Winter Steam Up December 2015
At our Mince Pies and Punch Party on 28th December we were delighted to receive a return visit to VIC 96 from Tian Lan. Tian was one of our London guests at Hermitage Wharf in September. She is from Qingdao in China and is currently working in London.
Qingdao is a major Chinese port and holiday destination. It was formerly known as Tsingtao and is famous to naval historians as being the base of Vice-Admiral Maximilian Graf von Spee in 1914 before he sailed with the German East Asiatic Squadron to sink Rear-Admiral Sir Christopher Cradock at the Battle of Coronel off Chile on 1st November. Von Spee was then defeated by another British squadron commanded by
Vice-Admiral Sir Doveton Sturdee at the Battle of the Falklands on 8th December 1914.
Tian is very interested in our unique preservation project. She would like to bring her parents to see the two ships when they next visit her.
JIM HATFIELD.
Qingdao is a major Chinese port and holiday destination. It was formerly known as Tsingtao and is famous to naval historians as being the base of Vice-Admiral Maximilian Graf von Spee in 1914 before he sailed with the German East Asiatic Squadron to sink Rear-Admiral Sir Christopher Cradock at the Battle of Coronel off Chile on 1st November. Von Spee was then defeated by another British squadron commanded by
Vice-Admiral Sir Doveton Sturdee at the Battle of the Falklands on 8th December 1914.
Tian is very interested in our unique preservation project. She would like to bring her parents to see the two ships when they next visit her.
JIM HATFIELD.
Visit from Mori Flapan - October 2015
At our work party on 24th October 2015 we were honoured to receive a visit from Mori Flapan from Australia. Mori is much involved with the Sydney Heritage Fleet (www.shf.org.au) and runs the Register of Australian and New Zealand Ships and Boats (www.boatregister.net). The Sydney Heritage Fleet has seven operational ships and boats. These consist of:- James Craig – 1874 brig Lady Hopetoun - 1902 steam launch Waratah – 1902 steam tug Boomerang – 1903 schooner Protex – 1908 motor launch Harman – 1943 motor launch Berrima – 1955 motor launch They are also in the process of a major restoration of the John Oxley. This is a magnificent 1927 steam ship 168 feet long and 540 gross tons. It has a three furnace scotch boiler and a triple expansion engine of 1400 ihp giving 14 knots. |
Mori gave us a copy of his splendid drawing of the Waratah (ex Burunda). His Boatregister website demonstrates that he is clearly of the same mindset as the VIC 96 Trust. He is concerned to save the derelict 1879 three masted iron barque Lady Elizabeth at the Falkland Islands before she disintegrates. We all wish him well with such an important project. JIM HATFIELD. |
Ostend at Anchor30th May 2010
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Transport Trust AwardsThe 2010 Transport Trust Awards Ceremony was held on Monday 14th June 2010 in Torquil’s Bar of the Camden Roundhouse, named after Sir Torquil Norman CBE, a Transport Trust Vice President. who purchased the building in 1996 and then established a trust to run it as an arts venue. The Roundhouse is historic, having been built by the London & Birmingham Railway as an engine shed in 1847. However, as the size of locomotives quickly increased, they outgrew the turntable so the building became obsolete from 1855.
Preservationist of the Year was Derek Gransden for leadership of the VIC 96 Trust who restored VIC 96, a WW2 ‘Victualling Inshore Craft’, which was almost derelict in Maryport in Cumbria. Trust members restored the ship and steamed her all the way to a new home at Chatham in Kent. Old Glory Article19th November 2009
Project Leader and Skipper Derek Gransden explains to Alan Barnes the work carried out during the last years of the restoration of VIC 96 and her maiden month-long 856-nautical mile voyage home to Chatham last July. News & Star26th June 2009
The Vic 96 will leave on July 5 for Chatham in Kent with 12 people on board who have been travelling from Kent and Sussex to the town’s Elizabeth Dock each weekend over the last five years to make her seaworthy. |
Times & Star
1st October 2004
RESTORATIONS to the VIC 96 steam ship reached a landmark stage at Maryport last weekend and a party was held to celebrate.
Last Saturday saw a new teak wheelhouse and a refurbished steam winch delivered, watched by a group from the old Maryport steam ship trust.
RESTORATIONS to the VIC 96 steam ship reached a landmark stage at Maryport last weekend and a party was held to celebrate.
Last Saturday saw a new teak wheelhouse and a refurbished steam winch delivered, watched by a group from the old Maryport steam ship trust.
News & Star
21st May 2004
A SMALL crowd gathered at Maryport Marina on Tuesday to watch the 130 tonne Vic 96 steam ship being pulled out of the water.
A SMALL crowd gathered at Maryport Marina on Tuesday to watch the 130 tonne Vic 96 steam ship being pulled out of the water.