Sheemaun History 1935 - Hollowshore Cruising Club in Kent

‘HMY SHEEMAUN’
(1941 – 1945)
2010 Flagship of the United Kingdom
Historic Fleet
Call sign M.L.O.N.
Length 45.5 ft., Gross Tonnage 11.43 Displacement 26.5 tons.
Built 1935 by James Noble & Co Fraserburgh
Berthed at Ramsgate Royal Harbour
Identified by the National Historic Ships Committee at the
National Maritime Museum and certified by Admiral of the Fleet,
Sir Julian Oswald GCB, as a vessel of The Historic Fleet of the
United Kingdom. Registered No 1939
At Fete de al Mer Boulogne 2009 dressed overall at request of the Festival Authorities.
(Sheemaun does not otherwise ‘dress’ while under way)
The ‘Sheemaun’ was built as a yacht in 1935 at the yard of James Noble & Co in
Fraserburgh to design No 561 by G L Watson & Co1, the foremost yacht design
1
Anthony Harrison, Director, G L Watson & Co Ltd per letter 15.11.06
1
company of that period.2 She was commissioned by Banker Mr Ernest Richards to
a design by Watson’s Chief Designer, James Rennie Barnett.3 Construction was in
traditional manner using stout oak frames, keel and keelson, pitch-pine planked
below the waterline and larch planked above with British Columbian pine deck.
The wheelhouse constructed of teak. The name ‘Sheemaun’ was chosen by Mr
Richard’s 15 year old daughter Helen4 who had been reading the famous poem
‘Hiawatha’ by Henry Longfellow Wordsworth (1807-1882) verse VII referring to
Hiawatha’s canoe - line 6 “..Built a swift Cheemaun for sailing..” Ernest Richards
apparently felt the “Ch..” was too hard and suggested softening the name instead
to “Sheemaun” and so it was.
Shipwrights at James Noble’s Yard in the mid-fifties, some of these men would have been
involved in the building of ‘Sheemaun’
2
GL Watson & Co Ltd. Along with many other yachts Watson also designed the America Cup
winners ‘Thistle’, ‘Valkyerie’ II & III. H.M. King George V’s ‘Britannia’, The Kaiser’s ‘Meteor
I’, the Courtauld’s ‘Virginia’and ‘Mayflower’ the yacht of President Roosevelt.
3
Email from Jack Gifford Design Office coordinator G L Watson & Co.
4
By email 14.7.12 from Helen Reid daughter of Ernest Richards. Helen now aged 92 lives in
Canada B.C.
2
This illustration is from ‘The Motor Boat’ October 4th 1935. Dr Pell copied this
to Helen Reid and replying by email, Helen Reid informed Dr Pell that the
gentleman standing near the bow is her father Ernest Richards and the lady seated
on the forward hatch is her mother ‘she always wore that white hat..’
The photograph was taken when Sheemaun was moored in the Conway Estuary
shortly after being commissioned to Mr Ernest Richards.
3
The ‘Briar,’ a slightly larger sister ship than the ‘Sheemaun,’ had been launched
by Nobles the previous year. The ‘Briar’was recorded to have cost £500 for the
hull, wheelhouse and masts, £600 for the engine and £100 for the gear. The
building costs of the ‘Sheemaun’ would have been very similar. Mr Richards sold
her in November 1935 to Mr L S L Saunders for £1,100.00 who sold her in
October 1936 to Mr Harold Bell for £1,050.00.
The ‘Briar’ photographed when off Brisbane
4
Noble’s Yard slipway from which ‘Sheemaun’ and the ‘Briar’ were launched5
On Friday, September 20th 1935 ‘Sheemaun’ was featured by Editor Major B.
Heckstall-Smith in Yachting World & Motor Boating Journal No 2162 Vol 83.
‘Sheemaun’ was a vessel of some significance at the time in so far as she was one
of the first seriously seaworthy, in the sense of extensive off-shore cruising
capability, small flush-decked motor cruisers. Major Heckstall-Smith described
‘Sheemaun’ as “..something which even Messrs G. L. Watson may be reasonably
proud of….”
