Words and images Copyright © 2008 Linn Barringer, except where noted otherwise.
Captions updated 1 October 2008

What a fantastic piece of luck with the weather. The week preceding the event had been miserable, grey, and damp. Mike Rines (chairman) and all the members of the group who organised the event must have wondered what sort of disaster was about to befall them.

But Saturday and Sunday 13th and 14th September "turned out nice" after all. Not only was it dry, but there was plenty of warm sun and nothing more than a light refreshing breeze, which presumably allowed some sails to be unfurled to show off to the admiring crowds. I have no idea how much wind would stop that but presume there must be a limit.

I took these photographs while walking from Whisstock's yard, around Bass's Dock, along the promenade to the model boat pond, and back, on the Saturday.

 

First, three photos from Maritime Woodbridge 2007

i. Sae Wylfing is launched from the Whisstocks slipway.
Maritime Woodbridge 2007. Photo contributed.

 

ii. Sae Wylfing under oar-power on the river Deben, Sutton Hoo in the background.
Maritime Woodbridge 2007. Photo contributed.

 

iii. Sae Wylfing passing the Tide Mill, Woodbridge, on the river Deben.
Maritime Woodbridge 2007. Photo Copyright 2007 Cliff Hoppitt

 

 

Photographs of Maritime Woodbridge 2008

Many of the captions provided or enhanced by kind contributions from Peter Clay, except where noted otherwise

1. I'm not a "boat person" but it was easy to see the attraction of the wonderful quality craftsmanship of this clinkerbuilt "Whitehall skiff" built by Adrian Donovan (Link to boat builder's website).

 

 

2. Just one panel from the very interesting display from Woodbridge Museum highlighting the very long history of the town's association with the river Deben and the sea

 

 

3. An early interest in boating could lead to a lifetime love of boats. These coracles were great fun for children.

 

4. As a non-boater I have little idea of what types of boat these vessels are, or the rigs they use but they do
eloquently speak of days gone by when life was probably much harder, but led at a more leisurely pace.
Except, perhaps, when the wind got up a bit... The boats in view are: Good Intent, Transcur, Quiz, Bona, Dina, Victor.

 

 

5. Sailing Barge Victor moored alongside Tide Mill Quay, Woodbridge. (More...click this link to visit SB Victor's website)

 

 

6. A collection of boats, sails, rigging, and flags moored at Whisstock's yard.
The boats are: Good Intent, Transcur, Quiz, Bona, Dina,

Good Intent is an 1860 Harwich bawley. Rebuilt at Frank Knights.
Transcur is an 1889 Brightlingsea oyster smack
Quiz is an 1872 Paglesham oyster smack
Bona is a 1903 Brightlingsea bawley
Dinah was built in 1887 as a barge yacht

 

7. A "shot across the bows" of boats moored at Whisstock's yard. The boats are: Good Intent, Transcur, Quiz.

 

 

8. A very nicely restored and turned out Citroen H Van, appropriately selling crepes.

 

 

9. Vikings had "invaded" Woodbridge during the event and these were seen strolling around Bass's Dock.

 

 

10. A view across the Ferry Quay side of Bass's Dock, with the sails of SB Victor dwarfing the Tide Mill in the background.

 

 

11. The eastern end of Ferry Quay, across Whisstock's yard to the Tide Mill and Granary.

 

 

12. A view of Bass's Dock, Whisstock's yard, the Granary and Tide Mill, with SB Victor's sails reaching up to the skies.

 

 

13. As usual, the Woodbridge Excelsior Band played wonderful music. Shirt sleeve order for this fine, warm, sunny day.

 

 

14. Children could learn about carding wool, and I learnt while passing that if you are going make felt, you remove the wool flat from the card but if you're going to spin yarn, you remove the wool with a rolling action.

 

 

15. Another part of the Viking encampment where carcasses were being burnt (or was it cooked???) on the spit.

 

 

16. An enjoyable day for all the family; children, adults, and the dog.

 

 

17. Keepsake - a 7-ton cutter designed by the famous Dr. Harrison Butler in 1937.

 

 

18. This is the famous Peter Duck, built in 1946 as Arthur Ransome's last boat.
She takes her name from his famous children's book.

 

 

19. Bonify - designed by John Hanna in 1926 and built in ferro concrete in 1980.

 

 

20. The much-loved Nancy Blackett. (That's the boat, not the lady on board.)

 

 

21. The 21ft gaff cutter Twinkler, pine on oak, built in 1922 by David Hillyard, presently owned by Ted and Diana Evans. Thought to be one of the first boats built by David Hillyard; it is the oldest in Hillyard Owners' records.

 

 

22. Three Sisters in the front, then the Woodbridge Pilot boat Teddy, then the Pet, then the Wonder. Owned by Robert, Jonathan and Harry Simper.
Thanks to Robert Simper, author of Woodbridge to the Coast, and many other books, for the update.

 

 

23. Yet another view of the riot of sails, ropes, sheets, sails, and flags, alongside the Granary and Tide Mill. In the foreground is Good Intent, an 1860 Harwich bawley. Rebuilt at Frank Knights.

Bawley is a corruption of the word "boiler". Bawleys fished for shrimp and boiled them on board.

 

 

24. The large Sailing Barge Victor, settling in the silt alongside Tide Mill Quay.
Is this the same type of SB that was being dredged up from Thames on TV a couple of weeks ago?
If so, I was surpised (knowing nothing much about boats) that the mast was mostly steel.