World Ship Society - BRANCHES -United Kingdom Branches
BEDFORD & DISTRICT
Meets: Kempston Constitutional Club, 196a Bedford Road, Kempston, Bedford MK42 8BL, (located 100 yards from Sainsburys store toward Bedford), on the 3rd Thursday of each month, at 19:30 for 20:00 start. Contact: David Menzies, 149 Spring Road, Kempston, Bedford, MK42 8NR. Tel: 01234 352014. E-mail: dave.menzies@tiscali.co.uk
On the Horizon: our forthcoming Bedford & District Branch meetings
2012 [12.2011]
19 Jan 2012 — Edward Perry - video presentation Blue Funnel Voyages and Voices
16 Feb 2012 — Bill Mayes - returning to give a cruise presentation "What I did on my holidays 2010"
15 Mar 2012 — Branch AGM, followed by a DVD presentation from Bill Barber featuring the shipping of Auckland (NZ) and Victoria
19 Apr 2012 — John Burns presentation Kaiser Pirates Part 3
17 May 2012 — Yet more holiday snaps a presentation by Dave Sutton
21 Jun 2012 — Down Under with Dave Menzies, Slides from his 70th Birthday Trip
19 Jul 2012 — Southampton via the BLack Sea by Peter Spedding
16 Aug 2012 — Alan Moorhouse, presenting a Liner Evening
20 Sep 2012 — Travels with my camera 1982, by Tim Webb
18 Oct 2012 — Don McKeand's presentation, Swords and Ploughshares
15 Nov 2012 — Branch social evening at the King William PH Kempston
20 Dec 2012 — Alan Pepper giving a presentation "An ABC of Ships"
On August 25, 2008, Ian Wells was presented with a book of Bedfordshire, by David Menzies, after his 25th visit to the branch to show slides and talk about shipping at Tilbury. [02.2009]
Meets: informally at various members' homes. Contact: Branch Secretary, Arthur Clark, 19 The Park, Frenchay, Bristol BS16 1PL. Tel: 0117 956 8657. E-mail: arthurclarkbs@btinternet.com [09.2011 RW]
Meets: Athenaeum Club, Kimberley Place, Falmouth, on the 2nd Friday, September to June, at 7:30 pm with one meeting in the summer as an outdoor activity. Contact: Tony Atkinson, 'Tregarth', 20 Lower Redannick, Truro, Cornwall TR1 2JW. Tel: 01872 275602. E-mail: tonyatkinson2@aol.com [03.2009]
Meets: Broadstone Community Centre, 21 Dunyeats Road, Broadstone, nr. Poole, on the 2nd Saturday, September to May, at 2:15 pm. Contact: Mrs. Marion Browning, "Tarven" Corfe Lodge Road, Broadstone, Dorset BH18 9NF. Tel: 01202 694338. E-mail: browning@tarvencorfe.fsnet.co.uk [02.2009]
UPCOMING BRANCH ACTIVITIES
WSS 2012 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The 2012 Annual General Meeting of the World Ship Society will be held in Poole, Dorset on the 11th to the 13th of May 2012.
The Dorset Branch is hosting the AGM at the RNLI Lifeboat College in Poole. The RNLI have an excellent website giving a virtual tour of the Lifeboat College. www.rnli.org.uk All hotel and conference rooms have a harbour frontage and it is only a short walk to Poole Quay. The Lifeboat College has full hotel amenities. Members wishing to book a room should contact Lifeboat Reception on 01202 308500, quoting code RED ID-WORL 110612
We suggest you book now to avoid disappointment as the Lifeboat College are only holding a limited number of rooms for WSS members. Come and support us for what we are hoping will be a record attendance at the 65th WSS AGM.
Meets: Kevill Arms, Church Road, Gorleston, Great Yarmouth, on the 1st Thursday of each month, at 7:30 pm. Contact: David Tuttle, 38 Orwell Cres., Belton, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk NR31 9NZ. Tel: 01493 780548. E-mail: davetut@talk21.com [02.2009]
Meets: Fleur-de-Lys Hall, Gatefield Lane, Faversham, on the 1st Friday of each month, at 7:30 pm. Contact: Ralph Bigrigg, 55 Sandwich Road, Eythorne, Dover, Kent CT15 4DG. Tel: 01304 830916. E-mail: ralphandj@btinternet.com [10.2009]
On the Horizon - Upcoming East Kent Branch meetings
2012
6 Jan 2012 — Ships of 2011
3 Feb 2012 — More Ferries, by Glyn Jones
2 Mar 2012 — AGM & Branch competitions
6 Apr 2012 — Krispen Atkinson - Cornish Ports
4 May 2012 — Vice-Chairman's Night - Digital show by Andrew Humphreys
1 Jun 2012 — Mark Bathurst - The Medway Queen
6 Jul 2012 — Bernard McCall - The 1011 collection
3 Aug 2012 — Ian Cull - The last cruise of the Emden
7 Sep 2012 — Andy Boakes - The Medway over the last 20 years and Vancouver
5 Oct 2012 — George Robertson - Austin & Pickersgill
2 Nov 2012 — Ted Ingham - Three generations of ship photography
7 Dec 2012 — Chairman's Night - Mike Jackson, Istanbul & Aliaga 2010
Meets: Ardgowan Primary School, Newton Street, Greenock, on the last Thursday September to April, except the second Thursday in December, at 7:30 pm. Contact: Peter Gifford, 11 Gordon Avenue, Bishopton, Renfrewshire PA7 5EX. Tel: 01505 863386. [09.2009]
PROGRAM OF MEETINGS - Winter Season 2009/2010
24 Sep 2009 — “The Clyde in the 1940s” – digital presentation by Donald McColl
29 Oct 2009 — “Shipping Over the Years at Harwich, Ipswich & Felixstowe” – slide show / talk by Derek Sands, Chairman, WSS Haven Ports Branch
26 Nov 2009 — “Spain, Portugal and the Atlantic Isles on ORIANA – June 2004” – digital presentation by Bert Novelli, WSS Manchester Branch
10 Dec 2009 — “A Members’ Evening”, plus “Port of Caragena” -- a digital presentation
28 Jan 2010 — “The Clyde Through a Lens, 1930s to 1980s” – digital presentation by Gavin Stewart of the PSPS
25 Feb 2010 — Thames Ship Society trip to Istanbul, Tuzla & Aliaga – digital presentation by Maurice Napier, WSS Branch Liaison Officer
