The Montagu type K whaler
The post announcing that Dick Wynne’s restored whaler Vancouver is up for sale has attracted quite a lot of attention in the last day or two, so I’ve decided to share these snaps from a copy of the 1937 Manual of Seamanship published by the Admiralty.
The rudder and centreboard seem remarkably small, don’t you think? By the way, the trysail in the upper photo is supposed to double as a spinnaker!
Oh the memories – 45 years or so ago I was a sea scout in the 6th Leigh troop headquatered at Leigh-on-Sea in Essex. We had a Montagu whaler at the time and I have ingrained memories of rowing (I think I still have the blisters!) and sailing, what at the time seemed a huge boat. Being long and thin they could really fly under sail in any kind of breeze and I vividly remember storming across the Thames estuary on more than one occasion bound for the Medway – Happy Days!
I remember Quadra, British Columbia, Canada. 1958,… we sailed. 14 ft ap dingys AND. 27 ft Montagu whalers… needed officer cadets when we took out the 27 ft whalers…..
Great sailors, They flew, Wonderful,… Where The Hell Are They Now?
Manly cpo. 2nd. Class.
When I joined the Canadian Navy in 1965 there were still a few of the wooden Montagues around and for many years after the RCN used a fiberglass version. I can still remember sailing across Esquimalt harbour under full sail in a wind we really shouldn't have been sailing in with four young officer cadets hung out over the weather rail trying to keep her upright. What a hoot!
Great memories of first sailing a Montague with the Irish Navy Reserve of Dublin in the late 70's, they were a grea tsea boat with a good crew.
Have had one since end of WWII- a gift from the US Navy=Had been a life boat on a Destroyer Escort.
Have sailed down thw coast of Maine as far as Eastport and to Mount Desert many times;Has a 11 HP Diesel engine,
Walter KERR
Hi I wonder if yours is made to the same pattern as the former Royal Navynones and also if there is a date and number carved into the bow or/and stern posts? I have one that’s been restored now and has E-109 carved below a date of 1940. Many thanks
Phil
I learnt to sail the Montague Whaler as a young member of the Royal Navy at HMS Ganges in 1959.
In 1972 was the last time I had the luck to sail a Montague Whaler. It was in a 5 race contest (the Albion cup), the RN against the RCN. I had a good day that day as I won 4 of the 5 races which alowed the RN to take the cup for the last time.
Sailed these as a kid in the Sea Cadets (T.S. Sherbourne) during the 70’s.
What memories eh lads?
Have sailed wooden and fibreglass whaoers since 1974. Am an officer in the cadet instructor cadre in 2012, still inspriing cadets and officers in the Royal Canadian Sea Cadet program in Canada. I relaay need the construction and production plans to build more of the GRP fibreglas vessels to continue the program.any and al assistance greatly appreciated.
Yours aye,
Art Van Veen
Can anyone help Art please? I’m sure someone must know where to find construction drawings for a timber-built Montagu whaler…
Gavin
Dear Sir,
We rebuilt the GRP version of the Royal Navy Whaler.
See our site for photo’s, design and drawing
Best regards,
Karel de Leeuw.
Hi Karl just aquired one has a cabin built on and fore deck, missing the engine though, any info would be great, kind regards Chris or mail chartermaroc@gmail.com
Ah Memories. HMS Fisgard early fifties. Just lovely.
I am rebuilding one at the moment, dry stored in asheep shed for years which left her (although dry) badly damaged. She is however taking shape again down on the south coast. We are really struggling to find any history for her though. The only markings are an Admiralty/MOD sow stamped into the bronze band across the rudder, a shackle marked H&W ( wondering if it’s any reference to Harland and Wolff?) and what we hoped would be most informative – yet hasn’t been so- E109 and 1940 carved into the wooden prow on the starboard side and the same in the stern post on the port side. It doesn’t seem to fit in with what I’m assured are the marks for different boat yards, Hildred numbers and years so we’re a bit stuck at the moment. Made of Mahogany and elm with Rock elm ribs an risers and all fittings of bronze. Hope to have her in the Great River Race this year, does anyone know what length the oars on this type were?