Rigging Block Repair

As part of Shamrock's winter maintenance program, any of the rigging blocks that are currently stowed in the boat shed are being refitted. During this process it was discovered that one of the double blocks had a rotten cheek.

Shamrock's blocks are made from ash and there was none in the wood pile so Shaune obtained an ash log from Cotehele's countryside team. This was then split to obtain a rough piece of ample thickness to manufacture a new cheek. Next it was planed, reduced to the correct thickness, shaped and finally riveted to the old block.

As the original block had become well-weathered Shamrock will now be supporting a multi-coloured block.

Spot the new bit?

Footnote

One of the more unusual items spotted being transported during last week's car ferrying operation!

Peace Shattered!

Cotehele Quay's January is usually a quiet month with just a few regular visitors and dog walkers. This week all that changed when the Royal Marines and Royal Navy arrived with their landing craft to take part in a car ferrying operation from Calstock to Cotehele Quay. Being well publicised the exercise attracted the attention of the press and sightseers.

The cause for this started on Christmas Day when about 40 vehicles were trapped the wrong side of a collapsed road caused by a landslip at Lower Kelly, Calstock. Details of the operation and the 10 year old boy who set the wheels in motion can be found on the BBC website and other news sites.

Loading and unloading provided a few problems as modern cars don't have the ground clearance of the military vehicles they're used to transporting.

Advanced party arriving.

Off to Calstock.

One of the first cars to arrive at Cotehele Quay.

Offloading.

A local council vehicle hitching a ride the wrong way!

The press pack.

Meanwhile back in the boat shed Shamrock's winter maintenance continues.

Cotehele Quay Flood

Thanks to Shaune getting up at some unearthly hour we have a few dark photos of the boat shed taken during last week's flooding at Cotehele Quay.

Bonus one of the quay car park.

Luckily the car park was empty.

Winter Storms

Shamrock has survived the winter storms, so far with only a broken mooring rope plus the mizzen boom and gaff being blown out of their crutch. She was opened up, vented and pumped out on Wednesday 8th for the first time since before Christmas and had taken in very little water through the decks.

The storms and high tides have resulted in the Cotehele quay being flooded and the morning tide of Friday 3rd January also flooded the boat shed when water entered through both end doors meeting in the middle. This is the first time this has happened since the boat shed was built in the 1980's. Luckily no lasting damage was done. These tides have had the bonus of clearing the dock of all the dead reeds, twigs, branches etc that normally collect at the head of the dock. One job less.

Clean dock!

As a rather large bung has been removed from Nancy Belle she has sat safely on the boat shed slipway taking in and draining water with the spring tides.