UK Branches

Contact: David Menzies, 149 Spring Road, Kempston, Bedford, MK42 8NR. Tel: 01234 352014.

dave.menzies@tiscali.co.uk [02.2014]

On the Horizon: our forthcoming Bedford & District Branch meetings

2019

• 21 February  Derek Sands, Area Branch Liaison Officer, giving a presentation on “Port of Ipswich”
• 21 March  Branch AGM, followed by a presentation by Bill Barber featuring shipping in Australian and New Zealand.
• 18 April  Bill Mayes (WSS Treasurer) making a welcome return to give a presentation “Liner Evening”
• 16 May  WSS Show by Maurice Napier on “Peru to Argentina”
• 20 June  Don McKeand presentation Winter in the Baltic
• 18 July  Ian Wells making a welcome return for his 24th visit to the Branch with his presentation “London Docks part 2 – 1972”
• 15 August  Alan Moorhouse with his latest Presentation on Liners
• 19 September  Tim Webb presentation on recent Naval Fleet Reviews
• 17 October - Alan Pepper presentation Autumn Surprise
• 21 November  Branch social evening at the King William PH Kempston
• 12 December Edward Parry presentation Snowbow Memories
  -Please note this is the SECOND THURSDAY of the month

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]

Contact - Richard Brown, 4 York Avenue, Ashley Down, Bristol BS7 9LH.

Tel: 0117 9513168.

Email: roserich.brown@btinternet.com [08.2013]

Upcoming Branch Programmes

2019/20

• 5th September 2019 Visit to M shed – Bristol City Docks. Meet at 14:00

Talk by Andy King, Senior Collections Officer, with a visit to
stored maritime items and the photographic archives followed
by a ferry trip round the docks. There will be a small charge.

• 3rd October 2019 World Ports Days at Rotterdam

Our Chairman, Bernard McCall will be presenting highlights
from several visits to this extensive maritime event at the
largest port in Europe.

• 7th November 2019 - A photographic career

Chris Jones, Deputy Harbour Master at the Bristol Port
Company takes us on a photographic journey through his
career. Chris has spent much of the last twenty years working
in and around the Bristol Channel. Expect a varied selection
of maritime pictures from tugs to passenger ships.

• 5th December 2019 - A G M and members evening.

After the AGM there will be some short contributions from
members.

• 2nd January 2020   September 2016 – Krispen’s Travels

An important month in his journeys round the world described and illustrated by Krispen Atkinson.

• 6th February 2020 - From Suez to the Falklands – The Royal Navy, 1956 - 1982

Richard Osborne will be continuing his presentation following on from the first part shown in May.

• 5th March 2020 - Big Ships and Big Rivers

Richard Potter will present images taken on cruises visiting
the Thames, Seine, Elbe and Weser, plus the Kiel Canal.

• 2nd April 2020 -  Captain Askew – Part two

Jim Charnock from the Manchester branch will be visiting us again to continue showing slides of the late Captain Askew’s travels.

• 7th May 2020 - Experiences with Everards

Peter Ives was employed in the coasting trades in the 1970s.
We will be hearing his personal experiences with slide
illustrations.

Activity Report

September Report

For our first meeting of the new season we broke with the tradition of indoor evening meetings and enjoyed an afternoon visit to M Shed in Bristol City Docks. This is the waterside museum for the Social, Industrial & Maritime History and working Exhibits for Bristol. As with most museums at least 95% of exhibits, perhaps more than a quarter of a million items here, remain unseen. In the stores we saw many ship models, half models, pictures and so much more. At the photo library we had glimpses of many collections including the works of York and Keen. There were another 15,000 photos donated from the Port of Bristol Authority and working drawings from the David Abel dockyard which has recently closed. Work is continuing on the huge task of checking, collating and digitising the entire collection. We enjoyed ourselves so much we ran out of time and had to leave a proposed ferry trip around the harbour for another day.

May Report

For our last meeting of the season we welcomed Richard Osborne with his presentation ‘From Suez to the Falklands: The Royal Navy 1956-1982’. At the end of the WWII Great Britain had the world’s second largest Navy but many ships battered by the war were obsolete and new designs and ways of thinking were required. Aircraft carriers came to the fore and were needed for a successful Operation ‘Muskateer’ at Suez. However, there was so much interesting information in the talk it became clear that Richard would need to visit us again to complete the presentation and this will be arranged next year. Many thanks, Richard.

April Report

There was a very good attendance for our April meeting for Jim Charnock’s presentation from the late Captain Askew’s extensive slide collection. Although we started with very bad weather conditions on the North Atlantic the majority of pictures concentrated on the St. Lawrence and the Great Lakes often with severe ice navigation although we warmed up with charter trips to the Far East and Australia. There was a good deal of audience participation especially concerning ‘The Lakers’. We all enjoyed the excellent evening and thanked Jim for travelling down from Manchester.

March 2019

‘Ships around Scotland – Part 2’ was our presentation in March given by our Chairman, Bernard McCall. We saw and heard about ports, some very small, tucked away often in remote locations on the mainland and islands between the Kyle of Lochalsh and the lochs of the Clyde. Coasters predominate even now in the increasing timber shipments from the Scottish forests. As well as the history and economic aspects we heard anecdotes of Bernard’s efforts to obtain pictures which in some cases are unlikely to ever be available again. It was much enjoyed as the area invoked memories for many of the audience.

February 2019

We welcomed well-known author Richard Clammer to our February meeting. He told us the fascinating story of passenger steamers on the River Dart. Richard had researched the story of every steamer (and more recent motor vessel) that had navigated that beautiful river between Dartmouth and Totnes. Every vessel was illustrated and we were amazed to see the remains of some of the early vessels still in situ on the river bank. We had a pleasing attendance with numbers swelled by visiting guests.

 January 2019

Roland Whaite was our January speaker. He described in detail two projects he had investigated recently. The first one started in 2011 when he saw photos and a diary of a 1926 cruise to Greece and Turkey to visit WW1 war graves. The ship involved was found to be STAR D’ITALIA owned by Cosulich of Trieste. After the break Roland’s research into a luxury motor yacht, DONA AMELIA of 1929, photographed in Falmouth in 2007 gave us a fascinating glimpse into the lives of wealthy individuals who had owned it. With a wide emphasis on the human stories behind both vessels it was an enjoyable start to the New Year.

December 2018

There was a good turn out for our December meeting. After a straight forward AGM we enjoyed some seasonal refreshments before our speaker was introduced. Carl Merry pilots ships to and from Sharpness Docks. The River Severn has the second highest tidal range in the world and beyond Avonmouth the river narrows in places, there are very strong currents and the water depths vary considerably. The size of ships continue to increase, latest record is 8,800 deadweight, and the window for entering Sharpness can be as little as ten minutes. It was an excellent talk and was of great interest to all present.

October

Barry Peck travelled up from Southampton to give us a wide ranging talk about Strick Line. Set up by Swansea business man Frank Clarke Strick in 1887 as one of his many business ventures the Company traded to the Persian Gulf. Barry served with Stricks for several years until its merger into the P & O General Cargo Division in April 1972. As he said ship’s histories are about people as well and we had insights and anecdotes about the crews some who served the Company for many decades along with interesting details about how the ships evolved incorporating the latest technologies. Many thanks, Barry.

September

Harry Spong recently visited Meyer Werft, Papenburg ship builders on an excursion from one of his many cruises. His presentation told us that this family firm dating from 1795 was for many years working on a restricted site 56 kilometres from the sea and modest size vessels were their normal output. Even their first large liner HOMERIC (47,000/1986) was launched sideways. Now with greatly expanded facilities ships like NORWEGIAN BLISS (168,000/2018) are taken down the river stern first. We greatly enjoyed the evening enlivened with many facts and anecdotes about the company and his own experiences cruising in Meyer’s and other ships.

May

We were very pleased to welcome Ian Wells with his ‘London Shipping 1972 – Part1’ presentation at our May meeting. It was nostalgia aplenty as we saw excellent pictures of ships at the Royal Docks in London. There were views of some of the ancillary vessels as well. No high visibility jackets in view and containers were not talked about until the last shot. This was the beginning of the end for conventional ships and British liner companies who had dominated traditional cargo handling routes for many years. This was the last meeting of the season and we will be back in September.

April

The ‘Beast from the East’ came west in time to cancel our March meeting. The first part of our April open evening was taken up by admiring a selection of a member’s scale models (1/1200) showing cargo ships belonging to British companies in the 1950s and ‘60s. He also brought along photographs of ships in the Bristol docks taken over many years. Another member talked about his projects involving wrecks near Clevedon and tugs from Germany working in Bristol. We finished with a slide show of more local ships taken from a selection of 5000 slides given to our Chairman.

February

Our previous Secretary and Treasurer, Arthur Clark, was ‘Wandering the Med again’ for us with his pictures from a cruise on the 1965 built ‘OCEANIC’ in 1996. Unfortunately, Arthur could not be with us so the presentation was co-ordinated by Roland Whaite with ship histories and Arthur’s comments. Following on Roland showed views of about twenty ships operational in the ten years from 1948. The connection to them was a man who had served on deck on all of them. Roland had researched the vessels, obtained photos of them and intertwined histories and experiences. Thanks to Roland and Arthur for a very interesting evening.

January 2018

Our Chairman, Bernard McCall, entertained us in our first meeting of the New Year with his presentation ‘Ships around Scotland’. We began in Alloa on the River Forth. Yes, it was an important port in its time linking exports from Glasgow to Europe but closed commercially in 1970. We then journeyed around the east coast through ports old and new via Orkney and Shetland to the west finishing at Kyle of Lochalsh. We saw a wide range of ports and shipping, ancient and modern, and accompanied with audience participation plus some personal anecdotes it all combined into a very enjoyable evening.

December

At our AGM the usual formal business concerning the Committee remaining in place, the reasonable financial situation and the various Officer reports were soon dealt with.

A long discussion then followed about trying to increase our numbers by local advertising and as a result some initiatives were agreed. After the break we were able to indulge in some good old nostalgia as Cedric Catt showed some of his slides taken in Bristol, Avonmouth and Sharpness in the 1970s and 1980s. Happy days!

November

For November our Treasurer, Nigel Edgell, presented our Naval evening – ‘Royal Navy Carrier Air Power’. There were several strands incorporated. Why aircraft carriers are important; the UK contribution to carrier technology (considerable); how carriers supplanted ‘dreadnoughts’ and their history from World War II onwards. There were 58 carriers at the end of the war although not all suitable for more modern use. Now we will have two. We were well informed on the ups and downs of the last few decades which were not surprisingly guided by political decisions. Well done, Nigel, it was an interesting evening.

October

At our October meeting, we were delighted to welcome back David Walker,
secretary of the Torbay Branch. David gave a splendid account of some
of the minicruises that he has enjoyed in recent years. We were
particularly impressed by the facilities on board ferries in northern
Europe where ferry travel is just as popular as it ever was and the
ferry companies serve their passengers extremely well. Many thanks,
David. We look forward to Part 2.

August  Excursion

On the 1st August for our second excursion of the summer thirteen members and friends travelled on the ‘Balmoral’ sailing the 3 Rivers and 5 Bridges trip from Clevedon pier. 3 Rivers – Severn, Avon to Bristol and return plus the Wye. 5 Bridges – M5 and Clifton Suspension Bridge, the two Severn Bridges and the Wye Bridge. The weather for the six hours or so was bright and breezy. There is a wealth of history to be seen from over two hundred years ago to the latest technology which in some cases cannot be accessed from the landside. The ship was very comfortable with plenty of refreshments available and expertly handled in some tight turning situations in the Avon and the Wye. It was disappointing that the ship movements for this particular tide at Avonmouth and Portbury occurred before we embarked and after we left but the day was enjoyed by all. Let’s hope we can travel on the ‘Balmoral’ again next year.

