Ah yes, during this last week, my crew and I had a splendid tack down the Alde and Ore from above Aldeburgh before taking a long reach seawards directly out of the entrance several miles offshore. Another 24 footer puttered out after us, right on our tail, having passed us and then come back round in the shingle spit reach inside – why? Who knows! More on this fellow…
Our landwards tack took us on a course towards Felixstowe Church. Tide lifted us the necessary distance south and we were fetched the cross over nicely … then along came our puttering friend – seen earlier behind clouds of power-driven spray well inshore – aiming for our starboard side, he’s going aft, I thought, briefly, I luffed up. No, he came on … we were travelling at 6 knots, he, cross tide and slower … at the point when I was about to make an evasive tack he put on power, closed the gate, and crossed our bow, much to the amazement of my sister – an RYA qualified skipper, as I luffed to slow our advance. Not a wave he made as he passed, engine exhaust roaring. Hey Ho! Hope you read this mate … boat’s name – Millie, so watch out for her…
Whimbrel alongside Halfpenny Pier.
Harwich was our destination: this crowd missed out last year. We arrived for a late lunch after a 6 hour passage. Next a tour of the town, which the troops found to be fascinating. There is a convenience store in the old town now, however its stocks of fresh meat in particular, is sparing. For general stores it looked satisfactory.
Before getting onto the Mayflower, a big thank you is needed. Boiling a kettle for a spot of tea, scones, jam and clotted cream we found we’d run out of gas … the new bottle purchased a few weeks earlier had been ‘plugged’ in for no more than 2 1/2 days. It felt light when doing so. Valve was closed and cap tight… A kindly lady at the visitor centre up on the entrance to Halfpenny Pier gave me a lift (with kid sis) to Morrison’s where gas can be purchased at the petrol station … we replaced both bottles carried: both empty! Don’t know her name, but a big public thank you…
Right: the Mayflower Project. I wrote about this last season and some while ago too…
The plans…
A friendly chap hailing originally from ‘up north’ gave us a safety spiel before dishing out high-vis jackets – required by H&S – and then we went on tour… Since my last visit last year the trust’s new visitor reception centre is now open and from this we went round the outside o f the workshops, viewing within various craftsmen at work.
A model of the ship under construction in workshops…
Next was the lofting floor where parts of the ship are laid out for patterns to be made. A frame was on the floor at the time… Leaving that behind we went to see the ship. Last year the keel and stern post were in position. Now a frame has been erected amidships. The stern knee is in place too.
A frame on the lofting floor…
The guide explained that the fastening medium of stainless steel bolts was non compliant with MCA requirements – they require bronze fastenings – but this is a temporary means anyway … I explained that stainless in oak, long term, wasn’t a good idea for reasons regarding pitting/crevice corrosion. Something he’d never heard of, and as a volunteer ‘off the streets’ knowledge of that sort wouldn’t be expected in any case.
An amidships frame set up.
Around the yard there is a huge pile of timber from various sources within England, around a third of what will eventually be used. The ship is due for completion by 2020 ready to re-enact the original voyage from Harwich carrying the ‘Pilgrim fathers’ to New England.
The log pile…
As part of the project’s community work trainees refurbished vandalised seats outside the old goods yard within which the Mayflower sits. The seats have been re-wooded and painted. Community art groups have painted murals within panels set in the perimeter wall of the ‘ship yard’ depicting aspects of the original voyage.
Refurbished benches and those murals by local artists…
I met the ‘boss’ and he explained that the fight for funding goes on … and that at long last higher up people and media types are at long last beginning to show an interest: one of the fundamental aims of the project is to up-skill the local youngsters, work and careers are a problem in the Harwich area.
I suggested that once the ship takes shape then public interest will grow with it.
Shipwrights who have recently finished working on various other projects are due to join and an accelerated building rate will follow…
This project, like the Sea-change Trust and Pioneer Trust, will continue to keep Essex high on the maritime radar. It will elevate Essex internationally – let’s hope Essex’s business leaders see this too, never mind the County authority…