Month: March 2010

The sinking of HMS Colossus

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HMS Colossus, sunk ship, Scilly Isles, 1797

HMS Colossus

‘The Water gained upon us fast… before day light, I was obliged to Order the People on the Quarter Deck & Poop, the Water being up to the Cills of the Upper Deck, and as the Ship rolled, struck with so much violence against the Quarter Deck, as to break several of the Beams… About 8 o’Clock in the Morning, I had the pleasure to see several Boats coming to our assistance’

So wrote Captain George Murray describing the events leading up to the 1797 sinking of HMS Colossus while anchored off the Scilly Isles. The horrific story is vividly described in an extract from the ship’s log included in an appendix to an impressive archaeological survey, and it makes harrowing reading until rescue comes in sight.

See a pdf file of the survey here; the story of the sinking appears on page 94 onwards.

My thanks to Martin Corrick of the Openboat Yahoogroup for spotting and reporting this astonishing piece of material.

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Spider T’s lines

Spider T, Humber keel, lines

Spider T, Humber keel, lines Spider T, Humber keel, lines Spider T, Humber keel, lines

Again on the subject of the Humber sloop Spider T, owner Mal Nicholson thought I might like to share this lines drawing of her.

It was drawn by Frederick Warren in 1926, shortly before he died. According to Peter Warren, it was specific to Spider T and was a kind of swan-song for the sail-powered cargo era in the Humber.

Mal has been told that she has been called a super sloop because she is believed to have encompassed everything known about small sail-powered cargo craft design in the Humber at the time, and she’s probably the last Humber sloop to be built.

Mal says she makes a superb sea vessel and adds that the photos show what she is all about: cod headed and mackerel tailed, her bouyant bluff bows stop her diving when under load.

Visit http://www.spidert.co.uk to see details of the sea voyages Mal and friends have made in her. Also, if you’re interested in Spider T and are in the area, don’t forget the open days planned for this coming weekend.

A mystery boat – can anyone identify this old clinker-built dinghy?

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clinker, dinghy, spider T

clinker, dinghy, spider T

A mystery dinghy with a rather nice old-fashioned shape. But what is she, and how old?

Mal Nicholson has sent me these two photos of a boat he has bought, and which he intends to fettle up for use as a tender with the Humber sloop known as Spider T. Read all about her here.

She’ll fit neatly on Spider T’s carling hatches – but what is she? Mal says he has a mast and sails, but there’s no centreboard and there seem to be no identifying marks.

I’d say she was about 16ft in length, or may be a foot or two longer, and that she has a rather nice shape.

By they way, on the 13th and 14th March Mal and friends will be holding an open day from 10am to 4pm at Spider T’s home moorings at Keadby Lock near the A18; she will be open from 10 am to 4 pm on the Saturday and 11 am to 4 pm on the Sunday. If you get along, do mention intheboatshed.net – I gather you might just get a guided tour!