Ship arrival – ‘Cuidad de Cadiz’ – Airbus on board – 15,643gt/2008.

Ship departure – ‘Grande Ellade – 52,485gt/2001

Ships noted in dock – ‘Arklow Bank’ – 8565dwt/2014, ‘Arklow Brave – 8660dwt/2015, ‘Arklow Spirit’ – 34,905dwt/2013, ‘Aasheim’ – 5826dwt/2001

July VTS Centre Visit

On 24th July nine members from the Bristol Branch visited the marine planning and VTS centre of the Bristol Port Company. The building is located on the South pier at Avonmouth Docks and is responsible for shipping movements between the Holme Islands, beyond Weston-super-Mare, and The Shoots, by the newest Severn bridge, as well as the River Avon to Bristol. We were given a detailed assessment of the many factors which have to be considered when ships arrive or sail. The tidal conditions can be testing as the Severn estuary has the second highest tidal range in the world and Panamax vessels are not uncommon in the container, tanker and coal trades. At the other end of the scale small coasters can be pilot-free and need a different approach. There is also an increasing number of leisure vessels in use with the Portishead marina facilities nearby. It was a very interesting visit and will certainly help us to understand what is happening when we are ship-spotting at Battery Point.

We were very grateful to the Port Company for making the visit possible.

Shipping seen: Clarity – 1307gt/1989 and ‘Neptune Aegli – 21554gt – 2002 leaving Royal Portbury Dock. ‘Titania’ – 74255gt/2011 arriving Royal Portbury.

Contact: Tony Atkinson, 'Tregarth', 20 Lower Redannick, Truro, Cornwall TR1 2JW.

Tel: 01872 275602.

tonyatkinson2@aol.com      [03.2009]

On 16th August 2012, members of the Cornwall Branch were privileged to visit two Royal Naval vessels at Queen's Wharf, Falmouth by courtesy of the commanding officers, RN port liaison and A&P Falmouth. HMS Mersey P283 (1,677 tonnes displ.) was on a routine visit during her busy deployment on fishery patrol duties in the area as one of the three River Class patrol vessels conducting all such patrols around England, Wales and Northern Ireland. HMS Enterprise H88 (3,500 tonnes) one of the Royal Navy's two Survey Vessels Hydrographic Oceanographic (SVHO) was alongside for a period of maintenance. A tour of each vessel with a detailed explanation of its durites was much appreciated. Our thanks to Adrian Symons for initiating and arranging the visit. Photo by Tony Atkinson. [08.2012]

Contact: Branch Secretary, Steve Pink. Tel: 07831 111589 or email: steve@telecommerce.co.uk [2019-08]

Upcoming Branch Programmes

2019/20

• 14th September 2019 HANCOCK’S QUEST
  HMS Pegasus - story of Stoker James Hancock - Kevin Patience
• 12th October 2019 A LIFE AT SEA including Antarctica
  Captain Robin Plumley MBE
• 9th November 2019 ‘THE LIZZIE’
  Alistair Greener
• 14th December 2019 CABLE SHIPS from the 1970’s to present day
  Barry Peck
• 11th January 2020 ROYAL NAVY IN DORSET Part2
  Stuart Morris
• 8th February 2020 A CARIBBEAN CRUISE
  Bill Lawes
• 14th March 2020 BRANCH AGM followed by Cruise Ships
  Clive Arnold
• 11th April 2020 KRISPEN’S TRAVELS
  Including shipping in South East Asia - Krispen Atkinson
• 9th May 2020 MORE CRUISING EXPERIENCES
  Bill Mayes

The Branch has a new Secretary: Bernard N.Morton

Address: Flat b 10 St John's Church Rd, Folkestone, Kent CT19 5BQ Tel 01303 259758

Email: bernardmorton@yahoo.co.uk

Contact:  Mike Jackson.

helcion@hotmail.co.uk   [01.2018]

Upcoming Branch Programmes

2018

• 1 January 2018 - Members Photos Taken During 2017
• 2 February 2018 - Andrew Humphreys Slides From The Collection Of Peter Glenn
• 2 March 2018 - AGM and Photographic Competition

Tel : 01505 863386. peterclaymore@hotmail.co.uk [09.2014]

peterclaymore@hotmail.co.uk     [09.2009]

2019/20

2019

• 26 September -  FAIRFIELD CARGO SHIPS 1957-1999  - Paul Strathdee
• 31 October       - THE CLYDE, LOCH RYAN & BEYOND - Captain Murray Paterson --- Stena Line
• 28 November  -  7 WORKING DAYS    -  Maurice Napier202030 January      - TORBAY AND PLYMOUTH -   Peter Gifford27 February     - PASSAGE TO PAPAY             -  Robert Warnock26 March          - AGM & CUNARD’S QUEEN MARY - World Ship Society
  Tape/ slide show from Bert Novelli 

  30 April        - YEAR ON THE CLYDE 2019 -   Paul Strathdee

BRANCH REPORT -

”50 Years On”

Our branch - which is based in Greenock - was founded in the summer of 1965.

We celebrated our 40th birthday in 2005 with a special Dinner which was held at
the Tontine hotel. Our special guest on that occasion was Jimmy Poole, Honorary
General Secretary. Long-service medals were presented to George Gardner,
Paul Strathdee and Robin Wilson who were all founder-members of the branch.

To commemorate our branch’s 50th Anniversary we opted for a more modest, less
formal event. On a Saturday in August 2015 a group of members enjoyed a hearty
Lunch at the Royal Gourock Yacht Club.

Those members present were able to reflect on the changes that have taken place
on the Clyde during our first half-Century.

A busy river, bustling Glasgow docks and many thriving merchant shipbuilding yards
all now seem just a distant memory.

On the positive side, though, the container revolution has brought us the Greenock
Ocean Terminal, and the leisure boom has resulted in ever-larger cruise ships calling
at Greenock in increasing numbers.

These pictures were taken at our 50th Anniversary Lunch. [09.2015 plus 03.2016]

Contact:Iain McGeachy, 30 Clerwood Terrace, EDINBURGH, Midlothian, EH12 8PG  Tel no:  0131 476 5499

E-mail:  wssfirthofforth@virginmedia.com [08.2015]

Branch Website: http://www.wssfirthofforth.uk

2019/20

• 21st October 2019 - 'The Life and Times of HMS Unicorn' – Billy Rough
• 18th November 2019 - Sixty Years of the Paddle Preservation Society - Iain Quinn
• 16th December 2019 - ‘Seven Working Days’ - Maurice Napier:
• 20th January 2020 - Rotterdam / Europort - Peter Gifford:
• 17th February 2020 - Paddle Steamers of Lake Lucerne DVDs showing Parade of Steamers and the Transport Museum. John Ives.
• 16th March 2020 - AGM and Members Night
• 20th April 2020 - The Blue Funnel Line WSS Slide Show by Bert Novelli
• Summer Lunch for 2020 – venue and date to be confirmed.

The branch is now on

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/wssfirthofforth and /wss.forth

Twitter account - :WSS Firth of Forth@WSSFoForth  

Contact: Alan Drewett, 48 Parton Road, Churchdown, Glos GL3 2AF Email: alandrewettcityoftruro2000@yahoo.co.uk

Tel: To be advised. [05.2015 RW]

2018/19

• 13 May 2019                AGM & Emily Ratajkowski and the mega ships by Alan Drewett 

More details on the current programme can be found at http://glostransporthistory.visit-gloucestershire.co.uk/world-ship-society-gloucester-branch-20172018/

RECENT BRANCH EVENTS

September 2019:  Our Branch member Roland White presented Two Unusual Stories from his career as a writer and historian. The first concerned a rare typed diary of a 1926 Pilgrimage Cruise from the Western Mediterranean to Salonika, Gallipoli and Istanbul aboard Cosulich Lines STELLA D'ITALIA (5 530 grt) while the second followed the fortunes of HAIDA 1929 (693 grt IMO 8981652). This Cox and Stevens designed motor yacht appeared in the "Money Money Money" sequence of the 2008 feature film Mama Mia. Previous owners had included the US Navy and Coast Guard, Lowell Guinness MP and impresario Robert Stigwood. 

May 2019: Following the AGM our Monday 13 May 2019 meeting enjoyed a PowerPoint presentation by Branch Secretary Alan Drewett entitled "Emily Ratajkowski and the Mega Ships". This started with Gulf Oil's UNIVERSE class ultra large crude carriers "bringing home the oil" to Bantry Bay's Whiddy Island and moved back to Noah's Ark and then forward to MSC OSCAR (IMO 9703291) and the US Navy 'GERALD R. FORD class aircraft carriers. Each ship was compared in length to an eight carriage InterCity 125 train, and the talk ended at King' s Cross Station:close to the childhood home of Emily Ratajkowski. 

April2019: We learned all about Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s SS GREAT BRITAIN from Visitor Services Volunteer and Ian Caskie. Floated out of dry dock in 1843, the 3 674 ton vessel was the largest in the world and the first ocean liner to combine an iron hull and steam powered screw propulsion. Like Brunel’s earlier paddle steamer GREAT WESTERN, GREAT BRITAIN began its career on the North Atlantic before becoming an emigrant ship for Australia. Eventually converted to a windjammer taking Penarth coal to San Francisco, GREAT BRITAIN limped into Port Stanley in 1886. 

March 2019:  Chairman Ken Guest shared his still and moving images of the vibrant, diverse Republic of Singapore., both now and in the 1960s.

Ships noted in Singapore included Pacific International Line’s KOTA prefixed container ships and a number of offshore including the Dutch registered ALP SWEEPER (IMO 9737254, 5 901 grt).

Perhaps the most unusual however was Wellard Group’s OCEAN DROVER (IMO 9232852, 29 812 grt) capable of transporting 75 000 sheep or 18 000 cattle. It carries 1 500 tons of animal fodder and can produce up to 600 tons of fresh water a day.

February 2019: We once again welcomed our old friend Iain Quinn who had travelled down from Glasgow to visit us. As expected from Iain it was a tremendous evening’s entertainment, this time he spoke about his favourite River Clyde Steamers. These included amongst many others JEANIE DEANS, DUTCHESS OF HAMILTON, KING GEORGE V, QUEEN MARY II and of course his beloved WAVERLEY. As you may expect Iain’s slides, knowledge of his subject and humour were all first class. Thank you for your visit Iain, the evening as always is the highlight of our season and we look forward to seeing you again next year.

For our Monday 14 January 2019 meeting member Keith Reid presented his pictures of a transit through the Panama Canal. This officially opened on 15 August 1914 with the SS ANCON inaugurating the 51 nautical mile waterway which avoided the need for ships to round Cape Horn en route from the Atlantic to the Pacific and saving 6 500 miles on a journey from the eastern coast of the USA to Japan. The Canal was partially widened by 2016 in conjunction with the building of new longer, wider locks which can take overall vessel lengths of 366 metres and 49 metres beam

History was made on Monday 10 December 2018 when World Ship Society Gloucester Branch member Ted Tedaldi became the final recipient of the Les Tibbetts’ trophy for maritime picture of the year. Ted claimed the final shield on the wooden trophy with an evocative shot of a Lake Geneva ferry. The branch’s annual photographic competition will now be replaced by a quiz.
Thanks go to Branch Treasurer John Meyer for organising the raffle, Chairman Ken Guest for organising the competition and to everyone who brought buffet food and raffle prizes for the annual social gathering.