25 Mar 2010 — AGM & A Members’ Evening
29 Apr 2010 — “Year on the Clyde – 2009” – slide show / talk by Paul Strahdee
Meets: Edinburgh Cine & Video Society, 23a Fettes Row, (off Dundas Street), Edinburgh, on the 3rd Monday, October to April, at 7:30 pm. Contact: Ian Duff, 93 Craigmount Brae, Edinburgh EH12 8XN. Tel: 0131 339 1668. E-mail: ian42duff@btinternet.com [02.2009]
Meets: "The Pop In", Barnwood Road, Hucclecote, Gloucester (opp. "The Waggon"), on the 2nd Monday, September to May, at 7:30 pm. Contact: Malcolm Bell, Gloucester Branch, 61 Oldbury Orchard, Churchdown, Gloucester GL3 2PU. Tel: 01452 714167. [09.2011 RW]
Meets: The Library, Felixstowe Seafarers' Centre, Carr Road, Felixstowe Dock, on the 2nd Thursday of each month at, at 7:30 pm. Contact: Graham Dines, 68 Roman Way, Felixtowe IP11 9NR, Tel: 01394 670507, E-mail: graham.dines@sky.com Web: http://www.wsshavenports.co.uk [12.2009]
OUR PROGRAM OF EVENTS FOR 2012
12th January, 2012 — Members’ Informal Evening
9th February, 2012 — "Travels in Scotland", Derek Sands
8th March, 2012 — "Derricks and Cranes" - Neil Davidson
12th April, 2012 — "Rotterdam in the 1980's" - Ron Davies
10th May, 2012 — “Far East Travels in the 80's" - Steve Thomas
14th June, 2012 — "Coastal Shipping and Tripping" - Bernard McCall
Meets: The Danish Church, Osborne Street, Hull, on the last Friday, September to May, but the penultimate Friday in November and December, with no meeting in January, at 7:30 pm. Contact: Sorry, No contact names or numbers available. [04.2010]
Meets: Christian Spiritualist Church Hall, Dukes Road, Douglas, on the 1st & 3rd Fridays, October to March, at 7:45 pm. Contact: Malcolm Magee, 16 Port-E-Chee Avenue, Douglas, Isle of Man IM2 5EW. Tel: 01624 676882. E-mail: mmagee@manx.net [02.2009]
Meets: Commencing with the September 2009 meeting — Riverside Centre, Newport Quay, Isle of Wight, on the 4th Thursday, except for June & August, at 7:00 pm. Contact: Tony Westmore, 29 Queens Road, Cowes, Isle of Wight PO31 8BW. Tel: 01983 295550. E-mail: tony.westmore@onwight.net [07.2009] Interesting and informative Local Branch website: http://www.isleofwightwss.org.uk [07.2009]
Meets: "The Briton's Protection", 50 Great Bridgewater Street, Manchester (across from GMEX), on the 3rd Thursday, September to June - first Thursday in December, at 7:15 pm. Contact: Jim Charnock, 27 Bollin Drive, Timperley, Altrincham, Cheshire WA14 5QR. Tel: 0161 969 1581. [02.2009]
Meets: Chatham Historic Dockyard, Dock Road, Chatham, on the 2nd Tuesday except July & August, at 7:30 pm. Contact: Jimmy Poole, 101 The Everglades, Hempstead, Gillingham, Kent ME7 3PZ. Tel: 01634 372015. E-mail: jimmy.poole@worldshipsociety.org [02.2009]
Meets: "The Fly in the Loaf", Hardman Street, Liverpool, on the 2nd Tuesday of the month, September to July, at 7:15 pm. Contact: Philip Welsh, 11 Garswood Close, Moreton, Wirral, Merseyside CH46 3SF. Tel: 0151 678 4758. E-mail: philip_a_welsh@yahoo.com [02.2009]
Meets: Ingatestone & Fryerning Club, High Street, Ingatestone, Essex, on the 1st Monday of each month, at 8:00 pm. Contact: David Brown, 8, Forefield Green, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 6YU. Tel: 01245 465052. [12.2009]
For a full report on the branch activities and "What's On", visit the branch website http://midessexships.org
Recent branch activities:
LESLIE SARGEANT MEMORIAL QUIZ Held at Ingatestone & Fryerning Community Centre on Saturday 9th October 2010, hosted by Mid-Essex Branch.
Questions set and Quiz organised by Mid-Essex Branch
Attendance was slightly lower than usual but in the event 4 branches entered teams: guest branch Bedford; Haven Ports branch; South Coast branch and Southend branch. Unfortunately a scratch team could not be assembled from the audience as in previous years.
There were a good number of stalls selling a range of books, photographs and slides brought to the event by individuals, branches and the Chatham Library, all of which generated a lot of interest. The Mid Essex Branch charity, the RNLI, was also well patronised, selling a range of goods including calendars and Christmas cards.
There were many donations to what turned out to be a huge raffle with a principle prize of a return voyage from Dover to Calais for a car and up to nine passengers courtesy of P&O. Further prizes included bottles of wine and whisky, a basket of fruit, mugs, books, dvds and cds.
With only 4 teams in the competition it was decided to run an eliminator round to select the three teams to go into the final. Out of a possible 50 points Haven Ports scored 24, Southend 23, Bedford 18 and South Coast 12.
The points after round one in the final were Bedford 14, Southend 15, and Haven Ports 9. In the second round the points were Bedford 10, Southend 17, and Haven Ports 12. Southend excelled and scored maximum points on both of their bonus rounds. The final positions were: runner up, Haven Ports Branch; second, Bedford Branch and first, Southend Branch who had a run away victory with 32 points. Congratulations go to Southend branch who had won only once since the competition began back in 1995. They were very pleased to walk off with the trophy this year.
Mid-Essex would like to thank all members from the South East that attended, particularly those who were part of a team. Thanks also go to the guest branch Bedford for attending and hope that they had an entertaining afternoon.
