Stranded
10 November 1972
Conversion of George V5 April 1954
A triumph of teamworkNovember 1962
Pollux18 January 1963
A boating lake11 August 1978
Exciting times10 March 1961
A ship ahoy!8 June 1956
Ton(nes) of experience!1 September 1961
Nappies Ahoy!16 July 1965
Thunderer9 May 1958
Entertainment14 January 1936
Born at Shirwell20 October 1967
Fears for safety30 September 1960
Built for the Royal Navy3 October 1958
Successor4 March 1977
Appledore Shipyard Training SchoolGood news mentioned in the Gazette in 1968! Appledore Shipyard is to establish a training school for apprentices.
The Kathleen and May - 1978Exeter Maritime Museum have offered to give a home to the Kathleen and May, the 77-year-old schooner with strong
The Golden Hind - 1972Assembly of the framework of the replica of Drake's Golden Hind, being bult at the yard of J Hinks and Son, Appledore
Fiftieth Ship for Appledore Shipyard - 1978There was a distinct Scottish flavour about the naming this week of the 50th ship to be built by Appledore Shipbuilders Ltd.
Landing craft becomes mission shipconverted from landing craft to mission ship
Stranded10 November 1972
The morning after scene
on Sunday of the wreckage of the ‘Rossekop II’ from which, in a hazardous operation in the darkness of just after midnight, seven adults and three children were winched aboard an RAF helicopter from Chivenor and landed safely ashore.
Receiving a severe pounding in the surf, having gone ashore near the estuary bar, parts of the vessel were later found scattered a considerable distance along Saunton Sands beach.
Gazette article dated 10 November 1972
Conversion of George V5 April 1954
As well as securing the contract for the construction of five new harbour tugs
for Messrs. France Fenwick Tyne and Wear Co. – the largest single diesel tug order ever placed in the United Kingdom – Messrs. P.K. Harris and Sons, of Appledore, are to convert one of the firm’s steam tugs, the George V, into an ocean-going diesel-powered vessel and, so far as is known, this is the first time a tug of this size has undergone conversion in this country.
As benefits a company that pioneered the Very High Frequency wireless system to give constant communication with its large fleet of tugs, Messrs. France Fenwick Tyne and Wear Co. have been looking to the future and found that ships are becoming bigger and that large docks are being built on the rivers Tyne and Wear to take the largest tankers in the world. It is to meet this challenge that they have placed an order for five new harbour tugs.
This order will give the company nine diesel tugs all with the same type of engines and generators...
A triumph of teamworkNovember 1962
RFA Green Ranger
Viewed at dawn on Sunday, but a few hours after her crew of seven had been rescued by breeches buoy, the Royal Fleet Auxiliary tanker ‘Green Ranger’ ashore near Long Peak on Hartland’s rocky coast.
The drama began when the tug Caswell which was towing the 3,500 ton Admiralty tanker – a ‘dead ship’ – from Plymouth to Cardiff for repairs, was forced by mountainous seas to slip the tow rope off Hartland Point.
In no time the Green Ranger was swept towards the rockbound shore and before ships that raced to her assistance could get near she struck the rocks beneath the towering, remote cliffs. Before she struck, however, rescue services had been alerted. Local coastguards and Hartland life-saving crew were battling through the 70 mile an hour gale over fields to the cliff top and calls had gone out to the Appledore and Clovelly lifeboats and to the RAF helicopter rescue service at Chivenor. What followed was in the highest traditions of all the services.
Directing
...
Pollux18 January 1963
Oxy-acetylene blow torches
had to be used in an Appledore shipyard on Thursday week to free the launching mechanism of ice before a new tug, the Pollux, slid down the runway.
The Pollux was launched at the yard of Messrs P K Harris and Sons, and before she took the water the blow torches were used to melt the ice which had collected between the sliding way on which the ship rested and the fixed way.
The naming ceremony was performed by Mrs C J Mill, wife of the managing director of the Overseas Towage and Salvage Co. Ltd of London, the owners of the Britonia, the 142ft long tug, which was launched from the same yard on Friday and also named by Mrs Mill.