5
This and the above picture are found in Bill Macdonald’s ‘Boats & Builders: The History of
Boatbuilding Around Fraserburgh’
5
Heckstall-Smth wrote in describing the layout that aside from the excellent
accommodation:
“The construction generally is extremely strong, as one would expect
from builders with long experience of fishing craft. Those who
believe that the sea-going qualities of a fishing boat far exceed those
of the average motor cruiser need have no doubt of a vessel such as
this, for, by virtue of her carefully proportioned under-water body,
she should be unquestionably superior to any fishing boat of similar
dimensions.”
6
20.9.1935 ‘Sheemaun’ was advertised for sale through Messrs G. L. Watson
& Co.
In 1938 ‘Sheemaun’ was bought by Mr H.C. Bell. Ian Smith of Noble Bros
(Fraserburgh) per letter 25th September 2002 and later telephone discussion
recalled to Dr Pell that Harold Bell was a wealthy Fraserburgh cattle farmer and
landowner, well known for his competing in the Highland Games. Furthermore,
Ian Smith had known Mr James Noble Jr., being his uncle, but sadly as at
September 2002 Mr James Noble then aged 87 yrs was very unwell.
Concerning the Noble’s Boat Building Yard Ian Smith wrote:
“All I can remember of those times is seeing boats launched
amid a flurry of excitement, followed by a big splash, and
later being given a sweet biscuit and a cup of lemonade, if
my relations were involved. The stronger stuff was given to
the tradesmen.”
‘Sheemaun’ had been fitted with a pair of Parsons H4M paraffin engines each
developing some 27 horsepower and with which she easily achieved her hull
speed of 7 ½ knots. Significantly these engines could output either in right hand
of left hand rotation and which for a twin screw configuration as in the case with
‘Sheemaun’ was important.
7
Advertisement as featured in the 1935 Olympia Boat Show edition of Yachting World &
Motor Boating Journal
With a fuel tank capacity of 130 gallons this would have given a capacity for
substantial duration and a range of cruising of the order five hundred miles.
8
Advertisement as featured in the 1935 Olympia Boat Show edition of Yachting World &
Motor Boating Journal
Cowes Week 1938 – Annual Yachtsmen’s Service at Northwood Church I.O.W.
Sunday….. among the yachts in the roadstead was Mr H.C. Bell’s ketch
Sheemaun….
9
Summer 1938 at the prestigious Pavillon d’Or Rally
Held that year at Flushing, ‘Sheemaun’ is seen alongside ‘Sundowner’. The man
on ‘Sheemaun’ in the white cap with his back to the camera is probably Harold
Bell. ‘Sundowner’ was then the private yacht of Captain Charles Lightoller who
had been 2nd Captain on the RMS Titanic when she sank in 1912. By Hitler’s
orders there were no German participants in the Pavillon d’Or that year.
Despite the Munich Agreement made between Hitler, Mussolini and Chamberlain
on 30th September 1938, there were ominous tensions developing with Germany.
In 1939 ‘Sheemaun’ was sold by Harold Bell to Lt Cmdr R. H. Calvert-Link Esq.
of Hinton Building, Hinton Road, Bournemouth, Hants.6 That Summer, probably
in June/July ‘Sheemaun’ was moved to the South Coast. It is reasonable to
assume that the general handiness, the excellent sea-keeping qualities and the
sturdiness of ‘Sheemaun’ would have been well tested by Lieutenant Commander
Calvert-Link.
6
Lloyd’s Register of Yachts 1939. (Roy Hanson Calvert-Link b.11.6.04 – d. 21.3.67 buried in plot
G696 Glendale National Cemetery, Richmond, USA).
10
Meanwhile the European situation was fast deteriorating. On Thursday 1st
September Hitler invaded Poland and at 11.15 am on Sunday 3rd September Prime
Minister Neville Chamberlain broadcasting from No 10 Downing Street
announced to the British Nation that Britain and France were now at war with
Nazi Germany and at 11.27 London’s air raid sirens sounded in earnest.
With the Nation at war and national security at a premium the Admiralty now had
urgent need of the services of small vessels with sound qualities and sea-keeping,
furthermore, some vessels of ‘innocent’ appearance might be of particular
interest. By the Summer of 1941 every resource was indeed needed and on 28th
August 1941 ‘Sheemaun’ was acquired by the Royal Navy7 and commissioned as
HMY SHEEMAUN.8
The National Archives at Kew contain a letter –
War Department
T.M.5074/4/S.F.C.2
EMERGENCY POWERS (DEFAULT) ACT 1939
28th August 1941
NOTICE OF ACQUISITION
Whereas M..B. Sheemaun has been requisitioned … 538(B) …….
