UPPER END OF THE HARBOUR

A packed early 1960's scene

By Andy Gilbert

I spotted this print of an old postcard hanging in Barwell's solicitors a few days ago. I haven't seen this image before and I thank them for letting me re-photograph it to share it here. It's a packed photo and this view from the River Wall has been snapped many time over the years. From the shipping in the river, we can very safely date this to the very early 1960's, so let's go from left to right.

Discharging her cargo of aggregates at the old Coal Wharf is the suction dredger Ron Woolaway. She was one of a pair of dredgers registered in Barnstaple, Devon, her sister ship being the Stan Woolaway. Just one week into her career, on 18th June 1960, she capsized near Flat Holm in the Bristol Channel. She was towed, upside down, by Stan Woolaway and some Cardiff-based tugs, to Penarth, where she was righted and repaired. To cure the stability problems, blisters called sponsons were fitted either side of the hull. She ran from Newhaven for many years.

Tucked up by the bridge is the dredger AA Raymond, still undergoing her diesel engine conversion work. Immediately next to her is the famous 'sheerlegs' crane.

In the foreground is the motor yacht Dawn Approach. I often wonder if she ever left these moorings here at the West Quay, for I certainly never saw her move! I'm told that she was  owned by a famous surgeon from Guy's Hospital, in London, who had a house in Seaford. I'm also told that she was one of the 'little ships' of Dunkirk fame, but I can't say for sure if that's true. Does anyone know? Edit: I'm now very reliably informed that she does not appear on the register of 'little' ships from the Dunkirk evacuation, so that myth, as they say on the TV show, is busted.

Getting up steam in the background is the cross channel steamer Londres. She's obviously been on the gridiron for her winter refit and spruce-up, just look at the immaculate paintwork along the waterline at the bows - it won't stay like that for long!

Finally, moving upriver in between Londres and the collection of moored yachts is one of the RAF 'crash boats'. This is one of the larger types stationed here. Her number is obscured but it's likely to be one of the regulars, like 2757 and 2758.