run for berth holders by berth holders

                        Members’ Newsletter Edition No. 108

www.shbha.co.uk                                             September 2006

 

arina Manager Moves West

 

           In late July Marina Manager, Andy Garland     announced that he is to leave Sovereign Harbour to take up a new post as General Manager of the UK’s largest marina at Brighton. Andy leaves after working in Eastbourne for the last twelve years. Speaking about the move he indicated that it was the most difficult decision of his life. He has truly loved his time here and has said that he will miss the environment, customers and most especially his colleagues.

 

Andy also said that he was looking forward to the fantastic challenge of being in charge at Brighton and he hopes that Sovereign Harbour Berth-holders will go and visit him in Brighton where he will be happy to receive their mooring fees!

 

We wish him, and his family, well.

 

Arrangements are currently in hand to find a replacement and it is anticipated that a new manager will be appointed before Andy leaves at the end of September.

 

Joining the harbour team in the very near future will be the new hoist team supervisor whose responsibility will be the safe lifting of all boats. He is an addition to the current team and will take up his duties at the end of the month.

 

What’s in a name?

I am grateful to the members who responded to my request for information regarding the origin of the names chosen for their boats.

 

First to reply were Jim and Carole Fuller whose boat’s name is

‘ Pompette 11’

Pompette, obviously French, translates to ‘tipsy’ as in, ‘one over the eight’. This definition was gleaned from their French Dictionary and confirmed by Flo, the berthing administrator here at Sovereign Marina.

 

Having enjoyed many a year dinghy sailing firstly with Weirwood Sailing SC (pond sailing) then Pevensey Bay SC and latterly Bexhill our home town club a few years ago, we thought the time had come to enter the world of big boat sailing. We had managed to survive those scary moments launching into waves that seemed half the height of our mast and returning to the safety of the shore through dumping surf onto a very steep, pebble beach. A bigger boat therefore seemed very appealing –something that stayed relatively upright and dry, that was easy to get to sea in and above all had full catering facilities including a fridge to keep the drinks chilled. Hence ‘Pompette’ was purchased- a Hunter Duette 23 with lifting keel of little ballast, tall fractional rig and very aptly named, giving us a lively sail every time we poked our noses out of the harbour entrance.

 

We loved the Duette but due to the lack of standing head room below and her tipsy behaviour, we decided to change boats. A Dufour 30 Classic, owned by commercial airline pilot by the name of Captain Red Blake, was brought to our attention by Roy Sydney. ’Red Blake’, what a moniker! Intergalactic journeys come to mind. Anyway, the Dufour ticked all our boxes but our friends raised an eyebrow or two when its name, ‘Hedonist’ was mentioned. They could visualise queues forming along the pontoon to board our acquisition of ill repute so a vessel renaming was required despite the old wives tales of bad luck that goes with name changing.

It didn’t take an all night sitting to decide on ‘Pompette 11’ and luckily no bad luck has befallen us so far, one or two near misses mind you, but fingers crossed. 

 

Perhaps we should have retained her original name but who needs an excuse to partake of a few sundowners when safely berthed and at least we are doing justice to ‘pompettism’. Sante !!

                                          ……………………

 

Melvyn Newell, (Takara H51) found ‘Pompette’ in Cassell’s English/French Dictionary, amongst others, where its meaning is given as : tipsy; half-seas over !

 

 

 ‘Libertad’

 

Libertad is a 42 foot Hallberg Rassy sailing vessel owned by Mr. Paul Huntley. Paul was told by the first owners that she was registered in Jersey C.I. but thinks that they resided in or were Canadian. She was then registered in Vancouver, British Colombia. The story told was that they saw her as a passport to freedom, (not very original) but as she is Part one registered, and the name Liberty had already been assigned to an American Warship, they chose the name Libertad which is Spanish/Portuguese for Liberty and the closest they could get, Paul suspects. Libertad has crossed the Atlantic Ocean on a number of occasions though not in Paul’s ownership.