Signed W.G. Maynard
Lt L.A. Goldy R.A.
63 Conduit St.
London W.1.
And so ‘Sheemaun’ had been requisitioned by the U.K. War Department and was
to become HMY SHEEMAUN an armed Thames Estuary patrol boat.
7
8
Email 22.01.07 from Bob Todd of National Maritime Museum
Email 5.9.08 from Nick Hewitt, Maritime Historian to The Imperial War Museum.
11
Abigail Barker9 confirms that ‘Sheemaun’ was based at Cliffe Fort situated on the
North Kent Thames estuarine coast. A glance at the nautical charts confirms there
was always a minimum of 6 feet of water at the Cliffe jetty even at low Spring
tides.
Satellite view of Cliffe Fort and jetties.
Cliffe Fort had been built in the late1860s and is situated only a sea-mile SouthEast across the Thames estuary from Coalhouse Fort on the Essex coast.
Although in many ways obsolete both Forts remained armed during World War II
and so this narrow ‘throat’ of the London River Estuary could be strongly
defended by the quick-firing guns mounted at each fort.
9
Letter 9.2.07 - Research Dept Achievements Ltd (Heraldic & Geneological Research).
12
Satellite photo of Coalhouse Fort (middle left) and Cliffe Fort (middle right) with only a mile
separating them across the Thames Estuary
Mr Harold Bennett10 of the Chatham Royal Dockyard Historical Society has
confirmed that HMY SHEEMAUN was used by H.M. Examination Service
“..they would have enjoyed using such a fine vessel as ‘Sheemaun’.” Two
Hotchkiss heavy machine guns were mounted to ensure that interrogated shipping
stopped and hove to when so signalled and also to secure the boarding and
searching of any vessel.
“The purpose of the Examination Service was to board all
Merchant Ships & Trawlers entering the river, scrutinise
papers, if needs be search the ship…”11
Although access via land to the remote Cliffe Fort was somewhat limited the fort
jetty provided a secure berth for the Examination Services craft with conditions
only becoming uncomfortable when Northerly or Westerly gales might combine
with tidal surges
10
11
Letter 26.3.07
Lt Cmdr Norman Yates per: WW2 People’s War - BBC
13
Cliff Fort and jetty seen from seawards – photo from Sheemaun May 2007
THE NORE COMMAND
As at 1939 the Western Approaches Commander was Flag C-in-C Vice Admiral
Sir George H. D’O. Lyon KCB.12 Sub Area Nore, one of seventeen Western
Approaches Command divisions was under the command of Rear Admiral G.A.
Scott DSC., based on HMS Wildfire berthed at Sheerness. Inevitably Nore
Command assumed great importance during World War II in contributing to
essential observation and control over the entrance to the Thames Estuary and
guarding shipping routes to and from the ports of North East England.
HMY SHEEMAUN was one of the Examination Services small patrol boats. She
was fitted with “2 Hotchkiss”13. The Hotchkiss 13.2mm Heavy Machine Gun was
extensively used by the British and French armies and navies and copied by the
Japanese who issued thousands to their troops and navy. The Hotchkiss was an
accurate and formidable weapon. The twin naval mounted gun could deliver
continuous fire at 8 rounds/sec. had an effective sea range of 4,500 yards and an
ant-aircraft reach of 8,000 feet. The armour piercing ammunition could ‘take-out’
12
Royal Navy Day-by-Day in World War II by Don Kindell. http.//www.navalhistory.netxDKWW2-420140RNShips2Home.htm
13
Email 2 Mar 2010 from Lorna Read, Royal Naval Records, Portsmouth
CNS-NHBREG@mod.com
14
a light tank and could penetrate the pressure hull of a submarine. The recoil of the
gun was much reduced by counter-balance effect of the gas operated re-load
mechanism.
On ‘Sheemaun’ it is notable that the existing main mast tabernacle is of welded
steel construction whereas the mizzen mast tabernacle is of riveted construction.