For our September meeting John Elliott of the Leicester Society of Model Engineers presented his superb 1/96 scale radio controlled model of HMS GLAMORGAN as well as probably the most well prepared and fascinating talk that this branch has ever had the pleasure to receive. We can supply contact details on request. D19 was one of eight County Class destroyers which were the first Royal Navy ships to be fitted with anti aircraft guided missiles. HMS GLAMORGAN herself - commissioned on 11th October 1964 - remains the only ship ever to be hit by an Exocet missile and survive.

At the last meeting at The Pop Inn before our move to Tesco, St Oswald's Road, GL1 2SG on 11 September 2017, the Branch AGM heard reports from its officers and re elected them for another year. This was followed by a Powerpoint presentation by Secretary Alan Drewett entitled "Landships and Tanks at Sea" looking at the contribution of the Royal Navy to the introduction of tracked armoured fighting vehicles and the challenges of using these during opposed amphibious assaults. Getting the tanks ashore - from Dieppe to Inchon and beyond - has involved different sizes of mechanised landing vessels, swimming and underwater gun tanks, specialist assault vehicles and, most recently, air cushioned landing craft.

As before, meetings from 11 September 2017 will commence at 1930 and attendees are required to sign in at the Customer Services Desk.

**************************************

H.M.S.  GLOUCESTER’s  CREST

When it was announced that a Class 42 Destroyer was to be named GLOUCESTER for service in the Royal Navy, the thought occurred to Tom Askew (a member of the WSS Gloucester Branch) that there should be a physical link between the ship and the City which had given that name to ten of her naval predecessors since 1654.
Tom had been a shipyard apprentice at the Rosyth Dockyard towards the end of World War One, and had become a skilled craftsman to the extent that he was an Inspector of Shipwrights prior to retirement. So, the idea of a ship’s crest began to emerge, but there was no precedent for the presentation of what would normally be a bridge crest by a private body or individual to ships of the Royal Navy.
A huge amount of effort was put in by Chris Witts, then Secretary of the Branch (and later destined to be a Mayor of the City of Gloucester) to cajole and persuade the numerous organisations with an involvement. Initially, they included the shipbuilders Vosper-Thorneycroft at Woolston near Southampton; Admiralty Procurement at Bath and more generally the Ministry of Defence. It took the involvement of local MP, Mrs Sally Oppenheim and presentations by Tom Askew and Branch Chairman, Terry Robinson, before the MOD gave full authority for the Crest to be created and offered to the ship.
Meanwhile, the effort to source suitable hardwood had eventually born fruit when a piece of old and well-seasoned timber was found in the Gloucester Cathedral works yard. With the full backing of the Cathedral, Tom was able to carve the crest using a bench mallet and planes made by him as an apprentice; after soaking the wood with preservative and coating with primers and sealants, the gilding and painting was carried out by Mr & Mrs George Gough as per the existing ships badge which was based upon a 16th century version of the City coat of arms.
The Crest was completed in time for the launch of GLOUCESTER on 2nd November 1982, when the Branch was represented at the ceremony; however, for an intervening period during fitting-out of the Destroyer, the Crest was put on display in the Cathedral Treasury.
On 7th June 1985, six members travelled for the formal presentation to D96 of the Crest, accompanied by a brass plaque denoting that it had been presented by the Gloucester Branch of the World Ship Society. Initially, the Crest was mounted at the head of the gangway.

(1) The presentation party on 7th June 1985 as Capt Dermot Rhodes of HMS GLOUCESTER receives the Crest from WSS Gloucester Branch members: (left to right) Tom Askew, Chris Witts, Mary Tibbetts, Les Dalton, Ken Vincent and Les Tibbetts

The connection between the Branch and HMS GLOUCESTER was maintained at intervals, culminating in the Branch Treasurer, John Mayer, being a supernumerary on the voyage in May 2011 between Avonmouth (where the ship had made a farewell visit) and Portsmouth prior to decommissioning.

(2) Branch Treasurer John Mayer with officers of HMS GLOUCESTER on the bridge as they navigate the Needles channel in May 2011.  

WSS ‘Marine News’ Vol 66, no 6 (June 2012) reported that the Crest had been returned on 16th July 2011 by the ship’s Operations Officer, Lieutenant Tom Rowley, and accepted by Canon Celia Thompson on behalf of the Cathedral for their safe keeping. It was particularly appropriate that the Branch was represented by Chris Witts, Les Dalton and Mary Tibbetts from the 1985 presentation party, along with a good turn-out of current members.

(3) Branch Chairman Ken Guest, Lieutenant Tom Rowley RN, Weapons Officer of HMS Gloucester, Mrs Mary Tibbetts, Chris Witts, Les Dalton and Canon Celia Thompson as the Crest is returned to Gloucester Cathedral on 16 July 2011.

(4) Canon Celia Thompson of Gloucester Cathedral with the Crest. 

Following on negotiations led by Branch Chairman, Ken Guest, positioning of the Crest was decided and led to a re-dedication ceremony at the Cathedral on 10th October 2012, in the presence of Dame Janet Trotter, the Lord Lieutenant of the County of Gloucestershire, and the current Mayor of the City of Gloucester, Councillor David Brown.

(5) The photograph shows Branch members below the Crest after the re-dedication in the Cathedral, from the left:
Harry Phillips, Ted Tedaldi, Dave Markey, John Mayer (Branch Treasurer), Penny Meenagh, Mr & Mrs Fred Jones, Malcolm Bell (Branch Secretary), Mrs Margaret Mayer, Mrs Mary Tibbetts, Ken Guest (Branch Chairman) and Chris Witts

Thus, this permanent link between warships named GLOUCESTER and the City is on display in the Cathedral, along with the plaque which informs of the involvement of the WSS Gloucester Branch.
And the story finishes with the ship leaving Portsmouth under tow on 22nd September 2015, bound for the beaches of Aliaga in Turkey for recycling by Layal Ship Dismantling.

Contact: Derek Sands, 33 Portland Crescent, Dovercourt, Essex. CO12 3QH.

Tel. 01255 507017.

Email. dereksands54@gmail.com

On the Horizon: our forthcoming meetings

2019

The branch meets on the second Thursday of the month unless otherwise stated.

Start time is 7.30 pm

All Meetings are held in the Meeting/Conference room of the Seafarers Centre, Felixstowe Dock.

• January 10th —  Members evening please bring along slides, photos,books and other items of interest.
• February 14th —  “Cruising in the Baltic” by Derek Sands
• March 14th —  Video evening featuring some archive footage of the London River
• April 11th —  TSS boat trip round Rotterdam, photos by Neil Davidson
• May 9th —  “London Docks 1972 part 3” by Ian Wells
• June 9th (Sunday) —  Informal gathering at Shotley “The Shipwreck” pub 2.30pm (Please note change of date from original 16th June).
• July 11th —  “Little and Large at Rotterdam” by David Berg
• August —  No Meeting
• September 12th —  “Around the UK ports 2010 to present” by Andy Warrick
• October 10th —  Classic photos from the archives.
• November 14th —  Branch AGM followed by members slides, photos etc.
• December —  Branch social evening TBA

A printable version of above: BRANCH PROGRAM 2019 (pdf)

2016

• 14th July —  “Blue Funnel, Part 2”, a WSS Tape/Slide Show
• August —  NO MEETING
• 8th September —  “Central American Cruise”, powerpoint show by David Brown of a cruise by the late Martin Wright
• 13th October —  Hull, the Humber and Trent Ports by Andrew Warrick
• 10th November —  AGM and members’ slides/photos/images
• 9th December (Friday) — Social Evening, at the Brantham Bull

Meeting Notes

For our June meeting Derek Sands gave a digital presentation of a cruise made on Fred Olsen's Bramaer in April 2015.
Starting fom Harwich the first port of call was Hamburg, where due to a kind offer an impromptu tour of the port was made on the preserved customs launch
Prasident Schaefer. Several ships were seen on the Elbe as the Braemar sailed and next day passed through the lock at Ijmuiden bound Amsterdam.
Amsterdam was as usual busy with some nice photos taken. Onwards then to Antwerp where a harbour cruise was made and also several shots taken
on the cruise down the Scheldt. A good attendance enjoyed the show.

[04/2019]      

Contact: Jim Charnock, 27 Bollin Drive, Timperley, Altrincham, Cheshire  WA14 5QR. 

Tel: 0161 969 1581.   [02.2013]

On the Horizon: our forthcoming meetings

2018/19

• 20th September 2018 -  5 Steps to Manchester
  WSS slide show complied in 1974
• 18th October 2018 -  John Williams
  Golden Oldies
• 15th November 2018 -  Bill Mayes
  Cruisingon foreign ships
• 06th December 2018 -   Ian Collard
  Port of Liverpool in the 1960/70's
• 17th January 2018 -  Mike Ridgard
  Two rivers and one canal. Cruising inland in Europe
• 21st February 2019 -  AGM & Members slides
• 21st March 2019 -  Philip Welsh
  Cammell Lairds post 1945
• 18th April 2019 -  Jim Charnock
  Hamburg & Rotterdam visits
• 16th May 2019 -  Adrian Sweeney
  Fading memories & hazing perceptions. A black & white presentation.
• 20th June 2019 -  Jim McFaul
  Slides from the WSS collection

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 at http://midessexships.org.uk, monthly reports on the branch activities; items of local interest; a list of tanker transhipments off Southwold; the history of the London County Council ferry fleet of 1905; the diary of HMS Perseus (1901-1903); the diary of the sailing ship Derwent's maiden voyage to Australia in 1885, plus other photos and articles of interest.

Contact: Alan Smith, 35 Maes Seiriol, Pensarn, Abergele, Conway, Gwynedd LL32 7RZ.

Tel: 01745 825824.

email asmith646@btinternet.com    [08.2019]

From April 19th 2018 the North West Kent Branch will meet at;

The Community Room. Asda Superstore, Thames Way, Gravesend DA11 0DQ.

Meetings will be held on the Third Thursday of each month and the room is available from 17.00 – 20.00.

Contact: Glen Humble, 195 Old Road East, Gravesend, Kent DA12 1PN.  Tel: 08707201130.

wssnwkbranch@btinternet.com     [11.2011]

On the Horizon: our forthcoming meetings.

2018

Contact: Michael Hamilton, 56 Moira Drive, Bangor, Co Down, BT204RW. Tel 02891- 469072

michael.ship@btinternet.com   [11.2015]

Contact: Ian Denton, ian.denton.785@btinternet.com      [10.2012 RW]

Contact: Mrs. Val Thompson, 60 The Grange, Hurstpierpoint, Hassocks, West Sussex BN6 9FD.

v.thompson9@btinternet.com.

Tel: 01273 834446.

Publications: bi-monthly - South Coast Look Out; semi-annually - South Coast Packet.    [08.2015]

On the Horizon: our forthcoming meetings.

