookings. After a temporary
closure due to the ongoing health crisis, we are starting to
get back on our feet, offering our members and their guests
a comforting stay at the heart of London. #LSCopen

36 LITTLE SHIP WINTER 2020/21

Little Ship Club @littleshipclub1 . Oct 19 AT THE CLUB
Attention sea lovers Our
2020/2021 calendar for Little Ship Club @littleshipclub1 . Apr 3
RYA training courses at Good morning from the #littleshipclub How are we doing
#LSC is on! We are kicking today into the #lockdown? We are expecting reach 20C
things off with the RYA VHF this Sunday here in London, but we will have to
classroom course on 24th #StayHome and
October, and the RYA enjoy from inside!
Diesel Engine on 25th Looking forward
October. What are you to being back on
waiting for? +info & the Thames
registration sailing through the
http://shorturl.at/acwzF city we love!

Little Ship Club @littleshipclub1 . Oct 19 Little Ship Club @littleshipclub1 . Apr 1
On the eve of the 215th anniversary of the Battle of Good morning from the
Trafalgar, the #LSC celebrates with an after-dinner talk by #littleshipclub team! While
Warrant Officer 1st on #lockdown, we are
Class M D Gentry reminiscing about all those
Royal Navy. The times we indulged in some
online event will take lovely wine at the Club!
place tomorrow 20th Who is excited about
October at 7PM. Join coming back here?
us via zoom...
Little Ship Club @littleshipclub1 . Mar 31
Little Ship Club @littleshipclub1 . Apr 17 Attention!: Cruising Association details Covid-19
Can’t sail while on #lockdown? This again! The restrictions. Read the story by @marineindnews here
#littleshipclub is entering the fantastic eSailing
competition the @RYA is launching. The race will be held Worldwide Covid-19 restrictions effectively
on May 25, and mean that most, if not all, cruising, is currently ...
the LSC is @marineindustrynews.co.uk
offering web-
based practice Little Ship Club @littleshipclub1 . Mar 26
this upcoming Good morning from the #littleshipclub! We can’t wait to
weekend. + info: feel the fresh air against our skin while doing what we do
tiny.cc/20rqmz best: sailing! But for now, we’ll continue following
government's
Little Ship Club @littleshipclub1 . Apr 9 advice and
What to do during this #lockdown? We have some plans keep ourselves
for you! Join the @RYA RYA VHF Short Range Certificate busy at home
Course and Examination. and daydream
The course will be entirely about the sea.
taught online, so we can
continue to safely learn Little Ship Club @littleshipclub1 . Mar 26
and improve our sea- Wondering how to pass the time during the #lockdown?
related skills. + info: We have a wonderful idea! Our colleagues at Imray have
tiny.cc/3hsqmz wonderful sailing and pilot books. They also have a wide
range of apps to assist you while sailing and planning your
Little Ship Club @littleshipclub1 . Apr 3 navigation. Check them out https://imray.com/home/
Something to consider among our members? ‘Man
spends three years building his own pirate ship’ Little Ship Club @littleshipclub1 . Mar 25
marineindustrynews.co.uk/... @marineindnews Good morning
everyone from the
... Plymouth #littleshipclub.
based Ian Here we are getting
Lottie has ready for the Club
spent three opening in the
years building future ... drill in
his very own hand! Just kidding!
pirate ship ... Benedict, one of our
members is helping
the Commodore
with some DIY

LITTLE SHIP WINTER 2020/21 37

AT THE CLUB Little Ship Club @littleshipclub1 . Mar 20
We are definitely not panic buying over here at #littleshipclub.
Little Ship Club @littleshipclub1 . Mar 24
Good morning! These are unprecedented times, and here
at #littleshipclub we are staying positive and hopeful for
the future. We will get through this and go back to sailing in
no time! Spring is bringing us warm weather and we are
already getting excited about the summer!

Little Ship Club @littleshipclub1 . Mar 20
Announcement: We regret to inform you the Club will
temporarily close until further notice due to the current
situation in relation to Covid-19. We will keep you posted
on any recent developments. Keep safe!

#LSCquote #seainspiration #seasaying

During the spring lockdown members shared inspirational quotes all about sailing and sea-inspired sayings that are now
part of our everyday language. Here is a selection:

Little Ship Club @littleshipclub1 . Oct 29 May 7
#LSCquote “It isn’t that life ashore is distasteful to me. But #LSCquote “Whether the weather be fine, or whether the
life at sea is better.” Sir Francis Drake weather be not;
We’ll weather the weather, whatever the weather;
Oct 23 Whether we like it or not.” Anon #littleshipclub #seainspiration
#LSCquote “We who adventure upon the sea, however
humbly, cannot but feel we are more fortunate than ordinary May 5
people.” Claud Worth #littleshipclub #lockdowninspiration #LSCquote “The pessimist complains about the wind; the
optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.”
May 29 William Arthur Ward #littleshipclub #seainspiration
#LSCquote “The charm of single-handed cruising is not
solitude, but independence.” Claud Worth #littleshipclub May 1
#seainspiration #LSCquote “Twenty years from now you will be more
disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the
May 28 ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from
#LSCsaying ‘Wipe the slate clean’ A slate tablet was kept the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore.
near the helm on which the watch keeper would record the Dream. Discover.” Mark Twain #littleshipclub
speeds, distances, headings and tacks during the watch. If
the slate was wiped clean at the start of a new watch all April 30
previous incidents could be forgotten. #seasaying #LSCquote “Any damn fool can circumnavigate the world
sober. It takes a really good sailor to do it drunk.” Francis
May 26 Chichester #littleshipclub #seainspiration
#LSCquote “What bliss to be in the cockpit with the sun
and the warm breeze on one’s skin, just watching the sea, Apr 28
and the sky, and the sails.” Sir Francis Chichester #LSCquote “Bad cooking is responsible for more trouble at sea
#littleshipclub #seainspiration than all other things put together.”
Thomas Fleming Day #littleshipclub #lockdowninspiration
May 22
#LSCsaying ‘Slush fund’ Ships’ cooks supplemented their Apr 23
meagre wages by selling on the fat from salted meat #LSCquote “There is nothing – absolutely nothing – half so
storage barrels. This slush was sought after by candle much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.” Kenneth
makers and provided the cook with valuable extra income. Grahame (The Wind in the Willows) #littleshipclub
#seasaying #lockdowninspiration

May 21 Apr 22
#LSCquote “No man should be a sailor who has enough #LSCquote “We are monarchs of all we survey and owe
contrivance to get himself into jail, for being at sea is like being allegiance to none but the weather.” Frank Cowper
in jail with the added possibility of being drowned.” Dr Johnson #littleshipclub #lockdowninspiration
#littleshipclub #seainspiration
Apr 14
May 14 #littleshipclubknowledge Ever wondered where the sea saying
#LSCquote “Others may use the ocean as their road. Only ‘son of a gun’ comes from? Since the British Navy used to allow
the English make it their abode.” Edmund Walker women and children to live in naval ships, any child born on
#littleshipclub #seainspiration board who had uncertain paternity would be listed in the ship’s
log as ‘son of a gun’. #seasaying
May 12
#LSCquote “To know the laws that govern the winds, and to Please share your favourite sayings
know that you know them, will give you an easy mind on your #LSCquote #seainspiration
voyage around the world; otherwise you may tremble at the
appearance of every cloud.” Joshua Slocum
#littleshipclub #seainspiration

