Gavin Atkin's weblog for the sort of people who like looking inside boat sheds. It's about old boats, traditional boats, boat building, restoration, the sea and the North Kent Coast
Now online as part of the British Film Institute’s Britain on Film series in association with the East Anglian Film Archive, this little film of a late 60s event including a race organised by the Old Gaffers’ Association is absolutely charming – and includes what I’m sure is a glimpse of Charles Stock helming Shoal Waters back from the race. See what well known boats you can spot…
My thanks to Tom Cunliffe for sending me this one.
Tom asked if I’d like to post this video about caulking from his latest series of videologues – and of course I’m delighted to do so!
I particularly take his point about the skill involved in caulking and traditional boat building generally. Folks caulking upwards from under a hull have long had my particular admiration…
I must read this book by seasoned sailor and writer Tom Cunliffe some time. Here’s what the Seaforth Publishing’s blurb says…
‘The pilot cutters that operated around the coasts of northern Europe until the First World War were among the most seaworthy and beautiful craft of their size ever built, while the small number that have survived have inspired yacht designers, sailors and traditional craft enthusiasts over the last hundred years.
‘They possessed a charisma unlike any other working craft; their speed and close-windedness, their strength and seaworthiness, fused together into a hull and rig of particular elegance, all to guide the mariner through the rough and tortuous waters of the European seaboard, bought them an enviable reputation.
‘This new book is both a tribute to and a minutely researched history of these remarkable vessels. The author, perhaps the most experienced sailor of the type, describes the ships themselves, their masters and crews,and the skills they needed for the competitive and dangerous work of pilotage. He explains the differences between the craft of disparate coasts – of the Scilly Islesand the Bristol Channel, of northern France, and the wild coastline of Norway – and weaves into the history of their development the stories of the men who sailed them.’
I notice that whoever wrote it has managed to capture the characteristic Cunliffe persuasive and salty style.
PS – A more recent release from Seaforth is Brian Lavery’s book Nelson’s Victory: 250 Years of War and Peace, which is published this month to coincide with the 250th anniversary of her launch.
Brian is also guest curator of an exhibition at the Chatham Historic Dockyard, if you have time to get over there.
The publisher’s notes promise the book is the most comprehensive book yet published on the topic and includes new and surprising revelations, including that:
The book also tells the story of Horatio Nelson, who was born a few weeks before his most famous ship was ordered.