I recently added to my collection of ‘east coast’ literature in the form of Frances B. Cooke’s, London to Lowestoft published in 1906 by Imray, Laurie, Norie & Wilson, Ltd. It was a book I had little knowledge of until spotted in a book sellers listing and although I have yet to read it, it seems a little gem.

My copy of Frances B. Cooke’s London to Lowestoft…

Although it is subtitled ‘A cruising guide to the East Coast’ it has only two chartlets within. Both have sparse information. This seems strange for such a book, but it was published in a different age. The preface mentions that the ‘articles’ were originally written for the ‘marine-motorist’ for they were originally written for the magazine, Motor Boat. Messum’s East Coast Rivers was the coastal pilot of the time and it’ll be interesting to see if it was referenced, it being published in 1903.

The narrative reads as an informative story detailing things to watch for and what Cooke himself had seen… There are some fascinating old pictures and sketches of the types of navigation buoys then around our coasts. Until read, I can’t say more, other than I’m looking forward to it (after I’ve finished Hardy’s, The Trumpet Major!) and it will probably travel to Scotland’s western Isles’ where I’m going sailing with my good mate soon…

My mate has added it to her list of books to read too, so I’d better hide it!

Ah yes, further thoughts…

My sailing club, the Island Yacht Club, is building up quite a band of wooden craft. The berthing is suitable and has been for an age, but I believe it is the facilities available within the confines of the club’s grounds which enhance this – this essentially applies to all type of craft however.

There are now three active Finesse 24s, Calluna (until recently, of Poole), Gypsy and my Whimbrel. The latest to come in on the tide is Calluna, owned by a local couple who bought her last autumn and had her brought up by road from Poole Harbour. She has been in the Dauntless yard for the winter: the chap’s membership was awaiting processing when his boat appeared!

Sailing back towards our creek on Friday, my mate and I spotted Calluna entering the creek. Sailing under jib towards our mooring I saw that the boat had berthed next to Gypsy, my mooring neighbour. My mate grinned broadly at me, confiding later that she wondered if the mooring officer had deliberately berthed ‘us three’ together … apparently not. Another boat was sitting in Calluna’s berth. Perhaps I should have a friendly word with that club officer!

I didn’t have my camera with me … but later, whilst doing a spot of varnish jobs, I did.

The Island YC’s three Finesse 24s…

A look back at the sweet lines of three ladies…

The other two new arrivals are Dick Durham’s Wendy May, a gaff cutter, and a Seaking (a 28′ version, I believe) who’s name I currently do not know – but will soon, surely. The Seaking is owned by a dapper gentleman of considerable age of around 89, who has been an able member of the club’s work party for sometime, and his grandson – a little younger!

It is clear that the boat is in need of a good refit and work on that started as soon as she was settled onto her chocks.

I’m not an expert on these craft by any means. They have their fans, but for me they lack the sweetness of line that the Finesse range have. They are much flatter in the bilge too with a ‘big’ boxy transom with barely any tuck to the stern frame. A fine cruising craft she clearly is and after her sojourn ashore she’ll soon be in splendid shape too!

Work in hand… Note the flatness of her bottom.

Ah, so back to Cooke…

I have often wondered what Frances B. Cooke thought about some of these ‘modern’ wooden craft – craft that were around in his lifetime, albeit towards the end of his 102 years on earth… Cooke was quite uncomplimentary about shoal draft craft in his Practical Yachting Hints – something I have mentioned in one particular chapter in my book being published this year. He was a man of huge knowledge and common sense, but in his views on this matter, I profoundly disagreed!

I’d have loved to have had a chat…