2019

•  January 24th   Personal Voyage around the 70’s (RoW) Andy Skarstein
• February 28th  Ferries & Cruise Ships Bill Mayes
• March 28th       W.S.S. AGM 2018 Philip Simons
• April 25th          Branch AGM / TBA
• May 23rd          Passing the Pier (Harwich, Halfpenny Pier) Derek Sands
• June 27th           The African Queen - the True Story Kevin Patience
• July 25th             London 1972 (Part 2) Ian Wells
• August 22nd      Cruise Down Under Jimmy Poole
• September 26th China Navigation Co Trevor Cox
• October 24th       Deep Sea Salvage Tugs Stuart Emery
• November 28th  Krispen’s Travels Krispen Atkinson
• December 11th    Xmas Buffet & Nautical Film Trevor Cox

Recent Meeting Highlights

Meeting Notes:  Thursday, 22nd October : "My Travels in 2013" by Bill Mayes.
The Branch was taken on a 14,243 mile voyage on 108 ships, also involving some 61 nights afloat and numerous ferry connections, when Bill Mayes presented his "2013 Voyages and Visits." Louis Cruises ORIENT QUEEN, Aida Cruises AIDASTELLA, Hurtigruten's LOFOTEN and NORDKAPP – northbound Bergen to Trondheim then southbound respectively, Voyages of Discovery's DISCOVERY, Plantours HAMBURG and Saga Cruises SAGA SAPPHIRE were the principal ships covered in this excellent travelogue, with the last being a fascinating two week voyage from Dover, up the Norwegian coast to 600 miles north of the Arctic Circle to the Norwegian archipelago of Spitzbergen. Bill brought reality to his presentation with detailed accounts of the shipboard layout, facilities, restaurants, public rooms and the cuisine encountered on his various voyages, not to mention his excellent photography which also took in other cruise ships sighted at the various ports of call. Lunch on board QUEEN MARY II in Southampton and three River Seine bridges and eight cross-river ferries also featured during the absorbing evening.

Meeting Notes:  Thursday, 24th September, "A second look at British India Steam Navigation Company", by Trevor Cox.
A full complement of members steamed out to the Indian sub-continent when Trevor Cox presented the second part of his presentation of ships on the British India Steam Navigation Company. The ships covered ranged from the early vessels that could be also rigged for sail, through to those that joined the fleet post-WW2 to replace lost tonnage, and included passenger and cargo ships, both "Home Line" and Eastern-based, along with the service history of each, and for those that became casualties in war, details of their loss. The number of deck or "unberthed" passengers that some of the ships could carry was astounding with a few being licensed for up to 5000. Troopships, and also some of their conversions to school ships, was another aspect of the company's operations which was not forgotten in the very well-received production.

Meeting Notes: Thursday, 27th August : "A History of Red Funnel" by Chris Bancroft.
The branch welcomed Chris Bancroft who had travelled over from the Isle of Wight to present "Crossing the Solent with Red Funnel." The formation of the company in 1861 was explained by the amalgamation of the 1820-formed Isle of Wight Royal Mail Steam Packet Company of Cowes with the 1826-formed Isle of Wight Steam Packet Company of Southampton. The new name was The Southampton, Isle of Wight and South of England Royal Mail Steam Packet Company Limited, which was shortened to Red Funnel in 1935 although the former is still the company's official name. Chris provided the individual history of many of the various vessels starting with the early paddle steamers, many of which saw war service in WW1 and, for some, WW2 as well. The company's triangular-quartered houseflag of sapphire, emerald, ruby and pearly is after the names of the early paddle steamers. Those vessels which had been sold were followed up in their new careers at home and abroad, and Chris brought his presentation right up-to-date with today's car ferries, including their various modifications, and the high-speed craft that are in service. It was an excellent evening, thoroughly enjoyed by a good turn-out of members.

Meeting Notes: Thursday, 23rd July, "Krispen's Travels : A few nights aboard MAGELLAN" by Krispen Atkinson.
Krispen Atkinson took members aboard Cruise and Maritime Voyage's 46,000 GT MAGELLAN (ex Carnival Cruise Line's HOLIDAY of 1985) for a five-night round-cruise from Tilbury via Ijmuiden, Amsterdam, Hamburg, then round the Skagerrak and into the Kattegat for calls at Copenhagen and Alborg. All local, short sea and deep sea shipping seen on passage was comprehensively covered by both day and night, and in all weathers, through Krispen's expertise behind his camera's lens, along with other features seen on passage – passing traffic on the Thames, pilots embarking and disembarking, Helgoland, Brunsbüttel, The Skaw, houseboats, local ferries, river barges, tugs, etc. Once alongside in the various ports Krispen explored the local waterside and associated docks on foot, and took trips aboard local harbour ferries rather than join an organised excursion into the town. It was a most informative and extremely well illustrated presentation, even more remarkable that the cruise had taken place just the previous week, and it was thoroughly appreciated by all present.

Meeting Notes: Thursday, 25th June 2015 : "How it all Began," by Colin Drayson.

This unique illustrated talk was Colin Drayson’s autobiography explaining the development of his interests in ships and shipping, originating around the wharves on the River Itchen in the late 1950s. We viewed the docks and buildings he visited during his lunch-breaks that have since disappeared in the name of progress, along with many coasters he saw before he graduated to deep sea cargo ships and liners, followed by a spell at sea. It was a fascinating presentation, and as Colin suggested, a topic we could all prepare and present. He concluded a most enjoyable evening with visits to a wide range of ports both home and abroad, in both old and new photographs.

Meeting Notes: Thursday, 28th May 2015 : An Evening of Nautical Miscellany.

For the first part of the evening members viewed the late Alan Bishop's informative presentation of "Lifeboats of the Mersey, Present and Future" with an additional commentary knowledgably supplied by Phil Simons. Included was an interesting sequence on how some of the local boats are launched from the beach and of the vehicles that have been developed for such operations. Phil then went on to show a wide variety of craft he viewed in an around the Bristol and Cardiff docks during the recent AGM weekend. Finally Trevor Cox showed an instructive DVD of the 2013 maiden voyage from Korea to Rotterdam of the Triple-E container ship MÆRSK MC-KINNEY MØLLER, how shipping operations have changed with navigation, pilotage and cargo-work being almost completely reliant on computerised technology!

Meeting Notes: Thursday, 23rd April 2015 : Branch Annual General Meeting, followed by

Kripsen Atkinson's "Twelve Months, Twelve Ships."

The Branch recorded another most successful year at its A.G.M., its record reflected in a fully supported vote of thanks to the committee who were then unanimously re-elected by all present to hold their offices for another year. The second part of the evening was given to Krispen's presentation of his travels in 2014 in "Twelve Months, Twelve Ships," the highlight of which was a Mediterranean cruise aboard CELEBRITY SILHOUETTE, his first such cruise. Krispen takes photographs under all lighting and weather conditions by day and by night, with his expertise behind the lens certainly to the fore in this show in the numerous ship sightings he recorded. Members enjoyed visits to various Mediterranean ports including Venice and Naples, while on other ships he travelled in included visits to Rotterdam, Europort, Hamburg, Santander were included. (The Branch Photographic Competition will be held later in the year.)

Meeting Notes: Thursday, 26th March 2015 : "The Raider SEEADLER," by John Random.

Members welcomed a new speaker to the branch when John Random presented "The SEEADLER, the Story of the Kaiser's Pirates." This was a most interesting and well researched account of the WW1 German commerce raider, the former British sailing ship PASS OF BALMAHA which was captured by Germany in 1915 when under American ownership. John covered her career in detail under the command of Count Felix von Luckner from December 1915 until she was wrecked in the Pacific in September 1917 on Mopelia Atoll where she had stopped to rest the crew. She had captured 16 vessels totalling 30,099 grt., sinking all but one, yet with just one casualty. An absorbing evening.

Meeting Notes: Thursday, 26th February 2015 : "In the Wake of the Intermediates" by Andy Skarstein.

Andy Skarstein took members on a 1970s personal voyage to the Cape via the Suez Canal and East African ports compiled from his time aboard CLAN MACINDOE and CLAN MACILWRAITH, in which he was serving as Radio Officer, when he presented “In the wake of the Intermediates.” Being a shipping enthusiast, and always with camera close to hand, we enjoyed wide variety of shipping at Port Said, followed by all ports to Cape Town : Aqaba, Djibouti, Mombasa, Dar-es-Salaam, Nacala, Beira, Durban, and East London. Andy included not just the commercial shipping at each port but pilot boats, dredgers and, of course, the classic South African Railways and Harbours Administration tugs. In those days there was plenty of time to go ashore and explore the local area, have a beach party and perhaps take on the locals for a game of football (what we missed by serving on tankers!) This was an excellent first part of a series of three programmes we now eagerly await the second.

Meeting Notes: Thursday, 22nd January 2015 : "Roger's Slides" by Val Thompson.

Val provided a selection of “good old-fashioned slides” taken in the 1970s and 1980s by our late Chairman, Roger, and also by the late Gordon Anscombe. Many of the views were taken from well-known vantage points at Flushing and the Hook of Holland, and also locally at Shoreham and Newhaven. We viewed many traditional cargo vessels rigged with masts and derricks, but it was also interesting to see the emergence of container ships converted from earlier tonnage and their influence on today’s designs. Also included were some of the harbour service craft, tugs and ferries at the various ports, some of which are still in use today. Thank you Val for a wonderful nostalgic evening, bringing back memories to many members, especially views of Stephenson Clarke’s colliers discharging at the power station.

Meeting Notes: Thursday, 12th December 2014 : "For Those In Peril" and Christmas Buffet.

Filmed in 1943, "For Those in Peril" was designed to publicise a then little-known unit of the  R.A.F., the Air-Sea Rescue Service, which had been set up in 1941 with the aim of saving those in distress at sea, particularly airmen who had been shot down or otherwise forced to ditch their aircraft in the water. In common with a number of other war-related films made by Ealing at this time the plotline was subservient to the propaganda message, so well-known actors were generally not used, and genuine sailors featured in the action scenes. Location filming took place mainly in and around the area of Newhaven, although due to wartime censorship the town was neither mentioned nor identified, however, many views were easily recognised by members, including a Walrus aircraft taking off from Shoreham Airport. The film provided excellent scenes of not only the R.A.F. base MCS (Marine Craft Section) Unit 1107 which was on the west side of the harbour, but also of the Royal Navy Coastal Forces Base, H.M.S. FORWARD II (H.M.S. AGGRESSIVE from November 1942), opposite on the east side and based at the London and Paris Hotel. There was also excellent footage of both R.A.F. and R.N. craft alongside and underway, including at full speed.

Meeting Notes:   Thursday, 27th November 2014 : "Trasmediterránea" by Jimmy Poole.

Jimmy Poole made a welcome return to the branch when he presented "Compañia Trasmediterránea," ("cross-Mediterranean"). Founded in 1917 by the amalgamation of five companies to provide services between Spain and the Balearic Islands, Canary Islands and North Africa, the history of the company's ships was covered in most informative detail. To see the longevity reached by the earlier tonnage was quite remarkable, many surviving in service for 60 or more years under various owners after having been built in the 1860s/1870s and surviving until the 1930s. During the Spanish Civil War, the ships were used as auxiliary navy ships by both sides of the conflict, the Republican Navy and the Nationalists. On its inception it had a fleet of 45 ships, while today it operates a fleet of 25. Jimmy brought the company's fleet history up-to-date by covering their post-war vessels through to their modern ro-ro ferries, high speed catamarans and hydrofoils in their pre- and post-Trasmediterránea careers. All agreed it was an excellent evening.

Meeting Notes:  Thursday 23rd October, 2014 — “My Travels in 2013,” by Bill Mayes,  Bill Mayes returned to the Branch to present the concluding part to his “Travels in 2012” (part one was in June last year) with his cruises aboard THOMSON SPIRIT, AIDAVITA, MEIN SCHIFF 2, SAGA SAPPHIRE and MARINA.  We cruised the Baltic, Eastern Mediterranean, and Aegean, including two fascinating visits to Istanbul where not only we viewed the magnificent variety of local ferries but also a most interesting tour of the local transport museum.  Bill brought his tours to life with superb photography of all the shipping in port – especially the background of four large cruise ships berthed along one quay – with not just a most informative commentary but also a comprehensive summary of his appetising dining experiences on board each ship.  Bill’s travels in 2012 involved 112 ships, 12,400 miles and 55 nights at sea – all meticulously planned in advance with air, rail, road and ferry connections all having to be taken into account.  We look forward to Bill’s subsequent “Travels in 2013” next year.

