Issue 17 Aug 2009

Newsletter August 2009

Opening of the IMT “Window Museum”

For two years or more we have talked about opening a display museum in Ipswich to celebrate and bring to a wider audience our maritime heritage. This is now a reality with the opening of the ‘Window Museum’ on Sunday 13th September at 6.30pm. Please see the separate invite for more details of this event.

Over the last few months a group has been gradually working up ideas for the display in the first window of our window museum. The twin themes are sailmaking, based mainly on items from JO Whitmore, sailmakers, donated by Mrs Vera Whitmore, and barges, based on a number of name boards and models donated by a variety of donors. We have one large barge model and a diorama with a barge, but could still possibly use a small model barge or even a barge in a bottle either as a donation or yearlong loan. The plan is to install the display during the second half of August and early September in time for the official Launch on the 13th of September. Historic images of the Wet Dock specially designed for the window will feature as a backdrop to the items.

This display will run for about 6 months when we hope to replace the sailmaking part with shipbuilding and boat building items. We are looking for donations or loan of items that will enable us to explain these important trades, lines plans, tools or templates etc.

We are already looking even further ahead when we plan to replace the barge section with vessels that would have been seen locally, and are searching for models for this display.

There is room for more on the Museum group so if you can offer your services to help document items, do research, or help set up the displays please contact me on 01473 690090 or des@despawson.com. Equally I would like to hear from you if you have items to donate or would be able to be lent for our planned displays.

Des Pawson

New Mooring rings for the Quay

Ipswich Borough Council is currently upgrading the quayside alongside Cranfields Mill, now redeveloped as ‘The Mill’. The Trust was aware that if there was any hope of having traditional craft laying once again at the head of the dock, proper mooring provision needed to be made, so, in a joint venture between Wharfside Regeneration (The Mill developers) and the Trust, we are providing an extra 4 mooring rings and plates which will be installed by the Council. Let us hope that this will encourage interesting craft to once more grace the head of the dock

Des Pawson

Future Events

Heritage Weekend 12-13th September Exhibition of photographs by Den Phillips

Once again the Trust will be opening the ground floor of the Old Custom House for Heritage Open Weekend.

It is planned to open to the public between 10am and 4pm each day There will be a small display of artefacts and some pictures, also this year we are very pleased that Den Phillips the well know photographer of barges, smacks and other classic sailing craft will be presenting a range of splendid black & white photographs, thus continuing the tradition of having an artistic element to our weekend.

If you could spare a few hours to help man the exhibition please call me Des Pawson on 01473 690090 or email des@despawson.com

Autumn talks 2009

Three talks have been organised for this Autumn starting on Thursday 8th October at the Royal Harwich Yacht Club, and on the subsequent first Wednesday of November and December.

The talks start at 8pm and a 2 course supper is available from 7pm.

Details of the talks are included with this newsletter along with booking forms for the supper.

NOTE - the first talk is on THURSDAY 8th October

IMT Website

A reminder that details of forthcoming events and an interesting selection of photographs relating to Ipswich’s maritime past are amongst some of the information that can be found at the website www.ipswichmaritimetrust.org.uk .

Past Events

Spring talks

Ron Davies, “Ships and Shipping on the Orwell”.

Our February 4th lecture was presented on screen by Ron Davies in our usual comfortable venue of the Royal Harwich Yacht Club. Ron has been a Ships Agent working from Ipswich for many years and as such took advantage of his ideal situation to photograph the ships and shipping movements in the port of Ipswich. He was also at times able to take various trips down the river onboard ships accompanying the pilot as far as Harwich Harbour thus taking many photographs on the river Orwell and in the harbour.

Some of the ships that were shown may only have called at Ipswich once whereas many others such as mv Cliff Quay were a regular visitor as a collier. She was a familiar sight on the Orwell to the local people and must have brought millions of tons of coal to feed the power station.

Ron also kept records of all the details including where the ships had come from and the success or the demise of the companies that owned them; where they eventually met the end of their useful working life, or their fate. It was also very interesting to see all the changes in the background views of ships and barges, the Orwell Bridge, Ipswich Power Station, West Bank Ferry Terminal, Felixstowe Docks, new marinas, etc. It was a fascinating evening enjoyed by the packed house. We saw only a part of Ron's vast collection of slides covering all shipping including barges, lighters, and tugs and they are a great contribution to the history of Ipswich and the Orwell.

Geoff Hartgrove

Tim Voelcker, “Subterfuge and Skulduggery: the Voyage of the Wilhelm Gustave

Following the briefest (and smoothest!) of AGMs, we kept the evening “in the family” when IMT member Tim Voelcker gave us a talk on “Admiral Saumarez – Subterfuge and Skulduggery, the Voyage of the Wilhelm Gustave”.

