The approaching storm, 1874
The North Sea is renowned for its storms, which could spring up from nowhere, leaving few safe havens along the north east coast for the… Read More »The approaching storm, 1874
‘Kelpie II’: Bradwell Quay to Pin Mill and back to Erith, 1902
We bring the second instalment from the Cruising Log of ‘Kelpie II’, launched in July 1902 at Greenwich and based at the Erith Yacht Club.… Read More »‘Kelpie II’: Bradwell Quay to Pin Mill and back to Erith, 1902
‘Kelpie II’: Launch and first passage, Greenwich to the Blackwater, 1902
We bring the first instalment from the Cruising Log of ‘Kelpie II’, launched in 1902. A Canoe Yacht, 26’ overall by 6’6” beam with a… Read More »‘Kelpie II’: Launch and first passage, Greenwich to the Blackwater, 1902
The America’s Cup
Watch this excellent archive footage from the America’s Cup heyday, 1934, entitled “THE AMERICA’S CUP – Rainbow (defender) and Endeavour (challenger) in final trails.” This… Read More »The America’s Cup
Dover, an appreciation, 1912
This extract is from Alan Briscoe’s log which opens on 11 June, 1912. We find out that the skipper is sailing into Admiralty harbour to… Read More »Dover, an appreciation, 1912
Daniel Defoe prefers to take the road to Gloucester
In this post, we find Daniel Defoe on his travels in the Severn Estuary. He describes the power of the ‘violent’ tides, forcing him and… Read More »Daniel Defoe prefers to take the road to Gloucester
Bristol Channel pilotage
The fact that theirs was a tough life can be appreciated by this photo of Pill pilots and ‘Westernmen’ taken around 1880. In the challenging… Read More »Bristol Channel pilotage
The Lambay Race: Howth Sailing Club, 1921
Howth Sailing Club was founded in 1895, and its premier one-design class, the Howth Seventeens designed by club Commodore Herbert Boyd, was established in 1898.… Read More »The Lambay Race: Howth Sailing Club, 1921
Crossing the Channel: history beneath the waves
This short poem, written in 1911 by Charles Robert Leslie Fletcher, reflects on the history of vessels that lie in the depths of the English… Read More »Crossing the Channel: history beneath the waves