Meeting Notes:  Thursday 25th September, 2014 — “The Raj at Sea” – the British India Steam Navigation Company, part 1,” by Trevor Cox. Members found themselves sailing in Indian waters when Trevor Cox showed the first part of the story of the British India Steam Navigation Company, one of the largest ship-owners of all time.  In its history the company had owned more than 500 ships and managed 150 more for other owners, while at its height in 1922, British India had more than 160 ships in their fleet, some based in eastern waters (Eastern Service) and others operating out of the U.K., (Home Line).  Instead of a basic chronological history, this was a wide-ranging compilation under various classes and themes such as early troopships during both the Boer War and WW1, Cadet Training Ships  (13 were used between 1916 and1971, and Sir “Robin” Knox-Johnston is also a former cadet), two and three-funnelled passenger vessels and their deployment as hospital ships in WW2, educational cruise ships, river paddle steamers, and the later cargo ships.  A brief history of each ship shown was covered, both in peace and at war, along with a look at life at sea in the company’s ships.  The presentation was very well received; a second part next year will cover other ships and aspects of British India.

Meeting Notes:  Thursday 28th August, 2014 — “2013 Trip Down Under,” by Jimmy Poole.  In a change to the advertised programme members welcomed Jimmy Poole and his “2013 Trip Down Under” covering his cruise aboard CELEBRITY SOLSTICE of Celebrity Cruises.  We first visited Sydney where we toured different parts of the harbour and saw the various ferries named after the “First Fleet Ships.”  A visit to the Australian National Maritime Museum included the ‘Daring’ Class destroyer HMAS VAMPIRE, the submarine HMAS ONSLOW, the 1874 tall ship JAMES CRAIG and lightship CARPENTIA. We then sailed round to Melbourne for time ashore and where we saw Landing Ship Dock HMAS CANBERRA fitting out (her hull was built in Spain) before crossing the Tasman to New Zealand where ports from Milford Sound and Dunedin in the South Island to Wellington and Auckland in the North were on the itinerary.  At each port we had comprehensive coverage of the shipping in harbour, ferries – tourist, local and inter-island – naval craft and tugs along with various public transport systems, original old colonial buildings, and nautical museums ashore.  Jimmy’s commentary accompanied by some excellent photography made for a truly absorbing evening.

Meeting Notes: Thursday 24th July, 2014. —   “Cornish Ports, part IV” by Krispen Atkinson:  The River Tamar, the creeks of the River Fal, and the Isles of Scilly.  Krispen Atkinson presented the keenly anticipated fourth part of his “Cornish Ports” and members were certainly not disappointed.  After an excursion to Port Isaac (“Portwenn” of ITV’s “Doc Martin”) on the north coast we moved to the south and visited the small creeks and harbours found along the length of the River Tamar including Calstock, Saltash and Torpoint (known as “Tarpoint” in earlier times), including the ferries at various crossing points, followed by a trip across to the Isles of Scilly to examine all aspects of their inter-island ferries between the principal islands of St. Mary’s, St. Martin’s, Tresco and Byher, and then an exploration down the River Fal from its head of navigation at Tresylian down to Penryn, Perranworthal and Devoran, then into the estuary.  The history of each small harbour, its varied shipping through the ages, industrial archaeology – most of the ports handled tin, clay, and other minerals along with timber and coal – and what can be found there today all featured in a fascinating display of photographs old and new backed up by Krispen’s expert local knowledge and narrative.

Meeting Notes: Thursday 26th June, 2014 — A Southampton Docker’s Tale, by Colin Drayson.  Colin Drayson made a most welcome return to the branch when he presented “A Southampton Docker’s Tale” which was a revealing first-hand account and insight into manual cargo handling in the port during the 1960s and 1970s before containers swept away the workforce along with their traditional skills.  Fruit, timber, frozen meat, heavy lifts, grain, general, vehicles, bales of cotton and CKDs (Cars Knocked Down) were all covered in the specific way they were handled, stowed or discharged giving a fascinating insight into ships at work and bringing back memories to those of us who worked with break-bulk cargoes.  Their handling and stowage ashore and onward transport was also covered, along with the various services to ships the port supplied were also seen.  A wide variety of shipping using the Southampton Docks at that time was also included, many still unmistakably being wartime built tonnage.  Unfortunately technical gremlins prevented the digital projector receiving the signal from a selection of three laptops despite the technical knowhow of Krispen, Val and Trevor, with the result members had to sit round a single small screen, but nevertheless, Colin’s was still a brilliant talk.

Meeting Notes: Thursday 22nd May, 2014 — “A South Georgia and Falklands Tale”, by Richard Hurley, H.M.S. ANTRIM.  Members were given a fascinating first-hand account of naval involvement during the 1982 Falklands War by an eye-witness.  Richard Hurley was a watch-keeping Sub-Lieutenant aboard HMS ANTRIM and luckily had ensured he had a good supply of film for his camera.  We followed the voyage south from his ship’s participation in Exercise Spring Train which had just concluded, saw stores and supplies being transferred to ships deploying south to make up the Task Force from those returning to the U.K.  ANTRIM was present when South Georgia was taken and the submarine SANTA FE disabled, then she came under fire in San Carlos Water during which she was hit by a bomb (made in Britain!) but luckily failed to detonate, before returning to South Georgia as guardship.  We saw most of the naval units, auxiliaries, supply ships and merchant ships taken up from trade involved in their various wartime roles and replenishment at sea.  Richard was most warmly thanked for an evening very much appreciated as shown by a substantial question-time afterwards.

Meeting Notes: Thursday 24th April, 2014 – Branch A.G.M. and Photographic Competition.  The Branch held its AGM which proceeded smoothly through calm waters with the Committee unanimously re-elected to serve on the bridge for another year, while all those associated with the running and organisation of the branch were most warmly thanked for their various contribution.  Updates and reports were given on the progress of the branch website, the branch publications, Chatham library, and the annual tri-branch meeting, while ideas were taken from the floor for possible trips and visits.  After the business was concluded the annual photographic competition was held which attracted fifteen entries.  Krispen Atkinson took first with an excellent view of the Trinity House tender ALERT our at sea seen through a most prominent rainbow, and he also came second with a fine photograph of the chemical/oil products tanker STOLT PUFFIN underway on the Manchester Ship Canal.  Andy Skarstein came third with a very clear view of the DFDS Seaways ferry PEARL SEAWAYS operating on the Copenhagen-Oslo service seen in Olsofjord set against a magnificent Baltic coast background at Drobak.

Meeting Notes:  Thursday 27th March, 2014 – “Richard Dunston of Thorn,”  by George Robinson.  For the first half of the evening members were treated to George Robinson’s Richard Dunston of Thorne, 1886-1984” presentation.  Thorne is on the north bank of the Stainforth and Keadby Canal, some 12 miles from the River Trent and about 45 miles from the sea.  In the beginning Dunston built wooden barges, using locally-grown, hand-sawn timber and in common with many boatyards at the time, the yard was self-contained, with facilities for making sails, ropes and running gear.  This developed into a profitable sideline, supplying ropes to many local industries, and other items to chandlers in Hill and Grimsby.  While repairs to existing hulls were a major part of the output of the yard, vessels capable of carrying up to 80 tons were built, for the use on the Humber and its connecting navigations.  This was an excellent and comprehensive account of the various small craft built – a total of 1394 – by the firm ranging from barges and tugs to coasters and special service craft.  During the war 151 TID tugs were constructed, some at six day intervals, and 35 VICs, while port-war 36 tugs were built for the Irrawaddy Flotilla.  George must be congratulated for such an informative presentation.  Trevor Cox made up the second half of the meeting with an abridged showing of “Training Ships on the Thames” covering the river from Reading down to Greenhithe.

Meeting Notes:  Thursday 27th February, 2014 – “A Personal Voyage through the 1970’s”  by Andy Skarstein.  Members enjoyed an evening of pure nostalgia when Andy presented the second part of his “Personal Voyage through the 1970s” when he was serving as a Radio Officer with the British and Commonwealth Line, mainly in Clan Line vessels.  We viewed the shipping he came across in a variety of U.K. and Northern European ports – traditional deep sea cargo ships, liners, ferries, coasters, dredgers, cable layers, tugs – before sailing down to South Africa, stopping on the way at Ascension Island and St. Helena.  Andy included views of shipboard life and cargowork (and with not a single container to be seen!) – including the carriage of race horses – with the whole presentation complemented by a most informative commentary of his experiences.  The evening’s voyaging concluded in Indian waters followed by a sharp contrast with a trip from Norway to a frozen St. Lawrence Seaway on board a bulk ore carrier.  One sad aspect was that about three quarters of the ships we saw were built in British shipyards, flew the Red Ensign, and sailed under the houseflags of well-known British shipping companies – Clan Line, Harrisons, Ellermans, Union Castle, Ben Line, Blue Funnel, Palm Line – and now, just 40 years on, the whole range of these various industries have almost completely vanished and become extinct.  It was most gratifying for members to learn that Andy has a third instalment for a future date.

Meeting Notes:  Thursday 23rd January, 2014 – “Yes, we have no bananas” by Martin Wright.  Martin Wright made sure our year had a good start when he presented “Yes We Have No Bananas” in which we followed his 2011 cruise along both coasts of Central America, including a transit of the Panama Canal, on board Saga’s m.s. QUEST FOR ADVENTURE.  The cruise started at Havana and finished in Costa Rica, visiting Progreso, Veracruz, Cozumel Island in Mexico, then to Belize, followed by Porto Santo Tomas de Castilla in Guatemala, Puerto Cortes and Roatan Island in Honduras, Puerto Limon on Costa Rica, Cora Island in Nicaragua enroute.  Martin then included a fascinating transit of the Panama Canal including trip on the Panama Canal Railway.  On exiting there was time ashore at Coiba Island in Panama, then Golfito in Costa Rica, Acajutia in El Salvador, Puerto Quetzel in Guatemala, Ampala Island in Honduras, San Juan del Sur in Nicaragua, Punta Arenas and Caldera in Costa Rica where the voyage terminated.  The presentation, accompanied by an excellent commentary, include not just a comprehensive look at the shipping – the majority being feeder-container ships and tankers – but also local harbour tugs, ferries, and naval craft, along with the local wildlife – Martin also being an observant and keen ornithologist – and ancient Mayan structures.  Martin was warmly thanked for a most interesting and fascinating evening.  Sadly, this was to be Martin’s last presentation.

Meeting Notes: Thursday 12th December, 2013 – A film accompanied by Christmas Buffet.  Members enjoyed a private showing of the 1943 Ealing Studios drama-documentary film “San Demetrio, London”, supplied by Trevor Cox, which told the story of the Eagle Oil tanker m.s. SAN DEMETRIO which was abandoned on fire in mid-Atlantic after being shelled by the German heavy cruiser ADMIRAL SHEER on 5th November 1940.  She had been part of Convoy HX-84 bound for the U.K. and their only escort was the armed merchant cruiser HMS JERVIS BAY which put up a gallant fight before she was lost – her Commanding Officer, Capt. Fegen, received the award of a posthumous Victoria Cross.  The following day the abandoned tanker was reboarded by the crew from one of her lifeboats who then managed to extinguish the fires.  In an epic feat of seamanship they restarted her engines and, without charts or navigational equipment, sailed her back to home waters, docking in the Clyde on 16th November.  The film was one of the few films to recognise the heroism of British Merchant Navy crews during the war and perhaps the ship and her crew could be seen to represent Britain at that time – besieged, damaged, but refusing to accept defeat.  During an intermission members tucked into and thoroughly enjoyed a sumptuous Christmas Buffet generously supplied by Val, with contributions from members, and ably assisted by Sheila who received due appreciation and thanks from all those present.

