‘Teignmouth and its Ships’. Reviewed by Maggie Watkinson

paintings, most by Thomas Chidgey (1845-1926), a master mariner from Watchet and a ‘pierhead painter’ who often painted ship’s portraits for their owners or masters whilst the ships were in the harbour at Watchet. The paintings in the museum include those of the Astra (Astraea); a topsail schooner built in Kingsbridge in 1860 and Kelso, a topsail schooner built in Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland in 1866 together with a view of the harbour before 1860. There is also a fine figurehead, from the schooner Coronella, on display.

The collections, besides the maritime ones, include fossils, prehistoric flint and stone tools and Saxon coins (there was once a mint in Watchet) and a huge collection of photographs of Watchet, some of which relate to things maritime.

The museum has a winter talks programme and an online shop as well as a small number of items for sale within the building. It is well worth a visit.

Website: https://www.watchetmuseum.co.uk/

Books: Upton, P. (2018) Thomas Chidgey: (1845-1826) Marine Artist of Watchet, Paul Upton, Friarn Barnet, Over Stowey, Bridgwater, Somerset

Maggie Watkinson

BOOK REVIEWS

Edited by Jonathan Seagrave

Teignmouth and its Ships. David Fletcher. 2022. Pub: Mainline and Maritime, ISBN 9 781900 340977, £18.95

This book has at least one photograph of a vessel on every page; all of them are visiting Teignmouth, just leaving the port or are ‘parked’ in Lyme Bay. The photographs are presented in date order, commencing in 1993, and just under half were taken before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, with the majority having been taken since that time; lockdown has obviously provided the author with opportunities for taking some splendid pictures.

All the photographs are good but there are very many spectacular ones, particularly the nocturnal, sunset and sunrise views. In addition to this feast for the eyes (and I’m someone who has never before found modern cargo vessels particularly attractive) the author has given brief but informative details about the ships and their histories, the cargoes and, where appropriate, pertinent historical facts about Teignmouth and its environs. It is notable that he has also provided advice on the best places from which to capture such wonderful pictures, so others can take their own amazing images.

The vessels pictured are mainly cargo ships (Teignmouth largely exports ball clay) but fishing boats, cruise ships, the ocean liner Queen Mary 2, a tug or two, the lifeboat, the gaff-rigged cutter Jolie Brise, a dredger and the topsail schooner Johanna Lucretia are all also included. In addition the odd rowing boat, yacht and a sea safari boat all feature and the sea comes out pretty well, too! I didn’t expect to, but I really enjoyed this book. It should appeal to local people, visitors to Teignmouth and ship fans alike, as well as budding ship photographers. I highly recommend it.