The history of the title ‘East Coast Rivers‘ is far longer than the first edition of Jack Coote’s Thames estuary master piece which appeared in the 1950s and was update regularly until Jack’s death.
In 1903, S. V. S. C. Messum, Lieut., R.N., had written and had published by J. D. Potter, Admiralty Agent for Charts at, 145 Minories and, 11, King St, Tower Hill, his little book titled ‘East Coast Rivers. Charts and Sailing Directions for the Rivers Crouch, Roach, Blackwater, Colne, Stour, Orwell, Deben, Ore and Alde; together with General Charts from The Thames to Southwold.
A title that was more than a bit long winded, for sure, but it clearly formed the basis, bench mark even, for following east coast publications.
Messum’s directions is a very interesting historical document – something I have written about in changes to our little bit of coast in ‘The Jottings of a Thames Estuary Ditch-crawler’ which remains in publication and available. The chapter is: The Sands of Time.
In 1902, when Messum’s folio was clearly put together for print, from dating of some of the charts. The variation over south Essex and Sea Reach was 15 degrees West.
Yes, 15 degrees! Currently it is at almost nothing, however, it is likely to move east of north in a few years according to an article I read a while back.
Messum’s folio begins with the passage from Southend to the R. Crouch.and concludes at Oreford Haven, not actually detailing beyond Orford up into the Alde…
A series of books that all had the ‘East Coast’ – Thames Estuary at their heart.
In 1927, Rivers and Creeks of the Thames Estuary, by Lieut.-Commander John Irving, R.N., was published. Interestingly, it was published by the publishers of Yachting Monthly, thus setting in train a long association spanning over forty years.
In the front, Irving tells us that variation can be taken as 12 1/2 degrees. It was stated to be decreasing eight minutes annually at the time.
Irving’s book also set the fashion in which the next generation appeared, written by Jack Coote.
The first edition of Coote’s East Coast Rivers was published in 1956, a year after my entry into this world…
Variation has continued to decrease by eight to ten minutes annually and by 2003 it was 3 degrees west.
Upon the death of their father, Janet and her sister continued to update their copies with the assistance of a team of like-minded sailors, Janet Harber edited what had become ECR Cruising Companion. It was about this time I engaged with Janet and began providing wide ranging observations with specific attention at update time to the Thames, Medway and Swale areas.
Sailing off a mooring buoy in the Mersea Quarters.
I had begun to think that the last issue (some years back now) would be the last: as Janet said to me ‘We are not getting any younger … and I don’t have access to a boat anymore…’
There is of course an interloper on the block – published by Imray, titled, East Coast Pilot. This book has morphed into more than it was, to some extent ‘copying’ the way of ECRs. That was inevitable: information is the objective.
There were two things for me that put me off the ECP publication when it first appeared:
Plans of sailing down a ‘straight’ line with buoys being passed, port and starboard. This to me, put simply, belittled the sailor taking the art of deciding one’s own course out of your hands. I firmly believe it is why so many boats will come on at you, not changing course, until damned close – they’re following satnav inputs…
The other was more personal and I will state it for it damned well hurt badly at the time and still rankles! During an Royal Naval Sailing Association event at the West Mersea YC, in ECPs early days, one of the then group of sailors editing ECP said, in front of a group when I offered to assist: ‘Ah … yes … you don’t know what you’re talking about…’ The Mate who was beside me was furious … I promised myself that I would never buy that book or offer help in any form whatsoever…
In many respects, the information within the pilot books is obtainable at the press of a few buttons on an iphone or such. Harbour details – berthing plans – pub info etc is all at that touch of a button.
Our copy of ECRs is looked at less frequently these days than in the past, however, it holds a wealth of related stuff picked up on our travels. It provides a neat ‘filofax’!
So, it was a bit of a surprise to get a breezy email from Janet asking if I would be willing to assist in the udating and editing of a new edition to be published by Fernhurst Books. (Note: Fernhurst turned me down in publishing a book some years ago, so I hesitated … that book is still in print and still selling slowly year by year!)
But, me being me, with the years of assisting ECRs on its onwards path, I soon said yes!
The next thing that happened was contact from the Fernhurst editor collating the updating asking if I could assist with seven lots of rivers and the cross estuary routes – the latter, other than a comment or two I suggested should approach someone else with the required knowledge… I believe the Port of London Authority assisted! When not maintaining Whimbrel, it kept me busy for a while during the spring.
The new book was to be out during June of this year, however, the plans were sideways shifted… But now, the new Seventieth Anniversary and 21st edition is available for ordering.
Put it on your Christmas (or birthday) list for sailing friends or family. Better still: Order it!
It’s a Cracker…
Information about the launch of the 70th edition of East Coast Rivers – an invitation event.
Yes, the Mate and I have been invited and we will be off to the Orwell YC at the end of the month.
See: https://fernhurstbooks.com/books/permalink/49/east_coast_rivers_cruising_companion