Since bought by Paul in 2002, Libertad has sailed around Britain via Ireland, Outer Hebrides and the Orkney Isles for the RNLI, with lifeboat crews, to promote sea safety in those early days of SEA CHECK. This year during the months of July and August, with some crew from Eastbourne Lifeboat, Libertad is going on the Yachting Monthly Biscay Triangle from Torquay to La Coruna and then to La Trinite, France.

                 

In a separate piece of research, another vessel carrying the name Libertad is a frigate training ship crewed by Argentine Navy Cadets. This vessel serves two main purposes. Firstly to complete the professional and cultural education of the cadets attending their last year of Military Navy School prior to being commissioned as Argentine Navy Officers and secondly to help develop foreign policy and good international relationships implemented by the Argentine Government.

 

 

‘Morag’

“Morag”, is a Cornish Pilot Cutter owned by Mr. Peter Macey on berth H 45.

Peter was told by the previous owner that “Morag” was Scottish for seal. When asked if his yacht went through the water in such a sleek way as the real thing the owner replied, “Only in rough weather!”

 

 

Harbour Walking Trail   

The winners of the £20 fuel voucher for the Harbour Walking Trail were Paul and Jenny Bilmes who enjoyed berthing at Sovereign harbour because ‘It is secure, full of friendly people, peaceful and there’s plenty to do.’ Close behind were Carol Vince and Pete Holland who won a £5 electricity card.

Congratulations!                            

 

 

‘Aluetian Sea Bear’ contributed by Derek Last.

 

Well for a start when one buys a boat with a name already registered at Lloyds I have been aware of the saying that to change its name is unlucky. I’m not superstitious but I don’t take chances!

 

The Aluetian Sea Bear was so named because the original owner built the Seal 28, designed by Angus Primrose, and felt that the Seal ought to be associated with the Sea Bears of the Aleutian Islands but in the course of the transmission of words the ‘Aleutian’ became ‘Aluetian’. Seals, to those islanders, are known as Sea Bears, hence the original names foundation.

As Lloyds have the name registered it is maintained to this day.

 

There were no dodgers (side panels) when I first acquired the sloop and to use the letters of Aluetian were too long for the stiches so the name became abbreviated to Al. Sea Bear (also affectionaly known as the Elusive Sea Bear). Also it was easier to use on VHF Radio calls. This ought to be a consideration for anyone wishing to name their vessel, making it easier for Coastguard recognition. To repeat your name of vessel three times can be quite an exhaustive affair in a precarious situation should it ever arise, so give some thought to your choice of name.

Derek Last, Skipper of Sloop ‘Aluetian Sea Bear’

Lloyds Register 388895

                             

 

Crossword solution from Issue 107

Across clues answers; 1 Dauntless, 4 Muster, 6 Oakum, 9 Avast, 12 Yam Seng, 14 Jetsam, 15 Vasco, 17 Mouse, 18 Plew, 20 Lock, 25 Ballast,

27 Iron Chicken, 28 Noggin, 29 White Horses.

 

Down clues answers; 2 Uptake, 3 Sovereign, 5 Toddy, 7 Paravane,

8 Pompom, 10 Hornpipe, 11 Radhaz, 13 Spam, 16 Quack, 19 Whaler,

21 Killick, 22 Goffer, 23 Ensign, 24 Camship, 26 Frigate.

 

Safety group evenings. These popular evenings will once again be held during the Autumn and Spring on Fridays in the lifeboat centre under the expert guidance of Coxswain, Mark Sawyer. Further details will be posted on notice boards around the harbour and on the lifeboat centre’s window.

 

 

 

The Perfect Boat

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, we say. An oft quoted saying, its conceded truth at times somewhat flattering as well as a trifle hard on those without the vision this statement takes for granted. Two separate observations, both dependent on the precise meaning of the word vision. For example most of us on occasions fail to see things for what they really are and boat owners are no different.

 

“Hello” says the voice at the end of the telephone,” I’m ringing about the boat for sale. I begin my enquiry,” What sort of condition is she in?”