Image from VesselFinder.com
The full Gazette article is dated 18 January 1963
A boating lake11 August 1978
Agreement reached this week
over the provision of a roundabout at Bloody Corner, Northam, means that the way could be cleared for a start within 12 months on the £1 million boating lake and marina planned at Bidna Marsh by Mr and Mrs Harold Clements of Appledore.
The project, agreed in principle by Torridge District Council’s Development Committee, has been held up by a highway objection by the county engineer, but this has been overcome by Mr
Clement’s decision to construct the 25-meter roundabout with the outlet giving access to the site.
Gazette article dated 11 August 1978
Exciting times10 March 1961
Luxury cruises for 'Kathleen and May’ and ‘Irene’
Three-masted schooner Kathleen and May and the twin-masted ketch Irene are soon to disappear from the Appledore scene of which, between voyages, they have been so picturesque and attractive a feature.
But local people, to whom the vessels are more than just ships, may find consolation in the fact that both are to have a glamorous future. They have been bought by the Foster Construction Company, of London, and will be used for luxury cruises in the Mediterranean and the West Indies.
They have been idle for a considerable time, and it was this that prompted Capt Tom Jewell, master and owner of the Kathleen and May, and Colthurst Symons, owners of the Irene, regretfully to put them on the market.
Both would soon be going into the Bideford yards of M W Blackmore and Sons Ltd for a refit and to be converted for passenger accommodation.
More history on the Kathleen and May can be found HERE and Irene, HERE
The full Gazette article is dated 10...
A ship ahoy!8 June 1956
Grenville Bar is opened
Above is a photograph of the new Grenville Bar, at Westward Ho! Holiday Centre, which has been built in the shape of half a galleon, and was opened by Mr A G Pratley, general manager of Travco Hotels Ltd, on Friday.
Among the club members and guests present were Mr Gordon Harris and Mr Ted Harris, of Messrs P K Harris and Sons, the Appledore shipbuilders, who were responsible for its realistic construction.
Mr Bob Mitchell, of Westward Ho! the manager, said with guests rising to 600 weekly during the season, probably some 5,000 would become temporary club-members.
Full article dated 8 June 1956
Ton(nes) of experience!1 September 1961
Ketch Irene leaves North Devon
Three captains of the old sailing tradition formed the crew of the ketch Irene which set sail from Bideford Quay to meet her new owner, Mr Os, at Hamble, in Southampton Waters.
They are Capt. W Schiller, Capt T Jewell, whose three-masted schooner Kathleen and May was sold earlier this year with an ultimate destination believed to be the West Indies, and Capt P Herbert, master of the Mary Stewart at present alongside the Quay.
“We are all three engineers” Capt Jewell told the Bideford Gazette, “and we shall be a happy ship for the 48-hour voyage with much in common. The master was once a boy under my command when I sailed the old Dolphin.
Both Capts Jewell and Schiller are Appledore men.
Gazette article dated 1 September 1961
Nappies Ahoy!16 July 1965
The ex-RN pinnace Calypso, which was escorted into Clovelly harbour at about 1.30am yesterday by the local lifeboat,
was the boat that Ilfracombe Council had said must quit the harbour there by the end of the month after complaints that flapping nappies were spoiling the view.
Owned by Mr Brian Jackson, and with his wife, two children aged 20 months and three months, and with two men friends aboard, she was on her way to Padstow when her engine failed south of Hartland Point.
Anchor was dropped and the two men rowed ashore in a dinghy to raise the alarm. The dinghy was smashed but they scrambled ashore and climbed the cliffs at Morwenstow to reach the Rectory there.
Mr Jack Prince (chairman of Clovelly RNLI) was contacted by Cornwall County Police headquarters and the lifeboat, with Coxswain William Braund in command, was soon on its way.
Before they reached the vessel – anchored about a mile offshore near Higher Sharp Nose – a helicopter from RAF Chivenor, alerted by the Hartland...
Thunderer9 May 1958
Tug For Clyde
Biggest tug yet built by P K Harris (Shipbuilders) Ltd, the Thunderer was named and launched from the firm’s Appledore yard on Friday.
She was named by Mrs P S MacAllum, wife of the managing director of the firm for whom the vessel is being built, who was presented with a bouquet by Miss Ann Dryer.