38 LITTLE SHIP WINTER 2020/21

OBITUARY

Richard Taylor 1943–2020

It is with great sadness that we have learnt of the death of crewing for at least two past commodores over many years
Richard Taylor, Club member and mainstay of the Training both in both Northern European and Mediterranean waters.
team. His practical skills in engineering and electronics, not to
mention navigation, were invaluable on board – as was his
Richard joined the Club in early 1993 and for more than 20 relaxed persona in times of crisis.
years delivered what we now call the long ‘Yachtmaster’
shore-based course. He served twice as Rear Commodore Richard had trained as an electronic design engineer and
Training and, more recently, delivered the RYA Diesel worked for BT until his retirement, having joined in the days
Course, devised the Braided Rope course and one half of the when it was Post Office Telephones. As a younger man, he
Boat Electrics course. Richard also wrote a 132-page had been a keen diver and had qualified as a diving
Yachtmaster document, still widely used, to assist students instructor. Later in life, he acquired a boat and, with his then
and continually updated this; last version 2019. partner, made passage across the Bay of Biscay.

He was also an accomplished and experienced sailor, a He contributed to various aspects of Club life – one of his
member of the Ocean Cruising Club, gained after skippering less well-known contributions having been the conscientious
a member’s yacht on a challenging Atlantic crossing, and cataloguing of the Club’s trophies – and was a regular at
Tuesday evening gatherings. He also generously helped to
deliver external events which spread the good name of the
Club.

In company, he enjoyed his red wine while, in his more
reflective moments, he appreciated classical music and
literature.

We shall miss him.
Hunter Peace

A stalwart
crew on Lazy
Life, these
pictures were
taken during
various sailing
adventures
with Hunter.

LITTLE SHIP WINTER 2020/21 39

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Our ‘From The Archives’ section comes from our HPO
North Mallorca.
Ian Foster is currently writing his memoirs; in his book, he
mentions that his uncle, Cecil Forester, wrote sea books
with the Hornblower Series and the African Queen.
This is a write-up of how the actual African Queen tried
to join the 50th Dunkirk Rally in 1990 – when the lead
boats came from the Little Ship Club. Interesting to see
how Ian is actually part of the Little Ship family, in more
ways than one.

Above: Ian Foster.
Above right: Cover of Steamboating (Steamboat News), January/February 1992. The caption reads: “Here’s a view of James W. Hendricks taking his

V“S TTHHEEEANFGRILCIASHN CQUHEAENNNELAfrican Queen across the English Channel in 1990.”

James W. Hendricks, POB 301, Harrods Creek, KY 40027; phone 502-228-8043

Ithought we were reasonably well-prepared to cross Above: African Also aboard would be photographer and freelance
the English Channel in the African Queen to take part Queen captained by journalist Jim Leggett, a Scotsman who now lives in
in the Dunkirk Commemoration service in May of Jim Hendricks Palm Beach, Florida, and who had done a story about
1990. It was assumed that we would cross from Dover greets Queen the African Queen and Key Largo for the Rolls Royce
to Calais, some 22 miles and then run another 20 or so Elizabeth 2 during magazine, Queste.
miles up the French coast to Dunkirk. Cunard’s 150th
anniversary sailing A new Decca set had been purchased, a hand-held
We had a new engine and boiler which were genuine the Solent between ship-to-shore radio and a woefully inadequate hand-
1880’s English steam launch reproductions. The Portsmouth and held compass. The boat was also equipped with a
equipment had been tested in the United States and in a Cowes into 12-volt battery and bilge pumps.
2-hour hard run at Shoreham Harbour in Sussex, only Southampton,
about one 25-kilogram bag of Welsh steam coal had England in 1990. The weather was pretty good on May 23rd and
been consumed. And the Queen had chugged along at *Beaufort scale force 3 and 4 from the northeast had
7–8 mph. So she was hauled from the harbour at been predicted for the 24th.
Shoreham and transported on her trailer to Ramsgate
in Kent some 100 miles away where she was hoisted *Beaufort scale: A scale on which successive ranges of
into the water in the early afternoon of May 22, 1990. wind velocities are assigned code numbers from 0 to 12
or from 0 to 17, corresponding to names from calm to
We had all day on May 23rd to prepare for the hurricane. [After Sir Francis Beaufort (1774–1857),
crossing which, however, was not the 22 miles from British admiral.]
Dover to Calais. We had been asked to cross with a
number of private boats, including as many as nine or
ten from the Little Ship Club, from Ramsgate to
Dunkirk, a distance of some 45 miles, since it was
decided that only the original “Little Ships” would
leave from Dover with their escorts.

We had arranged for a crew of four, including
Richard Head, Commodore of London’s Little Ship
Club, who was to meet me at the Ramsgate dock at
7.00a.m. with charts and weather reports. He was to be
our navigator.

Also included with us was Ed Langley whose
company had manufacture the new compound steam
engine and designed the Kingdon-type boiler.

40 LITTLE SHIP WINTER 2020/21

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Our crew and my wife Frankie attended the Little “The wind when I checked the weather at the dockmaster’s office, I
Ship Club Captains’ Dinner at the Ramsgate Royal seemed to me was told that the prediction was for 4 and 5 winds.
Temple Yacht Club. We were surprised to learn that to be quite
apparently only three other boats from the Club were brisk ... a little Even though this was a little worse than predicted
to make the Dunkirk crossing. worse than the day before, with a bright day and a super crew, I
predicted.” decided to proceed with our plans to cross the English
One of the three was a sailboat whose captain was Channel from Ramsgate, England to Dunkirk
going to be on his own and did not wish to cross with Below: Map showing (Dunkerque on the accompanying map), France.
any other boats. Skippers of the other two boats had African Queen’s
decided to leave about 9.00a.m. on the 24th and would route through the All the crew showed up and I met Richard Head and
make some 6 or 7 knots. English Channel his lovely wife, Sue. Richard had his charts and
from Ramsgate to weather maps with him. We decided to sail out
During a brief meeting, I told them that I was Dunkirk. easterly on 105˚ against the tide four or five miles to
planning to leave about 7.00am (the African Queen had clear the Goodwin Sands.
already been taken through the locks and was in the
outer harbour.) Since we would probably be We would then head 125˚ with the tide, anticipating
considerably slower than the other vessels, we that after crossing the shipping lanes, we would be
expected to join up with them by 11.00a.m. or so. west of Dunkirk. There we would meet up with the
ships from Dover and run down with tide which
Unfortunately, I did not understand that there was would have reversed by then to our port of
more than one way to go from Ramsgate to Dunkirk destination, Dunkirk. We hoped to average in a
other than attempting to go in a straight line after straight line some six knots so our estimated crossing
allowing for hazards, i.e. the Goodwin Sands and the time was about 8 hours which would put us into
tide. I felt sure there would be plenty of other boats Dunkirk about 4.00p.m. (1600 hours).
making the crossing.
We sailed out of the harbour on our heading of 105˚.
The morning of the 24th was bright with the sun It was quite bumpy but the Queen seemed to be
shining. The wind seemed to me to be quite brisk and handling the seas well. Several miles out, a line of
boats near us with which we had been running turned
sharply to starboard and I called and asked where they
were going.