Saumarez was given the task of protecting British trade in the Baltic during the Napoleonic war. This involved enormous levels of seamanship, diplomacy and determination. Tim recounted how the Admiral achieved his goal more through his diplomatic manoeuvring than blasting the foe. This also gave us an insight into the remarkable man himself. Saumarez proved to be the ideal choice and was extremely successful in achieving this daunting and complex task, finally driving Napoleon to embark upon his fateful march on Moscow. We learned that the basis of hostilities then, was very similar indeed to those existing very recently - which led to the current conflict in the Middle East.

Tim’s immense knowledge of, and unbounded enthusiasm for, his subject were very evident. His description of the man, his strong principles and also his family life led all those present to appreciate that Nelson was far from being the sole hero of the naval war against Napoleon. As one member commented on leaving: “There should have been a “Saumarez Column” in “Baltic Square”, London!” Tim would have proved a very effective PR Man for the Admiral!

Mark Grimwade

Sean McMillan, “Spirit Yachts - the Story so far

Our talk on April 1st. by Sean McMillan, MD of Spirit Yachts

was publicised as . . . “What goes on in that big shed on New Cut

West?” The answer was very definitely “A great deal!” To a full house, Sean told an amazing story with great accomplishment and humour, it was backed by excellent photographs.

Spirit Yachts grew out of Sean’s love of boats, designing, building and sailing them from an early age. Wood is his chosen medium but as a “core” for highly advanced construction methods aimed at achieving enormous strength with light weight.

Spirit yachts, on the water, have every appearance of the “classic” line. Underwater they are extremely modern. Using advanced rig materials as well as construction methods, his designs have proved fast and seaworthy. This combination also enables very large vessels to be built and we saw detail of the largest to date being designed and built “in house”, launched and sailed – she is 100ft – a 130ft “Superyacht” is in the pipeline.

We were treated to a detailed account of the Spirit yacht which featured in a recent James Bond film. This involved the yacht travelling thousands of miles both aboard ship and on her own bottom with innumerable launches and mast steppings along the way!

Mark Grimwade

Sailing Barges Matches

A number of barges lay alongside Common Quay at The Old Custom House and at south west quay between the 11th and 18th July. Many of the barges had been in the Passage Match from Gravesend to Ipswich, and subsequently took part in the Pin Mill Barge Match on July 18th. This was the 23rd Pin Mill Barge Match and the strong winds that day ensured that it was an exciting event, particularly at the

start/finish line where a strong wind and tide made for close-quarter situations for some of the barges. More details on the match results can be found on the Pin Mill Sailing Club website www.pmsc.org.uk

George Ewart 100

celebration at Blaxhall Over the weekend, 25th. & 26th. July, The Trust provided a display of information and artefacts at the George Ewart 100 Celebration at Blaxhall.

The visitors found the sailmaker's tools and other items on display interesting but the main interest was for the Window Museum which the Trust had made the centre of the exhibition.

The visit to Blaxhall was deemed a success for in addition to bringing the Trust to the attention of a wider public and the interest shown in the Window Museum and Lecture Programme was the very kind gesture of a visitor Mr Alan Edwards who donated a set of Caulking Tools to our artefact collection.

[If any members know of anyone with maritime 'bits and pieces’ cluttering up their shed or garage, and who might be interested in either donating or loaning them to the IMT for the Window Museum – please get in touch with Des Pawson on 01473 690090]

Artefact donation

The Trust was very pleased to accept a donation of a set of 50 Wills cigarette cards of a naval signal series dating from 1911. A ‘thank you’ to the anonymous donor. The items, which are in very good condition, will be catalogued and

displayed at a suitable time in the new Window Museum.

Information sought

AN IPSWICH NAVAL OFFICER LOST IN HMS GLOUCESTER

Lt-Cdr Lawrie Phillips, who edits the naval history reference book ‘The Royal Navy Day by Day’, seeks information about a naval officer, probably from Ipswich, who was lost in the cruiser HMS Gloucester on 22 May 1941 during the evacuation of Crete.

The officer was Commissioned Schoolmaster Charles Frederick Williamson RN, aged 41. His grave is in the Souda Commonwealth War Cemetery in Crete, his body presumably having been washed ashore. Commonwealth War Graves Commission records show that he was the son of Edward and Sarah Jessie Williamson, and the husband of Ivy Grace Williamson of Ipswich.

Lawrie Phillips would be very interested to know more about this officer but he appreciates that this is a long shot. Lawrie Phillips can be contacted on 01923 824972, or at 2 Drakes Drive, Northwood, Middlesex HA6 2SL.

New members

A welcome to new members who have joined this year:

Diana Whayman; Ronald Curtis; Richard Pledge; Graham Jones; Paul & Pirgitta; Alan Edwards; Fletcher-Tomenius; Derek Mayhew; David Mullett; Terry & Norma Everitt.

Autumn 2009 Talks

Thursday October 8th ’09.

“British Railways Ferries - firsthand stories of the old Harwich and Parkeston ships” by Capt John Carter.

