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Springsong
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Posts posted by Springsong
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Q it was quite possibly you who very kindly helped me over the pontoon bridge
to the club, I was in a wheel chair but you helped me walk over the bridge, if not
you thank whoever it was please very kind and helpful.
I saw Alan but no
one else ap[art from Boaters i n passing..
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I used somewhere have that particular issue of MB&Y heaven knows where it is now.
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We used B&Q oak floor in our galley. Taken whilst being fitted, still looks good today.
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Back in the day Norwich Brewery delivered to the Berney Arms by boat, or lighter to be more exact; as did Steward and Paterson, or who ever the brewery was that delivered to the Pub pre the lovely Norwich Brewery.
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Gt well Timbo Your boat needs you, I still expect you at Beccles.
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Fit a Mini sump plugs with its little magnet.
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That was my thought too Vaughan.
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I have a couple of car models that I keep on CD's that give coloured reflections. Just a thought.
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I thought you would have got that by now.
Dawn Craft of Wroxham possibly Crimson Dawn ?
I think.
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Oh Chris I do so agree, Plymouth Pink yum. A favourite before the Vodka got to me.
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21 hours ago, socrates said:
"Everything is stacked against you, but for some reason some silly chaps seem to be driven to it......"
Sir Christopher Cockerell wrote these words when describing the process of inventing the hovercraft. Such words can equally be said about restoring a wooden boat they certainly apply in our case. With another few days until we are down working on BG with our (no longer) mysterious friend of hatch fame- Ricardo.
In the meantime, I thought I would follow Aristotle's example, by providing some history of Ripplecraft boats and Broadland Grebe (for those who like such things). I know there are several members of this forum who know far more about the history of the Broads than I do, so please feel free to correct and contribute as and when. I would be more than glad to receive any information ad pictures. For the sake of brevity, and me having to do other things, I will write this in several parts.
Ripplecraft was a company set up by Christopher Cockerell in 1950, at Oulton Broad. Cockerell was working for the electronics company Marconi, where he and his team had designed and built the R1155 and T115 radio transmitters and receivers as used by RAF Bomber Command. My late father flew in the Wellington and Lancaster with Bomber and Coastal Command as a radio operator/navigator, so I was aware of the importance of Cockerell's inventions for direction finding. I was also familiar with the concept of radio and direction finding from my previous life in the Royal Navy working with radar and associated equipment. Of course, Cockerell's most well-known invention was the hovercraft, there is one on the top of the memorial at Somerleyton.
Initially building caravans,the first Ripplecraft boats designed by Cockerell came out of the yard at Oulton Broad in 1951. I have been told that Cockerell also purchased boats from E W Jackson and this is how the names of the later boats came about. These sailing boats, which he rented out were: Widgeon, Sheldrake, Heron and Tern. He then started designing 24 foot motor cruisers which were built through the years 1952-56. Again, from what I have been told, they were named Widgeon (2), Pintail, Mallard, Goldeneye and Shelduck. According to a Blakes brochure of 1955, these boats were fitted with Ford 10hp petrol engines. However, someone told me they had Morris 8hp engines. Someone may be able to shed some light on these boats as to whether there are any still around. I have copies of pictures of these boats but not sure if I can post them here due to copyright (advice needed, please).
In 1953, Ripplecaft relocated to Somerleyton, where the company took over the staithe of the old brickworks (1880-1939). At this point I am somewhat confused. According to one source there were huts there from World War 2, another source claims that Cockerell purchased the ex-Army sheds and moved them to Somerleyton. Whatever the story, the sheds are still there and BG is in one of them.
Once the work on the small boats had been completed, work began on larger cruisers. These cruisers were to be state of the art for their day, described as: "Streamlined luxury, fully lined, all weather boats." At 32' 6", with 6 berths, they were designed to go under every bridge on the Broads (subject to tides), and were fitted with a fully sliding roof. They were powered by the Lister Freedom marine diesel engine. Between 1956 and 1966, 10 of these boats were constructed to Cockerell's innovative streamlined design. It was the lines of the boat that appealed to me, when I first saw the Ripplecraft it reminded me of the shape of the Sir Nigel Gresley's A4 Pacific locomotive which I have much admired since a child. (Yes, I am a locomotive enthusiast, not to be confused with a train spotter)
During my somewhat limited research, I have discovered that there are various accounts of when Broadland Grebe was built. There is a degree of confusion about the names of the boats linked to the registration numbers. Thus, we are unable to categorically say the exact date of the building and completion of BG, it is either 1958 or 1960, depending on who you ask and where the information comes from. I have been informed that there was some sort of re-naming of boats for "tax purposes". Two boats were transferred to other yards on the Broads, Broadland Curlew being sold to Maidencraft of Thorpe and Broadland Falcon became Broadland Kingfisher when she moved to Jenners of Thorpe. Broadland Kingfisher was later re-named Gay Brigand, but returned to Ripplecraft to be named Broadland Heron. Perhaps someone else knows the story?
The information we have obtained comes from a variety of sources, we met a chap called Dave at Potter who has a Ripplecraft, Broadland Swift, which is currently undergoing restoration. He seemed to be an authority on the boats, as did another chap, also called Dave, who restores wooden boats and has a collection of Blakes brochures from the time. I love reading the description of the boats which have "stainless steel sinks", "full size gas oven", and "ice box". In 1969, at £14.7s (per person) high season, the cost of hiring these boats was not cheap, given the average wage was around £30 per week.