“Oh little Seashell, she’s an absolute beauty you know,” enthuses the gentleman, proceeding to tell me at great length about how wonderful and sea-worthy his lovely boat is and how sorry he will be to part with her. Suitably encouraged I agree a date to view.

 

Parking my car where I can see over the small harbour I try to locate little Seashell amongst the gently swaying masts. Nothing seems to match my expectations so I turn to a boat in the foreground whose mast seems to be swaying more than most. Focusing my binoculars reveals the starboard shroud is detached from its spreader, then I see that the uneven colour along the headsail is in fact the UV strip in tatters, hanging like bits of rag. The rest of the boat is also in the same carefully looked after condition. Putting my glasses down, I answer the mobile.

 

“Good morning”, we greet each other shaking hands, then after boarding a small dinghy, row out to the moorings. Only half attending to his conversation, I’m too busy looking around for my dream boat. It slowly dawns on me where we are headed. Yes, you’ve got it. My heart sinks like a stone as the name Seashell appears on the side of the floppy mast. Closer inspection doesn’t improve matters either, nor does the owner’s unwavering enthusiasm.  “She has beautiful lines, don’t you think?”  Well I had to agree there.

 

On board, tired, grey ropes are covered in green. Tatty, faded sail cover, straps long gone, now held in place with blue polypropylene, also green. In fact everything covered in green. All the woodwork, damp and soggy, patches of black mould without a coat of varnish for years. The deck stanchion bases broken and cracked, fixed with rusted iron screws. Ugh!

 

“You haven’t used her much” I put to him. “Oh these boats, they’ve sailed round the world you know. They can take anything” he says.

“Yes, so I believe. Have you sailed round the world?” I enquire, tongue in cheek. “No, no” he laughs, “But I have been round the bay.”

 

“What does she sail like?” “Well actually, I didn’t sail her, I used the motor. She has a proper engine you know not one of those buzzy things

 

 

 

boats have these days. It makes a proper engine noise.” “Mmm, OK then, shall we go below?”

 

Removing the washboards lets light into a place it hadn’t been to for a while. Kit, bits and pieces everywhere, loose wires hanging sunken, sodden cushions from leaking windows, everything old, dirty and musty.

Did the engine start? Of course it didn’t. The batteries died a death ages ago. “Nice seagoing interior” continues the owner.

 

This guy is unreal I think to myself. “Well thanks very much, I’ve seen enough now” I finally confirm and then ask to see the latest survey. Handing it to me he makes the comment,” It says in here that the hull is very wet. I suppose it would be if the boat had just come out of the water!” I begin to tell him that that is not quite what the surveyor meant  but think better of it. “OK, shall we go ashore?”

As we row back he carries on with his, by now, somewhat trying commentary. Walking over to may car we discuss the price. “There’s been an awful lot of interest in the boat,” he says, “They are very much sought after you know and I am finding it so difficult to part with her, but I will listen to an offer.” “Thank you very much sir, that’s very generous,” I reply. Pausing for a while as I open the car door “Alright then. How about you give me five thousand pounds and I’ll take her off your hands?”

 

Silence is probably the best way to describe his reaction, at least I’d found a way to stop him banging on about his blessed boat for a moment.

“Well, let me know if you change your mind.”  I call out of the window as I drive off. Yes, beauty is definitely in the eye of the berth-holder!

Contributed by berth-holder Steve Collett

                                                                                           

Over to You !

We would just like to thank Sue and Liz for organising the “Over to You” course. The course itself was organised to a high standard and everyone had a great couple of days. As well as gaining knowledge we had the opportunity to speak to other women and exchange stories and experiences we had  encountered. 

 

The course consisted of general knowledge of boating and was presented in a way that we ladies could easily understand.  I don’t want you to think that women are a less capable than men but we take knowledge in differently.

 

 

Firstly we were split into our groups of motor boaters and yachters.  One group took the buoys and charts session first followed by the VHF radio session and then we changed over. 