Mr P S MacAllum, managing director of Steel and Bennie Ltd, one of the best known firms of tug owners in the United Kingdom, smiling happily after watching the perfect launch, said “I signed the contract here on December 27th and you see the ship launched here tonight and we are very pleased. We had two vessels built last year on the Clyde and in 1953 we had another built in Aberdeen and this is the first time we have had a vessel built outside Scotland.”
Mr J Venus, managing director of P K Harris (Shipbuilders) Ltd said November this year was the contract delivery date but everything had gone so well and there had been no hold-ups over delivery of materials, that he...
Entertainment14 January 1936
‘Women’s Own’ Presentation – Sunday School Treat
The annual gathering of the Seamen’s Mission Women’s Own at Appledore took place at the Seamen’s Bethel on Wednesday evening. A daintily served and most appetising supper made an excellent first part of the proceedings. Pastor Rowland Russell presided, assist by Mrs Rowland Russell, leader of the Women’s Own. Afterwards presentations were made to each member of the tea committee in appreciation of their helpful services during the year.
Mrs A Bowden, on behalf of the members, presented useful gifts to Mr and Mrs Rowland Russell as a mark of gratitude for the happy meetings they had all enjoyed from week to week. The recipients suitably responded. Continued popularity of the Wednesday afternoon meetings for women might, they agreed, be judged by the fact that over eighty of their members had sat down to supper that evening. Reference was made to the tasteful decorations of the tables for which thanks were due to Mrs B Jewell, who acts...
Born at Shirwell20 October 1967
Presentation
Bideford’s gift to Sir Francis Chichester, a locally-made, harvest-style pottery jug bearing references to his historic voyage, was presented by the Mayor (Mr.Harold Blackmore) during last week’s ceremonies in honour of Sir Francis at Barnstaple.
Sir Francis expressed himself delighted with the gift and good wishes.
In the centre of the photograph is the Mayor of Barnstaple (Mr. Jim Rayner).
Born at Shirwell, North Devon, Sir Francis had his introduction to sailing on the river Torridge.
At ceremonies at Barnstaple he was made an honorary freeman of the borough and unveiled the foundation stone of the new civic centre.
The commemorative jug was the work of a local potter, Mr. Harry Juniper, now living at Monkleigh.
Article dated 20 October 1967
Fears for safety30 September 1960
Five saved by Clovelly lifeboat
Tired and hungry, but otherwise none the worse for their experience, three men, two women and a dog were brought into harbour by Clovelly lifeboat on Monday afternoon after having spent the night in an open boat.
The party had left Combe Martin on Sunday in the 26ft Lyn II, the owner, Mr W J W Watkins being accompanied by his wife, Mrs Irene Watkins and three friends – Mr and Mrs A E J Coleshill, of Radlett, Herts, and Mrs S Rumball, of Twickenham.
When they failed to return fears were felt for their safety. Then, in the morning, they were located off Lundy.
It was not until shortly before 2pm, however, when the boat was 150 yards off the dangerous rocks at Hartland Point, that a distress signal was flown. Called by the coastguards, Clovelly lifeboatmen, who had been standing by, launched with the aid of villagers (the tide was then low) and less that two hours later towed the Lyn II into harbour, Mr Watkins still being in the stern sheets.
During a...
Built for the Royal Navy3 October 1958
Launched at Bideford
As spectators watched a new inshore survey vessel for the Royal Navy, H.M.S. “Enterprise,” being launched from Messrs. M.W. Blackmore and Sons’ yard at Bideford on Tuesday morning, the keel was disclosed of an 80ft. Pilot vessel ready to take her building berth.
The pilot vessel is one of two being built for the Qatar Petroleum Co. For use in the Persian Gulf, one being due for launching in March and the other in June next. With the new inshore survey vessel being fitted out on Messrs. Blackmore’s new mechanical slipway at Bank End, and with various other vessels in course of construction, the firm have regular work ahead for some 130 employees.
The christening ceremony was performed by Mrs. Lowry, wife of Captain C. G. Lowry, R.N. (Retd.), of Westward Ho! who is at present serving as official hydrographer to the Government of Sarawak. Among many friends of the firm present were representatives of the hydrographic department of the Admiralty. Mrs. Lowry was...
