LETTERS, NOTES AND NEWS

were bred for. Absolute rubbish. On her first trip to Beaulieu (from Chichester) the cockpit sole was absolutely covered in vomit and poo - the same on the return. She only has to look at a boat and the entire contents of every orifice are emptied. I should really get my money back but the kids love her.”

Sent by Mike Bender

LETTERS, NOTES and NEWS

The Schedules with David Clement’s book

We have had proofs of David’s book, have done the final checks and it has now been sent to the printer. The schedules are meant to be read with the book and are referenced a number of times, but are far too extensive to print. We have been considering further how best to make these available. The total, 440 entries, is pretty overwhelming. We would still like to publish on Kindle, but at present we don’t have the time and energy to organise this, and no one has volunteered, so far, to finish off the entries that are not fully complete, which number around half.

For the moment, it seems that publishing one or two complete entries electronically along with each edition of SWS will give readers some idea of the scope of these records. The first then, is Andromeda, which was eventually wrecked off of Falmouth; a sad tale.

We are very open to suggestions for further entries, particularly looking for connections to the south west or areas of other particular interest. The Herzogin Cecilie and France II are on our list. It would, of course, take a century to finish! The full e-archive of the schedules is available in the University of Exeter, and will be in others in due course.

David’s books have been packed up by Dina, his wife, and are awaiting collection by the university but cataloguing will not take place immediately afterwards, as ever due to a shortage of resources. We will keep members informed of progress.

Jonathan Seagrave and Maggie Watkinson

Falklands 40

2022 sees the 40th Anniversary of the Falkland War. The Falklands War saw the despatch of a Task Force which sailed from the United Kingdom to retake the Falkland Islands following their invasion by Argentina.

The Task Force, which provided the means to regain the islands, was a significant maritime venture; it was made up of 114 ships; 37 from the Royal Navy, 25 from the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) and 52 ships taken up from trade (STUFT). The ships provided the transport and support to the forces who successfully recaptured the islands.

In early May Dr Harry Bennett, Associate Professor of History at the University of Plymouth presented a paper ‘ The Invasion of the Falkland Islands and the Resignation of Lord Carrington’ and Dr Louis Halewood (Philip Nicholas Trust Lecturer in Maritime History) made a presentation entitled ‘Britain, the United States and the Struggle for the Falklands’. The presentations were made at an open public meeting (on Zoom) called ‘Beyond the Battlefront: Falklands + 40’.

Many other events to remember the War of 40 years ago are being held about the country including in Plymouth and Portsmouth where much of the work in preparing the Task Force for the South Atlantic took place.

For example, on June 25th (Armed Forces Day) in Plymouth there will be a parade of Falklands Veterans at which they will be granted the Freedom of the City of Plymouth.

A personal reflection about the Falklands War can be found on; ‘The Falklands War Remembered … sharing stories and memories 40 years on, based on local BBC Radio Broadcasts’. The collection includes two contributions by Dr Harry Bennett: ‘The Ship and the Submarine’ and ‘A Historical Perspective of the Falklands War’ and can be found on the BBC’s ‘The Falklands War remembered’ at https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0bxybws

Paul Wright

Sir Julian Corbett

Professor Andrew Lambert gave a fascinating lecture on November 30th 2021 to Plymouth University on the life of Sir Julian Corbett, the subject of his new book. As a naval strategist and thinker the latter played a preeminent role in the years up to WW1, and was connected to a vast range of senior politicians, naval people, and soldiers. His view of the future Commonwealth was well ahead of its time. He espoused the value of history as a template for the future, wrote most of the official naval history of WW1, setting the template for other such exercises, and avoided its suppression by Churchill and Beatty. As a rich man he wasn’t dependent on patronage, but was socially adept and able to cross boundaries both political and personal. His breadth of interests gave him a wider view than many historians, but he was always focussed on the country’s future interest. He lectured widely, and led the Naval Records Society which became influential amongst officers.

Jonathan Seagrave

Mayflower Autonomous Ship News

For your interest the Mayflower Autonomous Ship (MAS 400) (unmanned ship) which was to have replicated the voyage of the Mayflower in 1620 ... 400 years on, but failed on her first attempt in 2020, began a second attempt to cross the Atlantic at the end of April this year, and called in at Horta in the Azores for repairs. She was delayed for 7 days by the weather but on 20th May slipped her moorings to continue her westward bound voyage to America!

I shall be watching with particular interest as my name along with other crowd funders is being carried across the Atlantic in a capsule on board the MAS 400. This crowdfunding followed an initial attempt to develop the MAS 400 concept as a community project way back in 2016!! All being well the voyage will be completed before SWS is published ... but sometimes things don’t go quite as planned!

Paul Wright

A snippet

Clive Charlton

Aircraft Crash Sites in and Around Plymouth Sound National Marine Park

Written by Peter Holt & Mallory Haas, published in 2022 by The SHIPS Project, ISBN 978 1 7397053 0 5

This book is a well-illustrated catalogue of aircraft that crashed in the sea near Plymouth in the years between 1917 and 1986. The book includes a description of the loss of each aircraft along with background information and photographs where they are available. This is the first in a series of publications that highlight the maritime and aviation heritage contained within Plymouth Sound National Marine Park.