I at first thought they said “Kelly” but of course they
were crossing directly to Calais. Richard Head and I
decided to go ahead with our original course.

We were hoping that the other two boats from the
Little Ship Club would catch up. It wasn’t until several
days later that I found out what I should have found
out at the Royal Temple Yacht Club dinner.

They had chosen to leave with the tide behind them
and head through the “Downs” running down the
English coast to Dover (about 12 miles away) when
they would meet up with the fleet leaving that port to
go to Dunkirk.

This route was some miles further, but probably
took better advantage of the tides and, of course,
would keep much closer to land. The crews of the two
boats later heard our “Securite” calls but were too far
west approaching Dover to render any assistance.

The seas continued somewhat rough and winds
strong but the boat was handling them well. The
Decca computation for the speed the first hour was 4
knots. Since we were still running into the current and
would soon turn to 125˚, we thought this was a
reasonable speed.

Five miles out we turned and thereafter were
making between 5 and 6 knots. There were a fair
number of boats, racing sailboats, pleasure boats, and
larger vessels going by in both directions.

After about 3 hours and some 15 miles out, we were
approaching the edge of the shipping lanes. The
engine seemed to be running fine although Ed Langley
on several occasions bailed water out of the condenser
supply tank with a bucket and poured it through a
funnel into the forward freshwater storage tank.

Much of this water spilled into the bilges, but Ed
seemed unconcerned and said the water line from that

LITTLE SHIP WINTER 2020/21 41

FROM THE ARCHIVES

tank was not carrying a sufficient amount of water into Above: African the white cliffs and the power plant’s chimneys were
the boiler (see accompanying piping drawing). Queen’s piping in view as we came upon the light ship marking the
diagram. Goodwin Sands. It was now obvious that the spring
As the winds got brisker and the water rougher, an tide had turned and we were travelling at a pretty
engine bearing started groaning and the engine stopped. “As the winds good clip with the engine running slowly but with the
After making some adjustments, it was possible to got brisker and tide running swiftly to the northeast.
start the engine again but any attempt to get up to the water
speed led to the grinding and stoppage of the engine. rougher, an We were now “heading for Norway.” There was
engine bearing some discussion that the tide might carry us into the
While the boat was pitching and rolling about, Ed started Thames Estuary rather than to Norway but this was
Langley got very ill and Jim Leggett was sick also. groaning and only a slight consolation.
Commodore Head and I decided that prudence and the engine
the serious engine malfunction meant we should turn stopped.” The wind was probably 25 knots directly into our
about and head back to Ramsgate. We had been at sea bow from the northeast, but it seemed stronger because
going on 4 hours. “Ed Langley, our limping engine and the tide were carrying us
being ill, directly into the wind. I consulted with Richard Head
In the meantime, Ed Langley had disconnected the proceeded to and, while I never felt we were in any danger, made the
drive chain running the water pump. The engine ran drop the pump decision to make a “Securite, Securite, Securite” call by
fine, but we had to use the injector (a steam siphon) to into the which I meant to convey that we were not in immediate
put water into the boiler and this necessitated our Channel.” danger but would appreciate some help.
continuing to bail water from one tank to another.
We gave our position from the Decca which was
In order to keep the freshwater tank full of water, I about 7 miles south and east of Ramsgate. The Royal
took the hand bilge pump and was pumping water National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI), a superb volunteer
from the Channel into the tank. This worked all right British lifeboat rescue service, answered and after a
except it was quite difficult to pump leaning over the while told us they could not locate us and were
side. I was relieved of this function by Ed Langley who, sending a Royal Air Force (RAF) helicopter out from
being ill, proceed to drop the pump into the Channel. Manston Field.

We were still making our way back to Ramsgate and We got a glimpse of a tiny helicopter considerably to
the south of us which we lost sight of but we were able
42 LITTLE SHIP WINTER 2020/21 to report to the RNLI that we were north and east of
the helicopter. None of the waves was breaking over
the boat and we were taking only very little spray from
the ocean. The boat, despite the engine problem, was
behaving quite well.

We had accumulated water in the bilge because of
the malfunctioning water system. I was unable to see
whether the injector was pumping water into the bilge
through the overflow tube or into the boiler because
the bilge water was covering the overflow tube.

I am sure that at least part of the time the injector was
pumping water from the tank through the overflow
into the bilge. Those who have ever struggled with a
cranky injector can appreciate what was happening.

In one of my less brilliant moves in trying to
improve our situation, I turned on the electric bilge
pump. It pumped for a short time, but the improperly
charged battery ran down, not only stopping the bilge
pump but turning off the Decca!

We were now nearly due east of Ramsgate and
passing through the marked entrance channel. We
spotted the helicopter still south of us. We reported on
the radio that we saw the helicopter southeast of us and
gave directions so the helicopter was able to come, circle,
and provide a location for the two RNLI rescue boats.

For some time now the large Ramsgate-to-Dunkirk
ferry, the Sally, which had left Ramsgate at 11.30a.m.
was coming toward us down the shipping lane.
Aboard the Sally were the wives, Frankie Hendricks
and Sue Head, with Jane and little 2-year-old Kate
Langley as well as the African Queen truck and trailer.

My wife spotted the helicopter and the tiny (her
description) African Queen and at first thought
photographers were taking pictures but soon realized
that this was not what was happening and ran up to

FROM THE ARCHIVES

the captain of the Sally who had been listening to us on “With ... waves The rest of the African Queen saga was fun and
the radio. He told her he couldn’t help but that the 4 to 6 feet or pleasant. We all took cabs to Calais and spent the night
lifeboat was on the way. more, we had in a hotel. The next morning I arose early (my wife
been unable to said, “Where are you going now?”) and returned to the
There were actually two lifeboats, a large modern turn toward Sally dock in the western Dunkirk harbour where the
vessel and a small inflatable one. The small one had Ramsgate African Queen truck and trailer had been parked.
dropped her portable radio overboard which may have without risking
contributed to the inability to locate us sooner. The swamping the So the Langleys, the African Queen truck and trailer,
inflatable put a crewman aboard with a line from the boat.” and I were given a free ride courtesy of the Sally line to
larger vessel. Ramsgate where I had the African Queen hoisted out
and back onto the trailer.
With the tide current sweeping us to the northeast
and the wind directly on our bow creating waves 4 to 6 The Langleys went home to Sussex and I drove the
feet or more, we had been unable to turn toward truck, trailer, and African Queen back onto the Sally and
Ramsgate without risking swamping the boat. returned to Dunkirk. Explaining what was going on to
English and French custom officers is a story in itself.
With careful handling of the line by the skilled RNLI
crew, we were able to turn to take the wind and waves We attended the Saturday night dinner of the Little
on our beam and were towed into the harbour where we Ship Club in Calais where I was called upon by
arrived about 3.00p.m. We had been sea nearly 8 hours. Commodore Head to explain to the members and
guests what happened during our Dunkirk “crossing.”
When the small inflatable came alongside to ask if
anyone aboard needed assistance our free-lance The African Queen was hoisted and lowered into the
photographer, Jim Leggett, raised his hand and Dunkirk harbour and met all of the veteran “Little
clambered aboard the inflatable. He was then handed Ships of Dunkirk” and steamed by the famous eastern
over to the larger lifesaving boat. “mole” (British for pier or jetty) where so many British
and French soldiers were evacuated in 1940. I then
I know Jim was quite ill, but he should have taken took the African Queen back to Sussex aboard the Sally
some excellent pictures which I haven’t seen yet (this where she had some repairs and modifications made.
being written 28 June 1990).
The African Queen was launched into the Dover
After tying up the African Queen at the dock, we had harbour on June 15 with my longtime high school
a hurried conference, secured the boat, and were chum, Bob Harris, from Kentucky and myself aboard.
transported by friendly Ramsgate citizens to the ferry We successfully crossed the Channel in about 4 1⁄2
docks where the 3 of us (we had lost Jim Leggett) hours although the groaning bearing stopped the
caught the late afternoon Sally. engine again.