This is consistent with the original riveted main mast tabernacle having been
removed to make way for a naval gun mount and after the War being replaced by
a tabernacle of welded construction. Under the tabernacle there are substantial
deck beams with both hanging and lodging knees sufficiently robust to have
supported a twin Hotchkiss Heavy Machine Gun.
Photo – per Ramsgate Maritime Museum - Air Sea Rescue Launches in Ramsgate
Harbour 1940 armed with Hotchkiss HMGs. These launches were about the same
size as ‘Sheemaun’.
15
Ramsgate Maritime Museum – Model of ASRL with single naval Hotchkiss
heavy machine gun . ‘Sheemaun’ had twin Hotchkiss h m g s.
Also available to defend the Thames Estuary were the 2nd motor gun boat flotilla
based at Ramsgate, several mine-sweeping trawlers, and anti-submarine trawlers
based at Harwich and the Examination Services patrol boats ‘Giroflee’ and
‘Laureate’ armed with 6 pounder guns and based at Brightlingsea. More
substantial sea-power was available in the form of various gunboats and the four
destroyers as were variously patrolling in the North Sea off the Thames Estuary.
The late Bob Roberts tells in his book ‘Coasting Bargemaster’14 of encounters
with Thames Estuary Naval Examination Service boats which he describes as
white hulled and flying the White Ensign. These boats would come out variously
from creeks and like locations or in the matter of river patrol and would order the
shipping to heave to be examined and searched. Roberts had little time for the
Examination Service Officers who he found had no understanding of the
difficulties a bargemaster faced in heaving-to a motor-less sailing barge at short
notice. The officers would sling a grapnel into the barge shrouds! Roberts was
greatly inconvenienced on one occasion when he was entering Queenborough
harbour and was ordered to stop by an Examination Service patrol boat. Whether
that patrol boat was HMY SHEEMAUN is a matter for speculation, it may well
14
First published 1949 by St Anne’s Press Timperley. This edition by Seafarer Books, Suffolk, 2000.
16
have been but regardless of that, Bob Roberts must over the war years have often
encountered ‘Sheemaun’ as his barge ‘Martinet’ plied her trade on the Thames
Estuary, the Medway, the Swale and the Kent and Essex Coasts.
17
Mr. Don Kindell confirms that some 19 months later on 1st January 1942 the
following vessels listed as Auxiliary Patrol boats of Nore Command15 were
recorded as based at Cliffe Fort in the Thames Estuary under command of Rear
Admiral Scott, namely:
‘Aberdonia’, ‘Bill Adams’, ‘Blue Peter’, ‘Crescent’, ‘Eternal
Wave’, ‘Eusett’, ‘Kinsman’,’ Marghereta’, ‘Narwale’, ‘Pride
of Sheppey’, ‘Samaki’, ‘Windelf’, ‘Winona’,‘Valterry’,
‘Zelea’ and ‘Sheemaun’.
Of these ‘Aberdonia’, ‘Marghereta’ and ‘Sundowner16’ had been transferred from
the seven hundred or so private and commercial vessels requisitioned on or soon
after 14th May 1940 in compliance with the Admiralty Order for most urgent use
in Operation Dynamo. In October 1964 the Sunday Times published an inspired
letter from the late Raymond Baxter OBE, FRSA as a result of which many
owners of these previously requisitioned vessels were contacted and in 1966 the
Association of ‘Little Dunkirk Ships.’ was born. ‘Sheemaun’ is not included in
that listing.
Sadly all log books of Royal Navy small and auxiliary craft were destroyed in
1950.
Nore Command was finally disbanded on 31st March 1961.
HMY SHEEMAUN was transferred to the Dept. of Sea Transport [Merchant
Navy], laid up on 6th November 1945 and sold out of Naval service in 1947. The
‘Blue Book’ Certificate of Registry confirms this second registration in 1947.17
In 1949 Lloyd’s Register of Yachts records 6089 ‘Sheemaun’ as a twin screw
ketch, still with her original Parsons H4M paraffin engines, having ‘electric light’
and with sails by Beaton, ’47. ‘Sheemaun’s owner then was Mrs J. O. M. Scott18
of No.19 Fitzwilliam Square, Dublin. ‘Sheemaun’ recorded as berthed at the Port
of Littlehampton.19 Mrs Scott sold her to Mr H E Chubb who in July 1950 sold
her to Mr Thomas Haydon for £4,750.00.