Our grateful thanks go to all the branches and individuals who bought prizes for the raffle which has enabled Mid-Essex to financially break-even on the cost of the afternoon.
The results of the questionnaire sent out indicated a general willingness for the event to continue, but many branches found difficulty in attending due to dwindling numbers and a reluctance to travel any long distance. Perhaps ome thought should be given as to the form the quiz should take in the future. This event not only has an enjoyable competitive edge but allows local branches and members to meet socially.
To ensure the continuance of this enjoyable event please make a special effort to attend next year’s quiz which will be hosted by South Coast branch. Southend Branch will be responsible for organising the quiz and setting the questions.
The winning Team accept the trophy from Robert Butcher Mid-Essex branch Chairman (left), with Southend team members (left to right) Daivid Salisbury, Stuart Emery (captain), John Killen and Ray Palmer. Photo taken Oct 10, 2010.
Meets: Hirael OAP Centre, Ambrose Street, Hirael, Bangor, usually on the 2nd Saturday, September to April, at 2:00 pm. Contact: Alan Smith, 35 Maes Seiriol, Pensarn, Abergele, Conway, Gwynedd LL32 7RZ. Tel: 01745 825824. E-mail: alan@alan50.wanadoo.co.uk [02.2009]
Meets: Temple Hill Community Centre, Temple Hill, Dartford, on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 7:30 pm, for 8:00 pm start. Contact: Glen Humble, 195 Old Road East, Gravesend, Kent DA12 1PN. Tel: 08707201130. E-mail: wssnwkbranch@btinternet.com [11.2011] Local Branch website (with lots of detail about local events) http://wssnwkbranch.wetpaint.com
Upcoming Programmes & Events
Nov 16, 2011 — AGM _ "London Docks"
Dec 21, 2011 — Social Evening
Jan 18, 2012 — Beyond the Meridian II, by Alan Chapman
Feb 15, 2012 — Shipbreaking at Aliaga (part two), by Selim San
Mar 21, 2012 — Deepsea Trawlerman, by Peter Garrod
Apr 18, 2012 — Memories of East Kent Shipping, by Andrew Humphreys
May 16, 2012 — Thames and Medway, by Steve Spouse
Jun 20, 2012 — Shanghai, by Jimmy Poole
Jul 18, 2012 — More Australia, by John Townsend
Aug 15, 2012 — Near Continent Shipping, by Ken Flack
Sep 19, 2012 — North to Alaska, by Keith Simpson
Oct 17, 2012 — Rhine Valley Trip, by John White
Nov 21, 2012 — A.G.M. + Local Shipping, by Glen Humble
Meets: Ballynafeigh Methodist Church Hall, Florenceville Drive, Belfast, on the 2nd Tuesday September to May, at 8:00 pm. Contact: Roy Snowden, 'Alcantara', 48 Killycomain Road, Portadown, Co Armagh BT63 5SH. Tel: 028 3833 1371. E-mail: densnowrg617@yahoo.co.uk [02.2009]
Meets: Wensum Lodge, King Street, Norwich, on the 2nd Friday, October to April, at 7:30 pm. Contact: Mrs. Jenny Tomlinson, 'Riverlea', Fakenham Road, East Bilney, Dereham, Norfolk NR20 4HS. Tel: 01362 860604. E-mail: riverleamaritime@tiscali.co.uk [02.2009]
Meets: Plymouth Naval Base Museum on the 1st Tuesday of each month at 7:30 pm. (Please note - there is no public access to the Naval Base. Please contact Ian Denton in advance for security arrangements.) Contact: Ian Denton, 'Kestrel', 11 Edgecombe Way, St. Ann's Chapel, Gunnislake, Cornwall PL18 9HJ. Tel: 01822 832871. E-mail: ian.denton.785@btinternet.com [09.2011 RW]
Meets: Southwick Community Centre, Southwick, Sussex, on the 4th Thursday of each month - 2nd Thursday in December, at 7:30 pm. Contact: Mrs. Val Thompson, 60 The Grange, Hurstpierpoint, Hassocks, West Sussex BN6 9FD. E-mail: v.thompson9@btinternet.com. Tel: 01444 410679. Publications: bi-monthly - South Coast Look Out; semi-annually - South Coast Packet. [12.2011]
On the Horizon: Forthcoming South Coast Branch meetings:
2011
Saturday Oct 8, 2011 - Leslie Sargeant Memorial Quiz, South Coast Branch hosts CANCELLED for 2011
Thursday 27 Oct, 2011 - A Selection of Roger's slides presented by Val Thompson
Thursday 24 Nov, 2011 - Forton Lake Hulks, by Mark Beattie-Edwards (of the Nautical Archaeological Society)
Thursday 8 Dec, 2011 - Xmas Buffet & Photo Competition, by the members
Thursday 26 Jan, 2012 - Shipbreaking at Aliaga, by Selim Sam, via Geoff Watson (This program is subject to change)
Thursday 23 Feb, 2012 - Memories of the London River, by Stuart Emery (This program is subject to change)
Thursday 22 Mar, 2012 - Shipping on Swiss, German and Italian Lakes, by Nick Hall
Thursdy 26 Apr, 2012 - Branch A.G.M. followed by our quiz set by Mike Hearn
Thursday 24 May, 2012 - A Nautical Miscellany, by Martin Wright
Recent Meeting Highlights:
Meeting Notes: Thursday 27th October, 2011 — A Further Selection of Roger's Slides of Yesteryear, by Val Thompson. We enjoyed an evening of pure nostalgia when Val showed another batch of Roger's slides he had taken in the 1960s and 1970s. Most were taken in the ports of Shoreham, Newhaven or Littlehampton, on WSS visits to the Thames docks, and across the Channel to Calais, Antwerp and the New Waterway. These were the days when cargo ships were festooned with masts, sampson posts, king posts and derricks, containers were somewhat a novelty and carried as deck cargo, most tankers had their bridge amidships and passenger ferries and liners had funnels rather than elaborately-designed exhaust pipes. Not only did it bring back memories of the ships of that era but it was also a graphic illustration how much our local port infra-structure has also changed. Thank you Val for another most interesting presentation and we certainly look forward to another voyage down memory lane next year.