You can download the eBook for free (PDF 58MB), but a donation of £4 or more to The SHIPS Project would be appreciated. It is available for download from here: https://shipsproject.org/ publications.html

Information provided by Mike Williams

Maritime Media Awards

The Maritime Media Awards are organised by the Maritime Foundation, an organisation which promotes awareness of the UK’s dependence upon the sea and seafarers.

During the two years of restriction (2020 and 2021) winners of the Maritime Media Awards have not been able to physically collect their awards. This will be redressed at the end of May by a daytime event taking place at the Drapers Hall, London. Of particular interest to members of the South West Maritime History Society will be the Mountbatten Award for Best Book. The award is made to the author of a work of literature published in English during the qualifying period that, in the opinion of the Awards Committee, has contributed most significantly to public awareness of maritime issues. In 2020 the winner of the Mountbatten Award for Best Book was David Abulafia, author of The Boundless Sea: A Human History of The Oceans (Allen Lane). In 2021 the winner of the award was Andrew Boyd, author of British Naval Intelligence through the Twentieth Century (Seaforth Publishing).

2022 Awards: The public are welcome to make nominations for 2022. The closing date is the 15th July 2022. The qualifying period is the year to 30th June 2021. In addition to the Best Book Award other categories include; Best Journalism, Best TV or film Production and Best Use of Digital Media. For details please visit Awards Nominations 2022 - Maritime Foundation. The 2022 Maritime Awards will take place on Wednesday 26th October 2022 at Drapers Hall, Throgmorton Street London.

Paul Wright

Bristol harbour activities

The biggest draw is the super yacht/houseboat Miss Conduct moored just past the heritage fleet. Now owned by a pair of Bristol businessmen, somewhat coy as to their identity, she was built as a dining boat in NY harbor, then was rescued from near dereliction by them and converted with accommodation and an event space. Since mooring up in Bristol she has hosted monthly charity bashes, raising considerable sums. Unusually she is British flagged and boasts a helicopter although it’s not licensed to fly.

A few yards further down, the houseboat de jonge has a vast number of painted rubber ducks on it.

Jonathan Seagrave

July 15th - 17th 2022: 50th Bristol Harbour Festival

The Bristol Channel Pilot Vessel Olga, operated by Sailing Tectona CIC has been invited to attend the 50th Bristol Harbour Festival. The festival will celebrate the heart and soul of Bristol in the unique setting of its harbour.

Olga was built by John Bowden of Porthleven, Cornwall, in 1909, and served as a pilot cutter out of Barry until 1917. She was equipped with Appledore roller reefing gear which enabled her crew of two to reduce sail quickly and easily. Her first owner was Henry Edmunds, of Newport, who named her after his daughter. Henry Edmunds was pilot for the ports of Barry and Newport. The need for sailing pilot vessels diminished towards the end of World War 1 and for a year Olga changed her role to become a fishing vessel. She was later sold in 1918 to become a private yacht. She served in this capacity until 1984, at one time being owned by Lt Col Patrick Phibbs of the Royal Marines, Plymouth.

In 1984 Olga was purchased by Swansea City Council for display at the Swansea Maritime Museum. In July 2019, Swansea City Council made an innovative five year partnership that saw Olga being loaned to Sailing Tectona CIC. For part of the year Olga is used by Mount Kelly School and others for Duke of Edinburgh Awards activities.

Olga belongs to the National Historic Fleet, a subgroup of ships on the National Register of Historic Ships as she is considered to be of pre-eminent national and regional significance.

Olga

Paul Wright

The Unidentified Student

our members recognised the unknown student and identified him as Jeremiah Dancy, an American studying for his MA in Naval History at Exeter University at the time the photo was taken (2008). He is now an Associate Professor in the Joint Military Operations Department of the US Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island and has been published in various maritime history journals. In addition he has written a book entitled:

The Myth of the Press Gang: Impressment and the Naval Manpower Problem in the Late Eighteenth Century.

I did try and contact Professor Dancy, with a view to sending him a copy of the newsletter and passing on the good wishes of members, but unfortunately he has not replied. At least one of the mysteries is solved, but no one, as yet, has recognised the unknown man also in the photo.

Editor

Conrad’s river journeys

Walking with my dog Tess around the Mount Batten Peninsula, Turnchapel, I happened to meet up with Conrad Humphries. It was the first time we’d met up for two years following the imposition of the lockdown. It was good to meet up. Conrad described an activity in which he had been involved during this time. He had been asked by ‘History Hits’ to help produce a documentary series called Conrad’s River Journeys’. To date the series comprises of exploring three rivers in Devon, namely the Exe, the Dart and the Tamar. A fourth episode in the series looks at the Salcombe estuary. Conrad explores each river from top to bottom in his replica of HMS Bounty’s ship’s boat, Bounty’s End. During the course of each episode he meets a myriad of interesting people who talk about the history of the rivers and the sailing boats that have shaped the local area. A second series focussed on rivers in Cornwall is presently under consideration.