 

The talk that Rob gave us on understanding the buoys and charts was very well presented and we all felt that the way the different symbols and buoys on the charts were explained was easy to follow and remember.  Rob then gave us some pointers on the chart and explained other notation which might be useful to us.  We were also shown a selection of knots to tie for different situations and were allowed to practice these to our hearts content until we finally got it right. 

 

We then had our radio session. John, of Sovereign Sports Boat Training, explained to us the different radios that are available to boaters and about the new technology of DSC radios.  As well as this he encouraged us to participate in role play on the radio to give us ladies more confidence when using the radio on our own boats. It was a great help. Several of us have since completed the short range radio course and have been awarded our RYA certificates.

                                                                                         

Day two of the course was more “hands on”. We were taken out on a yacht to the North Harbour by qualified RYA instructor, Peter Towner, and shown how to turn the yacht around and also to berth so that the crew could catch a cleat on the pontoon.  Each lady had a go at every job allocated including ropes and fenders. 

 

Then we were treated to a practical demonstration on a power boat, provided by Terry Colbran. He showed us how to tie fender ropes, position fenders when berthing and tie a boat to the pontoon securely.  We were given a trip round the harbour and allowed to drive the boat. It had twin engines and a fly bridge which was a different handling experience for some of us.

 

Also throughout the day we were given refreshments and supplied with a lovely lunch, for which we have to say again thanks, to Sue and Liz.

So to round up our thank you to all involved in the ‘Over to You’ course, we would like to say how much we all enjoyed the insight into the many tasks of boating that we would not normally have the opportunity to try (except in an unladylike fashion in an emergency).

                                                      Contributed by Jane and Carolyn

 

Following the success of this course plans are in hand to run the course again for a new group of women in Spring 2007.

If you are interested please give Liz Loveday a call on 01323641638

or e-mail lzbthloveday@yahoo.co.uk

 

Royal Sovereign Light Tower ( Part 2)

Work progressed over the following months until the point was reached where the constituent parts were ready for assembly.

First the caisson with its telescopic central column was positioned over the site and lowered into position. The pre-cast cabin assembly and steel lantern housing were floated out of the berth at Newhaven and towed to Portsmouth to wait for the combination of a suitable tide and calm conditions.

 

When conditions were right the cabin was delivered to the site and the delicate operation of locating this part of the structure precisely over the central column was tackled. It did not prove to be too difficult a task and the engineers were able to begin jacking up the 1,000 ton structure. This was achieved at the rate of 9 inches a day until the required extension of 45 feet was reached. The underside of the cabin was then well above the maximum wave height and the navigation light was 115 feet above sea level.

 

Following the completion of this part of the operation a concrete collar was constructed that locked the telescopic column in position and the job of fitting out the tower could begin.

 

The cabin section has accommodation for a principal keeper and two assistant keepers who, prior to automation, manned the lighthouse for 28 days before being relieved by helicopter operating out of Shoreham airport. The flat upper deck of the cabin section provides a helicopter landing platform. The lighthouse tower with its control room, fog signal room and lantern is located at one corner of the main deck with direct access to the cabin section below. As well as having additional accommodation for visiting maintenance personnel, within the cabin section is the engine room housing four 20 kw Gardner diesel generators and the compressor room with two diesel generators for operating the fog signal and the crane. Other rooms accommodate the radio and radio beacon equipment, the batteries and the central heating boiler.

 

Above the control room is situated the equipment for the diaphone fog signal with a resonator mounted above.

 

The lantern houses the optic, which comprises three ground and polished fresnel lense panels revolving at one revolution per minute.

 

The lense table is driven by a gearless motor which has only one moving part and has no brushes, slip rings or gears. Electronic speed control and monitoring facilities are provided. The lamp was a 1000 watt, 100 volt lamp

 

 

giving one flash every 20 seconds with an intensity of 2,500,000 candelas whilst the fog signal gives uniform sound radiation and has a range of about 5 miles. Should the main lamp fail during service then an automatic lamp-changer will bring a second lamp into focus.