Meeting Notes: Thursday 20th October, 2011 — Branch Fish and Chip Supper. Sincere thanks to Phil Simons and the Committee for organising the gathering at "The Plaice in the Square," Southwick. Some two dozen members and guests sat down and enjoyed a most pleasant evening which was deeply appreciated by all present.
Meeting Notes: Thursday 22nd September, 2011 — A History of Shipbuilding in the Western Balkans, by Dr. Allan Ryszka-Onions. Allan received a warm welcome from members when he returned to present the second part of his detailed history of shipbuilding in the Western Balkans. We viewed the shipping through the years that have come from the various shipbuilding yards in Croatia at Split and Trogir. For example the present, and largest, Brodosplit Shipyard Company (Brodogradilište Split) was founded in 1922 and has built ships from small ferries up to 140,000 dwt. tankers, including the 20,000 dwt BRITISH UNITY and BRITISH FIDELITY. On a more local note the former Newhaven-Dieppe ferry VERSAILLES / STENA LONDONER came from the Brodogradiliste Jozo Lozovina Mosor shipyard at Trogir in 1974 as STENA NORDICA. We then viewed shipyards in Serbia on the banks of the River Danube such as the Belgrade Shipyard and the Danubius Team Shipbuilding Group which specialised in tugs, pusher-tugs, barges and river/sea vessels. Allan's presentation included a very wide range of shipping ranging from small local ferries, coasters and tugs through to large Scandinavian ferries, freighters, and super tankers. An unusual trade was the tanker ORANGE STAR, a 9980 grt. specialist orange-juice tanker capable of carrying 32,000,000 litres. It was a most ineresting evening accompanied by Allan's extremely informative commentary.
Meeting Notes: Thursday 25th August, 2011 — Travels in 2010 by Bill Mayes. Bill Mayes made a welcome return when he presented his "Travels in 2010" which involved passages on 96 ships covering 17,640 nautical miles and involving 73 nights at sea plus a great deal of meticulous planning. We joined him aboard SAGA RUBY for a cruise from Southampton to the Black Sea, a Mediterranean voyage aboard BLU DE FRANCE, an Agean trip on SEABOURN ODYSSEY, and a trip to Channel ports aboard ATHENA, the former STOCKHOLM. Hotel ships CRUISE HOTEL ex-ROTTERDAM with its 252 rooms in Rotterdam and the 1961 British-built passenger ship TURAN EMEKSIZ now called OTANTIK HOTEL moored at Bursa, to the south of Istanbul, were also on the itinerary, along with cruise ships BLACK WATCH, DISCOVERY, SAGA PEARL II, PRINZENDAM, OCEANA, and QUEEN ELIZABETH. Some of the many ferries we travelled on were PONT AVEN, DOVER SEAWAYS, CAP FINISTERRE, PRIDE OF BILBAO, BRETAGNE and JULIA. We enjoyed trips ashore in many ports and experienced the numerous ferries across the Bosphorous as well as seeing the various transport systems in Istanbul including trams, underground railway and buses. In the Black Sea we saw the Romanian REGINA MARIA, ex HMS LONDON. Bill was warmly thanked for an excellent evening and we look forward to his "Travels in 2011" nest year.
Meeting Notes: Thursday 28th July, 2011 — Members other interests A fascinating evening in which five members gave 20 minute talks on their non-shipping pursuits. First Frank Halliday provided an excellent history of North American Lakawanna and Western Rail-Road Company in a presentation "Through the Port Hole - The Route of Phoebe Snow." He was followed by Andy Skarstein showing a first-rate selection of vintage aeroplanes, road vehicles and steam locomotives at home and abroad. David Start took us through to the interval with biographies of two aviation pioneers, John Springfellow and Frederick Miles. After a break John Davidson showed some magnificent photographs he had taken at various air shows - Farnborough, Goodwood and Shoreham - from vantage points not accessible on show days on the day before the shows from where he could capture the aircraft arriving, and on the days after to catch them leaving. Trevor Cox brought up the rear with a presentation on some of the former WW1 German cemeteries in the Ypres Salient which the Belgians required be removed and concentrated in just a few sites, from 280 cemeteries in 1920 to just four today - the futility of war is obvious when you visit a cemetery the size of two football pitches holding in exess of 44,000 burials. Thanks go to the contributors for sharing their diverse interests. It proved to be a much appreciated and successful evening which members asked to be repeated in future years, and thanks go to the contributors for sharing their diverse interests.
Meeting Notes: Thursday 23rd June, 2011 — The Gosport-Portsmouth Ferries, by Philip Simons. In a change of programme our Branch Vice-Chairman / Treasurer Phil Simons presented a very well-researched and most interesting illustrated history of the Gosport Ferry from its early days in the 1880s as the Port of Portsmouth Steam Launch & Towing Company through to today's Portsmouth Harbour Ferry Company. We viewed all the various ferries that have operated on the cross-harbour service and followed them through their various lives after being sold. Many of the ferries saw naval service in WW1 and WW2 - some in both - and one as far away as Sierra Leone. Several still exist today as houseboats in various parts of the country, one is virtually buried on the foreshore of a country estate, and sadly several are rusting hulks in the mud. Also covered was the steam operated chain ferry which was in service 1840 - 1959. This was Phil's first talk and he is most certainly to be congratulated for such an enjoyable and fascinating account, and we certainly look forward to another.
Meeting Notes: Saturday 18th June, 2011 — Tri-Branch Meeting (South Coast, Isle of Wight and Southampton) at the Amberley Chalkpits Museum. Some two dozen members from the three branches met up at Amberley and enjoyed a fascinating day at the museum exploring the various exhibits and displays of yesteryear - it's quite alarming to see objects you remember using (or still do!) not so long ago now regarded as museum exhibits. With coffee, tea and biscuits being provided throughout the day, for lunch an excellent well-presented hot and cold buffet lunch ws provided which all present attacked with relish. Many thanks to Phil Simons and the committee for organising this most successful day, and to Alan Watt for bringing boxes of postcards, photographs and books from Chatham for members to browse at leisure and purchase.
