Hello All,

Just sorted minor problem with log in, but here I am now. Just a word on MTB 102, just to say had a fantastic day with Richard Basey and the crew at Great Yarmouth yesterday and the best part, the trip on Breydon water, full throttle and even asked to steer her! saw the sad sight of Golden Galleon, seems she is on her last legs now, hope better luck with the Western Ladies in Torbay. As Richard said, with these vessels they need to be kept right up on the maintanance, as very ably demonstrated on the imaculate 102 of course. Great pictures of Medusa, quite a major refit, look forward to her coming out and running along to Chatham as mentioned in thier publicity. Very interested in all the talk about the work on other vessels, best of luck with them,  plenty of advice around ex people like Richard and Tony on Asco, so glad I am involved with a steel veteran the Medway Queen but who knows in future....that D replica I dream of.

Regards

John 

Hi John

Sounds like a good day out.Ian Boyle just posted a selection of great pictures of Golden Galleon, it seems Mr Manning has been unable to carry through his plan of last year.Link to the pics;

http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/Golden-Galleon.html#anchor150349 - http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/Golden-Galleon.html#anchor150349

Regards,Christian.

Hi Christian,

Indeed a great day out! pictures of Golden Galleon very interesting, just as she was on Sunday I am afraid, what was Mr Manning going to do? heard ex Richard that some dutch guys were interested in her as she served in Holland in the war?, but... would need someone now I think with deep pockets and loads of time and energy to save her now, better examples are the Western Ladies in Torquay, maintaind two of at least, till very recently but now laid up, need to be sorted soon and kept up, which Steve Powell is trying to work on in partnership with the company. All the best,

Regards

John

Hi John

Regarding Mr Manning, who should be praised highly for having kept her from the jaws of the local council crushing machine (she is a Navigation hazard apparently) see previous posts in WOW Look At This...

Steve Powell is doing a great job also,hopefully we will get some good news soon on that front.

Regards,Christian.

Some of you may be interested in the following about the Golden Galleon.  I for one would like to see it restored to glory but it looks like she will not be around much longer.

http://www.the-norfolk-broads.co.uk/viewmessages.cfm?Forum=22&Topic=6187&srow=1&erow=10 - http://www.the-norfolk-broads.co.uk/viewmessages.cfm?Forum=2 2&Topic=6187&srow=1&erow=10

Ben

Hello Ben,

Very interesting re Golden Galleon, but as you say, she seems on her last legs now, a great pity that this can happen to our historic ships, in the hands of people who don't care but won't let others do something. We can only hope that perhaps the Fairmiles at Torbay can be saved as they are in good order, mayby something could turn up for GG, but it will need from the sound of it someone with deep pockets.

John 

Hey all!

 Can anyone tell me who to contact with regards to saving this piece of our history?

 It may seem a little outside the box but i have a plan.

 If i could aquire her for less than the stupid amount she was advertised on ebay for(lets face it she's firewood and scrap metal unless somethings done soon) then i'm willing to save her.

 The first part of this problem is stopping her from physically rolling over in the water and having to be removed by mechanical diggers as a danger to navigation.

 This is why i cant afford to pay a stupid price as i'd have to give up working, head down there and pretty much rough it while getting her stable enough to be towed.

 The next problem would be accomodation while she's on the hardstanding and swallowing money faster than i can earn it. Simple enough i suppose once watertight, move onto boat and spend rent/mortgage on fixing boat & rough it again.

 The only way i could do it is like that and pretty much the same as a selfbuilder has to live in a caravan for a couple of years while building his house.

 Also once i was financially stable enough after conserving whats left i could then get another place and register the boat as a charity.

 If i couldnt do this at least she'd be saved while a liveaboard and has a future instead of impending destruction!

 The figures quoted for restoration are greatly reduced if you do the work yourself instead of a shipright(dont attempt this unless your both confident and COMPETENT)

 I wouldnt agree to something like that without first inspecting the golden galleon but if its in my power to save her the offer is there!

Hello Jimmy,

Just seen your posts for Golden Galleon, well, certainly you should look at her first as I think she is in quite a bad way and would be a huge task to sort out, getting her lifted would be also quite a task, big crane etc and wether she would stand it, most boats like this I think are usally slipped. Await your findings with interest.

John 

  Hey all!

 Just had a message back from the BA that she is to be broken up ASAP.

 Fired a few emails off to them(some begging, some a lot less tactful).

 I will keep on trying but i need you all to make a stand here!!

 These things are essentially the holy relics of the free world! These ships, planes, jeeps ect helped our parents and grandparents save us from a nightmare that george orwell warned us about and hitler tried to make a reallity!!

 I know she has been condemmed but if we can raise the mary rose and keep a few spits in the air then we can save a ship that is essentially still floating!

 If i had my way i'd be working on her while the pumps were running but i'm not the powers that be.

 If you want to save her then tell the people that can halt the execution!

 I've applied to save her but one man is not enough. If you care then get Emailing the BA and between us we can save this piece of history!

 Feeling and pity is admirable but not enough, 162 needs action and fast!!!!

 It wont be easy but with a little dedication she can be saved, trust me

Hey again!

 Just checked my email and i've been blocked from sending to the BA.

 Not sent anything abusive or the like but there we have it.

  When politics comes before the future of boats like this then its a very sad day!

 Keep you updated on my quest to save historic boats as theres a couple of air sea rescue boats i know of.

 Cant believe theyre gonna cut her up with no chance of reprieve...

   Bds

Hello Jimmy,

ell, very sorry to hear you can't get through to the BA, but..perhaps and I know some may start screaming at me, it may be for the best in some ways. Local contacts say she is in very poor state, in fact slipping or lifting which I spoke of before, would not work as she was dry docked before and that can really cost, plus insurances to move her etc. You would really need I think a real wad of cash to back this project up, and you could easily just lose what you have. However, at least there is a chance for the B class, with the Western Ladies at Torquay, see post under this section, two off in good order so perhaps you might get a chance to work on one yet!. At least a chance for this class, regret none for the D's, don't get me started on that one.

John  

Hi Don,

Re D's, well, according to Phil Simmons book on the housboats at Shoreham, the Luna Sea I think, was the last certainly here and was broken a few years ago. Phil is of course a well renowned authority on the subject, so I take his word for it. As to perhaps one abroad, well, mayby, there are a number of coastal craft abroad of course. However, I do have a copy of John Lambert's anatomy of a ship which has a very comprehensive list at the back of the boats and their fates, a couple existed at the time as housboats here, which he visited. I might have another look and see if any went abroad and might still exist there, but a very long shot I am afraid. Mr Lambert's book was re-issued a year or so back, originally published I think nearly 20 years ago!. I got the first edition then but lost it and got this re-issue, thus my interest in coastal craft was born.

John

Hi Everybody

It looks like the process has started.

http://www.the-norfolk-broads.com/viewmessages.cfm?Forum=22&Topic=6187&srow=31&erow=40 - http://www.the-norfolk-broads.com/viewmessages.cfm?Forum=22& amp;Topic=6187&srow=31&erow=40

Peter

If you are having problems 'Posting' in this Forum - please send me a Private Message and I will try to help.

Best Regards

H a76njk,

Just seen your post, congratualtions on getting registered and I do hope you can take advantage of the small grants, not a lot, but something and a move in the right direction. I try myself to spread the word on these grants, get em while they are hot so to speak! all the best,

Regards

John