Some ancient photos of famous old boats

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Tilikum at Margate, with Captain John Voss
standing at the bows. As usual click on the
images for much larger photographs

Fishing luggers sailing out of Mevagissey,
Cornwall

Falmouth quay punt

Lowestoft trawlers in a shot that looks more like a
painting than a photo

West Mersea smacks looking very handsome on a near run

I picked up a dusty old book the other day, and found it contained many photos of some well known old boats. Here are just a few. I must say I was particularly pleased to find the Tilikum shot, as it gives a clear impression of what the boat was like when Captain John Voss had her and sailed such enormous distances. Voss’s book The Venturesome Voyages of Captain Voss is a jolly read, as you’d expect from someone who became a professional adventurer – there are some copies at ABE Books. There’s a bit more on Voss’s voyage here, and thanks to the kind folks at the splendid Duckworks forum, I’ve just learned that Venturesome Voyages is also available online.

On other topics, there are various intheboatshed.net posts on luggers to read and others on Falmouth quay punts, and on fishing generally.

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News from my inbox

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Diana Berry, a descendant of six of the original Mystery
crew, names the Spirit of Mystery; the crowds turn out
to watch the ceremony. Click on the images for a
bigger picture!
Photos by Mark Lloyd of Lloyd Images

Spirit of Mystery naming ceremonyPete Goss’s replica Cornish lugger is named by original crew descendant Diana Berry.

Royal timber helps restore historic Lynn fishing boat

For love of a boat – racing seine boats on the River Teign

The ancient wooden boat retrieved from the Huong River in May – marine archaeology in Vietnam

Lance Lee and Lansing Madura – Indonesian fishing boat revealed by the weblog Indigenous Boats

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Thurne Mill – a postcard from long ago

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Thurne Mill 1954

Postcard showing Thurne Mill, dated 1954

Jeff Cole has sent another photo from his collection – this time a postcard showing Thurne Mill on the Norfolk Broads dated May, 1954. Funnily enough, just three summers later my parents spent a holiday in the area in what my father has described as a fat little old tub that would barely sail. Most traditionally built  wooden boats on the Broads may be quaint, but it seems they weren’t all classics!

I’m very happy to report that although a photo taken at the same spot today would include mainly plastic  boats, the mill looks much the same today as this photograph shows.  I should say that the Broads remain a stronghold of traditional sail, despite the plastic cruisers.

Read more about Thurne Mill at the Wikipedia.

For more photos from Jeff’s excellent collection click here.

Learn more about The Broads.

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