15
Royal Navy Day-by-Day in World War II by Don Kindell. http.//www.navalhistory.net.DKWW2-420140RNShips2Home.htm
16
Capt Charles Lightoller 2nd in Command RMS ‘Titanic’ when she struck an iceberg and sank in
1912.
17
Unfortunately all small vessel log books were destroyed by the Navy in 1950.
18
Possible relationship to Rear Admiral Scott.
19
Lloyd’s Register of Yachts 1949..
18
In the 1951 Olympia International Boat Show Sheemaun was featured by David
brown Ltd exhibiting a pair of DB6 90 hp Diesel engines.
1951 - per The Times May 13th – MY Sheemaun 45-ft Ocean Cruiser G L
Watson design; new Thornycroft engines; complete in every detail; beautifully
fitted out; any survey or trial; fitted out in May; lying south coast price £4.900
write Box E484.
19
In 1964 ‘Sheemaun’, Port of Registry Littlehampton, was listed in Lloyds as
owned by I.O. Capper Esq., of Polstead Mill, Colchester, Essex. Captain Capper
was a member of the Little Ship Club and a member of the Royal Navy Sailing
Association and was certified with the Board of Trade as a Master and an Officer
of the Merchant Navy.
In 1965 ‘Sheemaun’ was registered to T W H Burton Esq., about who there is so
far no information but ‘Sheemaun’ continued to be registered at the Port of
Littlehampton.
On 22nd November 1972 ‘Sheemaun’ was registered to Rear Admiral Gordon
Gray CB., DSC. There is an interesting confluence between ‘Sheemaun’, Rear
Admiral Gray and Pangbourne Nautical College.
At age 16 yrs ‘Peter’ Gray was entered as a cadet at Pangbourne Nautical College.
He passed into the Royal Navy in 1929 and served in the Mediterranean Fleet. In
1939 he was 1st Lt., HMS Stork and later he was a destroyer commander in the
Norwegian Campaign. He was to serve as Naval Deputy Representative at
Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers, Europe and finally as Senior Naval
Instructor at the Imperial Defence College.
The dormitory at Pangbourne College where cadet Gray slept in 192720. Note the sparseness
of the room with wide open windows, cadet’s sea-chests, the beams from which the
hammocks were slung and the racks in which hammocks were stowed each day.
20
Courtesy Lionel Stephens author of ‘Pangbourne College: The Nautical College and its
History’. Dovecote Press Ltd 1991.
20
1971 - Admiral Gray inspecting Sheemaun in Norfolk prior to purchase.
From a photograph kindly provided by Nicholas Gray.
As the personal yacht of Admiral Gray, ‘Sheemaun’ flew the burgee of the Royal
Yacht Squadron. Admiral and Mrs Gray cruised in ‘Sheemaun’ for six months
of the year extensively along the U.K. South Coast, voyaging to Belgium, Holland
and on to the Baltic, their son Nicholas often crewing.21
Nicholas Gray told Dr Pell that “My Father often said that some of the happiest
days of his life were spent cruising in Sheemaun…” After the rigours of
Pangbourne and service in the Royal Navy during World War II it is perhaps little
wonder that Admiral ‘Peter’ Gray much later in life would come to feel so
comfortable in the relative luxury of his beloved ‘Sheemaun’.
21
Nicholas Gray by Email and personal visit to ‘Sheemaun’ April 2007.
21
Dept Trade & Industry letter to Rear Admiral Gray confirming the registration of signal
flags and radio Call-Sign for ‘Sheemaun’
22
‘The Admiral’ as he was known to family and friends was a talented artist.
Reproduced below is a water colour painting of ‘Sheemaun’ kindly sent by the
Hon Henrietta Brougham. The painting, by her Grandfather the late Rear Admiral
‘Peter’ Gray CB.,DSC., shows his beloved ‘Sheemaun’ proudly flying the burgee
of the Royal Yacht Squadron.
SHEEMAUN
Wearing the burgee of the Royal Yacht Squadron
Water colour by Rear Admiral Gray CB., DSC.
Owner and Master 1972 - 1981
23
Sheemaun flying the burgee of the Royal Yacht Squadron and berthed at the Royal Yacht
Squadron, West Cowes circa 1975. Admiral Gray seated on the foredeck
From a photograph kindly donated to ‘Sheemaun’ by Nicholas Gray.