Several hours later, at 6.00p.m. or so, we arrived in This time I was ready. The water pump was
Dunkirk (actually Dunkirk’s west harbour which is disconnected and I used an alternate water supply
quite a few miles west of the town itself). Our wives system which I had Langley install running a line from
were of course delighted to see us and we had a very the condenser supply tank directly to the injector.
happy reunion.
When the supply tank got too full, instead of bailing
ASME code boiler the excess water through a funnel into the freshwater “
built for the African tank, the water was injected directly into the boiler. I
Queen by Richard T. have attempted to demonstrate this in the drawing of
Dixon 1625 Naud the African Queen’s machinery.
Street, Los Angeles,
CA90012. We were treated royally at Calais by Honorary Port
Officer of London’s Little Ship Club, Col. Jean Plancke.

Colonel Jean took a ride aboard the Queen around
Calais harbour with photographers and the Calais
press attache.

Altogether this has been quite an adventure. I have
actually crossed the English Channel by the Sally, the
old Peninsula and Orient Line Sea Link, and the
African Queen 8 times. The African Queen has crossed
4 times, one of the times for each of us was the exciting
and successful one on 15 June from Dover to Calais.

The African Queen now flies proudly from her mast
the red and white truncated triangular burgee “1940 –
1990 Dunkirk” and under that London’s Little Ship
Club burgee. The Dunkirk flag will fly until it shreds
into tatters. s

Jim Hendricks has owned the 30’ x 8’ open launch
African Queen, the boat actually used by Hepburn and
Bogart in the 1951 film classic, since 1982.
Her home port is now the Holiday Inn
harbour, Key Largo, Florida.

LITTLE SHIP WINTER 2020/21 43

BOOKS

The Club library receives books from publishers who specialise in marine and yachting. Some of our recent
arrivals are reviewed on these pages, more reviews are on the Club website and some books are in our library
awaiting a review. If you would like to review a book contact the Hon Librarian: [email protected]

CELEBRATING TRADITIONAL BOATS ‘Treasure Ships’ which set sail in a vast for those planning another adventure late 1945. Available records are
Nigel Pert (photographs) and armada in 1421 at the time of Emperor around Scottish coasts. supplemented by accounts from
Dan Houston (text) Zhu Di packed with knowledge and At 210mm by 300mm with over 200 individuals who actually served on her,
Sea Vista Books technology far advanced of others at the pages, it is not a pocket book for sailing or their descendants.
ISBN: 9781838068806 time. The voyage was to last two years or motoring, but one to take down from
and by the time the fleet returned, China your bookshelves on a winter’s evening to The story continues to the present day
This is an utterly lovely book. It is full of was beginning its long self-imposed revel in past trips or to plan the next and what Sheemaun was doing at any
colourful photographs of every isolation. The ships were left to rot, and great outing to these northerly shores. For particular time throughout her 80 odd
imaginable traditional sailing boat and the records of the journey destroyed those who have been there recalling years is cleverly tied into world events
people from every corner of the world together with the knowledge that the places such as Corryvreckan, Morar, Mull (and to a lesser extent, to Rodney Pell’s
on sunny quaysides laughing, eating Chinese had circumnavigated the globe a and Iona, this book will be a treat and for own life) so there is a strong historical
and drinking. In Brest. century before Magellan, reached others the call will perhaps be irresistible. narrative.
America 70 years before Columbus and AA
It is a record and celebration of the reached Australia 350 years before Cook. If like me you were looking forward to
Brest Maritime Festival held every four This remarkable account of his journey, LITTLE SHIP, BIG STORY taking part in the Dunkirk
years since 1992. The authors Nigel his discoveries and the persuasive Rodney Pell commemoration, you may find some
Pert (photographer) and Dan Houston evidence to support his thesis is to me The Conrad Press consolation in a good read about the
(writer) are both on the staff of Classic much more exciting than the very best ISBN: 9781911546467 events of that time and a boat that
Boat magazine and have a real gift for detective story as it radically alters our I discovered this book during played its part. I will only add that what
conveying the joy of messing about in understanding of world exploration and preparations for this year’s now sadly I thought at first was going to be at best
old sailing boats. The text is in English rewrites history itself. cancelled 80th anniversary Dunkirk a reference book, I found to be a real
and French (thanks to Brigitte BJM crossing. I was surprised to discover page turner, my bed time reading for
Duquesney) and a foreward by Sir Robin three Club members who own craft weeks on end.
Knox-Johnston, who was a participant COASTAL SCOTLAND: CELEBRATING which served with the Navy throughout
initially and ultimately a patron, THE HISTORY, HERITAGE AND the war, although none of them had DGW
establishes their credentials. WILDLIFE OF SCOTLAND actually taken part in the Dunkirk
Stuart Fisher evacuation. One of the owners, Rodney THE CRUISE OF THE NAROMIS
Anyone who has been to Brest will Adlard Coles Pell, told me that he had recently
know it is an ideal place for such ISBN: 9781472958709 published a book describing the history G A Jones
festivals and regattas. There is room for As in the sub title, it is just that! This of his boat, Sheemaun. Golden Duck
the four masted square riggers and for book is not a sailing guide but a Keen to learn more, I bought a copy and ISBN: 978988262335
the tiny coracles. Everyone in lockdown magnificent and detailed treasury of the found an interesting biography
should leaf through this book. It is a shores and Islands of Scotland. Much of intertwined with autobiography, based ‘The Cruise of the Naromis’ was the
lovely reminder of why we sail and what the Gaelic, the heritage and the history on amazingly thorough and detailed basis of a talk at the Club by the
we are missing at the moment. shines through from a glance over the research. It would seem that the yacht author’s daughter Julia Jones. The book
acknowledgments as do the literary and author were both “laid down” in the is a slim volume with photographs and
DW allusions. The author has spent a life same year, emerging into the world in an account of the author’s early sailing
time exploring the coast of Scotland, 1935. Drawing on published articles, activities and then the voyage of a
1421 – THE YEAR CHINA much of it by kayak and this really Rodney describes in fascinating detail, newly built 37’ motor sailer. The
DISCOVERED THE WORLD shows in his mastery of the details and the design and construction of his 45ft Naromis was sailed into the Baltic via
Gavin Menzies the background information. There is twin screw gentleman’s motor yacht. the Kiel Canal in August 1939. A
Bantam Books much to enjoy and follow up in the Sheemaun’s story really comes to life as fascinating account of a way of life and
ISBN: 9780553815221 references to works by Sir Walter Scott, war approaches. After a 1938/39 cruise a freedom to travel that was already
Robert Louis Stevenson and even a which took her as far as the rivers and altering as they saw more and more of
What does a submarine Captain do warning from Tacitus as to how rough canals of Germany, she returns home to the preparations for war by the
when he retires? Well Gavin Menzies the northerly seas can be. be requisitioned and manned by RNVR. Germans. The voyage was cut short,
after 17 years in the Royal Navy set out Illustrated throughout with good colour Her patrol area was Thames Estuary obviously, and they made their escape
on a mission photographs on every page, packed and she was continuously involved in via Norway to Aberdeen and eventually
that was to take with factual information, outline maps monitoring all traffic, air defence, anti Grimsby. Just the sort of fun trip Club
15 years and tidal data, this book is a must have submarine work and mine clearing until members have done and will do again
travelling the once the current problems are over. Of
globe to rewrite interest and sadness is the freedom
the history of enjoyed on the voyage with few
the discovery of regulations, friendly sleepy ports, locals
the New World. happy to help
and few other
This book tracks boats.
the Chinese
GQ

