Maryport to Chatham
At 9.40 a.m. on Sunday 26th April 2009, VIC 96 raised steam for the first time in nearly 30 years. On 22nd May the ship moved under her own power for the first time since 1981 and, after slipping for further hull painting, we were then able to carry out sea trials over the weekend of 19-22nd June. After purchasing some 50 tons of coal, on 5th July VIC 96 sailed from Maryport for the very last time on her voyage home.
From the outset we agreed that the purpose of the Trust was to preserve and run the VIC as an operating merchant ship in as close to original condition as possible – a primary function of the vessel at Chatham would be to educate the public about the British Mercantile Marine. Visitors would be able to see the normal working conditions for sailors in the Merchant Navy and would not be looking at a sanitized version. The only modernisation would be reversible, such as adding modern navigational equipment.
This meant, of course, that anyone steaming the ship from Maryport to Chatham would be living in 1940s conditions and this proved to be a considerable test of stamina, ingenuity and character!
This was a 1000 mile epic trip sailing west into the Irish Sea to turn north around the Mull of Galloway and on into the Crinan and Caledonian Canals, and beyond to the North Sea.
During the voyage we had to learn how the ship handled and about the sea and ourselves! Even the Crinan presented difficulties because the locks have been shortened by widening the lock gates since the VIC last passed through. She just fitted with some pushing and shoving.
The engine crew learnt how best to work the steam plant over passages of up to about 16 hours. This meant watch on watch for the engine room and navigating crews (4 hours on 4 hours off) as well as continuous routine oiling, clinkering and of course shovelling. Our average coal consumption over the voyage was about 32 nautical miles/ton and we are now looking at our engine settings and methods of firing with a view to improving on this.
We all learnt quite a bit about living in cramped 1940s conditions in an uncompromising vessel on an unrelenting sea which tested our resources and tempers. Derek Gransden skilfully skippered the ship throughout this long voyage managing to keep everyone in line, informed and interested.
It was a privilege to steam into and past some fascinating towns and coastline, always being met with surprise and interest. It was a memorable journey through time: anchoring at the romantic island of Lindisfarne and coaling in the now derelict Tyne Dock in South Shields which had been one of the worlds busiest coal export harbours. VIC 96 will probably be the last steam ship ever to coal up in the Tyne Dock, even though the coal came from Russia.
On Saturday 8th August, after 5 weeks of constant effort, and solid entertainment, VIC 96 steamed into Chatham to an enthusiastic welcome, reinforcing the value of the project we have undertaken. The VIC performed faultlessly.
This has been a story of tremendous effort from some very skilled, generous and hardworking people who have given their time and energy to this worthwhile project and prevented a fascinating piece of our maritime history from being scrapped. It has been done entirely without public funding. We have made firm friends with other like minded people during our voyage – the crew of the drifter Lydia Eva in Great Yarmouth, the Portwey team and many more.
VIC 96 is now a working exhibit in No 1 Basin at Chatham where restoration work will continue so that she can be part of the process of bringing the past to life. She has already taken part in the Thames Festival Classic Rally at St Katharine’s Dock two years running. As part Museum piece and part seagoing vessel, VIC 96 could easily become a firm favourite with visitors.
Jim Hatfield
From the outset we agreed that the purpose of the Trust was to preserve and run the VIC as an operating merchant ship in as close to original condition as possible – a primary function of the vessel at Chatham would be to educate the public about the British Mercantile Marine. Visitors would be able to see the normal working conditions for sailors in the Merchant Navy and would not be looking at a sanitized version. The only modernisation would be reversible, such as adding modern navigational equipment.
This meant, of course, that anyone steaming the ship from Maryport to Chatham would be living in 1940s conditions and this proved to be a considerable test of stamina, ingenuity and character!
This was a 1000 mile epic trip sailing west into the Irish Sea to turn north around the Mull of Galloway and on into the Crinan and Caledonian Canals, and beyond to the North Sea.
During the voyage we had to learn how the ship handled and about the sea and ourselves! Even the Crinan presented difficulties because the locks have been shortened by widening the lock gates since the VIC last passed through. She just fitted with some pushing and shoving.
The engine crew learnt how best to work the steam plant over passages of up to about 16 hours. This meant watch on watch for the engine room and navigating crews (4 hours on 4 hours off) as well as continuous routine oiling, clinkering and of course shovelling. Our average coal consumption over the voyage was about 32 nautical miles/ton and we are now looking at our engine settings and methods of firing with a view to improving on this.
We all learnt quite a bit about living in cramped 1940s conditions in an uncompromising vessel on an unrelenting sea which tested our resources and tempers. Derek Gransden skilfully skippered the ship throughout this long voyage managing to keep everyone in line, informed and interested.
It was a privilege to steam into and past some fascinating towns and coastline, always being met with surprise and interest. It was a memorable journey through time: anchoring at the romantic island of Lindisfarne and coaling in the now derelict Tyne Dock in South Shields which had been one of the worlds busiest coal export harbours. VIC 96 will probably be the last steam ship ever to coal up in the Tyne Dock, even though the coal came from Russia.
On Saturday 8th August, after 5 weeks of constant effort, and solid entertainment, VIC 96 steamed into Chatham to an enthusiastic welcome, reinforcing the value of the project we have undertaken. The VIC performed faultlessly.
This has been a story of tremendous effort from some very skilled, generous and hardworking people who have given their time and energy to this worthwhile project and prevented a fascinating piece of our maritime history from being scrapped. It has been done entirely without public funding. We have made firm friends with other like minded people during our voyage – the crew of the drifter Lydia Eva in Great Yarmouth, the Portwey team and many more.
VIC 96 is now a working exhibit in No 1 Basin at Chatham where restoration work will continue so that she can be part of the process of bringing the past to life. She has already taken part in the Thames Festival Classic Rally at St Katharine’s Dock two years running. As part Museum piece and part seagoing vessel, VIC 96 could easily become a firm favourite with visitors.
Jim Hatfield