Capt Carter started his seafaring days on barges from Ipswich. He progressed through and gained experience with many of the coastal shipping companies, such as Everards and Clyde Shipping, before joining British Rail at Parkeston in the late 1940’s. John will recount some of the experiences and amusing moments from his days based at Parkeston.

Wednesday November 4th ’09.

“Hidden Treasures of Our Secret Sea”. Rob Spray of the Marine Conservation Society and an experienced diver, introduces the audience to some of the animals which populate the North Sea. An informative and entertaining evening “dive” to visit the amazing creatures and sights to be found just off our coast.

More information can be found at http://www.1townhouses.co.uk/

Crystal sea slug - Janolus cristatus

Wednesday December 2nd '09.

"Austin 'Clarence' Farrar, An Eye For Innovation." by David Chivers, his biographer. 'Clarence' was a remarkable man; trained pre-war at a yard building steam yachts, his war service included designing life and ship saving gear. He was a boat racer, designer and builder, sailmaker, inventor of numerous marine fittings, he established Woolverstone Shipyard which also provided the RHYC with its current home. A local man, his family owned the fertilizer company Packard (later Fisons) which had its works in Coprolite St. on the Dock.

All are welcome to our lectures at the Royal Harwich Yacht Club, Woolverstone where a warm welcome, bar, adjacent parking and an optional supper await.

Members £2.50, non-members £3.50

Supper reservations at £12.00 (Optional, but why not enjoy a full evening out!)

Enquiries or bookings – either send email to bookings@ipswichmaritimetrust.org.uk or call 07531 083576

Wednesday December 2nd ’09

"Austin 'Clarence' Farrar, An Eye For Innovation." by David Chivers

Reservations for supper must be received by Wednesday, November 25th. It is only necessary to reserve places for supper but please add payment for the lecture.

Please reserve . . . . . place/s for supper at £12.00 per head. £ ___________ Any special dietary requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

I require . . . . members’ seat/s at £2.50 per head £ ___________ I require . . . . non-members’ seat/s at £3.50 per head £ ___________ Total enclosed (by Wednesday, November 25th.) £____________

Name (printed please) …………………………………………..

Cheques made payable to ‘IMT’ and sent to: IMT, "Gleniffer", Lower Holbrook, Ipswich, IP9 2RJ Or you can email your reservation to <bookings@ipswichmaritimetrust.org.uk and pay on the night, Or call 01473 787210 to make a reservation.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wednesday November 4th ’09 “Hidden Treasures of Our Secret Sea” by Rob Spray

Reservations for supper must be received by Wednesday, October 28th. It is only necessary to reserve places for supper but please add payment for the lecture.

Please reserve . . . . . place/s for supper at £12.00 per head. £ ___________ Any special dietary requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

I require . . . . members’ seat/s at £2.50 per head £ ___________ I require . . . . non-members’ seat/s at £3.50 per head £ ___________ Total enclosed (by Wednesday, October 28th.) £____________

Name (printed please) …………………………………………..

Cheques made payable to ‘IMT’ and sent to: IMT, "Gleniffer", Lower Holbrook, Ipswich, IP9 2RJ Or you can email your reservation to bookings@ipswichmaritimetrust.org.uk and pay on the night. Or call 01473 787210 to make a reservation.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thursday October 8th ’09 'British Railways Ferries – first hand stories of the old Harwich and Parkeston ships' by Capt John Carter

Reservations for supper must be received by Wednesday, September 30th. It is only necessary to reserve places for supper but please add payment for the lecture.

Please reserve . . . . . place/s for supper at £12.00 per head. £ ___________ Any special dietary requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Name (printed please) …………………………………………..

Opening of Ipswich Maritime Trust Window Museum and Reception in The Old Custom House

Something very special to celebrate

On Sunday the 13th September at 6.30pm the Window Museum, located at the Mill on Albion Wharf, will be opened by Capt Jim Lawrence, in the presence of His Worshipful the Mayor of Ipswich.

This is a major new development for the Trust and an important event marking its greater visibility in the local community.

It is planned that the Ipswich Sea Cadets will form a Guard of Honour for the Mayor and, weather depending, it is hoped there will be a Thames barge moored alongside the wharf for the event – the first time a vessel of that size will have been moored at the Head of the Dock for many years!

The Opening will be followed by a reception for members and guests at The Old Custom House at 7.00pm where wine, soft drinks, and a finger-buffet will be available at a cost of £9 per head. Space is limited and therefore tickets are sold on a first-come basis.

The first of the four display areas

of the Window Museum.

I would like ………… tickets at £9 per head for the Opening of the Window Museum and Reception at The Old Custom House at 6.30pm on Sunday 13th September.

Name ………………………………………….. Contact number…………………………………………

Please send cheque, payable to ‘Ipswich Maritime Trust’, and completed form to:

Membership Secretary, Ipswich Maritime Trust, 309 Norwich Road, Ipswich, IP1 4BW

Reply please by 31st August 2009

[If the event is oversubscribed your cheque will not be presented and you will be contacted regarding the return or destruction of your cheque.]