Speaker meeting David Gibson Thames Sailing Barge Trust
Thu, Apr 20th 2017 at 1:00 pm -
Speaker Host: David Fell
Vote of thanks: Liaquat Govani
Stewards: Terry Smith & Jim Haines
Fellowship officer: George Larkey & Brian Taffs
Meeting Menu: Battered mushroom followed with Ham egg and chips
Speaker meeting Mr David Gibson
Thames Sailing Boat Trust
David Gibson from the Thames Sailing Boat Trust is now a resident of Maldon but prior to moving there many years ago he was a resident of Havering.As a landlubber he knew absolutely nothing about boating but a search for something to do in retirement led he to Thames Sailing Boats and that was it. He was hooked and has spent many hours since working on boats and for the Trust which owns two beautifully restored boats, the sb Pudge built in 1922 and the sb Centaur built in 1895.
David explained how the boats were the lifeblood of transport from the east coast of England to London from the Victorian age until the 1950's. His talk was most interesting and as well as describing the how they worked and their history which included being among the fleet of small boats which helped with the evacuation of the forces from Dunkirk in 1940.
Apart from all the many interesting details and stories of the boats we came away with a new vocabulary relating to Thames Sailing Boats and we are now fully conversant with Sprits, Wangs, Horse and Hounds,, Bob, Topsail Sheets, Heads, the Ceiling (which is not above your head) and Warping with Dolly (don't let your mind run riot it is all very innocent).
A most interesting and amusing talk which was rounded off with the presentation of a cheque from SVP Lliaquat Govani to help with the running of the Thames Sailing Boat Trust.
Story by Rotarian George Larkey
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