 

The light tower was completed in 1971 and began its service in June of that year at a completed cost of £1,600,000.

 

Automation of the Royal Sovereign Light Tower was completed in the Autumn of 1994 when it was converted to solar power. Banks of solar modules are mounted on a steel frame at an angle of 65 degrees facing South and placed adjacent to the lantern tower.

 

The optic was replaced by a synchronized set of lanterns made by Tidelands Signals Ltd. each containing a lamp-changer with 6 lamps. This looks very much like a snowflake with small lamp on each point.

 

The main light is reduced in range from 28 sea miles to 12 sea miles and the fog signal was replaced by an electric fog signal with a fog detector.

 

 

 

What’s been going on?

Over the summer the marina gets very busy but the work of the association carries on. Here are some of the topics that have been under discussion.

 

Complaints about clanging gates form berth holders and residents alike.

ü                   Dampers fitted to worst offending gates so that they glide to a close!

 

Complaints re lack of ladders for getting out of the water in the South harbour should the worst happen.

ü                   Two ladders fitted on SX pontoon     

 

Lack of bins in the NE part of the Harbour

ü                   The bins have finally arrived after a long period of inactivity. These are so well used that unfortunately they overflow. More bins have been provided which hopefully Elite will empty on a regular basis. Jeremy Weaver, harbour rep for that area monitors the situation rigorously!

 

Lack of weather information in most harbours

ü                   An agreement for in and offshore reports at least to be provided on Friday nights during the summer if possible. If not early Saturday mornings. Ditto Saturday night/Sunday morning

Lack of trolleys and chains

ü                   A promise of more to be provided soon and another promise to remind builders not to park in front of     those already provided!

 

Excessive weed growth

ü                   A rise in the level of water and a promise to clear any that protrudes into berths.

                                                               

Lock packers hard to see/hear                 

ü                   They should wear high visibility vests and use a radio when possible. (NB. Not all boat names are readable from a distance)

 

Worries about galvanic action/electrolysis

ü                    Confirmation that the bollards are double bonded and checked annually. There was a useful article in the yacht club’s magazine on this subject and there is interesting and useful information on amongst others www.sterling-power.com

 

 

 

Lack of information

ü                   More bulletins to be posted on the marina’s website. Did you know you can register to be emailed with the latest information? Easy to do and worthwhile in relation to problems like lock closures etc.

Lack of onsite chandlers

ü                   Small chandlers now open under the SHYC. The stock level will increase we are told.

North Harbour facilities not up to expected cleaning standard

ü                   Discussion has taken place with the contractor and the frequency of cleaning has increased until further review

Lack of access to bridgeheads from the underground car park

      There have been many complaints about this and we have been, and still are, putting pressure on the harbour to resolve this issue which has been inconveniencing berth holders for some considerable time. The problem is related to the lack of Council approval because of some outward opening doors. Andy Garland has promised to try and speed the process to a satisfactory conclusion.

We have complained about the poor ventilation in the central facilities and the manufacturers, engineers and installers are trying to resolve this problem.

We discuss, and resolve, many other smaller items, queries and concerns.

                                                                                  

Berth Holders’ Locker Swop Meet

In the absence of a boat jumble we are organizing a berth-holders swop meet on Saturday 14^th October. This will be held in the area immediately around the control tower. Berth holders will be able to swop, barter, buy and sell boat related items.

 Liz Loveday (South Harbour rep) is collecting books for a stall.

                                         

Posters with full details will be out soon.

Start collecting your unused items from your lockers/garages/loft or making a wants list now!       

 

Splicing Workshop  

                                                                 

On Thursday 2^nd November 7.00-9.00pm we will be organizing a free splicing workshop at the Haven School, Atlantic Drive, Sovereign Harbour(South) This follows on from the rope talk last year but

will be a purely practical session with one-to-one or small group tuition to help you learn to splice that rope. Free tea and coffee will be provided to get those fingers working. Get your rope and fid set ready!