Meeting Notes: Thursday 26th May, 2011 — Shipbuilding at Goole by George Robinson. The subject of our May meeting was George Robinson's PowerPoint presentation of "Shipbuilding at Goole, 1875-1987." We were taken through the wide range of small vessels constructed at the various shipyards in the locality over the 112 years from "Tom Pudding" tugs used for towing skips of coal to large coasters for Everards, tankers for Crescent Shipping, and larger vessels for Ellerman's Wilson Line of Hull. Auxiliary naval craft were very well represented from armed trawlers and drifters to minesweepers - including an "Ascot" Class paddle-minesweeper, and salvage craft, and even 'Q' ships. George has produced a most interesting show with some fascinating old photographs from the early years accompanied by a fully informative commentary on the screen. With a little time to spare members then viewed a DVD of King George V battleships which included the hunt for the Bismark - rather appropriate as it was 70 years ago to the day.
Meeting Notes: Thursday 28th April, 2011 — Branch Annual General Meeting followed by A Nautical Quiz set by Nick Hall. Vice-Chairman/Treasurer Phil Simons was ably assisted by our Secretary Val Thompson when together they took the helm and calmly steered the branch through the agenda of its AGM. No contentious items were raised, the accounts were accepted, and members gave a unanimous vote of thanks to the committee for their hard work throughout the year on behalf of the branch and the four members were re-elected en bloc to serve another term with Nick Hall being available to be co-opted during the year. After the interval members took part in the annual 50-question quiz set by last year's winner, Nick Hall. This year's victor was Mike Hearn - whose prize is the honour of setting the questions for next year - he was followed by Phil Simons and Alan Watt in second and third place respectively - also congratulations to Alan, the Honorary WSS Librarian at Chatham, for being nominated as the WSS Manager at Chatham.
Meeting Notes: Saturday 26th March, 2011 — Merchant Ship Meeting 2011, London. Three South Coast members were present at the meeting held in the Civil Service Club, just off Whitehall. The day commenced with answers to the 50 question quiz set by Malcolm Cooper and sent out in advance - your editor came second with 32, and Alan Watt third with 31 - many thanks due to the Internet and Google! There were six illustrated presentations during the day: Freights Down - Ships Down: a look at one of the consequences of the slump in freight rates in 1920 (John Cook); The Development of the Reefer Vessel during the 20th Century (Tony Breach); Elder Dempster - A Fleet shaped by its trade (Andrew Bell); Confessions of an Everards Marine Superintendent (Ken Garrett); United Africa Company/Palm Line, 1929-1985, a shipping company and its ships (Trevor Cox); Evolution of the Fleet Supply Ship (Tom Adams). Many thanks to Roy Fenton, Malcolm Cooper and their committee for organising the most enjoyable day.
Meeting Notes: Thursday 24th March, 2011 — Clan Line Steamers, part III. This was the third and final part which concentrated on the ships that served the company post-war through to its decline in the 1970s and on to its total demise in the 1980s. It was during this period that many consider Clan Line operated some of its finest designed ships - the last of the break-bulk cargo ships. As with many other British companies they were somewhat late to respond to the dedicated container trade and facing freight rates being under-cut by foreign companies the Clan Line house flag sadly vanished from the seas. A brief look was also taken at King Line Ltd., whose ships were absorbed into the Clan Line Fleet, the Scottish Tanker Company and Scottish Shire Line. The evening concluded with some recent photographic "finds" of Clan Line's turret ships.
Meeting Notes: Friday 25th February, 2011 — The Keith Rivett-Drake Annual Branch Dinner. Some 30 members and guests, including our former Chairman Alan Bishop, enjoyed a succulent roast beef dinner with all the trimmings at the Sussex Yacht Club at our annual gathering in memory of our generous benefactor and former member, Keith Rivett-Drake. It was a most enjoyable evening and a vote of thanks must be given to Philip Simons for his meticulous planning and organisation.
Meeting Notes: Thursday 24th February, 2011 — The Thames and Medway, by Steve Spouse. Members enjoyed a most interesting and informative presentation from Steve Spouse, a member of the North West Kent Branch, when he showed "The Thames and Medway" through a slide show of tugs, towage and shipping on the two rivers. Tugs belonging to the various local towage companies were seen : J.P. Knight, William Watkins, Gamecock, Elliott, Sun Tugs, Ship Towage Ltd., London Tugs Ltd., Alexandra Towing Co. (London) Ltd., Howard Smith, Adsteam, Tilbury Dredging and the Port of London Authority. There was an excellent blend of then and now, old and new, including an excellent view of a newly launched tug CHALLENGE which is at present now berthed in Aldrington Basin. However, what was truly spectacular were Steve's remarkable aerial views of tugs, ships and various London docks from cranes, the tops of high-rise buildings and similar vantage points - he must have a good head for heights ! The evening was a blend of two fascinating subjects - tugs and Thames shipping - brought together in a unique show and we certainly hope to see Steve again at another meeting.
Meeting Notes: Thursday 27th January, 2011 — Ocean Liners and Cruise Ships, part II: letters F - Q, presented by Alan and Sheila Watt. Continuing on from last year, Sheila and Alan Watt treated members to a showing of Joe Clark's A-Z of Ocean Liners and Cruise Ships, parts III and IV covering letters F to M, and O to Q. Numerous passenger vessels were seen in a variety of settings all accompanied by an easy yet informative commentary. There was some remarkable pre-war black and white footage of Orient Line's "O" ships at Colombo - ORCADES, ORION, ORFORD, ORONTES, OTRANTO, post-war P&O and Union Castle liners in Southamptom - ORIANA, ORONSAY, KENYA CASTLE, PENDENNIS CASTLE, PRETORIA CASTLE. Other ships included FAIRSEA, FAIRSKY and FAIRSTAR, GOTHIC, HIMALAYA, MALOJA, LAKONIA, NALDERA and MONA LISA with the famous painting reproduced on her funnel. We saw the final departures of QUEEN ELEZABETH and QUEEN MARY plus QE2 leaving on her maiden voyage, and amongst other well-known liners from the past -- MAJESTIC, MAURETANIA, GRIPSHOLM, FRANCE, NEVASSA, ORANJE to name but few. A most interesting evening and an excellent start to the year's programme.