44 LITTLE SHIP WINTER 2020/21

BOOKS

DICK CARTER YACHT DESIGNER SHAKEDOWN CRUISE: LESSONS AND WIND COMPANION FOR as to be able to explore a topic in more
ADVENTURES FROM A CRUISING RACING SAILORS detail. As either an introduction to the
IN THE GOLDEN AGE OF VETERAN AS HE LEARNS THE ROPES David Houghton and Fiona Campbell subject or as an aide memoire this
Nigel Calder Fernhurst Books booklet would reward careful study and
OFFSHORE RACING Adlard Coles ISBN: 9781912621064 make a very worthwhile addition to any
Dick Carter ISBN: 9781472946713 sailor’s library. ‘Cruising’ sailors should
Seapoint Books and Media LLC This book about Mr Calder’s first blue Companion to Wind entirely disregard the sub-title,
ISBN: 9780997392074 sea cruise around the Caribbean Strategy (publ. Fernhurst) especially if they are keen to reach the
answered a long standing question I by the same authors. pub before closing time.
This book may not have been written have always had about his technical
had Dick Carter not attended the background. He explains early on in the This slimline (23 page) CBW
memorial service in Newport, RI for Ted book that he actually has no technical ring bound booklet is
Hood in September 2013 where he met background in electrics, mechanicals, or another of Fernhurst’s line POWER BOATING – RIB AND
a past employee who thought he had electronics but only got notice in the of ‘cockpit companions’, SPORTSBOAT COMPANION
died five years previously! Fortunately yachting red tops for technical articles sensibly designed to lie Peter White
we now have a first hand account of the when he regurgitated the various flat in use on the chart table or other Fernhurst Books
quantum leap in yacht design that manufacturers’ own OEMs. surface and printed on what appears to ISBN: 9781912177202
happened in the mid 1960s that The book under review takes the reader be very heavy laminated water
followed his being urged to write about through the fit out and mistakes of his resistant ‘paper’. I have long been a fan of
his life story. first blue water cruiser, and the the ‘Cockpit Companion’
subsequent cruise around the Caribbean The overall graphic design and use of series from Fernhurst and
Born 40 miles north of Boston, Dick with breaks back in the USA for colour in the many diagrams and to at the modest price of
Carter tells a tale of success from days pregnancy etc with it seems many risks code the various parts of the text is £7.99 the ‘Power Boating
summer sailing in 1940 aged 12 with taken with authorities. A tale of a long very clear. Good photographs illustrate – Rib and Sportsboat’
his brother in Buzzards Bay to winning departed era. the section on clouds. edition encapsulates a
the Fastnet in 1965 in Rabbit, the first BH huge amount of
boat he designed. He then won again in The only observation I would make on information into a very compact,
1969 in Red Rooster, an even more KIHIVAS: ALONE AT THE ENDS the format is that, being tall and thin splashproof and easy to access flip
innovative design. Modestly told, the OF THE EARTH (220 x 80mm), the binding on the top book.
story evolves and like Ron Holland Istvan Kopar edge requires the pages to be turned
(spoke at Club night and whose CreateSpace Independent in an upward direction. When opened For many years I had both a Dory and
autobiography ‘All the Oceans’ was Publishing Platform this requires quite a lot of space. The a Four Winns Sports Boat – each were
reviewed in Little Ship) he finds his ISBN: 9781517793630 shape also renders the booklet difficult single engined (40hp outboard and
form in the Solent racing circuit and Tale of a single stop circumnavigation of if not impossible to fit in a pocket. I 256hp inboard respectively). The latter
then goes on to design bigger boats. the world by a Hungarian man in a 31ft wonder if a more traditional compact was used quite extensively around the
sloop designed for coastal/inland lakes, ‘notebook’ shape might not be more south Devon coast (including for water
For me as caretaker of Yeoman XIV (A bought on Lake Balaton. practical. skiing).
Day at the Races) the highlights are his Istvan is a remarkable man, he joined
accounts of the first two One Ton Cup the Hungarian Merchant Marine [!] and The content of the booklet covers all Often many on board had little idea of
Races (Le Havre in 1965 and then dreamt of sailing around the world. the areas that might be expected and boat handling, buoyage, tides and
Copenhagen in 1967) held in the midst His book is a very good read and story although the sub-title alludes to weather – let alone VHF and
of winter where top designers like Rod of dedication, determination, grit and competitive sailing there are only mechanics. I used to give everyone a
Stephens and Peter Nicholson would stamina. approximately 1½ pages of specific ‘Competent Crew’ pocket book to look
showcase their latest designs over long BH ‘racing’ content. Everything else is of over the night before we went out but
offshore courses. An innovative importance to every sailor. it was more orientated towards sailing
characteristic of his design was that boats than power boats so of limited
they were made in lightweight (3mm) After introducing the basic value and a therefore a bit boring.
Dutch steel, which meant for the same terminology, the text considers:
weight as wood they could withstand Dory’s, Ribs and sports boats are very
greater fore and aft rig tension for s Wind movement fast, require constant look out and
pointing ability and the rudder could be careful handling – they are great
further aft and separate from the keel, s Wind variation (gusts, lulls, wind inshore in good conditions but at the
with relatively flat bottom sections near bands) very least uncomfortable and
the keel which could be made thinner. vulnerable in deteriorating conditions
Although not mentioned in the book I s Water effects (water temperature, (or with, for example, an engine or prop
have to question how this thinking may tides, currents) problem). Whilst I always had another
have been influenced by his very early experienced crew with me the more
experiences at summer camp with s Land effects (offshore, onshore, everyone can be aware the better.
making and sailing model yachts. parallel breezes, cliffs, lakes,
mountains, islands) For anyone using them this is
A valuable record and a good read. invaluable – and not just for beginners. It
s Sea breeze (general, lakes and is extremely well laid out and in a good
BJM bays, islands and peninsulas, chronological order and covers pretty
quadrant model) well everything with excellent visuals
(including photographs). I would not
s Clouds (types, fronts and troughs, hesitate to ensure everyone on board
streets) had a copy – at £7.99 it’s an amazing
investment.
s Obstacles
IM
s Practical applications

The style of writing is concise,
engaging and informative and on many
occasions I found myself wishing I had
the companion text, ‘Wind Strategy’, so