 

 

 

 

 

It is hoped to reinstate ‘Coxswain’s Corner’ in the next edition.

 

 

Weather or Knot!

Of all the considerations that boat-owners should make before leaving the calm waters of a marina behind, weather conditions and its forecasts must rank as the most important ones to assess. Whenever fog features in a forecast extra vigilance is essential even on a craft with a multitude of electronic equipment.

 

The different causes of fog can be identified as Land Fog and Sea Fog.

 

Land fog normally appears in the Autumn, particularly at sunrise, and after a clear night with rapidly cooling air on the land.

 

Sea Fog is formed by warm and moist air from the land moving over a cold sea. The air is cooled, becoming saturated and then condenses to form mist or fog. This type of fog can remain even with wind speeds of up to 22 knots and does not evaporate when the sun rises but needs a substantial change in wind direction bringing drier air to disperse it.

 

In either circumstance it is essential to keep a vigilant lookout both electronically and with the human eye ball not forgetting to make good use of fog signals.

Fog Signals using horn or whistle, electronically or humanly generated, should be sounded at two minute intervals.

Power vessels being propelled through the water (making way) one long blast.

Power vessels not moored or anchored (underway) two long blasts.

Sailing vessels not using power one long and two short blasts.

 

For better or worse      On the East and South coasts of England, easterly gales can come on without much fall in the barometric pressure, so if there is a moderate easterly wind and a slight fall in the barometer take notice especially in early Spring and Autumn.

If you face the wind, the centre of the low pressure will be to your right. On looking up, still facing the wind, if the cloud is coming from the right the weather will probably worsen. On the other hand if the cloud is coming from the left, the weather should improve. N.B. South of the equator the reverse is true!

 

 

Intrepid Anglers Spot Summer Visitor

 

On June 17^th Fred and Dave of ‘Shamrock’  in the West Harbour, added to their list of unusual aquatic visitors when they identified and photographed a garfish clearly seen swimming amongst the many fish fry currently frequenting the West Harbour.

The garfish is a pelagic shoaling fish which mostly live close to the surface and have a migratory pattern similar to that of the mackerel. They also have a similar skin colour with bright silver flanks and a deep blue almost black back. An adult specimen will be approximately70 cms long at 3 to 4 years of age with a maximum length of 90 cms. Garfish are excellent swimmers which often leap high above the water surface when chased by predators including tuna, dolphin and bass.

 

They can be caught mostly in fixed nets, jigged lures, fish strips and on drifting longlines supported at the surface. The usual food of the garfish is small herring, sprats, sand – eels, sticklebacks and crustaceans. They feed by eye and mainly by day.

 

The flesh is relatively dry but fattest in the Autumn. They are not particularly popular as food on account of their green skeleton. This colour is however due to a completely harmless pigment. Australian programmes show them being caught by rod and line anglers and cooked on the barbeque.

 

The fish’s most stunning feature is their beak-like bill lined with needle sharp teeth. The lower jaw is slightly longer than the top. Records show that garfish can live for up to 18 years.

 

Stabbett.

 

Since the January newsletter no one has come forward with an explanation as to what is a stabbett and how it is correctly spelt but we believe it is a concrete formation, usually having three or four ‘arms’, which is used for sea defence reasons. Two examples have been recently seen.

 

The first was seen on the starboard side of the entrance to Portsmouth harbour just North of the Clarence Pier. This single example is not positioned to work but as an interesting maritime structure.

 

The other examples can be seen in the harbour at Shoreham, where they are positioned adjacent to the Shoreham Lifeboat Station to help maintain the retaining wall and beach.

 

 

Meet the People-Nigel Pipe, Dock Master

Nigel works with his colleagues Roger and Stuart in ensuring that all the equipment is in good order around the marina. He will often be seen in the workboat accompanied by his dog, Bonnie

 

Nigel applied for the job at Sovereign Harbour because working among boats appealed to him which is not surprising as he is a very accomplished yachtsman. Previously he had had a variety of maintenance jobs including one where he was responsible for the seafront of a large seaside town. Nigel is well qualified for the job because he holds a variety of formal qualifications and has attended many courses.