The time eventually came for Admiral Gray to retire from active cruising and
Sheemaun was again advertised for sale.
By appropriate if strange coincidence ‘Sheemaun’ was purchased from Admiral
Gray on 30th September 1981 by Lt Cmdr Ian Pearson of Pangbourne Nautical
College where the Admiral had at age16 yrs once been a cadet! Ian Pearson was
shortly to become the Executive Officer at Pangbourne.
‘Sheemaun’ now superceding the Pangbourne College cutter ‘Tiger Knights’
became the College ‘Flagship’ and saw considerable further and very active
service in Naval Hands voyaging far and wide under the capable command of Ian
Pearson. During the years 1981 to 1987 ‘Sheemaun’ provided many scores of
Pangbourne Naval College Cadets with their first real experiences of off-shore
hands-on crewing, boat handling, sail handling, responsibilities as crew-members,
24
keeping watches and engaging with coastal and off-shore navigation skills.
“..round the British Isles or across the Channel”.
The above photograph of ‘Sheemaun’ bound for Pangbourne with masts down,
was taken from Henley bridge in 1983, was kindly provided by Mrs Forward, her
son Richard was at the wheel.
“In 1981 the College became one of the first schools… to form a CCF Royal
Marine section…”22 ‘In 1985 Pangbourne College CCF23 “Sheemaun” was said
to have celebrated her first ten years with the college by circumnavigating Britain
…”24
Those log-books make fascinating reading, for instance:
Pangbourne College (From Capt. Richard Forward)
MFV Sheemaun
9-10 Oct 1982
Solent - Littlehampton
8 Oct Went off on CCF trip on ‘Sheemaun’ at Hamble. Hope to
see the ‘Mary Rose’ being lifted from the sea bed off
Portsmouth on Sunday.
10
Lifting rig leg broke so raising of ‘Mary Rose’ was
postponed. Standing by aboard Sheemaun. Later that
afternoon, we went to Littlehampton where we drove “Blue
Peter III” an Atlantic 75 RNLI Lifeboat! The coxwain was
father of a guy at school.
22
L C Stephens . 1991 ‘Pangbourne College’ – The Nautical College and its History’ Dovecote
Press Ltd p 144
23
The CCF defaced blue ensign worn by ‘Sheemaun’ is carefully preserved.
24
Ditto pp 164-165.
25
11
Mary Rose was lifted at lunchtime today. We were back at
school
23-29 Oct
Littlehampton - Pangbourne
23 Oct Half term. Aboard ‘Sheemaun’ from Littlehampton to
Brighton.
24
Rang home from Ramsgate. Lost my watch overboard in
Brighton Marina!
28
Mum & Emma (Sister) went to Henley and watched
‘Sheemaun’ go under the bridge, driven by me. Spent the
night alongside at Henley.
11-14 April 1983
Pangbourne - Chatham
11-14 Apr CCF trip on ‘Sheemaun’ to Chatham. [Fell in while
provisioning!] Stops overnight: Henley 11th, Staines
th
12 , HMS President 13th, Chatham14th,
Then returned by road to Pangbourne
20-21 May
May 21-22
Chatham - Southampton
CCF trip to Chatham to Chatham on ‘Sheemaun’
27-30 May
Southampton - France
27-30 Half term. Taking ‘Sheemaun’ from Chatham to
Littlehampton.
30
Returned home. Good fun, rough seas yesterday.
10-24 July 1983
France and Channel Islands
10-21 CCF trip on ‘Sheemaun’ to Channel Islands with Ian
Pearson & John Spriggs (Royal Marine CCF commander) in
charge (Southampton - Yarmouth - Alderney - Jersey – St
Malo - Lezardrieux - Tréguier) We were split into A & B
groups. One group would
“Yomp” and camp ashore
between ports while the other would be aboard. John
Spriggs was admitted to and put in isolation hospital at St
Helier with infective hepatitis.
20
By ferry from Jersey to Weymouth - force 6-8.
21
Returned home
17 Aug
Family Jaunt in the Solent.