LITTLE SHIP WINTER 2020/21 45

BOOKS

STRESS-FREE MOTORBOATING: STRESS-FREE MOORING: STRESS-FREE SAILING: SINGLE SONS OF THE WAVES: THE COMMON
SINGLE AND SHORT-HANDED FOR SAIL AND POWER AND SHORT-HANDED TECHNIQUES
TECHNIQUES Duncan Wells Duncan Wells SEAMAN IN THE HEROIC AGE OF
Duncan Wells Adlard Coles Adlard Coles
Adlard Coles SAIL 1740–1840
ISBN: 9781472927828 ISBN: 9781472968357 ISBN: 9781472907431 Stephen Taylor

Having spent over 40 years ‘sailing’ – This is a very interesting and detailed An attractive, glossy book with many Yale University Press
from Toppers and Wayfarers graduating handbook, with easy to turn, robust and well produced, interesting and
to dayboats, cruisers and finally a 54ft wire-bound pages in a plan/A5 format. informative photographs throughout its ISBN: 9780300245714
Blue Water Yacht – I decided in 2016 to The book covers finger-pontoon eleven chapters. It even has links to
move to the ‘dark side’ and bought a mooring in great detail. The detail, the videos but I have not tried these. This book full of
motor yacht. variety of situations and the very clear, stories of
coloured and simplified diagrams are The focus is on single or short-handed incredibly bravery
Engines in sailing yachts are very impressive and will enhance a sailing. The author captured my starts with one of
secondary and despite the reality that reasonably experienced skipper’s attention by page two of the the most daring
they are used a great deal ‘yachties’ understanding of the minute detail of introduction with lesson one: no enterprises of
pay them relatively little attention. mooring in marinas typically found shouting, no raised voices etc and by British naval
around the south coast of the UK and the third page he was emphasising history. The epic
Becoming a motor yacht owner (in my Northern Europe. careful planning. Clearly this author did voyage of
case a semi-displacement Hardy 50) understand the critical issues when Commodore
was a much greater change than I Particular attention is paid to the flow sailing short-handed especially when George Anson’s to the Pacific which
expected and introduced a vast range of the tide and the wind plus the type the fellow crew is a loved one with enriched all 188 surviving sailors on the
of systems, equipment and of lines, cleats, mooring facilities and whom you want to stay. flagship Centurion by the equivalent of
instrumentation that required the way the boat might behave in about 20 years’ pay and enabled Anson
considerable understanding. Handling different circumstances such as going The book is full of useful and to buy an estate and mansion at
techniques, which appear so easy astern. There are sections on each informative ways of dealing with most Shugborough in Staffordshire and
when viewed from a sailing yacht, also stage with sub-sections specific to of the regular aspects of sailing another magnificent house, Moor Park.
require very different skill sets. sailboats and power boats. There is lots explained both by clear text and well
to learn from this book. A book that posed photographs. The test boats are This book is an exhilarating account of
Unfortunately (for me) Duncan Wells’ should be available to the skipper at a named and four are shown in attractive the lives of the ordinary seaman in this
excellent ‘Stress-free motorboating’ moment’s notice. situations either sailing or at anchor. exceptional time of our naval history
was at the writing stage and had yet to Among the useful chapters I was and drawn together using their own
be published. It was exactly what I One criticism that might be made is pleased to find a few pages on mooring words thanks to the memoirs, original
needed – providing down to earth that there is nothing at all on briefing in the Med. All in all there is a lot of letters and naval records, including
practical and invaluable guidance the crew, nothing on crew involvement good, useful information. A silly courts martial and petitions. Stephen
coupled with so many useful tips to and preparation. Another criticism that observation but I still prefer my anchor Taylor’s maritime history in 416 pages
anyone in water craft. might be made is that many novice chain colour coded red, white, blue, from exploring the South Seas to
skippers will be desperate to keep the double red etc. But I was especially establishing the East India Company as
Thoughtfully encapsulated in its 160 family happy and sail in the wonderful pleased to see the author using the a global corporation, from the sea
pages (divided into 15 chapters) is a cruising ground of the Greek Islands. triple hook short lifeline. My reasoning battles that made Britain a superpower
vast array of knowledge drawn from Throughout the Med the stern-to, often was always that it is much better by far to the crisis of the 1797 mutinies brings
the authors’ (and others’) working with lazy-lines, is the only way to moor. to concentrate on staying aboard back to life how men of a kind identified
experience of 11 Motor Boats ranging This is covered in just two simple especially with an inexperienced crew. by Dr Johnson as ‘a peasantry of
from 8 to 23 metres with single or twin diagrams on pages 83 and 84. Also heroes’ held the nation’s destiny in their
engines having shaft, stern or pod missing is the dreaded ‘anchor-knitting’ A very useful book, not so much to calloused hands. You will become
drives and with and without bow and of crowded bays and small harbours consult when a problem arises but familiar with the names of some such
stern thrusters. Hull designs vary from where anchors are essential and often much more to browse before the as John Nicol from Edinburgh who read
displacement, semi-displacement to get tangled. There is only one page on weekend or holiday sailing activities. Robinson Crusoe many times over and
planing and there is even a 17m barge. using modern hooks and grabs for Well recommended. wanted to be at sea, Jacob Nagle the
difficult buoys and cleats when there is American captured and worked and
The comprehensive text is supported little help available. Despite the GQ went where he wanted usually dictated
with copious colour photographs and criticism this book should be a by pay, William Robinson the shoemaker
even QR codes with links to supporting standard part of the chart table from Surrey also known as Jack
videos which can be downloaded for collection. Nastyface, and John Powell the once-
future reference. Everything is covered timid evangelical weaver that took a
and this should be a priority purchase GQ liking to ‘French Hunting’.
for anyone contemplating buying a
motor cruiser of any type – as well as The book is available to be borrowed
existing owners. from the LSC library as will be ‘The
It would also be Nagle Journal’ edited by John C Dann as
a valuable and soon as the reviewer has finished it. A
worthwhile word of warning, that after reading your
addition to any first Stephen Taylor one is automatically
‘yachties’ library. drawn to other books written by the same
author such as ‘Storm and Conquest:
IM The Battle for the Indian Ocean – 1809’
and ‘Commander – The Life and Exploits
of Britain’s Greatest Frigate Captain’
about Edward Pellew, no less.