Meeting Notes: Thursday 9th December, 2010 — Photographic Competition. The Branch's Annual Photographic Competition followed last year's successful format in which each image was digitised and projected via the computer, and each photograph was given a mark by each member of 1, 2 or 3. There were 35 entries and the winning three were : first - a port quarter view of Princess Cruises SAPPHIRE PRINCESS (2004, 116,000 grt.) in the Tracey Arm Fjord and entered by Geoff Bedford : second - the 1922 German-built Dutch steam tug NOORDZEE at the Dordhrecht Steam Festival (Dort in Stoom) taken by Nick Hall, and third - the 1997-built Dutch coastal tanker STAR BONAIRE on the New Waterway taken by Geoff Bedford. By popular consent the old clock / barometer trophy was donated to the WSS Chatham Library and the committee have decided to replace it with a new award which will be known as the Peter Roberts Trophy in honour of our late shipmate whose funeral was held that morning. The three winning photographs will be printed in the next edition of South Coast Packet - thanks are due to Krispen Atkinson for bringing his laptop plus scanner and working hard to scan members' images at the start of the evening. Aftr the awards members enjoyed the customary Christmas buffet for which a vote of thanks must go to Val Thompson and Sheila Watt for supplying and then organising many of the eatables and drinkables. All too soon a most enjoyable evening, and year of meetings came to an end.
Meeting Notes: Thursday 25th November, 2010 — An Evening in Stockholm with Nick Hall. Nick Hall gave a fascinating presentation when he took members on a most interesting shipping tour of the port of Stockholm and the surrounding waterways. Situated amidst an archipelago of some 24,000 islands, water-borne transport is essential and we saw the complete range of the city's classic ferries, some dating back to the 1870s and still in service, some in steam and coal-fired as built. The various types of commerecial shipping from cruise ships and container ships through to houseboats were all very well documented along with their relevant histories, for example Wallenius Line's first ship, the coastal motor tanker SOYA III which is still afloat but has been converted into the company's floating conference centre. Tugs, and former tugs (one being VIDAR dating back to 1865), old lightships, and ex-coastal naval craft, converted into houseboats were all seen along with a variety of floating hotels, floating restaurants and the Vasa Museum. Members commented on the immaculate appearance and high standard of maintenance apparent on all the various ships and craft — indeed the city of Stockholm itself was spotlessly clean and tidy. The whole show was complemented by Nick's very high stand of photography and knowledgeable commentary — many thanks Nick for the most absorbing evening.
Meeting Notes: Thursday 28th October, 2010 — Clan Line Steamers ~ Part II, by Trevor Cox. We resumed our voyage under the Clan Line flag (still minus seagulls) with the MacNair Class and followed the histories of the ships that were either built or acquired during the Inter-war years through to those built by the end of WW2. Member were stunned by the incredibly high number of war losses sustained by the company during WW2 – 34 ships sunk and over 60 lives lost – facts which underlined the role of the Merchant Navy during those was years. It was also interesting to note just how many of the Clan Line ships fell victim to U-boat “Aces” responsible for other major attacks: ATHENA, HMS MALAYA, and EMPRESS OF CANADA, to name but few. Clan Line ships were to be found in most major theatres – the Malta and Russian Convoys, Operation Torch, and the D-Day landings as cargo ships, store ships and troopships. Three ships were taken over by the Admiralty during building and completed as aircraft transports serving as RN vessels HMS ATHENE, ENGADINE and BONAVENTURE, not being release back to civilian service until 1946/47. The last leg of our voyage will reach its home port next March when we witness the decline and eventual demise of this large company by which time was part of the British and Commonwealth Group. As with many other fine British shipping companies the rapid advance of containerisation was not appreciated, planned and prepared for in time. Also include will be a brief look at some of Clan Lin’es associated companies: Scottish Tanker Co., Scottish Shire Line, King Line and Houston Line, plus some recent additions to my Clan Line Steamers collection. [01.2011]
Meeting Notes: Thursday 23rd September, 2010 — “Roger’s Slides” — Part II. Val provided members with an evening of pure nostalgia when she presented a further selection of slides taken by Roger in the 1960s and 1970s. Roger conscientiously took a photograph of almost every ship he saw, especially in Shoreham Harbour, and today we can be grateful that he did for we can now see the many old favourites of yesteryear alongside landmarks also now disappeared with the passage of time – a time when Shoreham boasted two power stations and a gas works. We journeyed back to the time when Shoreham was a busy port in the number of ships it handled – classic Dutch coasters, flat iron colliers, wine tankers, Russian timber ships with their complex-looking cargo-handling gear and a wide variety of small tankers. Further along the coast at Newhaven SNELAC was a new ship on the crossing to Dieppe and large cargo ships still berthed just inside the seaward end of the harbour. Ocean-going ships were seen on visits to the now long vanished London Docks and across the water in Rotterdam. Thank you Val and we certainly look forward to another evening of shipping photographs from the past next year. [01.2011]