 

He has a proactive role as he tours the marina and can often be found checking things for wear and tear before they breakdown. A recent example of this was when he spotted a problem with the gudgeon pin on the lock gate. He promptly got the specialist before the lock gate fell off! He also has a reactive role when he tends to matters logged in the equipment failure book. These are varied and over the last week have involved welding a hinge, sorting out the water supply and unblocking the Waterfront toilets, which just happens to be Nigel’s most hated job! The most unusual thing that he has encountered also happened recently when the knight in shining armour was called out to rescue a damsel in distress. She was left stuck in a lift as her colleagues went off to the cinema!

 

Asked what change in his working life would bring satisfaction to himself and the berth-holders Nigel replied “I would leave the three bridges up.” Nigel is clearly a champion for the boat owners! (I forgot to ask how some berth-holders would then get to the shops and facilities easily)

 

As Andy relied on his deputies so Nigel relies on his workboat colleagues. All three work an ‘on call’ rota system which means they can be called out at all hours of the night and day. Sometimes at 02.00hours it is literally a case of all hands to the pump. If, for example, the hydraulic hose splits the person on duty may call on his contemporaries to help out. This is done purely on a voluntary basis (which is later rewarded with time off in lieu).

 

Nigel wishes he had been advised to be a professional footballer in his youth and currently works out with the Times and Telegraph crosswords. He enjoys listening to ‘Brick in the Wall’. Our Dock Master is also a berth-holder and is clearly attached to his yacht ‘Nimrod’ which he sails as often as possible in his leisure time. If he had to give up his worldly goods he would hang on to his boat ‘till the bitter end. Like all of us, Nigel dreams and would love to be the skipper of a Volvo Ocean racer.

 

Clearly enjoying the job, he indicated that he would not like to change places with anyone in the marina. We are very lucky to have someone with

 

 

such commitment to working in the harbour and  I thank Nigel for the time he gave up to answer my questions.

 

 

Did you know???????????????????????????????????

The King’s (or Queen’s) shilling

This was the traditional bounty paid in older times on enlistment into the Sovereign’s service and a development of the original ‘prest money’.

An unscrupulous recruiter might buy some unsuspecting chap a mug of ale, place the coin in his beer and wait for it to be consumed; the wretch was then deemed to have struck a bargain having swallowed ( ie. accepted) the King’s shilling. Some pewter drinking vessels still have a glass bottom to guard against this possibility. The term is still used, in a jocular manner, when referring to a person’s date of entry into the Corps or Navy.

 

Beware the Cat o’nine tails

This was an instrument of punishment in the old Navy. If the rope tails were knotted, then it became a ‘thieve’s cat’. This was stored in a red baize bag to conceal the blood drawn by it, hence the expression,’ the cat’s out of the bag’ which still means that retribution is imminent. Note also the association with the phrase ‘hardly room to swing a cat’, which implies that the space being described is somewhat cramped, rather than suggesting cruelty to felines.

 

Contact the Editor

This magazine is produced for members of the SHBHA by members of the SHBHA and we will be please to receive articles for inclusion in future editions. A variety of articles will make for an interesting magazine which should appeal to our ever increasing number of members so please get in touch either by e-mail at,         editor@shbha.co.uk

Or by post to,           R.A.Sydney,                            

                   75, Collington Avenue

                   Bexhill-on-Sea,

                   TN39 3RA

 

……..will be gratefully received

The book and magazine exchange boxes in both the central and west harbours are looking rather depleted at the moment. If you have back copies of boating magazines, or books, that you are happy to pass on then please feel free to deposit them in either of the exchange boxes or hand them to the newsletter editor. 

 

Thank you to those members, who spoke, e-mailed or sent contributions for this edition.