BJM

46 LITTLE SHIP WINTER 2020/21

BOOKS

SUPERDOCIOUS! selection process. The book ends with SEXTANT: A VOYAGE GUIDED BY THE The writer, Irene Campbell-Grin and her
RACING INSIGHTS AND some slightly positive thoughts about STARS AND THE MEN WHO MAPPED husband Gordon joined the CA’s 2001
REVELATIONS FROM LEGENDARY the future for funding sailing-related THE WORLD’S OCEANS Blue Onega Rally on their yacht, Fereale,
OLYMPIC SAILOR RODNEY charities and the need to find a David Barrie in Den Helder. Thirty two of the yachts
PATTISSON solution for recycling fibreglass and William Collins cruised from there and then anti-
carbon fibre boats at the end of their ISBN: 9780007516568 clockwise round the Baltic. Ten of these
Rodney Pattisson with Barry Pickthall useful lives. Sextant is two voyages, the author is continued through St Petersburg to
Adlard Coles A must read for those that have an crossing the Atlantic from west to east Petrozavodsk. Fereale and four other
ISBN: 9781472935595 interest in this fascinating time before (in 1973) and his daily log records his yachts sailed on north through Russian
professionals took over the sport of growing navigational skills using a sextant inland waterways and the Barents Sea to
‘Superdocious!’ is a most unusual book sailing. If bad news sells news this book as well as star sights. The other voyage is Murmansk and then round the north of
written by three-time Olympic medalist should also be a best seller as the world an informative and enlightening account Norway and back south along Norway’s
and winner of 14 World and European gets ready for possible good news for of the development of navigational skills north Atlantic coast.
championships and the former yachting GB in AC 36 and the Vendée Globe from early explorers such as Marco Polo,
correspondent to the Times newspaper, 2020. the various devices developed and used Irene is Dutch and not writing in her
who followed Rodney’s major success BJM on amazing voyages by the likes of Anson, mother tongue. Her style comes across
across five decades of sailing. Past Cook, Flinders and Slocum. His developing as a chatty personal transcription of the
member of the LSC Ray Gregory sent BRITAIN’S CANALS – EXPLORING skills fit very well as an introduction to ship’s log and her own very personal
this book to me to donate to the library THEIR ARCHITECTURAL AND the general development of navigational diary notes. It is full of family details,
after visiting the National Maritime ENGINEERING WONDERS techniques. His account of voyages such notes to self, descriptions of problems
Museum in Falmouth where the 1966 Anthony Burton (text) and as the Beagle had me putting markers on experienced with the boat and how they
Flying Dutchman is on display. Derek Pratt (photographs) the chart pages so I could check and try were fixed. This is familiar stuff to
Adlard Coles to imagine the anchorages and danger as anyone writing a report (or even a
The first half of the book describes the ISBN: 9781472971951 well as the amazing isolation in such postcard) about their trip. Except this
perfectionists’s formula for preparation The authors have worked together since remote places. The story closes with his was not on familiar waterways and is
for a racing dinghy campaign, which 1976 on books about canals. This latest account of picking up the Lizard radio fascinating for that reason.
remains largely the same today. Rodney volume is well written and beautifully beacon and subsequent sailing exploits.
emphasises the importance of crew size photographed. It is organised by theme There is a useful glossary plus It was obviously intended as a record for
and weight and his ability to take rather than geographically so that, for supporting notes. family and friends, but she has now
copious amounts of time off work. His instance, all the bridges are in one GQ made use of the Self Publishing Service
first crew went on to become First Sea chapter and all the locks in another. offered by Fernhurst Books. Without their
Lord. What might have happened if this There are chapters on topics including SAILING THE WATERWAYS OF help and guidance, the story of Irene and
reviewer had seen Rodney’s advert in route selection, locks, bridges, RUSSIA’S NORTH Gordon’s trip around the northern
Yachts and Yachting for the ideal 6’5” aqueducts, tunnels, water supply, Irene Campbell-Grin waterways of Russia would not be
and 13 stone or over bean stalk? commercial and industrial structures, Fernhurst Books available to the rest of us. Fernhurst
and connecting links. At the end of each ISBN: 9781916387317 professional editorial assistance has
The second half is full of interesting chapter there is a list of places in Britain This book is worth reading for two produced a layout and structure of the
sometimes amusing anecdotes from to visit if you would like to see the best reasons. Firstly, as you can tell from the book which is clear and easy to follow.
offshore racing monohulls and examples of the subject matter of that information above, it is an example of There are helpful maps/charts showing
multihulls at the highest levels, chapter. Fernhurst Books Self Publishing service each section of their trip together with
including his One-Ton Cup and the From the start of the canals in the time and secondly, it describes a cruising some interesting photos. This is a bright
1982/3 America’s Cup campaigns of George III to the decline caused by the ground few yachties ever visit. attractive book which anyone
revealing some of the outright cheating, advent of the railways, many examples contemplating a similar venture would
double standards, deceit, political and of the exploits of the leading engineers do well to read. And, anyone with a book
sporting interference along the way. The of the day, particularly Thomas Telford of their own to publish should also take
description of sailing to and from his and James Brindley, are given. a look.
and Jane’s wedding in Dorset in his F27 This is an excellent book for those
trimaran are classic. interested either in canals or GQ
engineering. It is really quite amazing to
Sadly like most of our media today it is see the challenges that the canal When forbidden to sail, what do
written from a negative viewpoint and engineers overcame in the late 18th and sailors do? If they are allowed to
what might have been. It misses early 19th centuries. meet, they talk about sailing. If
several opportunities to accentuate MS they are ordered to stay home
others’ success such as the amazing alone, they read about sailing, as
2013 AC34 turnaround and the female evidenced by these 14 reviews
and mixed successes in Team GB. collected since the lockdown
Instead focusing on Oracle’s rule started.
transgression and the elitist Olympic
Our retiring Hon Librarian of
many years, Debbie Wheeler, has
passed the baton to Geoff
Quentin. If you are running short
on reading material, do contact
him for books to review!

LITTLE SHIP WINTER 2020/21 47

AT THE CLUB

LSC HPOS SHARE THEIR
EXPERIENCE OF COVID-19

During this unique spring WELCOME TO OUR NEW HONORARY PORT OFFICERS
and summer, as all our
lives were being shaped ALLESSIO GNECCO, GENOA, ITALY
by the Covid-19
pandemic, our Honorary Allessio Gnecco, Club member, a naval architect and marine
Port Officers got in touch surveyor based in Genoa, Italy has his office and boat in the
from all over the world to lovely old Port Antico. Allessio was appointed HPO in late
share their experience and March just before lockdown but hopes that when life returns to
describe how their normal he will have the pleasure of meeting many of you. It is
countries were handling noted that the burgee is incorrect, a replacement will be
the pandemic. despatched as soon as possible.
Their words give
invaluable insight into how BARRIE MARTIN, PARIS ARSENAL, CENTRAL
various nations have
managed this most Barrie Martin, Rear Commodore Racing was appointed HPO for the
challenging of years. Paris Basin, which is Paris and surrounding area through which
We also introduce four several rivers and canals flow. His wife Martita keeps her boat Duck
new HPOs to the Little Soup in the Fayolle Plaisance at Nogent-sur-Marne, a short distance
Ship Club. from Paris Arsenal, another marina run by the same company. Both
are excellent places to stop for a few days on your way through
France to catch the atmosphere of Paris.

FARUK GÜNLÜ, IZMIR

Faruk Günlü is Operations Manager of Setur Teos Marina, Izmir
in Turkey. He was appointed late March just before lockdown
but the marina and Turkey is now opening up and he looks
forward to welcoming LSC members when visiting that area.
Faruk is holding the incorrect burgee, this will be replaced as

soon as possible.

DON WALKER, HPO ST JEAN DE LOSNE (FRANCE)

Don Walker, until recently Committee member Motor, has been
appointed as HPO for the inland port of St Jean de Losne. Just a few
miles south of Dijon, St Jean’s key attraction is its location at the
heart of the French waterways system sitting on the river Saône at
the point where five routes from the north converge. From here
the Saône provides the sole route south to the Rhone and
ultimately the Med.

A major river port even before the
canals were built, it now has two
marinas with all facilities for leisure
boat repairs and maintenance. Don,
who moved his motor cruiser, La
Strega to St Jean in 2016, chose the port
as an ideal base for exploration of the
8,000k of French inland waterways.