Successor4 March 1977
The new Scillonian now being built at the yards of Appledore Shipbuilders Ltd, will carry an example of the craftmanship of one of the town’s smaller yards, Messrs H Ford and Sons.
It is the plaque to be fitted to the bow of the vessel that is the main contact between the Isles of Scilly and the mainland and the third in the islands’ history.
The existing Scillonian carried a bronze plaque which could not be adapted to fit her successor. The brothers Ford – Philip, Harold and Sid – the two last named are seen in the picture – took a mould in fibre glass and made the necessary adjustments.
Mr Sid Ford told the Gazette: ‘The colouring is incorporated and we have used nearly a dozen different shades. It seems that no-one else does multi-colours and everyone wants to know how we get them. It is a trade secret.’
The motif on the plaque illustrates the islands’ important industry, the export of flowers, the old Scillonian nearing home, the islands themselves and the initials of the owners –...
Appledore Shipyard Training SchoolGood news mentioned in the Gazette in 1968! Appledore Shipyard is to establish a training school for apprentices.
Appledore Shipyard Training School - February 1968
Good news mentioned in the Gazette in 1968! Appledore Shipyard is to establish a training school for apprentices.
The Kathleen and May - 1978Exeter Maritime Museum have offered to give a home to the Kathleen and May, the 77-year-old schooner with strong
The Kathleen and May - 13th January 1978
Exeter Maritime Museum have offered to give a home to the Kathleen and May, the 77-year-old schooner with strong Appledore associations which the Maritime Trust are considering moving from Plymouth to London.
The Trust say the viewing fees from the public visiting the schoome at Sutton do not cover maintenance costs and they think a move to London could remedy this situation. The Exeter Museum think she should stay in the area.
The Kathleen and May, built at Connah's Quay in North Wales, was at one time a familiar part of the Bristol Channel coasting trade and particularly well known at Appledore. It was in North Devon that she was restored in 1965 before being acquired by the Trust in 1970.
The Golden Hind - 1972Assembly of the framework of the replica of Drake's Golden Hind, being bult at the yard of J Hinks and Son, Appledore
The Golden Hind - 18th February 1972
Replica of Golden Hind to be Built in Appledore
Assembly of the framework of the replica of Drake's Golden Hind, being bult at the yard of J Hinks and Son, Appledore.
The replica has been ordered by an American firm and the work of the building will take until next spring.
Meanwhile, on the Isle of Wight, 58-year-old Mr Jack Whitehead is working on a hind figurehead for the vessel. He was also responsible for the carvings on the replica of the Nonsuch for the Hudson's Bay Company, which was built at Hink's yard and launched in the summer of 1968.
Fiftieth Ship for Appledore Shipyard - 1978There was a distinct Scottish flavour about the naming this week of the 50th ship to be built by Appledore Shipbuilders Ltd.
Fiftieth Ship for Appledore Shipyard - 1978
There was a distinct Scottish flavour about the naming this week of the 50th ship to be built by Appledore Shipbuilders Ltd. The new ship was named City of Perth and she was named by Mrs Angela Weir, wife of Mr Donald Weir an Ellerman City Liners' managing director.
The first ship built under cover at Appledore was the Pen Stour. In the eight-and-a-half years since then, there have been more dredgers as well as tankers, supply vessels, container ships, bulk carriers and of course, the passenger-cargo ship Scillonian which was named by Prince Charles when he visited the yard.
Landing craft becomes mission shipconverted from landing craft to mission ship
Landing craft becomes missions ship 5th April 1949
Converted from a landing craft (guns) to a mission ship, the "Sir Edward P Willis II" lying at the yard of Messrs P K Harris and Sons, Appledore, will, it is expected, be ready for sea in the very near future. Her reconstruction, which has been spread over two years, has been delayed by various shortages of materials, but this is now being overcome.
Picture shows Captain Lord Headley and Skipper H J Goldspink. The late Mrs Manning wife of the former well-known Rector of Bideford (Preb. W N Manning) was a cousin of Lord Headley.