Meeting Notes: Thursday 26th August, 2010 — Cornish Ports and Harbours, Part II ~ The Clay Ports and St. Austell Bay, by Krispen Atkinson. Krispen produced a very well researched and superb presentation covering the ports of Mevagissey, Pentewan, Charlestown, Par, Looe, Lerryn, and Fowey (your editor learned it is apparently pronounced “Foy”!) The history of each port was interlaced with aerial views, old postcards and photographs, and brought up-to-date with Krispen’s own photographs from similar vantage points showing “Then and Now.” The shipping varied from old time sailing ships, through coasters old – Everard – and new, to laid up shipping and modern cruise liners. The main export of the harbours was china clay and it was amazing to see several coasters alongside in harbour so small you wondered how even one would fit in. Pentewan started life as a 16th century fishing haven – before WW2 it exported clay and copper while it imported coal and lime – since 1940 when the harbour entrance started to silt up it has become totally landlocked. Charlestown was built as a “Georgian New Town” – it fitted out MFVs in WW2 – today it exists as a maritime museum town. Par had a large china clay drying plant, today the port is closed. In Fowey we saw the famed tugs TURMOIL (of FLYING ENTERPRISE fame), and tug CANUTE now in Exeter museum, while at Fowey the thriving cargo trade has been mainly replaced by cruise ships. A truly fascinating evening Krispen, and we look forward to a Part II – and then a Part IV . . . . . [01.2011]
Meeting Notes: Thursday 22nd July, 2010 — An Evening of Shipping Films. The first film was “Mersey Bound” Part 9 of Snowbow Productions “The Great Liners”. It was a genuine nostalgic voyage back to the 1950s and 1960s, the days before containers and, in many cases, palletised cargoes. Companies such as Elder Dempster, Harrison Line, Blue Funnel, T & J Brocklebank, and Palm Line (which included a voyage on IKEJA PALM – and now you know why your editor chose this film!) were all strongly featured showing all aspects of life afloat and a wide variety cargo work. It was an era when going to sea and trading to foreign shores was almost romantic and seamanship played an important part in everyday work – today it has become a sterile business dominated by high tech computer systems. The second film was “Day Trips to the Sea” which was a compilation of cine films taken on Thames pleasure steamers in the 1960s and 1970s. We sailed on board m.s. ROYAL SOVEREIGN, p.s. QUEEN OF THE SOUTH (ex JEANNIE DEANS), and p.s. WAVERLEY which, at that time, was in her first few years of operation on the Thames. Starting at Tower Pier, Southend Pier was almost an obligatory call but other resorts included Greenwich, Gravesend, Margate, Herne Bay and the River Medway. Thank you to Trevor Cox and Val Thompson for providing the films at short notice in the absence of Ken Johnson who has no taken up residence in Gibraltar. [01.2011]
For meeting notes prior to this date, check the listing to the left, marked "FROM THE PAST - South Coast Branch Notes".
Meets: Meetings from December 2010 will be held at: St. James' Road Methodist Church St. James Road Shirley, Southampton SO15 5HE on the 2nd Tuesday of each month, at 7:30 pm. Contact: Colin M Drayson, 57 The Drove, Commercial Street, Bitterne, Southampton, Hampshire SO18 6LY — Tel: 023-8049-0290. E-mail: cm.drayson@btinternet.com [12.2010] Branch website: (with lots of information about local branch activities) http://www.sotonwss.org.uk [04.2011]
Meets: Civic Centre, Victoria Avenue, Southend-on-Sea, on the 3rd Monday of each month, at 7:30 pm. Contact: Stuart Emery, 66 Bellhouse Lane, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex SS9 4PQ. Tel: 01702 528948. E-mail: stuart.emery@hotmail.com [03.2009]
Meets: The Environment Centre, Pier Street, Swansea, on the 1st Friday of each month, at 7:00 pm. Contact: Captain Tony Breach, 'Playas', Marcross, Vale of Glamorgan, CF61 1ZG. E-mail: tonybcamreef@aol.com [09.2011 RW]
Teesside Ship Society / Teesside Branch of the World Ship Society. The Teesside Ship Society was formed in 1956 and became a branch of the International Society in 1971.
Meets: Newport Settlement Youth & Community Centre, St. Pauls Road (entrance from Union Street), Middlesbrough, on the 3rd Wednesday, September to July, at 7:00 pm. Additional meetings in Hartlepool, Indoor Bowling Club, Raby Road. Contact: Stuart Hardie, 26 Southbrooke Avenue, Hartlepool TS25 5JB. Tel: 01429 274881. Publications: Tees Packet - quarterly - Editor: Derek Hinds. Branch Website: http://teesships.co.uk [07.2010]
On the Horizon: our forthcoming Teesside Branch meetings
Jan 18, 2012 — Slides from the archives, by Derek Hinds (Middlesborough)
Feb 1, 2012 — Teesside Branch 1st Slide Show, by Bert Spaldin (Hartlepool)
Feb 15, 2012 — Stuart's Shipping Selection, Pt. 2, by Stuart Matthews (Middlesborough)
Mar 21, 2012 — Smith's Dock, by Wilf Austin (Middlesborough)
Apr 4, 2012 — Arctic Convoys, 1943-44, by Steve Pearson (Hartlepool)
Apr 18, 2012 — T.B.A. (Middlesborough)
May 16, 2012 — 500 Group, Bus Restoration Work, by David Hunter (Middlesborough)
Additional meetings of the North East Tug Society (St. Stephen's Church Hall, S. Shields) - starting at 7:30 PM
Recent Meeting Highlights:
For details of selected meetings, subscribe to the Tees Packet, The Journal of the Teesside Ship Society
Meeting Notes: DECEMBER 2010 — The presentation at our Middlesbrough meeting, being the last meeting of 2010, was another in the series 'Slides from the Archives' by Derek Hinds. This time it was on those workhorses which one can find in almost every port in the world - 'Tugs'. The slides shown were from the collections of the late Albert Weller, John Coombs, John Proud and a few where the photographer was unknown. Their cameras captured the tugs which served in, or visited the north-east ports from the 1960's until the 1980's. Other pictures were from when they ventured further afield from our region. The final section of slides were from John Roud's collection, our own 'Mr Tees Tugs', some of his pictures were from the time that he was preparing his book 'Seahorses of the Tees' showing the eralier steam tugs assisting some sailing vessels on the river.
