The news and views of the latest events along the Solway Coast
SHIPS EXPECTED
"WORKINGTON "CL Atlas" 5th June
SILLOTH "Plato" 31st May
Eight years ago in May 2015, Cunard celebrated their 175th anniversary and marked the occasion by gathering Queen Victoria, Queen Mary 2 and Queen Elizabeth on the river Mersey for this special time. To add to the spectacle the world famous RAF aerobatic team the Red Arrows over flew the ships.
The pilot boat moves away after putting the pilot onto the tanker FALSTRIA SWAN as it makes its way into the port of Workington to collect a cargo of recycled waste fuel oils.
With the tow rope attached to the pilot/tug boat, the tanker approaches the ports entrance.
into the channel and heading for the dock gate. It probably will be the very last tanker to visit the port. Many thanks to the pilot Ed Deeley.
A fine sunny day at Maryport harbour
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The marina looking good in the February sunshine
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The constant rainfall over the past few weeks seems to be creating a dirty looking marina at Whitehaven with the water turning a distinct shade of brown.
Spotted in Whitehaven marina is this interesting looking launch. It was formally used at Dartmouth Naval College to train officer cadets in seamanship but these type of picket boat launches have now been replaced with ultra modern water jet powered vessels.
A short video of Zapadnyy docking at Silloth with a cargo of molasses, "Zapadnyy"
A great way to pass some time is to read local author Ann Lingards extremely interesting account of what's involved piloting a ship up the Solway Firth to Silloth (including a report on "Zapadnyy")
A little over 100 years ago in May 1919 the Workington shipbuilding yard of R. Williamson and son completed the 115' long steam trawler "Thomas Currell" for Sanford of Auckland but just a few months later it was requisitioned by the Admiralty who intended it to be used for patrol and minesweeping duties as a Strath Class armed trawler.
A couple of years later in 1922 she was de-commissioned and returned to Sanford for fishing in New Zealand waters. However in 1939 she was requisitioned yet again, this time by the Royal New Zealand Navy, as an armed trawler once more. In 1945 she was returned to Sanford to resume fishing duties.
At one point during this time she had been renamed "Enrico" for a short period. It seems that she was a good reliable vessel because as late as 1968, for one reason or another, she was beached at Port Hutt, Chatham Island and left to her fate. Remarkably she still survives to this day and is a fine example of the workmanship of the Workington yard.
It seems a shame that, what must be the last survivor of her type, is slowly but surely rusting away to obscurity.
My thanks to John Whitwell for his assistance.
Earlier this year an hydrographic survey was carried out around the Port of Workington using a small boat and drone, the results can be viewed here. SURVEY