Meeting Notes: Thursday 28th November, 2013 – “The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Pageant”, by Stuart Emery.  Stuart Emery travelled down from the Southend Branch to present his view of last year’s Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Pageant on the River Thames.  For Stuart, a crew member aboard the preserved tug KENT from where he had a unique view, it was a four day event: day one, Friday – sailing up the Thames from Chatham to the Upper Pool and reporting in to the various bureaucratic and security authorities, day two; Saturday – on their allotted moorings and not allowed to move until further notice; day three, Sunday – the Jubilee Pageant itself; and day four, Monday – permission to leave and the return journey.  On the journey up river Stuart included views of numerous craft under way from tugs and work-boats to sailing craft and motor cruisers – Thames barges included MELISA, FUDGE, EDITH MAY, CAMBRIA and THISTLE, while many of the Dunkirk Little Ships were also present.  Not only did Stuart give superb coverage with excellent photography of the numerous craft involved, but his tug had a prime position for the pageant itself being on an outboard mooring opposite HMS BELFAST which provided an excellent background for many of his photographs.  The whole operation had taken a year to plan.  An outstanding evening.

Meeting Notes:  Thursday 24th October, 2013 — “Milford Memories,” by John Davidson.  In a late change to the advertised programme John Davidson presented “Milford Memories,” starting with an informative history of RAF Pembroke Dock – where John was once stationed – and the Sunderland aircraft based there.  This was followed by a comprehensive look at the work of and the shipping using Milford Haven today from VLCCs and gas tankers to coasters and the port’s tugs, with many excellent views taken from one of the pilot boats taking pilots out to arriving deeply-laden tankers and then following the tugs assisting in their berthing.  For the second part of the evening John took us on a most interesting passage on board Olsen Cruise Line’s BALMORAL through the Kiel Canal followed by a visit to the ports of Hamburg and Bremerhaven.  John was warmly thanked for a most interesting and varied evening.

Activity Notes:  Saturday 5th October, 2013 — South Eastern Social and Leslie Sergeant Quiz, St. Andrew’s Art Centre, Gravesend.  Eight South Coast members joined up with some forty WSS colleagues from Southampton, Southend, Thames Valley, North-West Kent, Mid-Essex and North Surrey for a most enjoyable day.  There were plenty of books and photographs for sale on branch tables along with other nautical memorabilia. All branches took part in the Quiz during the afternoon which was won for the second year running by Thames Valley – our branch team of Phil Simons, David Start, Neil Hawke and Trevor Cox, came in slightly astern of the other six!  Many thanks to Krispen for his superb organisation and running of the event including setting the questions, and a special thanks to Val for providing – and making – a sumptuous feast and supplying a constant stream of cups of tea and coffee.

Meeting Notes: Thursday 26th September, 2013 — “Blue Funnel at War,” by Trevor Cox.  Members were taken through a detailed account of Blue Funnel’s war losses and military involvement when Trevor Cox presented an illustrated account of “Blue Funnel at War.”  Alfred Holt’s company lost 12 ships in WW1 and a further 44 in WW2, while many more experienced confrontations with the enemy, were involved in major military operations, or were requisitioned by the Admiralty for service as auxiliaries, transports, minelayers and armed merchant cruiser.  Apart from the two world wars, Holt’s ships were used to transport troops and equipment and then evacuate British ex-patriot civilians during unrest in China in 1927, and again in 1949 when one, ANCHISES, was attacked and seriously damaged in the Yantze at the same time as HMS AMETHYST.  Two were trapped in the Suez Canal in 1967 and where they remained for five years, while more recently two saw service in the 1982 Falklands campaign.

Meeting Notes: Thursday 22nd August, 2013 — My Travels in 2012, by Bill Mayes. Bill received a warm welcome when he made his annual visit to show the results of his last year's various nautical travels in "2012, Another Great Year for Travelling by Sea" - 110 ships, 55 nights and 12,400 miles. Bill's travels were so extensive that he could only show the first six months of the year. He travelled - and dined - on board SAGA SAPPHIRE, visited Hamburg for the naming of AIDAmar when he had a trip on the preserved cargo ship / museum ship CAP SAN DIEGO, then joined the clipper STAR FLYER to travel to Den Helder and Amsterdam. This was followed by a week's Ocean Liner Society Cruise aboard HORIZON in the western Mediterranean after which Bill found time to be present for the "Three Queens in Southampton" as he was for P&O Cruise's "Grand Event." In between he managed to travel from Kiel to Bremerhaven "the long way" via Copenhagen, Malmo, Travermunde, Kiel to join ARTANIA, then Gothenburg and Fredrickshaven. His last meticulously planned venture was a "Mediterranean Ferry Adventure": including Merseilles, Corsica, Toulon, Corsica, Genoa, Marseilles, Corsica, Tunis, Marseilles aboard PIANA, ISLE DE BEAUTE, MEGO SMIRALDEE, MOBY FANTASY, CORSE, MONTE DORO, TANIT and CARTHAGE. Bill was warmly thanked for a fascinating evening in which he entertainingly described the variety of accommodation, public-rooms, catering and service he experienced under the various flags. He has been booked to return next year for the showing of the second half of the year - and then perhaps his travels in 2013 !

Meeting Notes: Thursday 25th July, 2013 — Thames and Medway Ports, Past and Present, by Steve Spouse. Steve travelled down from Plumstead Common to present members with his "Thames and Medway Ports, Past and Present" - an excellent slide presentation covering all aspects of the docks, tugs, towage, and shipping using the two rivers, both of yesterday and today. As well as some fascinating photographs of Tilbury past and present, views ranged from a pre-war atmospheric shot of HMS PRESIDENT with her top hamper either temporarily removed or lowered being towed under the Hungerford or Charing Cross Railway Bridge, aircraft carrier H.M.S. ARK ROYAL passing through the Thames Barrier on her last visit to London in 2007, to last year's courtesy visit by the new Type 45 destroyer HMS DIAMOND; Steve must be congratulated on his enterprising camera angles, many of which are from cranes and tall buildings (he must have a very good head for heights!) or on board tugs, which provide an unusual yet fresh and fascinating view of the docks and of the shipping, including night-time seenes. His in-depth local knowledge of the river scene "then and now" is an added bonus, and we certainly look forward to his next London Docks-based production.

Meeting Notes: Thursday 27th June, 2013 — A Cornish Ports Medley, by Krispen Atkinson. Krispen Atkinson presented members with a first showing of "A Cornish Ports Medley" through which he brought up-to-date his Cornish Ports and Harbours series with newly acquired material. We started on the north coast of Cornwall at Bude from where we travelled down the coast to Boscastle, Padstow, Newquay and Hayle where we saw a WW2 Flower Class corvette alongside Thos. Ward's for breaking up. We then rounded Lands End calling at Penzance, across Mounts Bay, then passing The Lizard, before visiting the stone quarry port of Porthoustock, then up the River Fowey to Truro and then back down to finish our tour at Falmouth. En-route we visited every port, large and small, viewing scenes and shipping spanning the whole of the last century. We viewed the costal tanker HEMSLEY 1 which ran ashore while on her way to a breaker's yard in 1969, and then the infamous TORREY CANYON wrecked in 1967 on Seven Stones Reef. The presentation included many unique scenes, many now vanished over the years (one remarkable view was of a young Krispen strapped into his pushchair!) which, when coupled with Krispens's expert local knowledge of the area, provided for an absorbing evening leaving members looking forward to this sequel on the Scilly Isles next year.

Meeting Notes: Thursday 23rd May, 2013 — Members' Interests Evening. This was a somewhat sad and rearranged evening in place of what would have been a presentation on Sussex RNLI Lifeboats prepared by the late Alan Bishop, a very keen supporter of the Institution and former Chairman of our Branch. Three members prepared a variety of topics of general interest to members. Trevor Cox put together a PowerPoint show on the 4000 Spanish child refugees who came to Britain in May 1937 aboard HABANA to escape the Spanish Civil War with several groups then staying in Sussex. This was followed by a thought-provoking account based on the maritime aspects of the Kindertransport programme of 1938 - 1940 during which time thousands of unaccompanied children came to Britain to escape from Nazi persecution. Nick Hall then showed a remarkable selection of small, light and micro-light aircraft operating from various small airfields in the southern part of the country. Some of the aircraft were homemade from kits and looked little more than large models! Nick's superb photography was accompanied by his knowledgeable commentary. The final presentation was from our Chairman, David Start, who showed a collection of fascinating slides taken at Gatwick Airport in the 1980s when there were few restrictions of where you could go to take close up photographs of aircraft taking off and landing many in what were the well known liveries of airline companies which now no longer exist.

Meeting Notes: Thursday, 25th April, 2013 — Branch A.G.M. and Photographic Competition. An almost full gathering of regular members attended the Branch A.G.M. and, in voicing their complete appreciation for an interesting and successful year, were unanimous in voting in the committee to stand for another year. Under the competent guidance of David Start, Phil Simons and Val Thompson the meeting proceeded smoothly and efficiently. The committee announced that it is proposed to donate two public bench-seats to Shoreham and Littlehampton lifeboat stations commemorating our late Chairmen, Roger Thompson and Alan Bishop respectively, a proposal which received overwhelming approval. At the close of business Nick Hall proposed a vote of thanks to the committee for their hard work in making ours such a successful branch. The meeting was followed by the annual photographic competition which attracted 25 entries and which was won by Geoff Bedford with an excellent night-time view of QUEEN VICTORIA manoeuvring at Costa Rica - Geoff now holds the trophy, the miniature scale model of HMS SHOREHAM, for the year. John Davidson came second with MARCO POLO passing the Spinnaker Tower while leaving Portsmouth and with a pilot boat approaching, the photograph being taken from Fort Blockhouse, and Nick Hall was third with the Norwegian veteran paddle steamer SKIBLADNER on Lake Mjøsa.

Obituary Notice — Alan Bishop, 3rd April 2013 — A Memorial Service was held in Littlehampton at the Church of St. James the Great with a gathering after at the Arun View Hotel, both in an area Alan knew so well as a schoolboy - he had even been a choir boy and server in the Church. Both the main Society and our South Coast Branch were very well represented in paying their respects.

Meeting Notes: Thursday 28th, March 2013 — To the Land of the Trolls, presented by Nick Hall. In keeping with the prevailing freezing termperatures Nick Hall took members across the North Sea "To the Land of the Trolls" with a presentation covering the visit he made last year to Oslo and Bergen. All aspects of the local shipping industry were covered: the local and cross-sea ferries, preserved craft, visiting cruise liners - including ROTTERDAM, RYNDAM, QUEEN MARY 2, COSTA neoROMANTICA - off-shore support vessels, coasters, harbour services, and fishing boats all featured along with their various service histories. Preserved ships included the 1908-built and still coal-fired ferry BØRØYSUND and the 1892-built polar expedition schooner FRAM. While at Oslo Nick went north to Lake Mjøsa where he sailed on board the world's oldest operating paddle steamer SKIBLADNER which dates back to 1856. As usual, in keeping with most Scaninavian vessels old and new, every ship was immaculate, clean and tidy. It was a most interesting evening and we look forward to viewing Nick's next adventure overseas.