Meets: Carnation Hall (lounge), Chavey Down Road, Chavey Down, Winkfield, Berkshire, on the 1st Thursday of each month, at 7:45 for 8:00 pm. Contact: Bill and Brenda Mayes, Mayes House, Vansittart Estate, Windsor SL4 1SE. Tel: 07768 234507. E-mail: treasurer@worldshipsociety.org [02.2011]
Upcoming Meetings & Programmes:
Jan 6, 2011 — Travels in 2010, Part 1, by William Mayes
Feb 3, 2011 — Spindrift - The Slide Show
Mar 3, 2011 — Branch Photographic competition (slide, print & digital), and Alan Woolfenden with "Inland Waterways"
Apr 7, 2011 — Old and New, by Douglas Cromby
May 12, 2011 — Branch AGM, followed by Cruise Ships in the 1990s, by Peter and Bruce Dawes (NOTE: this is the 2nd Thursday due to the hall being required for local elections)
Jun 2, 2011 — The Ivan Franko class, by David Trevor-Jones
Jul 7, 2011 — Ship Canals, by Peter Pribik
Aug 4, 2011 — Japan shipping, by Richard Seville
Sep 1, 2011 — Holiday snaps July to December 2010, by William Mayes
Oct 6, 2011 — Meteorology and Shipping, by Jim Allen
Nov 3, 2011 — My Life with Cunard, 1964-1995 by John Griffin
Dec 1, 2011 — Members' Evening - short presentations, objects of interest, DVDs--whatever we have on the night, plus Christmas goodies
Jan 4, 2012 — Ships travelled on, visited and seen during 2011, by William Mayes
Feb 2, 2012 — Travels in 2010, by Douglas Cromby
Mar 1, 2012 — Branch AGM, followed by Chairman's view from the helm, by Chris Guscott
Apr 5, 2012 — Branch Photographic Competition (Digital only - maximum 6 images per person), followed by Southampton overview, by Alan Woolfenden
May 3, 2012 — WSS Travelling show or DVD evening (tba)
Jun 7, 2012 — Ship building on the Danube—Part 1, by Allan Onions
Jul 5, 2012 — Cornwall and beyond (subject to be confirmed), by Krispen Atkinson
Aug 2, 2012 — South Georgia, Shackleton and his Forgotten Men, by Bill & Doreen Lawes
Sep 6, 2012 — Japan shipping, by Richard Seville
Oct 4, 2012 — British Cruisers in World War II, by Derrick Gray
Nov 1, 2012 — Shipping in the 80s and 90s, by Peter Dawes
Dec 7, 2012 — Members' Evening - Short presentations, objects of interest, DVDs - whatever we have on the night, plus Christmas goodies
Meets: Teign Corinthian Yacht Club, Eastcliff Walk, Teignmouth, on the 2nd Tuesday of each month, at 7:30 pm. Contact: Bob Collins, 116 Twickenham Road, Newton Abbot, Devon TQ12 4JH. Tel: 01626 356196. E-mail: arkoli-2344@tiscali.co.uk Local Branch Website: http://www.worldshipsdevon.co.uk [03.2009]
Meets: Holy Saviours Parish Centre, The Broadway, Tynemouth, on the 2nd Tuesday of each month, at 7:30 pm. Contact: Paul Hood, 28 Teal Avenue, South Beach Estate, Blyth, Northumberland NE24 3PT. Tel: 01670 360132. E-mail: paul.k.hood@btinternet.com [03.2009]
Directions for finding the new venue: click on the following link for a map (for Satnavs, the postcode is NE30 2LD ) http://www.streetmap.co.uk/
Meets: Five Bells Public House, Norfolk Street, Wisbech (unless otherwise stated), on the last Monday, March to December at 7:30 pm. Contact: Tony Bray, 16 Prince Andrew Drive, Dersingham, Norfolk PE31 6JW Tel: 01485 542983. [02.2011]
On the Horizon: our forthcoming Wash Ports Branch meetings
Meets: Nautical Club, 3-4 Bishopsgate Street, Birmingham, usually held on the 2nd Saturday, September to April, at 12:30 pm. Contact: Jim McFaul, 92 Armorial Road, Styvechall, Coventry CV3 6GJ. Tel: 024 7641 5574. E-mail: jim@mcfaulcov.freeserve.co.uk [07.2010] Local Branch Website with upcoming programme details: http://www.irishseashipping.com/minfo/wss/wsswestmid.htm [12.2009]
Upcoming Meetings & Programmes:
October 8, 2011 — HMS Manchester, by Richard Osborne - The loss od HMS Manchester in 1942 and the subsequent court-martials
November 12, 2011 — Shipping in my Early Years - the 1960s and 1970s, by Vic Smith – When ships looked like ships
December 10, 2011 — The Japanese Naval Strike in the Indian Ocean, April 1942, by Malcolm Cooper – Whose Victory?
January 14, 2012 — Singapore 1977 and 1992, by Bert Novelli – One of the late Bert Novelli's slide shows
February 11, 2012 — World Traveller, by Jim Charnock – Shots and shipping from all over.
March 12, 2012 — Shanghai Shipping - Part 2, by Jimmy Poole — The further travels of the Society's Hon. Sec.
April 14, 2012 — Branch AGM, followed by a slide presentation from the WSPL Archive, by Jim McFaul
Recent Meeting Highlights:
Meeting Notes: In November 2007, the branch was proud and honoured to welcome four verterans who were involved with Operation Pedestal, the crucial Malta convoy of August 1942. Les Dalton, our speaker, served on HMS EAGLE, Les Rae on HMS CAIRO, John Berrill on HMS INTREPID and Harold Highfield had served on Holt's DEUCALION. For the first part of his illustrated talk Les reviewed the warships that participated and took us through the action from the Glasgow and Liverpool departures, across the Bay of Biscay, passing Gibraltar to face continuous attacks by aircraft, surface vessels and submarines in the Mediterranean which included the loss of his own ship. Of the fourteen merchant ships only five including the tanker OHIO reached Malta. All were damaged but helped in the island's survival. In the second part, Les covered the 50th anniversary of the arrival of the Pedestal convoy sponsored by the Maltese Government. This was a meeting that the members of the branch will not forget.
Branch Chairman welcoming the veterans, l-r: Doug Yates, Les Dalton, Harry Highfield, John Berrill, Les Rae.
Note to Branch Secretaries: Please send updates / changes of venue / details of upcoming programs / meeting notes & photographs / changes to contact name and/or addresses to webmaster@worldshipsociety.org
The winning Team accept the trophy from Robert Butcher Mid-Essex branch Chairman (left), with Southend team members (left to right) Daivid Salisbury, Stuart Emery (captain), John Killen and Ray Palmer. Photo taken Oct 10, 2010.
Branch Chairman welcoming the veterans, l-r: Doug Yates, Les Dalton, Harry Highfield, John Berrill, Les Rae.