LOCAL INTEREST
Defender 16-01-2012
Defender is being refitted in Maldon to take on Somali pirates!
Note 40mm gun on fo'c'stle - photo taken 02/10/11
compare with photos below showing Defender without gun.
SIGFJEL has been laying a Fulbridge Quay displaying a "FOR SALE" notice
since September 2011
NEW EX-NAVAL CRAFT at FULBRIDGE - LOYAL CHANCELLOR
LOYAL CHANCELLOR lying alongside SIGFJEL
Defender moves from her berth at Heybridge to Fullbridge, close to Greens Mill
HMS PLYMOUTH
There are reports that Falklands veteran HMS Plymouth could be berthed in
Maldon as a tourist attraction and museum.
The planned berth is at the old Sadds Wharf opposite the Maldon Salt Factory
She was on display in Birkenhead as part of the Warship Preservation Trust collection but since their demise Plymouth is in effect, owned by Mersey Docks and Harbour Board.
MDHB whilst being understanding on the matter, feel her destiny is the breakers torch.
Other bodies have been seeeking a permanent berth for her at Plymouth which has not been forthcoming. Other sites, such as Hayle in Cornwall, have also been muted.
Visitors to the Blackwater
Latest arrival in the Blackwater is DEFENDER (Lowestoft) at the berth close to the lock entrance at Heybridge. She is the former “Al Majihad”(B6), a fast attack craft built in Lowestoft by Brooke Marine for the Sultan of Oman's Navy. After 17 years of service she was de-commissioned and gifted back to Lowestoft as a display ship in recognition of the part Lowestoft played in the building of the Sultan of Oman's navy during the 1970s.
It was initially thought that she was going to be used in connection with a local Sea Cadet unit, but now believed to have been sold privately for conversion into a pleasure craft.
Commisioned in July 1977; Displacement 135/153 tons; Dims 37.5 X 6.9 X 2.2 Metres; 2 Paxman Ventura Diesels;
25 knots; Armament 1 OTO Melara 3" gun in front of bridge.
See Joe Capps Lowestoft Pages for some interior photos
Thames barge DECIMA (67 tons) is out board of her - Official No 110055
She is the only sailing example of a large number of Thames sailing barges built by F. G. Fay & Co. of Southampton. She was built in 1899 of steel for E. J. & W Goldsmith of Grays for whom she traded in general cargo work until approximately 1949. She was then sold to Rayfield's of Gravesend and in 1951 was fitted with an engine.
In the 1960s, she was bought by Greenhithe Lighterage Co (Tester Bros). She left trade in 1977 when Dennis Wildish purchased and re-rigged her. Through the late 1970's and early 1980's he sailed her as an auxiliary barge. In 1996, DECIMA was sold to Jeremy Taunton who used her as a houseboat on Faversham creek.
She returned to sailing in early 2003 when she was bought by her current owner, Tim Goldsack, who has extensively re-plated and re-rigged her. She is based at Standard Quay, Faversham and regularly competes in barge matches, having several 1st places to her credit.
CLICK HERE to visit the Seylec site for more photos and information on Defender and Heybridge Basin
MTBs at Maldon in the 1950s
Two MTBs in the cut at the end of Maldon Promenade in the early 1960's, courtesy of Mid-Essex WSS member Neil Sexton.
The near boat is believed to be a Fairmile "D", MTB 761, built at Brightlingsea and arrived at Maldon in 1946. She was attached to the Chelmsford Sea Cadets as TS UPHOLDER. She is reported to have been sold on 25th March 1963.
The far boat is TS ST VINCENT attached to the Brentwood Sea Cadets. She is also believed to be a Fairmile "D" and formerly MTB 730. She arrived at Maldon in 1950.
Geoff Morgan has contacted us and remembers spending many weekends on her as a member of the Chelmsford Sea Cadets back in the early '50s. He recalls that she had her engines removed and on one occasion on a stormy weekend she broke free from her moorings and ended up in the middle of the river! They had to wait for her to be towed back again!
Roger Chapman reports that his late father owned MTB 761 after the Sea cadets
(presumably in 1963) and would be grateful of any further information storys or photos that anyone may have.
Any one with any further information or photos please contact us via the "Contact Us" page. Thank you.
Views arround Maldon Waterside