The Pearsons invited the Family for a day-sail on
‘Sheemau’ from Southampton Docks
to Cowes,
swam off Osborne Bay, Isle of Wight
21-24 Aug
My sister & I, Ian & Reggie Pearson, David Carr &
Ruck Nightingale went on a brief trip (non-CCF) aboard
‘Sheemaun’
22
My sister had to move into our boys’ cabin because hers is
leaking!
24
Returned home
26
From ‘Sheemaun’s Log Book
Paris to Conflans
07.45
08.15
O8.30
09.30
10.00
10.05
13.0
14.40
14.50
18.28
18.29
22.00
26/6/86
Call The hands - sky overcast
Breakfast
Bach + L-M to get provisions
Sunshine
Leave berth & dock fuelling bay
Jamieson still missing. Temp 70 deg ??
Leave fuel berth avec Jamieson
French lunch
Lock in at Sartre Ville
Saw ‘Seahawk’ British Boat with opposite sex on board.
Arrived Conflans
Bangers + booze located & used
Engineers try and fix weed trap
Boulogne to Dieppe 19/7/86
07.30
10.00
19.05
21.05
21.10
Call the hands. Harbour master comes aboard. Change the impellor
Sail for Dieppe. Main compass 20 degrees out!
Arrive at Dieppe berth alongside ready to go through lock
Entrance into Port Duqesne
Alongside three smelly fishing boats – Cmdr Ps worst ever
berth!*!
Richard Forward relates25 “We were possibly the largest boat on the upper
reaches of the Thames. (Certainly in terms of draft). …we once ran aground under
Whitchurch Bridge on the outskirts of Pangbourne, less than a mile from our
winter berth! We got our longest mooring warp out, presumably launched the
tender, though I don’t remember how as we couldn’t use the mizzen boom (of
course the Seagull outboard wouldn’t start!) rowed to the Victorian iron bridge,
tied a bowline and winched ourselves back into deep water with the anchor
capstan! We were slightly concerned about collapsing the bridge….”
25
R A S Forward by email 28.3.2010
27
‘Sheemaun’ now berthed at Hayling Island, was in need of a substantial re-fit and
in 1986 Cdr Pearson advertised ‘Sheemaun’ through broker Peter Gregson of
‘Wooden Ships Ltd’ based in Devon.
July 1986 Sheemaun for sale - Suzy Pell then aged 5 yrs peers fascinated into the
wheelhouse. Lt Cmdr Ian Pearson is seated
‘Sheemaun’ was duly acquired by Dr Rodney Pell along with a charming letter
from Lt. Cmdr. Ian Pearson and a sprig of sea holly from Mrs Pearson for good
luck. The sprig of sea holly remains above the compass in the wheelhouse to this
day. The Register of Sale being witnessed by Mr Peter Points M.A., Headmaster
of Pangbourne since appointment in 1969.
Letter from Ian Pearson
28
Next were to come fifteen years of hard work, expense and research along with
much needed patience and forbearance from the Pell family.
‘Sheemaun’ awaiting work at Coombe’s Boatyard Bosham June 1987
‘Sheemaun’ – Making a start on restoration 1987
29
‘Count Dracula’, a Dunkirk Little Ship, about to depart Coombe’s Boatyard June 1987 after
restoration. ‘Sheemaun’ is in the background - work in progress26
In July 1988 ‘Sheemaun’ finally left Coombe’s yard27 bound for Ramsgate and
crewed by Dr Pell, The late ‘Doc’ Shiers FRCSE and Maxwell Wallace-Jones.
Unfortunately due to both the old David Brown MD6 engines developing faults a
stop off had to be made at Littlehampton. Manoeuvring alongside the quay on the
falling tide was not easy but an elderly, white-bearded man with a battered white
cap popped out of the Harbour Master’s office - a hut - and waving his arms
shouted across the water:
“This is where ‘Sheemaun’ goes.”
Warps were hurled across and while making these fast he peered suspiciously at
Dr Pell and shouted;
“Who are you?”
“I’m the new owner” was the reply.
“Oh” was the response bellowed back.
“Well this is where ‘Sheemaun’ always goes”
He turned on his heel and went back into the hut. No mention was made of any
harbour dues!
26
‘Christian Brann 1989 ‘The Little Ships of Dunkirk’ Collectors Books Ltd p 178.
The yard closed in 2001 planning to develop waterside residences on the site is in abeyance
pending the result of appeal.
27
30