Category: Events

Events such as historical events, races, exhibitions, processions, regattas and so on.

Star Yachts’ strip built 22ft cabin motor launch

Official launch of Star Yachts Bristol 27 Morgana

Official launch of Star Yachts Bristol 27 Morgana Official launch of Star Yachts Bristol 27 Morgana Official launch of Star Yachts Bristol 27 Morgana

Official launch of Star Yachts Bristol 27 Morgana Official launch of Star Yachts Bristol 27 Morgana

 

Win Cnoops of Star Yachts sent over these photos of the official launch of the Andrew Wolstenholme-designed Bristol 22 strip-built cabin motor launch his company is offering these days.

I think it’s a pretty thing and I hope it catches on – it’s not exactly old fashioned, but has some old fashioned ideas about it that make a handsome craft that serves to show how strange, angular and droopy-nosed motor boat design has become.

Among other things, it would make a very appropriate committee boat for an up-market yacht club looking for a bit of class rather than the usual plastic club-tub.

Combining features of a 1920s gentleman’s launch and a more sturdy harbour launch, the Bristol 22 has a narrow, easily-driven hull that requires needing only a relatively small engine – so much so that on a river or canal an all-electric version is practical. The layout of the boat provides for overnight or short holiday accommodation in the forward cuddy.

If you’re a Facebooker, why not ‘like’ the new Star Yachts Facebook page, where you’ll be able to follow the building of the 27ft version?

Barge for sale: sailing barge Ena is on eBay

Sailing barge Ena for sale on eBay

Spritsail sailing barge Ena is up for auction via eBay at a starting price of £85,000 – to learn more and place your bid, click here. My thanks to John Lockwood for pointing this out.

I don’t know whether this is the first time we’ve had this kind of sailing barge for sale by this route, but I’m sure we all hope she finds a good home. If you’re interested, you’ve got about eight days – I must say it would be interesting to watch the usual race at the end of the bidding.

Ena’s described as having full rigging and good sails and a good Gardner engine – however the aftmost section needs some work to make her seaworthy.

As well as being an interesting sailing barge – she was originally a small boomie before being converted to a sprittie – and she’s also a registered Dunkirk little ship. She’s currently moored in Kent.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/120718243693

Photos of Bremerhaven harbour, and its almost lost dry dock

Old dry docks at Bremerhaven

The 1850 dry docks at Bremerhaven, photographed last week

The dry dock photo from Bremerhaven harbour above shows what can happen when these treasures of industrial archaeology fall into utter neglect. No doubt the folks of Appledore will take careful note, and perhaps these photos will also seem relevant to those interested in the future of Faversham Creek.

The shot was taken on a brief trip last week by regular contributor Hans-Christian Riecke of Nordhorn’s Graf Ship Association. (By the way, we’re going to be at Nordhorn’s Canal Festival in a few weeks. If you’re in the area, please stop by to say hello!)

Here’s what Hans has to say:

‘Last week I have been on a short trip to the port of Bremerhaven. It was founded in the 19th century, when the River Weser became so severely silted that the original port of Bremen could not be reached by seagoing vessels.

‘Soon it became a thriving coastal town, with famous shipyards like Vulcan, Lloyd and Tecklenborg. Later it was the centre of German high sea fishing. But changing times claimed their toll and by 1995 nothing was left, the yards were bankrupt, the fishing industry was gone and unemployment was soaring.

‘Now it has been developed somewhat, with the Deutsches Schiffahrtsmuseum (our national maritime museum), the Klimahaus (which is devoted to the subject of the world climate) and the Columbus Centre. It is also a great rallying point for traditional wooden boats and historic ships, as you can see from the photos [below].

‘One shows the last working steam icebreakerWal, and in the background you can see as replica of a German-built replica hansekogge, the famous medieval trading vessel. Another is of a part of the port reserved for traditional boats. On the third you can see the remains of the old drydocks of 1850. It is not only in Appledore that they fall in decay.’

Steam icebreaker Wal and kogge Bremerhaven Kogge at Bremerhaven traditional wooden boats at Bremerhaven

For more on the Graf Ship Association, zompen, tjalks and the rest, click here.