“Sailing a traditional boat on these rivers has really helped me to understand just how much our waterways have shaped our history. It’s all too easy to think about the big round the world exploratory voyages that Captain James Cook and Robert Fitzroy undertook, but around the UK every river, estuary and harbour has made its own unique contribution to our prosperity, our way of life and our understanding of the world.” Conrad Humphries.

Conrad Humphreys is a professional yachtsman and presenter, and alumni of the University of Plymouth. He has spent over two decades sailing in some of the most hostile places on the planet. Conrad has raced three times around the world and is the fifth British sailor in history to complete the legendary Vendée Globe. More recently, Conrad was the professional skipper for Channel 4’s historical recreation of Captain Bligh’s 4000-mile open boat journey, Mutiny.

To access ‘River Journeys with Conrad Humphries’ go to River Journeys with Conrad Humphreys - History Hit. It is a subscription channel but a free trial offer is available.

One of our members, Alston Kennerley, is due to have his new book, entitled ‘Bullen’s Voyages: The Life of Frank T Bullen: Sailor, Whaler, Author’ published this June. Although Frank Bullen may not be remembered now he was a ‘superstar’ (he published over thirty books, some of which are still in print) at the end of the nineteenth and beginning of the twentieth centuries; his descriptions of the trials and tribulations of life for merchant mariners were praised by many, including Rudyard Kipling.

Alston has written a biography which is a tribute to his memory and has also has verified many of Frank’s claims about life at sea; it is described as ‘elegant and highly readable’. Should any of our members wish to provide a review, please don't hesitate to contact Jonathan Seagrave (details on last page).

Editor

Maritime Heritage Trust

The annual review for the trust has been published, in which the achievements and aspirations were discussed; the Heritage Harbours project has become more appealing, and working in conjunction with Historic England and National Historic Ships UK, the trust is making progress with the notion of preserving not just historic vessels but the context in which they operated and preventing the loss of important working heritage features, such as harbours.

They have also developed a webinar programme (free to watch) and are in the process of becoming a CIO. It appears to be an organisation to watch, particularly as their interests are so close to our own, albeit with a national perspective.

Editor

Peter Padfield - Naval and Maritime Historian 1932 - 2022

Unknown to himself Peter Padfield, a maritime historian and author, encouraged my early interest in pursuing a seafaring life through his writing of the book The Merchant Navy as a Career in 1962.

Peter was born in Calcutta in 1932. At the age of thirteen he went to the Merchant Navy School HMS Worcester on the River Thames. On leaving the school he became a navigating cadet and later a deck officer with P&O.

In 1957 at the age of 25 he was accepted to become a member of the crew of the replica Mayflower. The replica was built in Brixham, Devon for the recreation of the Pilgrim Fathers’ voyage from Plymouth, Devon to Plymouth, Massachusetts which originally took place in 1620. The building project was undertaken to commemorate the wartime co-operation between the United States of America and the United Kingdom and reinforce the legacy of ‘freedom, trade, kinship and hope’. The trans-Atlantic voyage was led by Allan Villiers. It left Plymouth on April 20th 1957, and arrived at

In 1960 Peter ‘swallowed the anchor’ and established a career in journalism and writing. He wrote extensively, including more than 20 books on naval history. In 2003 Peter was awarded the Mountbatten Prize for his book titled Maritime Power and the Struggle for

Freedom: Naval Campaigns that Shaped the Modern World 1788 - 1851.

The replica Mayflower recently underwent extensive restoration and was relaunched in 2019 as part of the Mayflower 400 Celebrations. Today the replica Mayflower is displayed at Plymouth, Massachusetts.

Peter Padfield maintained a lifelong interest in the Mayflower. One of his last publications was the Mayflower II Diary - Sketches from a Lost Age. Peter died on March 14th 2022, at the age of 89.

Paul Wright

Acting Chairman

Registered Charity No. 289141 (Updated August 2021)

Martin Hazell 124 Molesworth Road, Stoke, Plymouth, Devon, PL3 4AH Tel. 07941 603097 /01752 550768 Email: m.hazell7@btinternet.com

Maritime SW Editor Mike Bender Email: m.bender@exeter.ac.uk

SWS Reviews Editor Jonathan Seagrave 10 Woodlands Rise, Downend, Bristol, BS16 2RX Tel: 0117 9566127 Email: Jon.seagrave@gmail.com

SWS Editor Maggie Watkinson 26 Golden Hill, Wiveliscombe, Taunton, Somerset, TA4 2NU Tel: 01984 623859 Email: maggiewat37@gmail.com

SWS Assistant Editor Clive Charlton Tel: 01822 840497 Email: cliveacharlton1@outlook.com

Secretary Peter Skidmore Email: pfskd@aol.com

Treasurer Phil Northcott 9 Wallaford Road, Buckfastleigh, TQ11 0AR Email: treasurer@swmaritime.org.uk

Membership Secretary Anne Pond Email: membership@swmaritime.org.uk

COMMITTEE

Michael Duffy, Jonathan Turner, Mike Williams, Paul Wright