Meeting Notes:  Thursday 28th February, 2013 — Shanghai Shipping, presented by Jimmy Poole.  Jimmy Poole received a warm welcome from members when he returned to present “Shanghai Shipping 2010” – a photographic account of his cruise up the Yantze from the sea to Shanghai’s Bund on board LEGEND OF THE SEAS.  Jimmy estimated the journey took about four hours and ships were being continuously passed on both sides – a ship photographer’s delight.  We saw a truly vast amount of shipping: numerous container ships, VLCCs, bulkers and many smaller cargo ships and coasters – most of the older tonnage having had its cargo handling gear removed – plus naval vessels, numerous ferries and tugs.  The background was just as interesting as the ships: container cranes by the dozen, many shipbuilding and repairs yards, a huge steel works, and the modern high-rise buildings of this vast city which occupies 2500 square miles with a population approaching 30 million.  A fascinating evening and a real eye-opener of just how much China has progressed in recent years – little wonder the west is in recession.

Meeting Notes:  Friday 24th February, 2013 — The Keith Rivett-Drake Annual Branch Dinner.  A most enjoyable evening was had by some 30 members and their guests when they sat down and enjoyed a superb dinner roast beef or lamb with seasonal vegetables accompanied by equally excellent starters and desserts at the Sussex Yacht Club.  This was our annual gathering in member of our generous benefactor and former member, Keith Rivett-Drake.  A vote of thanks must be given to Philip Simons and the committee for their meticulous planning and organisation which made the evening most enjoyable.

Meeting Notes:  Thursday 24th January, 2013 — “A City of Ships” – the London Docks 1924-1948, presented by Trevor Cox.  Sub-Arctic temperatures effected attendance and caused a last minute change of subject at our first meeting of the year, however, those members who did venture out thoroughly enjoyed three excellent Port of London Authority films on the London Docks in the DVD “A City of Ships” presented by Trevor Cox.  The first was a silent film set in 1924, the second 1938/39 with a most informative commentary, and the last a colour presentation from the late 1940s when the docks were still recovering from damage sustained in the Blitz and many of the ships were wartime constructions.  We saw the docks in the days of intense manual labour when almost all the cargo was moved and handled by 35,000 dockers, the wide varieties of cargoes handled along with their inspection and distribution.  The 35 miles of quays were full of shipping in an era when there could be 1000 daily shipping movements passing Gravesend.

Meeting Notes: Thursday 14th December, 2012 — Christmas Film Evening.  A last minute technical hitch meant that the branch’s annual photographic display and competition could not take place – (it is now scheduled for the April meeting along with the Branch AGM and Quiz) – and in its place members were entertained, and most thoroughly enjoyed, a showing of the 1955 classic Ealing Studios film “The Ship that Died of Shame.” Many harbour scenes taken at Weymouth, Poole and Portsmouth provided a background to an interesting storyline.
At the film’s conclusion a very acceptable seasonal buffet was produced by Val Thompson and Sheila Watt, to whom sincere thanks are given, and which was greatly appreciated and enjoyed by all present making a very pleasant end to the branch’s activities for the year.

Meeting Notes: Thursday 22nd November, 2012 —  “A Personal Voyage Through the 1970s”, presented by Andy Skarstein.  Andy Skarstein took members on “A voyage through the 1970s, Part 3” when he showed ships he encountered and ports visited when serving as a Radio Officer with Clan Line on board CLAN GRAHAM, CLAN MACINDOE, CLAN RAMSAY and CLAN MACLEOD.  The London Royal Docks, coasters on the Thames, Union Castle at Southampton, and shipping on the Rivers Mersey.  Clyde and Tyne were featured, followed by visits to northern European ports before visiting India, South Africa – including the well-known S.A. Railway tugs – and finally the Mississippi and Miami in the U.S.A.  The first generation of container ships were just starting to appear so we saw a superb mix of shipping both new (for the period) and old – the latter dating back to ships built during the war years.  Also included was a variety of steam railway locomotives found in ports where steam was still in daily use.  It was also interesting to see how much the ports had changed in the intervening years – shipyards had become housing estates and docks industrial sites.  A fascinating evening left members hoping Andy has a Part 4.

Meeting Notes: Tuesday 6th November, 2012 — Fish and Chip Supper.  Sincere thanks to Phil Simons and the members of the Committee for organizing the convivial gathering at “The Plaice in the Square” fish and chip restaurant in Southwick.  Some 21 members and their guests sat down and enjoyed a most pleasant evening which was deeply appreciated by all present.

Meeting Notes: Saturday 3rd November, 2012 — South Eastern Social and Leslie Sergeant Quiz, St. Andrew’s Art Centre, Gravesend.  Eight South Coast members joined up with forty colleagues from Southampton, Southend, Thames Valley, North-West Kent, Haven Ports, Mid-Essex and North Surrey for a most enjoyable afternoon.  Brisk business took place in sales of books, photographs and postcards on Branch and Chatham Library tables followed by the main feature – Lesley Sergeant Quiz.  Two heats were held – we were up against Thames Valley North Surrey (“deceased”) and Haven Ports but failed to make the final which was contested by heat winners Thames Valley and Southampton, along with Haven Ports as best runners-up.  Thames Valley then took the honours and won the cup.  Many thanks must go to Krispen Atkinson for organizing the day, ably supported by Phil Simons, and to Val for providing an ample and delicious table buffet which was consumed to the last crumb !

Meeting Notes: Thursday 25th October, 2012 — “19th Century Cruising”, presented by David Hornsby.  David Hornsby made a welcome return when he presented “Cruising — the Early Years” which covered the history of cruise ships from their inception in the 1830s through to the start of the Great War.  The history of the foundation of many liner companies, their development and expansion of cruising itineraries, along with the careers of the ships, were all covered in David’s most interesting commentary supported by fascinating artistic and photographic images.  P&O, Thomas Cook Tours, Hamburg-Amerika, Neopolitan Steam Navigation, and Polytechnic Steam Yachting Cruises were just a few of the companies covered.  Cruising commenced through the alternative employment of liners in the off-season through to the huge purpose-built cruise liners we see today — last year there were over 18 million cruises booked with British cruises being an average of 10.5 days and in the U.K. (where up to 10.9 cruises were booked) being 6.5 days.  The start of cruising can be traced back to Arthur Anderson, the co-founder of P&O, who along with his business partner Brodie McGhie Wilcox set up Wilcox and Anderson Co. in 1832 and secured various Admiralty mail contracts.  It was interesting to learn that in the 1840s Anderson had suggested the construction of the Suez Canal but this was dismissed in turn by the Admiralty and Parliament as not being feasible, a decision based on inaccurate tide levels.  Members look forward to his port-WW1 era at a future meeting.

Meeting Notes: Thursday 27th September, 2012 — “United Molasses Co. / Athel Line” presented by Trevor Cox.  Members became fully acquainted with the molasses trade when they were given the story of the United Molasses Company / Athel Line from its beginnings when founded by Danish-born Michael Kroyer-Keilberg just before WW1 with the sailing vessel SUNLIGHT through to its eventual demise in the 1980s.  He proposed the prefix “ATHEL” for the ships of his company which can e traced to his Danish ancestry as being derived from the Dutch “Adel”, or Norse “Ethel” or other Aryan words which have the same meaning of “noble, splendid, fine, or pleasing” – the company’s first ship being named ATHELSTANE, possibly from the first monarch of England, Aethelstan.  Member Trevor ox covered the history of each of the company’s ships, along with photographs, from their building through to their scrapping or loss, including interesting links with other casualties during the war years.  Athel’s Caribbean coastal fleet, the absorption of Tankers Limited, WW2 managed ships, and the amalgamation with the Anco Group were also featured in the presentation which was greatly appreciated by all present.

Meeting Notes: Thursday 23rd August, 2012 — “A Tale of Travels in 2011”, presented by Bill Mayes.  We joined Bill Mayes, Chairman of the Ocean Liner Society, for his “Travels in 2011” which involved sailing on 74 different ships – a mixture of ferries and cruise ships – and covering 11,200 miles and involving 49 nights at sea.  GRAND HOLIDAY (strawberry-flavoured soup with garlic!), OCEAN PEARL (41 years old), BOREAL, GRAND MISTRAL, AIDABELLA and NAPOLEON BONEPARTE were just some of the liners featured along with numerous ferries and visits to ports in the Mediterranean and adjacent Atlantic coast.  Bill accomplishes his outward and return journeys with meticulous planning so as to include a multitude of ferry connections – including 18 ferry crossings in one day while visiting Istanbul.  His commentary includes a comment on the standards of catering to be found on board each ship – along with photographic examples – as well as his excursions ashore.  One ferry of particular interest was EXPRESS SANTORINI, fondly remembered as the Newhaven-Dieppe ferry CHARTRES, built in 1974 and now operated by Atlanticoline on their Faial – Pico – Sao Jorge service in the Azores.  Ship visits to EMPRESS, RYNDAM, SAGA RUBY and MSC POESIA were also on the itinerary.  We also travelled across the Irish Sea to Cobh for the WSS AGM and saw the various memorials to the loss of LUSITANIA.  Warmly thanked, Bill readily agreed to return next year with his travels in 2012.

Meeting Notes: Thursday 26th July, 2012 — “Travels in the Caribbean”, presented by Peter Ives.  Members were taken on a tour of the Caribbean when Peter Ives from the Medway Branch presented his “Travels in the Caribbean” which he undertook a few years ago on board Thomson Cruises THOMSON DREAM, 42,092 grt., built in Germany in 1984 as HOMERIC for Home Lines. The Caribbean islands of Grenada, Barbados, Curacao (what a transformation: the island can now cater to several large cruise liners both inside and outside the harbour waterfront at Willemstad, and where not a single Shell tanker was in sight – how times have changed !) and Aruba were among the islands visited as well as the coal-exporting port of Santa Marta in Columbia.  Peter covered all the shipping he saw, from tugs and harbour craft to cruise liners and container ships.  Of fascinating interest were a series videos taken of shipping transiting the Panama Canal when Peter stayed at a hotel overlooking the Miraflores Locks from where he had a superb grandstand view of ships entering the lock and how they were manoeuvred through with the assistance of the “mules” keeping them centered in the locks.  Peter was warmly thanked and invited back for a further travelogue of his shipping adventures.

Meeting Notes: Tuesday 3rd July, 2012 — P&O’s 175th Anniversary, “The Grand Event.”  A good number of members assembled at lunchtime in Ocean Village, Southampton and, with members from other branches, boarded WIGHT SCENE at 1500 for the first of two cruises.  The first was to tour the docks where the P&O fleet of seven liners were berthed.  We remained on board for the highlight of the day – the departure of the ships and to follow them down Southampton Water as they proceeded outwards in line ahead.  ADONIA was the first to slip at 1745 followed by VENTURA, ARCADIA, AURORA, ORIANA, AZURA and OCEANA, each slipping her moorings as the last ship in line passed.  By 1915 all seven ships were underway – some 570,000 grt., carrying some 15,000 passengers and 6,000 members of crew.  Unfortunately for much of the time the weather was not in our favour but this did not “dampen” the spectacle of the first time the complete P&O fleet had been in port together and then sail together – a stunning sight unlikely to ever be seen again.