Another Ripplecraft is Broadland Lapwing, which has been fully restored. Lapwing, at 35' 6", is longer than the rest of the class and the last to be built at Somerleyton. I will say nothing more about Lapwing because Ricardo will know much more. By 1970, no wooden boats were being built at Somerleyton but there was a boat by the name of Dabchick which was converted from Broadland Teal. Dabchick appears in Blake's brochure of 1971, but I know very little else about her. Ripplecraft introduced fibreglass cruisers in 1970, these were Bermuda 35's named Tahiti and a Caribbean class named Barracuda, both these boats were transferred to France in 1977. By 1977, Ripplecraft had also acquired 15 boats from the Fowler's fleet which had been based at Oulton Broad.
Of course I could be wrong here, any help would be much appreciated. As far as I am aware the only survivors are: Broadland Lapwing, based at Belaugh and fully restored, Broadland Kestrel, based at Oulton Broad but not usable, Broadland Swift, based at Potter and undergoing restoration, and Broadland Grebe. According to the rumour mill, there are a couple on the Thames or the Medway. An unconfirmed source informed me that Broadland Falcon was sold for £16000 around 2006, and is now being use as a livaboard on the Thames or Medway.
Although the history of BG may not be as long as many of the other boats on the Broads, I do think it is a unique piece of Broads history given the design and the links to Sir Christopher Cockerell. I have some photographs of BG and other Ripplecrafts, but will not post them as I do not hold the copyright to them. As I said, the information here is from a variety of sources, most of which can't be fully verified. I therefore am unable to accept full responsibility for the accuracy. Should any member have any other information, Ii will be most grateful. A visit to the Museum of the Broads left us somewhat bereft, when we were told they had not heard of Ripplecraft. I am now putting together some information for them to display.
Braodland Grebe left the hire fleet in or around 1985, she had two previous custodians before us. I know nothing of her first owner, but know her previous owners.
I have never done a quote before so: Socrates it is a pity you did not come to the MOB on a Tuesday afternoon I would have been there, although not an expert in anything I have certainly heard of Sir Christopher and his connection to Ripplecraft, I know Dave (expilot) who owns Swift.
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If the BA have been consulted from the beginning wouldn't it have been logical for the BA to have officially informed the navigation committee or do the senior management not speak to t'others.
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Chris B you are so right the 246GT I had was the Dino blue like a French blue, I had always wanted one since I first saw one in the early seventies, so beautiful.
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I have been very lucky I have owned a Ferrari Dino. a Porsche 911 SC an XJ12 two Range Rovers and numerous other forms of automotive transport. I have had a pub on the Broads, I have owned various boats on the Broads. I have been extraordinarily lucky in the friends I have made who have made boating still possible for me over the last few years. I have flown around the Broads in a 1947 piper cub high wing aircraft, and many other experiences.
So my bucket list is quite short as a result, I would like to travel through Germany Switzerland down the French Rivera and down both Italian coasts in a proper GT Grand Tourer like a S1 / 2 Bentley continental Jensen Interceptor Aston Martin POW or some such.
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Obvious mistake, if it had been true JM would have put a link in to an article in the Tibetan NP news or some such.
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I remember having the odd conversation on the forum with you Bruce, hence the photo soon after you bought her I think.
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After this Dauphine we had a Dauphine Gordini my brother put that in somebodies front garden. I never drove either as you can see a little on the young side, I had to wait for a 4L EMB 108 B.
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Both burnt out, a quick flash and gone.
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Glad you are "well" again look after yourself us stokers must stick together.
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I may be wrong but the shed across the road was the Vestella shed, although Idon't think
the main shed was ever called the Vesta shed.
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Thank you Vaughan,I used to have one but went in one of the moves. I remember Ted and Lesley obviously I was just a nipper. I am sorry if you have all seen these before.
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1947 Vesta 6 coming into moor at the Ferry Inn Horning My father on th helm, my Uncle on the stern ropes
and I think Hardy Arkell on the fore ropes. See the Woodbastwick road disappearing off, only used in those
days to get to the ferry, I can't remember any moorings on the Woodbastwick side, not that I was around in 47.
The second photo is the Ferry Inn moorings, we rather think that this is before the pub was rebuilt after its direct hit
during WW2. Three Vestas and a Monarch.
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Stokesby Ferry Inn in spring 1951 before the extension was built on the side, sorry it is B&W but the pub
looks to be the same colour, I cannot confirm this as I was barely two. T
he two boats Merrywind and Monarch
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I only used it on the cockpit drop sides. Thy were in a reasonable state but needed new wood to be let in on some ares.
I wood like to have replaced the plywood panels but that required taking the whole thing apart. If we had done that we would have ended up making new sides I think . Anyway back to the oil , it is still on there although last year was showing signs of needing some TLC. Ultimately new sides will be the order of the da\y but when who knows.
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I saw Alan but no
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Go Western Light...
in Video Blogs
Posted
Robin there used to be a sign on the corner of the house with the balcony, just past the Rising sun. It went something like this. No hire craft beyond this point. It was not official or at least did not look so, may be put up by a resident of the house.