It is an important port of call for all

48 LITTLE SHIP WINTER 2020/21

AT THE CLUB

vessels travelling between the North Sea and the Above left: St Jean MESSAGES FROM AUSTRALIA
Med, where on the Southbound passage, almost all de Losne.
the limitations of the French canal system cease to MICHAEL WYNTER, HPO SYDNEY, 23 JUNE
apply. I say ‘almost’ because if you are in a yacht you Above right:
will have to go quite a lot closer to the Med before Prepared for Michael Wynter, HPO Sydney, working from his
you re-step your mast. lockdown! Pearl Beach HPO branch is fully prepared to see
lockdown through, as the photograph above
Choosing the traditional ‘fast’ route up the Seine to Below: LSC burgee demonstrates.
Paris, turning right and perhaps stopping over at proudly displayed in
Barrie Martin’s Port – Fayolle Plaisance at Nogent- Queensland. Michael writes: We have a connection with Iain’s
sur-Marne – after just eight to 10 days of diligent management of the 1992 Kookaburra America’s Cup
working of locks you will emerge from the challenge when Spirit of Australia was skippered by
Champagne et Bourgogne waterways into the broad Peter Gilmour in the Louis Vuitton Cup qualifiers.
un-restricted waters of the Saone, you are just 40k An America’s Cup challenge involves a surprising
from St Jean, the ideal place to take a break, re-stock amount of legal work and I was honoured to carry
at excellent supermarkets and have any essential out that work.
repair work or servicing carried out on your boat.
When the yachts returned to Australia I was more
The marinas are set in a large lake off the river, than compensated when Iain suggested that his
originally a place where canal boats would shelter syndicate provide my corporate clients with match
from winter floods and both, Blanquarts and H2O, racing events on Sydney Harbour. This of course was
have well stocked chandleries. Just beyond the an outstanding success.
marinas is the basin at the southern end of the Canal
de Bourgogne, still a centre for boat building My wife and I have repaired to our house at Pearl
although much of the work today is focussed on Beach, about 25M north of Sydney, to sit out the
converting old 38m péniches into luxury hotel boats. virus lockdown.
There, if problems are really serious, you will find
dry docks and craning facilities. STEPHEN WESTON, QUEENSLAND

If you are really adventurous and not too restricted Stephen Weston sent in this photograph (pictured
in terms of draft and airdraft, you might like to take below) of our Club’s burgee on display at the Little
the south Burgundy canal, in which case you will Ship Club, North Stradbroke Island, Queensland
actually arrive at the Saone via this basin, pictured earlier this year!
above. It offers the most direct route from Paris but a
long summit tunnel and the large number of locks
means it is neither the quickest nor exactly
straightforward.

The third alternative is the Loire lateral,
comparable in terms of difficulty with the Marne
route, but with a number of scenic attractions along
the way. For advice on these choices and anything
else you would like to ask about the region please
contact Don Walker our HPO. He cannot guarantee
to actually be in St Jean to greet you – when on the
boat he is more likely to be out cruising – but will be
very happy to respond to any inquiries.

LITTLE SHIP WINTER 2020/21 49

HPO NEWS

NEWS FROM AROUND THE UK Above: Map TERRY POND, HPO LEIGH ON SEA,
showing area EAST COAST, MAY
PETE HAMPSON, HPO RIVER CROUCH covered by HPO
25 MAY River Crouch. On the North bank of the Thames Estuary though
beautiful weather, the scene is one of no sailing
I trust you are well in these difficult times. As the “... the movement at all, all local yacht clubs are closed and
world has opened up just a crack, I wanted to give resilience that secured. A notice issued by the local harbour
you an update on my patch. comes from authorities, marine police, association of local clubs
most maritime etc confirms that leisure activities on the water are
The unusually excellent weather has made experience not at this time allowed, which is quite obvious as in
lockdown all the more trying when thoughts drift to they will all the event of a problem, the pressure on the RNLI or
what conditions would be like on the water, or even come through other local authorities would put undue pressure in
in the yard when the season’s antifoul has yet to be this and the the present situation of distance between people.
applied. We certainly spent the last weekend wishing future – Sadly, with the ideal weather owners cannot
we were on the Calais Rally. whenever it complete the seasonal fit out and the view of some
comes – will laid up cruisers, is that this season will not see
Brightlingsea Harbour remains closed to visiting happen launching.
boats, although it has opened up for residents. The eventually.”
water taxi will only accept passengers from a single However with the resilience that comes from most
vessel at a time, so waiting times are extended. The maritime experience they will all come through this
harbour also interprets boats as being a second home and the future – whenever it comes – will happen
and, therefore, still do not allow owners to stay the eventually. It is a most quiet situation on the water,
night aboard ... although quite how well observed one I have not experienced since World War II,
that rule will be in the light of recent current events, I hopefully this will not last the same amount of time!
cannot say.
There we have it. If you wanted to precis this note
I keep my boat in Burnham Yacht Harbour at the ‘nothing is happening at all’!
moment. The marina is now open for residents again,
but proper social distances should, of course be With best wishes to everyone, ‘up spirits’.
observed. Helpfully, the marina has placed buckets
of disinfectant near the entry gate keypads for AND FROM THE CARIBBEAN
cleaning hands, although their public notice does
advise the use of gloves. I would assume the marina BRIAN GANDEY, HPO TORTOLA,
remains closed to visitors, although their website BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS, MAY
does not confirm that. Fambridge Yacht Harbour,
further upriver, is also open for business with similar We are in lockdown 24/7 and have been for almost a
restrictions. Meanwhile, Essex Marine Police have month. Real lockdown with not being able to go out
confirmed that leisure activity is permitted ... and of our houses. Phone up for food deliveries. We have
they didn’t rugby tackle me to the floor when I had three cases plus one death and awaiting results
passed them on the pontoon! of everyone that person was in contact with. May
find out today if we are being let out this Monday or
I hope everyone continues to stay safe and more days in Alcatraz.
hopefully I will see quite a few of you on the water
or in the Club when safer times return. The borders are sealed even to citizens but will
open up only for citizens supposedly soon. No
RICHARD KEEN, HPO RIVER DEBEN, tourists until next September so our business is really
EAST COAST, MAY buggered again. We are hoping to reopen in October.
We were still building back our fleet and we had five
Not much to tell you about the Deben I’m afraid. new boats just arrived before the shut down when
There is a latest entrance chartlet – should anyone be we called everyone back and sent all the customers
out there (who shouldn’t be!) – and needs to see the home. We have 34 yachts in our fleet with more
situation. The cautionary notes preceding the chartlet awaiting arrival all going well after this fiasco.
should be noted and read carefully as a Trinity
House survey hasn’t happened this year so far and
this chartlet is from a survey from Felixstowe Ferry.
Anyone attempting the entrance should first talk to
John White (Felixstowe Ferry HM) on Ch8 ‘odd
times’ or on his mobile: 07803 476621.

Chartlet for Deben entrance – please read and
take note:

“No Trinity House survey has been done for 12
months, so the contour data remains unchanged
from 2019, which is why the track shown appears to
cross drying areas.

Consequently, please treat this chartlet as ‘interest
only’. We fully recognise that leisure sailors should
not be passing this way anyway during the
lockdown period.”

50 LITTLE SHIP WINTER 2020/21