Meeting Notes: Thursday 28th June, 2012 — A Visit to the Cornish Ports – part 3, by Krispen Atkinson.  Krispen presented “Cornish Ports and Harbours, Part 3” when he took us on a fascinating tour of all the ports to be found from Mounts Bay and along the coast of north Cornwall to Bude.  In an excellent presentation we viewed the ports today and in their heyday in earlier years, all enhanced by Krispen’s well-informed commentary and an imaginative use of aerial maps.  A wide variety of coasters and local ferries through the years were seen along with some commercial docks and infrastructure which have now disappeared.  It is quite a hazardous coast for ships in difficulty and accidents old and new were covered.  Members congratulated Krispen for a most interesting evening and agreed that his planned Part 4 is eagerly anticipated.

Meeting Notes: Thursday 24th May, 2012 — A Nautical Miscellany, presented by Martin Wright.  Martin Wright made a welcome return to our branch when he presented his “Nautical Miscellany.”  Through his camera we visited the Polish ports of Gdansk, Gdynia, Szczecin, Kolobrzeg and Swinoujscle in 1992 and then returned in 2009 when we could see what had changed.  We then travelled to Vietnam to view shipping on the river at Saigon before coming back to the North Atlantic to visit Las Palmas and then into the Mediterranean to conclude our journey at Messina.  At each port we toured the local docks viewing a wide variety of shipping as well as the local shipbuilding and repair yards.  Members warmly thanked Martin for a fascinating and wide-ranging evening.

Meeting Notes: Thursday 26th April, 2012 — Branch Annual General Meeting, followed by our Annual Quiz, this year set by Mike Hearn.  The Branch A.G.M. sailed on a straight course through calm waters with our Chairman, David Start, in command, ably assisted by his crew of Philip Simons and Val Thompson.  Members expressed their sincere thanks and satisfaction by re-electing the committee for a further year’s voyage and were enthusiastic in giving their support to future planned ports of call.  All reports wee accepted and members were brought up-to-date with reports on a suggested branch website, latest news from Chatham via Alan and Sheila Watt, and our in-branch publications.  After the business was concluded Mike Hearn conducted a most enjoyable annual quiz, this year won by David Start (67%) (whose prize is to set next year’s questions), with Andy Skarstein just one mark behind (66%) and Trevor Cox (64%) closely following in third place.

Meeting Notes: Saturday 31st March, 2012 — WSS Merchant Ship Day, Civil Service Club, Whitehall, London.  Several members attended and enjoyed five informative presentations: on-line historical research through the huge, and increasing number of digitized newspapers now available on-line, ferry services to and amongst the Orkney Islands, Naval Control of Shipping in the Great War.  Merchant Navy Cadet Ships in the 20th Century, and the early days of the collier trade to the Thames.  Unfortunately your Editor’s presentation on training with Shell Tankers for some reason was not compatible with the two laptop computers available.

Meeting Notes: Thursday 22nd March, 2012 —  "Paddles, Props, Jets and Foils". presented by Nick Hall.  A wonderful trip around the various lakes of Northern Italy, Switzerland, Bavaria and on the Elbe at Dresden was provided by Nick Hall when he presented "Paddles, Props, Jets and Foils" following his visits to the various regions in 2006 and 2008.  Among the lakes we visited during the evening were Lac Léman, Vierwaldstättersee, Lago di Lugano and the Starnbergersee where we saw the local commercial, service, and passenger traffic along with the delightful vintage paddle steamers.  One of the oldest was at Dresden, DIIESBAR, nearly 130 years old, built in 1884 and still fired by coal.  Nearly all the paddle steamers were over a century old - GENEVE, BLÜMLISALP, SCHILLER, URI, MEISSEN - although some have been converted to diesel-power, all are kept in immaculate condition and they were made even more picturesque by the superb backgrounds of the Alps - and Nick's expert photographic eye and skills.

Meeting Notes: Friday 24th February, 2012 — The Keith Rivett-Drake Annual Branch Dinner.  Some 30 members and guests sat down and enjoyed a superb dinner of Supreme of Chicken in a White Wine and Mushroom Sauce, Sauté Potatoes and Seasonal Vegetables accompanied by equally excellent starters and desserts at the Sussex Yacht Club for our annual gathering in memory of our generous benefactor and fomer member, Keith Rivett-Drake.  A vote of thanks must be given to Philp Simons and the committee for their meticulous planning and organsiation which made the evening most enjoyable.

Meeting Notes: Thursday 23rd February, 2012 — Ship-Breaking at Aliaga, by Selim San and presented by Geoff Watson.  Geoff Watson from the North-West Kent Branch provided a fascinating evening when he presented Selim San's "Ship-Breaking at Aliaga."  The views were taken over the past 20 years and so we saw ships that covred a wide period, with a few, such as the former ARGONAUT, dating from the 1920's.  Liners, ferries, tugs, Great-Lakers, warships and former Soviet research ships all met their end on the foreshore.  Easily recognisable were STEFAN BATORY and Union Steamship Company's RANGATIRA, our former local STENA LONDONER, ex VERSAILLES from the Newhaven-Dieppe route, the Normandy Ferries DRAGON, and the former British Antactic Survey ship JOHN BISCOE.  On a smaller scale we saw the former Red Funnel Southampton-Cowes CARISBROOKE CASTLE (1959) and General Steam's ROYAL SOVEREIGN.  Another presentation on this rarely seen but most interesting and unique theme would be most welcome.

Meeting Notes: Thursday 26th January, 2012 — Memories of the London River, presented by Stuart Emery. Stuart Emery from the Southend Branch was our guest speaker when he presented Memories of the London River.  Members were able to visit the London Docks as they were in the 1960s and 1970s, and not just for the ships from those times but also the infrastructure and service vessels.  These were the days before containerisation had taken over from break-bulk cargo, and one aspect most conspicuous then, but now mainly vanished, was the numerious and wide variety of dockside cranes.  Ocean-going ships were seen in the Upper Pool when today such ships rarely proceed above Tilbury.  Well known companies such as P&O, British India, Harrisons, Ben, Port, and Glen Line were all featured.  Passenger liners, cargo ships, training ships, Thames barge races, ship breaking, Thames lighters, coasters, tugs and salvage work were also included in what was a fascinating evening of pure nostalgia.  We sincerely hope Stuart will return for another view of bygone days on the Thames and its various docks.

Meeting Notes: Thursday 8th December, 2011 — Branch Annual Photographic Competition followed by the Christmas Buffet.  A good number of members took part in the branch’s annual photographic competition with some 24 entries, which, with many thanks to Krispen working intently with his laptop and scanner beforehand, had all the photographic prints, transparencies, and digital submissions displayed on the screen in digital form.  All photographs were voted on using a 1, 2 or 3 mark scale with the results being close, and many thanks to all those who took part.  Peter Longhurst took first place with a superb view of the 1905 Buoy Tender BUSSARD taken at the Flensburg Steam Rally, “Dampf Rundum,” for which the newly inaugurated Peter Roberts Trophy was awarded – a scale miniature model of our affiliated ship, the minesweeper H.M.S. SHOREHAM, which will be mounted in a display case.  Second place was taken by John Davidson with an elevated view of HMS ARCHER and HMS EXPLORER underway and abreast in the entrance when leaving Portsmouth Harbour, while Peter also took third place with the former 1908 Hamburg-built SCHAARNHÖRN – a twin screw coal-fired Inspection Vessel accompanied by a preserved tug.  After voting, results and presentations members concluded the year’s final meeting by enjoying a sumptuous Christmas buffet.  Many thanks to all those who took part and especially to Val, the prime provider and organizer of the excellent buffet.

Meeting Notes: Thursday 24th November, 2011 — The Forton Lake Archaeology Project , by Mark Beattie-Edwards of the Nautical Archaeology Society.  The branch welcomed Mark Beattie-Edwards, Programme Director of the Nautical Archaeology Society, N.A.S., when he presented “The Forton Lake Archaeology Project.”  It was an excellent exploration of the history of the inlet on the northern outskirts of Gospost, the survey and recording work of the remains of the various craft to be found, the detective work to determine their various identities, service history, and how they came to be in the lake.  The former Gosport ferry VADNE, a Cowes chain ferry which was once the floating home of Uffa Fox, a naval steam pinnace and two R.A.F. craft were covered in detail.  The Forton Lake project, to investigate the remains of hulks and associated history of the Forton Lake project, to investigate the remains of hulks and associated history of the Forton Lake area in Gosport, Portsmouth, has been a collaborative project between the NAS and the Hampshire and Wight Trust for Maritime Archeology which began in 2006 thanks to a Local Heritage Initiative Grant.  Local residents and schools, including support from St. Vincent College situated on the shore of the lake, have taken part in the practical tasks of recording heritage around the lake by helping to photograph, survey and excavate some of the abandoned vessels.  Members warmly thanked Mark for a fascinating evening and hope for follow up presentations covering the future projects.

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]

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]

Contact: Stuart Emery, 66 Bellhouse Lane, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex SS9 4PQ.

Tel: 01702 528948.

stuart.emery@hotmail.com   [03.2009]

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]

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.

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.

Contact: Christopher Perkins, 14 Ellison Way, Wokingham, Berks RG40 2AB

Telephone 01189 799411 Mobile 07818 507958

email address chrispships@gmail.com      [05.2017]

On the Horizon: our forthcoming meetings.

2019

• 3rd January     My Travels 2018 Part 1 - Bill Mayes
•  7th February   A Variety of Ships - Douglas Cromby
•  7th March        Ships on my travels - Krispen Atkinson
•  4th April          Photo Competition and shipping talk - Alan Wolfenden
•  2nd May          No Meeting - Hall in use as Polling Station
•  6th June            Warships - Derrick Gray
• 4th July              AGM and My Travels 2018 Part 2 - Bill Mayes
•  1st August         AGM 2019 - Phil Simonds
•  5th September -Passenger Ships - Trevor Cox
• 3rd October       Marco Polo - David Trevor-Jones
•  7th November  -Tankers Part 2 - Chris Perkins
•  5th December   - Short Presentations, objects of interest, DVD's and Christmas Goodies - Members Evening

Contact: David Walker, 13 Charlton Court, Bank Street, Teignmouth, Devon. TQ14 8FN.

Tel:.

mail@david-walker.org

Local Branch Website: http://worldshipsdevon.blogspot.co.uk/   [11.2016]

Contact: Paul Hood, 28 Teal Avenue, South Beach Estate, Blyth, Northumberland NE24 3PT.

Tel: 01670 360132.

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/

Contact: Tony Bray, 16 Prince Andrew Drive, Dersingham, Norfolk  PE31 6JW

Tel: 01485 542983.     [11.2015]

or Adrian 01945 588691 / (mobile) 07828703931

2018

Monday 25th June        Singapore & Australia (slides or DVD tbc) by Adrian

Monday 30th July         Liverpool DVD by Tony

Monday 10th Sept.     Slide show - Here, There & Anywhere by Mervyn - (AUGUST & SEPTEMBER meetings combined not last Monday)

Monday 29th Oct.        China (tbc) by Adrian

Contact: Jim McFaul, 92 Armorial Road, Styvechall, Coventry CV3 6GJ. Tel: 024 7641 5574.

jim@mcfaulcov.freeserve.co.uk     [11.2015]

Notice about the status of the Branch

Following a sharp fall in attendance at our monthly meetings it was decided at our branch AGM on the 9th April 2016 that unless someone stepped forward before September to take on various tasks, the branch, after over sixty years, will be formally closed and no more meetings held. Unfortunately no-one has volunteered and furthermore in the last few months we have also lost several long serving key members so the branch is now closed. Our thanks to the many members who have supported us over the years, many unfortunately no longer with us, and to all those speakers who presented so many interesting talks.

Some past 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.