World Ship Society - FROM THE PAST - AGM 2008

61st Annual General Meeting - Harwich, UK - May 2008

A very successful and informative meeting was concluded on the weekend of May 9th to 11th, 2008 in Harwich, under ideal weather conditions.  Delegates from Europe, Canada and the UK were in attendance. 

Friday 9th May - evening get-together with film or slide show. In the Marine Suite, Cliff Hotel, Marine Parade, Dovercourt.  Start time 7.30 pm

Saturday 10th May - 10.30 am - Visit to RNLI Station at the Quay, Harwich. 2.30 pm - AGM in the Marine Suite, Cliff Hotel.  7.30 pm - AGM Dinner in the Marine Suite.

Sunday 11th May - 11.00 am - Harbour Cruise from Harwich, Halfpenny Pier. 

2008 AGM Photo Gallery

On May 11th, the delegates to the Harwich AGM were invited to sail on a tour of the area.  Here are some of the sights we witnessed. We start from our boarding site at the Halfpenny Pier in Harwich Town.

The halfpenny Pier in Harwich Town.  Delegates waiting on pier for the tour boat to arrive.  But nobody complains -- the day is beautiful!  May 11, 2008. Photo by Glenn Smith.

Another view of the Halpenny Pier.  May 11, 2008. Photo by Glenn Smith.

Delegates keeping a sharp eye out for the tour boat.  May 11, 2008. Photo by Glenn Smith.

Finally it arrives.  The ORWELL LADY is going to take us on a tour of the Harwich waterfront, Parkeston, Felixstowe and up the River Orwell to Ipswich. May 11, 2008.  Photo by Glenn Smith.

Now come some views in and around Harwich.

The old ferry, BRIGHTLINGSEA, passing by off Harwich, May 11, 2008.  The ferry was built in 1925 for the London and North Eastern Railway.  Photo taken by and copyrighted by Derek Sands.

The Harwich to Esbjerg ferry, DANA SIRENA, passing Halfpenny Pier in Harwich. May 11, 2008. Photo by and copyrighted by Derek Sands.

The Harwich to Hook of Holland ferry, STENA BRITANNICA, passing Halfpenny Pier in Harwich, while we awaited our tour boat. May 11, 2008. Photo by and copyrighted by Derek Sands.

The coaster THAMES FISHER passing Halfpenny Pier, Harwich, bound for Parkeston Quay.  May 11, 2008. Photo by and copyrighted by Derek Sands.

SLOMAN PROVIDER berthed at Parkeston Quay.  May 11, 2008. Photo by and copyrighted by Derek Sands.

The following ships were seen at Felixstowe, taken from the tour boat.

CSAV TENO, at Felixstowe. May 11, 2008. Photo by and copyrighted by Derek Sands.

HT BLADE at Felixstowe. May 11, 2008. Photo by and copyrighted by Derek Sands.

MSC TURCHIA, berthed at Felixstowe. May 11, 2008. Photo by and copyrighted by Derek Sands.

NEDLLOYD HONSHU at Felixstowe.  May 11, 2008. Photo by and copyrighted by Derek Sands.

NORTHSEA TRADER at Felixstowe. May 11, 2008. Photo by and copyrighted by Derek Sands.

SCI DIYA, berthed at container berth in Felixstowe. May 11, 2008. Photo by and copyrighted by Derek Sands.

Now we head up the Orwell River toward Ipswich.

LIANNE at Ipswich. Photo by and copyrighted by Derek Sands.

Under the Orwell Bridge at the former Cliffe Quay, we see rusting trawlers.  They turn out to be the GRAMPIAN PRINCESS and the GRAMPIAN DAWN.  May 11, 2008.  Photo by Glenn Smith.

SEA MITHRILL, at Ipswich. Photo by and copyrighted by Derek Sands.

SUNTIS, at Ipswich. Photo by and copyrighted by Derek Sands.

SYLVIE, at Ipswich. Photo by and copyrighted by Derek Sands.

TOYVO VYAKHA at Ipswich. Photo by and copyrighted by Derek Sands.

UNION SATURN at Ipswich. Photo by and copyrighted by Derek Sands.

Modern day Ipswich, with many new flats along the waterfront, and an equal number of pleasure craft.  May 11, 2008. Photo by Glenn Smith.

Now we come to the end of a delightful afternoon on the water. And then it was time to catch our chartered bus for the ride back to Harwich.

The Cliff Hotel in Dovercourt, where we held the WSS AGM and where many of the delegates stayed. Photo taken along Marine Parade in front of the hotel on Sunday May 11, 2008.  Photo by Glenn Smith.

The Maritime Museum, housed in the Low Lighthouse. The Maritime Museum at Harwich, which contains a surprisingly large collection of artifacts, books and other interesting material.  Located in what is known as the "Low Lighthouse", midway between Harwich Town and Dovercourt.  Cranes in background are actually on container terminals in the town of Felixstowe. Photo by Glenn Smith, May 9, 2008.