Category: wooden boat

Twinkle 12 sailing dinghy

A reader I know only as Paul has got in touch to tell us about his sweet little Twinkle 12 clinker built dinghy made largely from from the late 1950s. The twinkling varnish seems to make the name so appropriate…

Here’s what he says:

‘Wrights of Ipswich produced the Twinkle for several years in the 1950s and early 60s. They sail very well if looked after and well rigged, and can be quite exciting in strong winds…

‘Not many are now left and I am thinking of setting up an association to keep track of those that are left.

‘Apart from four new timbers cracked by the previous owner’s trailer she is totally original down to the deck fittings. Lots of work over the winter months but great fun.’

‘Thanks for your great website, with best wishes.’

If anyone’s interested in Paul’s proposed association, please email me at gmatkin@gmail.com and I’ll forward your message to him.

Ex-Thames steamer Belle urgently needs a new owner

Belle

The lovely 1894 Kingston-built steam launch Belle, which plied the Thames for many years, is in urgent need of a new owner.

SL Belle’s present owner can’t afford to keep the National Historic Ships-registered vessel any longer and is reluctantly considering an offer of £6,500 from someone who wishes to strip her fittings and scrap the rest of her.

Read the story at River Thames News.

PS – Another, rather more cheerful if entertainingly loop story from the River Thames News folks reveals that Olympian John Pritchard is to lead a group of rowers in 2,500-mile trip down the Mississippi from Minnesota to New Orleans in two 26ft fixed-seat traditional Thames skiffs. The boats are now under construction at the Stanley and Thomas boatyard at Windsor, and the plan is to raise a million dollars for the charity Right To Play, which educates children in developing countries through play.

Biddy the Hastings tub man on the British Pathé website

Biddy the Hastings tub man

Our friend Malcolm Woods spotted this little gem of a film showing Biddy the legendary Hastings tub man in action nearly a century ago – his tub and various cuttings and photos are still in the fisherman’s museum at Hastings, but this really brings his particular crazy way of making a living to life. Thanks Malcolm!